Seven years ago, Adam Greenberg stepped up to the plate in his first major league at-bat as a pinch-hitter for the Chicago Cubs. He was hit in the head by a 95-mph fastball thrown by the Florida Marlins pitcher Valerio De Los Santos, and had to be helped off the field and taken into the hospital. Ever since that hit, he had to deal with a host of medical issues, from post-concussion syndrom to dizziness, severe headaches, and vertigo. He had kept trying to make it to the majors, but his career had fizzled in the minors.
Filmmaker and Cubs fan Matt Liston started the One At Bat campaign to get Greenberg at least one at-bat in the major leagues. Despite a great video, thousands of signatures, and endorsements from the likes of Hall of Famer George Brett, Chicago Cubs passed on giving Greenberg the chance. The Marlins heard about the campaign, and sought and obtained permission from Commissioner Bud Selig to sign Greenberg to a one-day contract (normally Major League Baseball doesn't allow one-day contracts). Greenberg accepted the offer on the Today Show, and will do his one at-bat next Tuesday, October 2nd, against the New York Mets and R. A. Dickey at Marlins Park in the second-to-last game of the season. Neither the Marlins nor the Mets are in playoffs contention.
According to ESPN, "Greenberg has also agreed to donate his one-day salary to the Marlins Foundation, which will then make a donation to the Sports Legacy Institute, an organization that advances the study, treatment and prevention of the effects of brain trauma in athletes and other at-risk groups."
Even though some cynics said it is just a PR ploy by unpopular Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria, and others complained that he didn't deserve it, I still think it's sweet. It clearly means a lot to Greenberg, and I hope he gets a hit.
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