Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

4 hours ago

Trump Vowed to Dismantle MS-13. His Deal With Bukele Threatens That Effort.

8 hours ago

Ukraine Voices Concern as US Halts Some Missile Shipments

8 hours ago

Poll: Most Americans Say National Divide, Political Violence Threaten Democracy

8 hours ago

Paramount Settles With Trump Over ‘60 Minutes’ Interview for $16 Million

8 hours ago

Republicans Tee up House Vote on Trump Bill, Outcome Uncertain

8 hours ago

What’s Next for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs After His Sex Trafficking Trial?

8 hours ago

Dalai Lama Says He Will Be Reincarnated, Trust Will Identify Successor

9 hours ago
Clovis Man is 'Making It' on National TV After Baseball Career
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 4 years ago on
June 21, 2021

Share

Blake McFarland traded his artistry on the pitching mound for artistry in his Clovis workshop.

Now, the former professional baseball player will be featured on NBC’s “Making It.” The do-it-yourself competition craft show — hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman — airs its season premiere at 8 p.m. on Thursday on KSEE-24.

McFarland pitched seven years in the Toronto Blue Jays organization through 2017. A shoulder injury forced his retirement.

After his retirement, McFarland settled in Clovis and focused on his sculptures. His works can be found at several sports arenas, including “Buckley” at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

“That’s probably one of my favorite sculptures because it’s the first time I ever worked with basketball leather and then just the scale of it. This is like a six foot tall, ten foot long, massive buck in the arena. And I was really excited about that one,” McFarland said.

“Buckley” is a Blake McFarland creation displayed at Fiserv Forum, the home of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks (Illustration: Blake McFarland)

Filming in a Pandemic

Filming for “Making It” took place last October. Because of pandemic restrictions, the contestants — including McFarland — were restricted to a hotel at Universal Studios.

“It was very difficult. We were basically stuck in our hotel rooms and honestly, that wasn’t too bad because we were literally filming the entire day. Every single day. I thought we would get some downtime, but there was literally no downtime,” McFarland said.

The show provided all the supplies he needed.

McFarland said the show reached out to him to participate.

“I watched both seasons. I binged it. And then probably a week later I got a random message on Instagram from a producer saying, hey, you should apply to the show. And I’m like, no way. I literally just watched both seasons. It was just like something crazy, like they must have known I was watching the show and they just reached out to me,” McFarland said.

It took about six months of interviews and auditions.

During filming, cast and crew tested daily for COVID and wore masks on the set — unless they filmed scenes.

He enjoyed interacting with the celebrity hosts, Poehler and Offerman.

“You get that star struck (feeling). You don’t know how they’re going to be. I see these people in these all these movies and films, how are they actually going to be? And they are awesome. They are better than than I thought they could be,” McFarland said.

McFarland could not reveal the results. The winner of the elimination show wins $100,000.

“Making It” hosts Nick Offerman and Amy Poehler (Image: NBC)

Discovering Artistic Talent

McFarland remembers a painting of a koi fish hanging at his parents’ house growing up, knowing he could do better.

“I went out and I bought my first set of paints, an acrylic paint set, and I just started painting. And I paint this, like, Hawaiian ocean scene. One of my parents’ friends actually came over and liked it enough that she actually ended up buying it,” McFarland said.

Playing professional baseball led to plenty of time to hone his craft.

“The cool thing about baseball is I had six months of baseball and I had a six-month offseason. So for all my offseasons, I would actually paint and sell paintings. And then probably two years into my professional baseball career, I realized I wasn’t a good enough painter to make a full time living off this. So I need to kind of go outside the box. And that’s kind of where the sculptures started to happen,” McFarland said.

His baseball teammates dubbed him “The Tire Man.”

McFarland concentrates on sculptures made of recycled materials, like tire treads. He has plenty stacked up in his backyard.

“I use their treads to do different kind of muscle forms and fur,” McFarland said.

He would love to create a piece of public art in the future.

“I love public art installations. That’s actually an avenue that I want to get into. I know of getting into it one way by doing a bunch of different submissions, and I haven’t had success yet. But that is something I definitely want to do. I think it’s a great opportunity for artists and helps out not only the city, but the artist as well,” McFarland said.

Moving to Clovis

McFarland grew up in San Jose, pitching for San Jose State. He signed as an undrafted free agent by the Blue Jays, making it as high as Triple-A.

His only connection to Fresno was as an opponent to Fresno State during his college career.

McFarland says he moved to Clovis to allow his wife to pursue her professional dreams. She is studying to become a doctor with her residency at Community Medical Regional Center.

“It’s a place we’ve always had on our radar… My best friend’s brother actually lives right down the street. So he had a connection. He said great things about the area. And we just thought it was a great place to raise our our family and start fresh,” McFarland said.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

DON'T MISS

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

DON'T MISS

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

DON'T MISS

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

DON'T MISS

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

DON'T MISS

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

DON'T MISS

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

DON'T MISS

CIA Review Finds Flaws but Does Not Dispute Finding Putin Sought to Sway 2016 Vote to Trump

DON'T MISS

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

DON'T MISS

Check Out Newest Downtown Mural. It’s a Spectacular Tribute to Fresno Artisans

UP NEXT

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

UP NEXT

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

UP NEXT

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

UP NEXT

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

UP NEXT

Check Out Newest Downtown Mural. It’s a Spectacular Tribute to Fresno Artisans

UP NEXT

Bryan Kohberger to Plead Guilty to Murders of Four Idaho Students

UP NEXT

Valley Children’s Goes Into News Business to Highlight Stories at the Hospital

UP NEXT

Ukraine Voices Concern as US Halts Some Missile Shipments

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Logan Ryan Martin

UP NEXT

Paramount Settles With Trump Over ‘60 Minutes’ Interview for $16 Million

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

2 hours ago

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

2 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

2 hours ago

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

2 hours ago

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

3 hours ago

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

3 hours ago

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

3 hours ago

CIA Review Finds Flaws but Does Not Dispute Finding Putin Sought to Sway 2016 Vote to Trump

4 hours ago

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

4 hours ago

Check Out Newest Downtown Mural. It’s a Spectacular Tribute to Fresno Artisans

5 hours ago

House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

WASHINGTON – Republicans in the House of Representatives on Wednesday struggled to pass President Donald Trump’s massive tax-cut...

50 minutes ago

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks to the press, as Republican lawmakers struggle to pass U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping spending and tax bill, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 2, 2025. (Reuters/Annabelle Gordon)
50 minutes ago

House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

The Madre Fire in San Luis Obispo County has rapidly expanded to 8,396 acres with no containment, prompting evacuation orders and warnings near New Cuyama. (CalFire)
55 minutes ago

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to 8,300 Acres, Prompts Evacuations

Andrew Biscay, 40, was arrested Friday, June 20, 2025, after deputies found him with a fake U.S. Marshal’s badge, homemade firearm, and law enforcement-style gear during a warrant arrest. (Madera County SO)
1 hour ago

SLO Deputies Fatally Shoot Man in Los Osos Weeks After US Marshal Impersonation Arrest

On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, a Madera County sheriff’s deputy was injured while trying to arrest a wanted felon, Felix Adrian Nucamendi Carrasco, 40, who later fled and was captured near Raymond Road. (Madera County SO)
2 hours ago

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

A wildfire dubbed the Madre Fire has burned over 3,300 acres near New Cuyama with 0% containment, officials said Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (CalFire)
2 hours ago

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

2 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

Jose Luna (left), 33, and Ralph Grajeda, 45, both of Visalia, have been sentenced for their roles in the 2020 shotgun killing of Robert Soto at a local motel. (Tulare County DA)
2 hours ago

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

A U.S. Justice Department logo or seal showing Justice Department headquarters, known as "Main Justice," is seen behind the podium in the Department's headquarters briefing room before a news conference with the Attorney General in Washington, January 24, 2023. (Reuters File)
3 hours ago

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend