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, had an impressive career as a professional baseball player from 1995 to 2007.
Counsell gained a reputation for his unique and unorthodox batting stance which involved holding his bat high above the ground. The reason behind his unusual stance remained a mystery as he never provided any explanation for it.
After being appointed as the manager of the Chicago Cubs, Counsell participated in the 2024 Cubs Convention. During the event, someone finally inquired about the reason behind his practice of holding the bat at such a high position in the air.
He attributes the blame to Garth Brooks.
Counsell clarifies that during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers at spring training, he struggled as a hitter and failed to achieve any successful hits.
During spring training, I successfully hit a strong hit towards the left field. I was filled with excitement as it was my first base hit. With my head down, I immediately began running towards first base. The crowd erupted with cheers and applause, their enthusiasm overwhelming. However, when I glanced up, I was shocked to see that Garth Brooks had made a remarkable diving catch in left field, preventing me from breaking my 0-4 streak.
The individuals present at the press conference found this narrative to be extremely funny.
The following day, I was set free. I engaged in a conversation with myself, pondering why I was unable to achieve any successful hits. This contemplation prompted me to raise my hands up high in the air, and surprisingly, it had a positive impact on my performance.
I hold Garth Brooks responsible for a terrible way of standing while batting.
Brooks, who is widely regarded as 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 having tried out for the New York Mets on three separate occasions, he unfortunately did not manage to secure a spot on the team.
Evan Paul is a radio personality who hosts the 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 curates and plays the finest selection of new country music for his listeners, as well as conducts interviews with some of the biggest stars in the industry. Some of the 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 more.
Take a look inside the beach house of Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood in Malibu. The photos in the gallery are credited to Sterling Whitaker.
Images: Take a Look Inside the Beautiful Palm Beach Townhouse of Sean Hannity
Credit for the Gallery: Sterling Whitaker
A ranking of the 30 saddest country songs ever recorded. Credit for the gallery goes to Carena Liptak.
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