Garth Brooks King of country holds court at CONSOL

February 4, 2015 at 12:05a.m.

For a guy who retired, Garth Brooks is sure busy these days.

Actually, the top-selling solo artist of the 20th century, who did officially call it quits from 2001 to 2009, can do pretty much whatever he pleases, which apparently now means playing as many shows as possible. Take for instance his upcoming four-night, six-show stint in Pittsburgh on Thursday through Sunday at CONSOL Energy Center.

Here are 10 things you might not have known about the country music superstar:

As a youngster growing up in Oklahoma, Brooks learned to play the guitar and banjo.

1989’s “If Tomorrow Never Comes” was Brooks’ first No. 1 single. The tune is the second single off his self- titled debut.

Brooks, who played baseball in high school, enjoyed spring training invites with the San Diego Padres, New York Mets and Kansas City Royals.

Brooks is married to country singer Trisha Yearwood.

The hit-maker has 25 No. 1 country singles to his credit, and is the only solo artist to have six albums top the 10 million mark.

Brooks has spent more weeks at No. 1 on the album sales charts than any other artist (since the inception of SoundScan).

In 2012, Brooks was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Brooks’ recent box set “Blame It All On My Roots” debuted at No. 1, which not only marked the 13th time he topped the charts but makes him the highest country debut leader of all time.

Last November, Brooks released his ninth studio effort “Man Against Machine.” It was his first album since 2001’s “Scarecrow.”

While “Man Against Machine” debuted at No. 1 on the country charts, it was No. 4 on the Billboard 200.