RSS

I hate being pessimistic. I try to be an eternal optimist, for the most part. As a long suffering fan of both the Montreal Canadiens and the Miami Dolphins, it is the only thing that keeps me sane when both teams go through one futile season after another, the only rays of light being high draft picks and incessant, propaganda-filled messages of hope, only to have all those wonderful dreams of championship parades come crashing back to earth halfway through the season when playoffs become a mere afterthought.

And I was an Expos fan. Enough said.

But there are days where I come across a story and I raise an eyebrow (I try to, anyways), I snicker, or simply wonder what the ultimate goal behind certain actions might be. 

I’m not talking about acts of sheer stupidity or “cluelessness”—like Yunel Escobar writing a homophobic slur on his eye black during a televised game—I’m talking about things that, on the surface, seem good and decent, acts of kindness that are meant to lure a tear out of one’s eye, or leave people with that warm, fuzzy feeling that comes with all “feel-good stories”.

I’ll admit, when I first saw Miami Marlins president David Samson come on NBC’s Today Show to announce that Adam Greenberg (who was appearing on the show that day), a one-at-bat major leaguer, would be getting a chance to pinch-hit in a Marlins game before the end of the 2012 season, my heart swelled with appreciation for the Marlins organization, and joy for Greenberg. His story is inspirational, at the very least, and the fact that he will be given the opportunity to live his dream is truly remarkable.

Greenberg was an up-and-coming prospect for the Chicago Cubs during the early 2000’s, and in 2005 he got the call up to the big club, with his first appearance coming on July 9, 2005, against the Marlins (then known as the Florida Marlins). Greenberg was called upon to pinch-hit in the ninth-inning against Marlins pitcher Valerio De Los Santos.

De Los Santos’ dialled-up a 92 mph for Greenberg; the only problem was that it sailed on him, and connected with the back of Greenberg’s head.

One of the modern miracles of life, the baseball batting helmet, no doubt saved Greenberg from dying right there on the diamond, but it did not save him from concussion like symptoms and what he was ultimately diagnosed with after months of failed treatment: positional vertigo.

Greenberg eventually overcame his symptoms, but was never given another shot at the big-leagues. Most recently, he was a member of the team Israel put together for the World Baseball Classic qualifying games, and has spent his time since the incident bouncing around minor-league teams. 

Greenberg appeared to have been forgotten, but a recent online-petition by filmmaker Matt Liston generated enough buzz to get the attention of the national media. The original idea was for the Cubs to let Greenberg have his one at-bat, but general manager Jed Hoyer decided to pass.

"Adam made the big leagues based on merit in 2005," Hoyer said in an email to the Chicago Tribune. "While it is unfortunate he got hit in his first at-bat, he is in the Baseball Encyclopedia as a major leaguer and he should be incredibly proud of that. We wish him the best, but there are no plans to add him to the roster now or in the future." 

That’s where the Marlins come in; the Miami organization jumped at the opportunity to bring Greenberg into the fold, even for one game, for one at-bat (Greenberg is not credited with the at-bat since he was hit by the pitch). 

And that’s where I start to get a little sceptical about the entire thing.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m happy for Greenberg. I’m a sucker for feel-good sports stories. I nearly bawled my eyes out when my hero, Saku Koivu, came back from cancer in 2002. I stood and cheered with the rest of the city when Max Pacioretty played in his first-game back from his near-fatal neck injury last season. There are plenty of other examples, but I’ll stick with the local ones—the point has been made. 

On the surface, it is a wonderful act of compassion by the Marlins organization (something I never thought I would say about a team owned by Jeffrey Loria, considered a devil in this city, but I digress). At its core, though, it might be nothing more than a plot to shed even a bit of positive light on a Marlins team that has been the subject of never-ending criticism since the MLB season began. 

What started as an offseason filled with high expectations has been reduced to a shattered season with no light at the end of the tunnel for the Marlins or their fans.

A new stadium was supposed to generate renewed interest in the ball club. Instead, the club is on the verge of having the lowest attendance record ever for a new ballpark, according to Sun Sentinel columnist Dave Hyde.

Manager Ozzie Guillen was suspended for five games and suffered the wrath of South Florida’s Cuabn community when he went rogue and stated that he loved and respected Fidel Castro, prompting criticism of Guillen and the franchise across both American continents. 

Millions upon millions were spent on free-agents who haven’t helped the team produce wins, disgruntled stars have been shipped out of town…and the team currently sits in last place in their division.

And like he so eloquently was during his time as owner of the Expos, Loria has been scrutinized and criticised to no end by the Miami media. Which brings us back to Greenberg; how fitting is it that his return comes with the team whose former pitcher essentially ended his career? 

Greenberg’s appearance will come in a game with no meaning in the standings (against the New York Mets), and for one of the few times all season, the Marlins will bask in the glow of a nation’s approving applause—an applause which I fully take part in. I congratulate the Marlins for helping a young man achieve his dream, but I can’t shake the feeling that Greenberg isn’t the only one benefitting from this situation. 

Andrew Maggio Hosts The Game Misconduct on Sundays from 12:00pm to 1