D-Backs grooving it for Garth?
Saturday, March 13, 1999. The Arizona Republic
Story by Story by Don Ketchum

The Diamondbacks play the San Diego Padres twice this spring - Monday at Tucson Electric Park and March 24 at Peoria Sports Complex.

Diamondbacks pitching coach Mark Connor said he got a request from young right-hander Brad Penny, who was a non-roster invitee but was reassigned to the minor-league camp.

"Do you think when you play the Padres, that I could come up, just for the day?" Penny asked Connor.

"Why?" Connor asked.

"Well, I kind of would like to see Garth (Brooks)," said Penny, who, like the country-music superstar, is a native Oklahoman.

"Well, what would you do if you got the chance to face him?" Connor asked. "Would you groove one for him, let him get a hit?"

"Heck, no," Penny said. "If I did that, I'd never live it down."