Garth Brooks, the famous country singer, once influenced a professional baseball player to alter his batting stance. Craig Counsell, who is now the manager of the Chicago Cubs, had an impressive career as a professional baseball player for over a decade, spanning from 1995 to 2007.
Counsell had a unique and unconventional way of holding his bat while batting. He would raise it up in the air, puzzling everyone as to the reason behind this practice. Interestingly, Counsell never provided any explanation for his unusual batting stance.
After being appointed as the manager of the Chicago Cubs, Counsell participated in the 2024 Cubs Convention, where an individual finally inquired about the reason behind his previous practice of holding the bat at a high position in the air.
He holds Garth Brooks responsible for it.
Counsell clarifies that he did not excel in batting skills during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He specifically recalls his struggles during spring training, where he was unable to achieve any successful hits.
During a spring training game, I managed to hit a powerful shot towards the left field. I felt a surge of excitement, thinking it would be my first base hit. With my head down, I hurriedly sprinted towards first base. The crowd erupted with wild enthusiasm, adding to my anticipation. However, as I glanced up, I was taken aback to see Garth Brooks, the country singer, unexpectedly making an incredible diving catch in left field. This unfortunate event extended my streak of not getting any hits to 0-4.
The individuals in attendance at the press conference were thoroughly amused by this story.
The following day, I was let go from my obligations. I engaged in a conversation with myself, questioning why I was unable to achieve any successes. This introspection prompted me to raise my hands high up in the air, and surprisingly, it made a positive difference!
Garth Brooks is the one I hold responsible for my terrible batting stance.
Brooks, who is widely recognized as a prominent figure in the music industry, also possessed athletic abilities during his upbringing. He actively participated in baseball and track and field. Despite having three opportunities to join the New York Mets, he unfortunately did not succeed in securing a spot on the team.
Evan Paul serves as the presenter for Taste of Country Nights, a radio show that is broadcasted on over 120 country radio stations across the country. The show airs every evening from 7PM to midnight and features a selection of the finest new country music. Evan also conducts interviews with popular artists such as Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Dan + Shay, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Lady A, Morgan Wallen, and many others.
Take a look inside the stunning Malibu beach house owned by country music superstars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. This gallery, credited to Sterling Whitaker,
Images: Take a glimpse into the breathtaking Palm Beach residence owned by Sean Hannity. Photo credit goes to Sterling Whitaker.
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