Browns' Mayfield cameos as Brewers' 1st-base coach in spring game
Baker Mayfield didn't get into a Cactus League game while visiting Milwaukee Brewers spring training, but his weekend on the diamond sure was eventful.
The Cleveland Browns quarterback was a guest of his friend, Brewers star and reigning NL MVP Christian Yelich, at the team's camp in Phoenix over the weekend. He took batting practice on Friday, and on Saturday Mayfield filled in as the team's first-base coach during an exhibition contest against the Colorado Rockies.
The #Brewers must have been a little short-handed for the split-squad today because we got one heck of a fill-in to coach 1st base! #CactusCrew pic.twitter.com/smfN11rF76
- Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) March 16, 2019
Minor-league coach Quintin Berry, who was filling in as Milwaukee's first-base coach for the game, surprised Mayfield by giving him the assignment in the fourth inning.
"I had absolutely no clue (I'd be coaching)," Mayfield told reporters afterward, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "Quintin Berry told me I could go coach first base and I thought he was joking. He gave me a helmet and a stopwatch."
We see ya @bakermayfield @Brewers @Coach_Nesbitt pic.twitter.com/PZne9cAX8i
- Camille Nesbitt (@Ellimac8) March 16, 2019
Although he admitted to being confused by what to use the stopwatch for, Mayfield quickly took to his new role, waving Mike Moustakas around first base on one of the slugger's two hits.
Mayfield, who said he always wanted to play professional baseball, ended up coaching three innings on Saturday. Unlike Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson - who took one at-bat in a spring game with the New York Yankees last year - the Brewers opted not to give him a cameo plate appearance, much to the relief of those watching back in Ohio.
"I don't think the Browns would have liked that," Mayfield said.
"We'll never be able to go to Cleveland ever again if something happens," Yelich added, per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. "Cleveland might actually march on Milwaukee if something happens (to him)."
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