The 2026 San Quentin Giants baseball season started with laughter and good competition. 

Emmy Award–winning actor Jon Hamm, best known for his role as Don Draper in the drama series Mad Men, and actor Will Ferrell, best known for his role as Ricky Bobby in the hit movie Talladega Nights, showed up to play for LA LOVE and experience a day on the Lower Yard. 

The first ceremonial pitch, thrown by Hamm, was followed up by Ferrell, who threw out the second ceremonial pitch. Before Ferrell threw the pitch he proclaimed, “I want you to know, if either team hits a home run I’ll streak the bases!” 

Warden Chance Andes contributed a few words, telling all in attendance that he is an LA guy at heart. “I am supporting San Quentin today and I want to thank the LA LOVE for coming,” Andes said. 

 In the first inning SQ Giants shortstop Carrington Russelle started the game with a deep shot to centerfield. Anthony Denard followed Russelle with a single that set the stage for the first two runs of the 2026 season. 

Denard stole second base and stopped halfway to draw the throw which allowed Russelle to score the first run of the season. 

In the fourth inning the SQ Giants rally was cut short when LA LOVE’s shortstop Alex Ansoleaga made a sliding grab, turned, and threw out SQ Giant Vic Picazo to kill the rally. 

SQ Giants center fielder Kameron Hamilton shined throughout the game, driving in the second run for the Giants and scoring the final run in the seventh inning. Hamilton finished the day going two for three with one RBI. 

During the top of the eighth inning, LA LOVE first baseman Jack Donaldson hit the first homer of the year at the Field of Dreams. Donaldson’s two-run homer had fans eagerly awaiting to see if Ferrell was going to be true to his word. 

Ferrell’s ability to make people laugh was on display when he ripped off his LA Love jersey and ran around the outfield shirtless, reminding everybody of Ferrell’s classic streaking scene in the hit movie Old School. 

Ferrell kept his pre-game promise, creating an uproar of laughter throughout the administration, staff, volunteers and residents who lined the Field of Dreams. 

Both staff and residents celebrated all day and looked for autographs and photo ops with Ferrell and Hamm. 

The fans were appreciative that he participated in the year’s first exhibition game as well. 

“That dude is crazy. Running naked in a prison he’s never been in before,” said resident Raoul Sanchez. “He’s got balls, and fortunately we didn’t see them.” 

After his historic jaunt around the outfield, Ferrell said Hamm had invited him to come to San Quentin last year to play some baseball, and this year the schedule worked out. 

Ferrell said he is glad he came and he plans to be back. “This is an amazing experience. I actually was surprised by how much activity is here. I don’t make light of the fact it’s a prison setting, but I feel the love and friendship here,” Ferrell said. 

Love and friendship were expressed for SQ Giants manager Richard Williams, who was unable to attend the game due to an injury. Assistant coaches Angelo Mecchi and David Roy took the reins and helped lead their team to their first win. “I don’t look at wins or losses, but the overall dealings with outside teams. I want to beat them, but with grace,” Roy said. 

Patrick Kennedy returned for his fourth game against the SQ Giants.“Walking down to the yard is unique; I get anxiety and real excitement. I have mixed feelings when we have to leave — it’s a privilege to come here,” Kennedy said. 

LA LOVE pitcher Justin Halpern, a show runner for the television series Abbott Elementary, started the game by throwing a nice fast ball. As soon as Halpern got up in the count he began mixing it up with his slider, which gave the Giants problems. 

Actor Hamm said he plans to keep coming back for the annual baseball game and that he really enjoys the experience. “We are all only a couple of bad decisions from being in here. I have a lot of empathy and understanding for the guys here,” Hamm said. 

“Whoever comes down that hill to play us, I want them going back home with a new perspective of the SQ Giants — along with a loss,” said Hamilton. 

Volunteer SQ Giants coach Phil Snyder, who helps coordinate the team’s schedule and recruits outside teams to play, said he knows they will face some talented teams this season. 

“I believe the SQ Giants are a good team, but the competition has gotten better as well. There’s going to be some intense games this year,” said Snyder. 

After the Giants 7–5 victory both teams gathered around the mound and expressed gratitude for the competition and camaraderie. Closing out the event the players and coaches huddled up, hats in hand, heads on the next man, as they finished with a prayer. 

When the huddle broke, shouts of “Amen” and “baseball” could be heard across the yard. 

SQ baseball is back!