January 31, 200422 yr 01/30/2004 7:30 PM ET Garth going to camp with KC By Robert Falkoff / MLB.com KANSAS CITY -- The Royals will be joined at Spring Training this year by a guy who truly knows what it's like to deliver the big hit. Two-time Grammy Award winner Garth Brooks will be in Surprise, Ariz., with the Royals as a non-roster invitee in order to develop awareness for Teammates for Kids. Brooks, 42, will be making a fourth appearance in Spring Training after working with the Padres in 1998-1999 and with the Mets in 2000. "Garth Brooks and the Teammates for Kids have been good friends and partners of the Kansas City Royals for a number of years," said Royals president Dan Glass. "We strongly believe in the work Touchem All Foundation is doing. When the opportunity arose, we thought it would be great to bring Garth to Spring Training and further develop awareness for the foundation." Brooks' involvement in the project dates back to 1999 when the country music star started the Teammates for Kids Foundation with the help of 67 Major League Baseball players to raise money for children's charities around the world. Today, there are more than 450 professional baseball, hockey and football players participating in Touchem All (the baseball division), Top Shelf (the hockey division) and Touchdown Teammates (the football division). Touchem All, Top Shelf and Touchdown enlist the participation of pro athletes who contribute a pre-determined sum based on their on-field/on-ice performance. In the last five years, their contributions have generated over $37 million for kids in all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces and 41 countries around the world. National and local business sponsors, other foundations and individual donors are invited to become Teammates with the foundation, to collectively triple each player's monetary donation. One hundred percent of all player and matching contributions are restricted and designated for the specific purpose of distribution to existing children's charities unless otherwise specified by the donor. Fans wanting more information can visit www.teammates4kids.com. Brooks, the fastest-selling album artist in Recording Industry Association of America history, played in 15 Spring Training games with the Padres in 1999. It remains to be seen how well Brooks, a former javelin thrower at Oklahoma State, will hit or field in a Kansas City uniform. But one thing is certain: With Brooks headed for their Spring Training camp, the Royals have definitely increased their star power. Robert Falkoff is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to approval by Major League Baseball or its clubs.
February 1, 200422 yr I heard Garth was considering signing with the Tigers instead, but Detroit pulled out at the last minute. Too bad, he probably would have made the team. :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh Oh man, that's great, I'm awesome. I just wrote a crappy joke that could go in that crappy SI joke section.
February 1, 200422 yr damn. didnt kno garth was still doing this. he does it for a great cause though and because its a life long dream. as long as it doesnt hurt preparations for the season its a win win for the Royals.
February 1, 200422 yr I remember a few years back SI did a small piece where they had J.D. Drew, Eric Chavez and Garth who were all in camp trying to make their teams and SI had odds... J.D. Drew: 3 - 1 Chavez: - 5 - 1 Brooks - 1,000,000 - 1
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.