The passion of Dale Sveum.
Actor Jim Caviezel stood in for the Royals hitting coach in a team photo Wednesday when Sveum missed the shoot because of a medical appointment.
Royals manager Ned Yost said that thanks to Caviezel, the team can now photoshop Sveum’s head onto the actor.
Caviezel said it was “funny” to be in the Royals team photo.
“I think it’s more humbling for me to pop into a picture and impersonate some guy,” Caviezel said. “I enjoyed it, just getting into a team photo. How many times would you ever be on a MLB field?”
The “Passion of the Christ” star was referred to as Jesus throughout the shoot by “director” Emily Penning, the team’s executive assistant.
“And Emily was going, ‘Jesus, you need to move back a little bit. Jesus, we’re glad you’re here,'” Yost said.
Caviezel was invited to camp by former Royals star Mike Sweeney, who is in the team’s front office. The actor got his own No. 33 jersey and even got to take batting practice with Sweeney pitching to him.
Sweeney also made Caviezel pick up the balls after hitting.
During the Royals spring training game against the Cubs Wednesday, pitcher Ian Kennedy was able to work out of a bases-loaded jam. He credited Caviezel’s presence with his pitching.
“Jesus was in our dugout, watching over us a little bit,” Kennedy said.
The Royals also got to see more of Jesus when he gave the team a private screening of his latest movie, “Paul, Apostle of Christ.”
With NEWS WIRE SERVICES