Garth Brooks

Troyal Garth Brooks

• Bats Both, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11½", Weight ? lbs.
• School Oklahoma State University

• Born February 7, 1962 in Yukon, OK USA

Biographical Information

Country singer Garth Brooks, a huge baseball fan, was signed by the San Diego Padres to a minor league contract on February 12, 1999 and invited to spring training. The corner infielder/corner outfielder went 1-for-22, an average of .045 and was used mostly as a pinch hitter and left fielder. His lone hit was a pinch-hit 2nd-inning single off Mike Sirotka on March 21st. Upon arriving at first base, he was greeted by a hug from Chicago White Sox first baseman Frank Thomas. He wore uniform number 77.

Brooks had previously taken batting practice with the Seattle Mariners in 1998 while in town for a series of concerts. He also was in spring training with the New York Mets in 2000 (0-for-17, 4 walks) and the Kansas City Royals in 2004. With the Royals, he had at least one hit, a March 10th infield single off the Mariners' Mike Myers. "I was even more surprised than the pitcher," Brooks recounted.

In 2019, at the age of 57, he returned to spring training for a week, this time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, although there was no intention of his seeing any game action this time. This was done to mark the 20th anniversary of the "Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation" which has raised over $100 million for children's charities. He said he was a Pirates fan growing up in Oklahoma.

Brooks played baseball in high school and earned a track and field scholarship to Oklahoma State University; his event was the javelin.