Bleacher Bits: When do I get to bat?

Adam Greenberg must be a huge fan of the Yogi Berra quote "It ain't over 'til it's over," because for Greenberg, it ain't over just yet.

A lot has been written and broadcast in the sports press about him lately because Greenberg's personal plight falls into the "life imitating art" category.

Just like the "Moonlight Graham" character from the movie "Field of Dreams," Greenberg made it to the Major Leagues and got into a game — but just one game. On July 9, 2005, in the ninth inning of a game versus the then-Florida Marlins, Greenberg stepped to the plate in a pinch-hitting role for the Chicago Cubs.

On the first and only pitch he saw, Greenberg was struck in the back of the head by a 92-mph fastball.

He was helped from the field and taken to the hospital, and following his lone plate appearance, he experienced post-concussion syndrome, dizziness, severe headaches, double vision and nausea.

He would never again bat in the Major Leagues, but actually he never had — because in the equally dizzying world of baseball statistics, a hit-by-pitch is not counted as an official at-bat.

Filmmaker Matt Liston learned of Greenberg's story and took up his cause, conducting an online drive, and despite more than 20,00 signatures on a petition and the assistance of co-campaigner Gary Cohen, the Cubs management did not give in to the popular position that they should give him another at-bat.

Then the Miami Marlins stepped to the plate.

On Thursday the Marlins — with the approval of Major League Baseball — signed Greenberg, 31, to a one-day contract so he can play in the series against the New York Mets.

After his beaning, Greenberg played for a a myriad of minor league teams, and most recently saw action with Team Israel as it tried to qualify for the World Baseball Classic.

He has agreed to donate his day's pay to the Marlins Foundation, which in turn will make a donation to an organization that advances the study, treatment and prevention of the effects of brain trauma in athletes and other at-risk groups.

Normally I like stories that end happily as if scripted by Hollywood's best.

But in this case I'm against him getting to bat.

No, I don't think it damages the integrity of the game — steroid use did that long ago.

Perhaps I'm speaking out of jealousy, but if he gets to bat just because he really wants to, when do I — and tens of thousands of men who have shared the dream - get to take our hacks?

CONTACT Craig Purcell at 824-1036 or cpurcell@tcnpress.com.