Garth Brooks, the famous country singer, had an interesting encounter with an MLB player that resulted in a significant change to his batting stance. Craig Counsell, who is now the manager of the Chicago Cubs, had a successful career as a professional baseball player for over a decade, starting in 1995 and ending in 2007.
Counsell was famous for his unique and unconventional way of holding the bat while batting. He would elevate the bat high up in the air, leaving everyone curious about the reason behind his technique. Interestingly, Counsell never bothered to provide an explanation for his distinctive stance.
After being appointed as the manager for the Chicago Cubs, Counsell participated in the 2024 Cubs Convention. During the event, an individual finally inquired about the reason behind his previous habit of holding the bat in a high position in the air.
He attributes the responsibility to Garth Brooks.
Counsell explains that during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers at spring training, he struggled as a hitter and was unable to get any hits.
During spring training, I hit a strong hit towards the left field. Excitedly, I thought to myself, "Yes! My first successful hit!" I quickly lowered my head and raced towards first base. The crowd erupted with excitement and cheers. However, as I glanced up, I was shocked to see that Garth Brooks had unexpectedly managed to make a diving catch in left field, adding to my string of unsuccessful attempts at getting a hit, as I remained 0-4.
The attendees at the press conference found this narrative extremely amusing.
The following day, I was set free. I had a conversation with myself, pondering why I wasn't able to achieve any successful hits. This self-reflection ultimately resulted in me raising my hands high up in the air. Surprisingly, this action proved to be beneficial and effective.
"I hold Garth Brooks responsible for my poor batting stance."
Brooks, who is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the music industry, had a passion for sports during his younger years. He actively participated in baseball and track and field. Although he had the opportunity to join the New York Mets on three separate occasions, he was unable to secure a spot on the team.
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Additional content from the website Taste of Country can be found here. For more information