Conn. Native Adam Greenberg Getting Second Chance In MLB

BOSTON (CBS) -- In 2005, Adam Greenberg was a promising young baseball player finally getting his shot at the big leagues, but it all was taken away in one at-bat. Seven years later, he's finally getting his second chance.

Greenberg, 31, accepted a one-day contract offer from the Miami Marlins, and he'll be given another MLB plate appearance next Tuesday, Oct. 2.

"I'll be ready for it," Greenberg said on The Today Show on Thursday morning.

Greenberg was a standout athlete in high school in Guilford, Conn., before playing baseball at the University of North Carolina. He was drafted in the ninth round of the 2002 draft by the Chicago Cubs, and after working his way through the minors, he finally got his big league call-up in July 2005.

The first pitch he ever faced in the majors, though, struck him in the head, and he needed to be helped off the field. For years, Greenberg felt the effects of that pitch, suffering from dizziness, headaches and nausea, among other post-concussion symptoms.

However, despite owning the all-time MLB record for best on-base percentage, Greenberg never gave up in his dream to make it back to the majors. That effort was assisted recently by a movement known as the "One At-Bat Campaign," which hoped to give Greenberg the one more at-bat in the majors he's unquestionably earned. Now, he'll get that chance for the Marlins, who to this point have been the only MLB opponent Greenberg has faced.

"Still overwhelmed--we feel as amazing as you all do, trust us. And this is all because of YOU GUYS!" the @OneAtBat account tweeted on Thursday.

"I'm extremely proud to extend this opportunity to Adam," Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said. "He has earned this chance as his love and passion for the game never diminished, despite his career tragically being cut short. I look forward to seeing Adam step up to the plate and realizing his comeback dream next Tuesday night."