Adam Greenberg strikes out in ‘second chance’ at-bat

(JTA) — Adam Greenberg, who was beaned in his only Major League at-bat in 2005, struck out as a pinch-hitter after being given a one-day contract by the Miami Marlins.

Greenberg was fanned on three pitches in the sixth inning by the New York Mets’ R.A. Dickey, a knuckleballer and leading contender for the National League’s Cy Young Award. Wearing No. 10, the former Chicago Cubs’ player swung and missed at the second and third pitches thrown by Dickey, who said on Monday, "I am going to treat him like a big leaguer and that is why he is here."

Despite the strikeout, Greenberg returned to the dugout smiling and was greeted by high fives and hugs from his Marlins teammates for the day.

Greenberg’s story resurfaced in September when he was tapped to replace the injured Gabe Kapler for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic qualifiers in Jupiter, Fla. In his only at-bat of the qualifiers, Greenberg walked against South Africa and scored on a single by Shawn Green coupled with an error.

At approximately the same time, an online campaign called "One at Bat" had fans rallying for Greenberg to be given another shot at the majors. He was struck in the head in  his one at-bat while playing for the Cubs.

Not having played for a Major League organization since 2008, Greenberg was offered the second chance on Sept. 28 when the Marlins surprised him with a one-day contract announced live on NBC’s "Today" show.

Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen suggested last week that he might start Greenberg, who played for the independent Bridgeport (Conn.) Bluefish from 2008 to 2011, but ultimately settled for the pinch-hit opportunity.

"Life throws you curveballs," Greenberg told The Associated Press shortly before his at-bat on Tuesday. "Mine threw me a fastball at 92, and it hit me in the back of the head. I got up from it, and my life is great."