Former Guilford MLB Baseball Player Signing Books Saturday

By Jack Kramer, Correspondent

BRANFORD, CT - A former star Guilford baseball player who is best known for being hit in the head by the first pitch thrown to him as a major leaguer will be appearing at the Blackstone Library in Branford on Saturday (Nov. 4) at 6 p.m. to talk about a book he has written about his life.

Adam Greenberg has authored “Get Up.”

For $75, you will get an autographed copy of his book, a wine/whiskey/beer tasting by Wine 101 (cheese/crackers); at 7 p.m. Greenberg will be interviewed by former News8 television anchor Chris Velardi. After that there will be a question and answer session with Greenberg, then autograph and photo opportunities.

To get tickets, go to www.ColinSheehanEvents.com

Greenberg was one of two players in league history to be hit by a pitch in their only plate appearance without ever taking the field. He was hit by a pitch in 2005.

After being out of the major leagues for a number of years, a successful online petition drive in 2012 led to him getting signed by the Miami Marlins to a one-day contract. He had one at bat for the Marlins and struck out on three pitches.

He also played parts of five seasons with the Bridgeport Bluefish.

He attended Guilford High School and was a four-year letterman in baseball, basketball and soccer

On July 7, 2005, Greenberg, was called up to the Cubs' major league team from their West Tennessee Double-A affiliate. Pinch hitting against the Florida Marlins in a game on July 9, Greenberg was hit directly in the back of his head by a 92 mph fastball on the very first pitch.

Greenberg suffered a concussion as a result of the beaning, and was immediately removed from the game.

In 2012, a Chicago Cubs fan started an online petition to get Greenberg his first official Major League at bat.

The campaign succeeded when the Miami Marlins offered Greenberg a one-day contract to play in their October 2, 2012, home game against the New York Mets.

The contract was worth $2,623, which was donated to an organization that researches brain trauma in athletes.

Greenberg led off the bottom of the sixth inning as a pinch hitter.

The Aerosmith song “Dream On” was played through the stadium's public address system as Greenberg walked to home plate and the crowd gave him a standing ovation.\

He was struck out by Mets knuckleballer and eventual Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey on three pitches and was removed from the lineup at the end of the inning.

That was his last major league appearance, though he continued to play minor league ball for a number of years afterward.