Garth Brooks, the famous country singer, had a significant impact on an MLB hitter's batting stance in the past. The current manager of the Chicago Cubs, Craig Counsell, used to be an exceptional hitter during his time in the major leagues, spanning from 1995 to 2007.
Counsell gained fame for his unorthodox batting stance where he held his bat high above his head, leaving everyone puzzled about the reason behind it. Surprisingly, he never provided any explanation for this unique approach.
After being appointed as the manager of the Chicago Cubs, Counsell participated in the 2024 Cubs Convention, during which someone inquired about the reason behind his previous practice of holding the bat at a higher position in the air.
He attributes the responsibility to Garth Brooks.
Counsell clarifies that during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers at spring training, he struggled as a hitter and couldn't manage to get any hits.
During spring training, I successfully hit a strong hit towards the left field. I felt a surge of excitement as it was my first base hit. With my head down, I quickly began running towards first base. The crowd erupted in wild cheers and applause. However, when I glanced up, I was shocked to see that Garth Brooks had made an incredible diving catch in left field, preventing me from breaking my 0-4 streak.
The individuals present at the press conference found this tale to be incredibly amusing.
The day after, I was set free. I had a conversation with myself, questioning why I couldn't achieve any success. This led me to raise my hands high up in the air, and surprisingly, it made a difference!
Garth Brooks is responsible for my terrible batting stance.
Brooks, who is considered one of the most influential figures in the music industry, had a passion for sports during his childhood. He actively participated in baseball and track and field events. Despite his attempts, he was unable to secure a spot on the New York Mets team after three tries.
Evan Paul is a radio personality who hosts a popular show called Taste of Country Nights. This syndicated radio show is broadcasted on over 120 country radio stations across the country, airing every evening from 7PM to midnight. Evan Paul showcases the latest and greatest country music hits, while also conducting interviews with the biggest stars in the industry. Some notable artists he has interviewed include Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Dan + Shay, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Lady A, Morgan Wallen, and many others.
Take a virtual tour of the Malibu beach house owned by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, with stunning photos provided by Sterling Whitaker.
Images: Take a look inside Sean Hannity's beautiful townhouse in Palm Beach
Photo Credit: Sterling Whitaker
The list ranks the 30 saddest country songs of all time. The credit for the gallery goes to Carena Liptak.
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