J.K. Simmons, Oscar winner for "Whiplash," said he had a good warmup to avoid injury. Photo by Chris Stone
J.K. Simmons, Oscar winner for “Whiplash,” said he had a good warmup to avoid injury. Photo by Chris Stone

How often do you see pitching legend Rollie Fingers play left field and Trevor Hoffman at third base?

TV star Terry Crews shows off body famed in Old Spice commercials. Photo by Chris Stone
TV star Terry Crews shows off body famed in Old Spice commercials. Photo by Chris Stone

For that matter, when would Super Bowl champion and ex-Chargers quarterback Drew Brees take the same field as Academy Award winners Jamie Foxx and J.K. Simmons?

Those were among the treats of Sunday’s 6-inning All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game at Petco Park. The 90-minute contest will air on ESPN after Monday’s T-Mobile Home Run Derby — appetizers for Tuesday’s 87th annual All-Star Game.

Brees, the New Orleans Saints quarterback expected to play the Chargers this fall in his first visit to Qualcomm Stadium since leaving the Bolts in 2005, got the most cheers while playing in what he called “one of best ballparks in baseball.”

He also hit a home run to right off Major League Soccer star Landon Donovan. But dingers were easy with a shortened fence.

Brees said baseball was his first love, and played it growing up. “I still love baseball,” he said, noting Ted Williams was the reason he wears No. 9.

Former Chargers quarterback Drew Brees heard the most cheers at Petco Park. Photo by Chris Stone
Former Chargers quarterback Drew Brees heard the most cheers at Petco Park. Photo by Chris Stone

At 10, his first autograph was from Hall of Fame shortstop (and fellow player Sunday) Ozzie Smith at old Busch Stadium in St. Louis. But he said he made a mistake in having the Cardinals (and Padres) star sign the inside of his glove.

“Not a veteran move,” he said, because ground balls eventually erased the autograph.

Brees said he’s excited to return again in October — to face his former team at Qualcomm.

“I’m sure it will be a big game,” said the five-year Chargers player who hasn’t taken a snap here for 11 years. “Love the city. I hope they stay. It wouldn’t be the same with them going up to L.A.”

Amid batting practice, “Whiplash” and Farmers Insurance commercial star Simmons, 61, said his strategy was to “A) Not embarrass myself and B) Not pull something.”

He lauded his glove, a fresh 2016 model, but said: “I have a Wilson glove at home that’s broken in that I would love to be using in the game.” The one he played with was “like catching a softball with a brick.”

A Detroiter growing up, he said his favorite Tigers players were Al Kaline, Alan Trammell, Willie Horton, Lou Whitaker and Kirk Gibson.

“What could have been my prime athletic years, I wasn’t playing ball,” he said. “Now it’s a once-a-year summer softball game with my old summer theater. … My legs left when I was playing in the Broadway Show League in the ’90s.”

Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers, still sporting a handlebar mustache, recalled playing at the 1978 All-Star Game at Jack Murphy Stadium. But he hailed the current, more extravagant event.

“I wish they had FanFest when I was a kid,” said the 69-year-old relief pitching legend.

“I walk three or four miles a day. And try and watch my carbs so I don’t get too much overweight.”

Players wearing American jerseys beat the Nationals 8-7, which followed the Futures Game featuring up-and-coming professionals from the minor leagues.

The events were part of what Major League Baseball called All-Star Sunday.

Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, known as the “Man of Steal,” wasn’t allowed to advance that way Sunday, under softball rules, but held court earlier on his style of play.

Fred Lynn and a fellow player go for a fly ball. Photo by Chris Stone
Fred Lynn and a fellow player go for a fly ball. Photo by Chris Stone

“When I got to two strikes, I had no fear. Nowadays when you get two strikes, oh they’re panicking — ‘Oh, I got to do something different,’”

He said Willie Horton was his childhood idol — even though he refused young Rickey’s autograph requests.

When Henderson finally made it to the majors, he told Horton: “Hey, [when] I was a kid you never gave an autograph. Can you give me some techniques?”

Horton replied: “Congratulations on making it to the big league. But I want to tell you one thing … when [you] come up to the plate, move way back” to be less a threat, triggering laughter from onlookers.

Henderson, 57, called being part of All-Star Sunday an honor.

“It’s a joy just to be here,” he said.

Chris Stone contributed to this report.

Teammates including Disney TV star Raini Rodriguez celebrate victory in 6-inning game. Photo by Chris Stone
Movie star Jamie Foxx goes awaits a catch at Petco Park. Photo by Chris Stone
Soccer star Landon Donovan played for the winning American squad. Photo by Chris Stone
David Wells and Rollie Fingers, graying but still fan faves, sat together. Photo by Chris Stone
A young Padres fan stood to be recognized on the Jumbotron. Photo by Chris Stone
Olympic softball champion Jennie Finch wore gloves for her star turn. Photo by Chris Stone
Hall of Famer David “Boomer” Wells played for the National team in the legends game. Photo by Chris Stone
A fan got a selfie with veteran Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Nina Agdal. Photo by Chris Stone
Former Chargers quarterback Drew Brees heard the most cheers at Petco Park. Photo by Chris Stone
Talk show host Andy Cohen gets in batting practice before the All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game Sunday. Photo by Chris Stone
Rickey Henderson hits a line drive during the celebrity game. Photo by Chris Stone
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees makes a run for second base. Photo by Chris Stone
Soccer legend Landon Donovan gets ready to pitch. Photo by Chris Stone
Andre Dawson greets fellow teammates. Photo by Chris Stone
David Wells gives pitching pointers to teammates. Photo by Chris Stone
Baseball mascots make their way to the field at Petco Park. Photo by Chris Stone
Actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar gets in batting practice before the game. Photo by Chris Stone
Actor Jamie Foxx gets in some batting practice to the delight of fans. Photo by Chris Stone
Actor Sterling K. Brown takes batting practice. Photo by Chris Stone.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees laughs at a play. Photo by Chris Stone
Fred Lynn ducks as Drew Brees throws a ball. Photo by Chris Stone
Fans try to get on the big screen. Photo by Chris Stone
Andre Dawson tips his hat before batting. Photo by Chris Stone
Actor Jamie Foxx poses for photos with fans. Photo by Chris Stone
Wounded Warrior Martin Diaz attempts to catch a long ball. Photo by Chris Stone
Trevor Hoffman waves to the crowd. (File photo by Chris Stone)
Hall of Fame pitcher Rollie Fingers throws in from the outfield. Photo by Chris Stone
Tim Raines celebrates as the American team wins the six-inning game. Photo by Chris Stone
Actor Morris Chestnut is disappointed with his last out. Photo by Chris Stone
Trevor Hoffman balances a softball on his fingers before pitching. Photo by Chris Stone
Former Padres player Billy Bean makes a catch in the outfield. Photo by Chris Stone
Olympic Softball champion Jennie Finch pitches for the National League. Photo by Chris Stone
Actor Omar Miller catches the ball before Morris Chestnut makes it to first base. Photo by Chris Stone
“SNL” member Kyle Mooney takes batting practice before the All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game. Photo by Chris Stone
Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Damaris Lewis talks to the media before the All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game. Photo by Chris Stone
A young boy waits for an autograph from J.K. Simmons before the game. Photo by Chris Stone
Oscar winning actor J.K. Simmons waits at first base after getting a single at the All-Star Legends and Celebrity Game. Photo by Chris Stone
Former Major Leaguer Curtis Pride rounds the bases. Photo by Chris Stone
Ozzie Smith takes his turn at bat at the All-Star Legends and Celebrity Game. Photo by Chris Stone
Actor Tyler Hoechlin rounds the bases in the All-Star Legends and Celebrity Game. Photo by Chris Stone
San Diegan Kyle Mooney of “Saturday Night Live” gets ready to advance to second base. Photo by Chris Stone
Raini Rodriguez shows some enthusiasm on the field. Photo by Chris Stone
The Futures Games was played before the All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game. Photo by Chris Stone
Former closer Trevor Hoffman warms up before pitching. Photo by Chris Stone
The Friar and [Cincinnati] Rosie Red were ready to take the field. Photo by Chris Stone
Andre Dawson talks with the media before the All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game. Photo by Chris Stone
Oscar-winning actor J.K. Simmons talks with the media before the All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game. Photo by Chris Stone
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees talks to the media before the All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game. Photo by Chris Stone
David “Boomer” Wells talks to the media before the All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game. Photo by Chris Stone
Jennie Finch, an Olympic champion softball player, speaks with the media before the All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game. Photo by Chris Stone
Hall of Fame reliever Rollie Fingers talks with media before the All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game. Photo by Chris Stone