Still hitless, Brooks a hit anyway
Thursday, March 18, 1999. San Diego Union Tribune.
Story by Story by Bill Center

TUCSON -- In the field, Garth Brooks looked very much the ballplayer yesterday. At the plate, he extended his 0-for-spring in his first Cactus League start. "I had more fun today than in all the first 14 days together," said Brooks, who started in left field because minor aches and pains had sidelined all three of the Padres' regular outfielders.

Brooks was quickly tested in the field. In the first inning, the White Sox's Frank Thomas hit a towering drive to deep left.

Brooks backpedaled to the warning track and made the catch -- one of three he would make.

"Thomas hit that ball out," said Brooks. "I ran to the wall to look good, and the wind held it in."

When Brooks made the catch, the crowd of 4,908 rewarded him with an ovation. Even Thomas was impressed.

Said "The Big Hurt" of the singer/utilityman: "He looks like an athlete. I think it's awesome what he's doing. But you can't walk into this game and hit."

Said Brooks: "He said that? That's sweet. Thomas looked like a mountain out there."

As for his hitting, Brooks was 0-for-4. He put the ball in play, but he is officially 0-for-11, and 0-for-17 counting charity and intrasquad games. He popped out on his final at-bat, even though White Sox right-hander Bill Simas tried to groove a pitch.

"I was under instructions to groove one," said Simas. "But I didn't get it good enough. If I gave up his first hit, I'd be remembered forever."

"I'm starting to feel confident at the plate, although none has fallen yet," said Brooks, who admitted there is anxiety involved in his spring efforts. "I don't want to embarrass Major League Baseball, the Padres or myself."

He certainly hasn't by the way he's handled himself. Long after the rest of the Padres had departed Tucson to return to Peoria, Brooks was still in uniform signing autographs for his fans -- a group of whom serenaded him with his songs from the left-field bleachers.