John Madden: Will Ferrell showed 'lack of respect' in baseball tour

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Actor Will Ferrell jogs off the mound after Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly removes him from a spring training game in Peoria, Ariz. (Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press)

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Actor Will Ferrell points out something during his time with the Angels in a spring training game in Tempe, Ariz. (Chris Carlson / Associated Press)

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Actor Will Ferrell attempts to tap gloves with Padres centerfielder Wil Myers after the end of inning during a spring training game in Peoria, Ariz. (Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press)

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Actor Will Ferrell delivers a pitch for the Dodgers during a spring training game in Peoria, Ariz. (Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press)

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Actor Will Ferrell signs a baseball for a Cincinnati Reds teammate during a spring training game in Scottsdale, Ariz. (Michael Schennum / Associated Press)

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Actor Will Ferrell gives Cubs batter Addison Russell some advice during an exhibition game against the Angels on Thursday in Tempe, Ariz. (Chris Carlson / Associated Press)

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Actor Will Ferrell takes the mound to pitch for the Dodgers in a spring training game in Peoria, Ariz. (Lisa Blumenfeld / Getty Images)

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Actor Will Ferrell jumps at the right field fence on a home run from Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson while playing for the San Diego Padres during a spring training game in Peoria, Ariz. (Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press)

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Actor Will Ferrell calls out the number of outs while playing with the Athletics during a spring training game in Mesa, Ariz. (Lisa Blumenfeld / Getty Images)

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Actor Will Ferrell smiles in the Reds dugout during a spring training game in Mesa, Ariz. (Michael Schennum / Associated Press)

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Actor Will Ferrell delivers a pitch for the Dodgers against the Padres during a spring training game in Peoria, Ariz. (Lisa Blumenfeld / Getty Images)

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Actor Will Ferrell, right, replaces Angels center fielder Mike Trout during a spring training game against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday in Tempe, Ariz. (Chris Carlson / Associated Press)

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Actor Will Ferrell warms up in right field for the Padres during a spring training game in Peoria, Ariz. (Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press)

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Will Ferrell takes a cut, rather late, at a pitch from Angels pitcher Zach Stewart while batting for the Chicago Cubs during an exhibition game Thursday. (Chris Carlson / Associated Press)

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Actor Will Ferrell exits the dugout to take the mound and pitch for the Dodgers during a spring training game in Peoria, Ariz. (Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press)

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Actor Will Ferrell, right, bumps gloves with A’s infielder Brett Lawrie in the first inning of a spring training game against the Mariners on Thursday in Mesa, Ariz. (Matt York / Associated Press)

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Actor Will Ferrell tips his cap to the crowd in right field while playing for the Padres in a spring training game in Peoria, Ariz. (Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press)

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Will Ferrell reacts after striking out against the Angels while batting for the Chicago Cubs during a spring training game in Tempe, Ariz., on Thursday. (Chris Carlson / Associated Press)

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Actor Will Ferrell greets fans as he arrives for the Angels-Cubs exhibition game at spring training on Thursday in Tempe, Ariz. (Chris Carlson / Associated Press)

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Actor Will Ferrell sends a clear message to a Cubs batter as he coaches third base during a spring training game against the Angels on Thursday in Tempe, Ariz. (Chris Carlson / Associated Press)

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Actor Will Ferrell reaches for a throw while playing first base for the Cubs during an exhibition game against the Angels on Thursday at spring training. (Chris Carlson / Associated Press)

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Actor Will Ferrell acknowledges the fans after playing second base for the Seattle Mariners in the second inning of a spring training game against the Oakland Athletics on Thursday in Mesa, Ariz.

(Matt York / Associated Press)

By Austin KnoblauchStaff Writer

March 14, 2015 10:35 AM PT

Former football coaching great and commentator John Madden is feeling prickly about actor Will Ferrell’s Cactus League tour on Thursday.

Ferrell played for 10 teams in five Major League Baseball spring exhibitions on one day in a stunt aimed at raising money to fight cancer. The Angels and Dodgers were among the teams Ferrell suited up for as he drew laughs from players and fans.

Madden, however, wasn’t amused by Ferrell’s antics.

“I hate it. That’s a lack of respect,” Madden told KPIX-TV in San Francisco on Thursday. “That’s a lack of respect for the game and a [lack of] respect for what players have to do to get where they are.”

Madden, 78, went on to talk about how he told his players to treat Rick Barry when the former Golden State Warriors star asked about suiting up to practice with the Oakland Raiders in the 1970s.

“He was a friend of Al Davis’ and he said he was going to go in and suit up and go out on the field and practice, to fool Al. I swear this is true,” Madden said. “Jack Tatum and George Atkinson walked by and I said, ‘Look, if this guy comes out on the field, he’s live bait and I want you to go after him the way you would go after any other player that plays on another team.’ I said [to Barry], ‘Go ahead and dress, but we’re going to treat you like a football player and not like an NBA player.’”

Suffice to say, Barry didn’t join the Raiders for practice that day.

John Madden: Will Ferrell showed ‘lack of respect’ in baseball tour

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