On March 19, 2000, country star Garth Brooks was released from the New York Mets following spring training. What’s that now? You didn’t know Garth Brooks held tenure—albeit a moderately short one—with the Mets? What’s the saying—you learn something new every day.
The story begins how most stories begin: because Garth Brooks is a baseball fan. He launched a charity foundation with Major League Baseball in 1998, the Touch ‘Em All Foundation (thankfully renamed to the Teammates for Kids Foundation). The charity started by pairing professional athletes with kids to teach them life skills and offer support, both monetarily and emotionally. The foundation has now grown to include entertainers, celebrities, and donors in the private sector, according to the website.
That was Brooks’ first foray into the MLB. He continued his baseball career from 1998 to 1999 when he participated in spring training with the San Diego Padres. While he had the right attitude and overall panache, his skills weren’t quite up to snuff. Still, he played a game against the Cubs as a pinch runner, being subbed in for Wally Joyner. According to a news story posted on the 90s-era fansite PlanetGarth.com, Brooks was so thrilled to be on the field that he wasn’t even nervous. “I was too busy thinking, ‘I can’t believe I’m out here,’” he said at the time. “It was a piece of America right down my throat. It was great.” Plus, the Padres beat the Cubs 4-2 that day.
While Garth Brooks wasn’t offered a place on the Padres’ roster in 1999, he was allegedly offered a non-roster position. However, he turned it down. Probably for the best; he ended the spring season 1-for-22, an average of .045. The next year, 2000, he signed with the New York Mets.
For all that Garth Brooks is an unmitigated success in country music, baseball just wasn’t quite his scene. He had another poor showing during spring training with the Mets, ending the season 0-for-17, an average of .026. Apparently, he did worse with the Mets than he had with the Padres. This led to his unconditional release from the team.
Still, at least he never quit his day job. Brooks was set to head back to Nashville after the Mets-Marlins game on March 19, according to a report from CNN Sports Illustrated at the time. Even with Brooks’ .026 batting average, the Mets still won the game 3-2. However, in the end, Garth Brooks’ dabbles in baseball were all for charity. Even when he drew a walk in the sixth inning of the game, he earned the loudest cheers from the crowd. Take me out to the ball game, indeed, but only if Garth Brooks is playing.
Featured Image by Matthew Stockman /Allsport
