Adam Greenberg after being hit by a pitch in his first—and until Oct. 2, only—Major League Baseball plate appearance. Photo: YouTube screenshot.

Adam Greenberg, who had been one of only two players in Major League Baseball (MLB) history to be hit by a pitch in his only plate appearance without ever taking the field, took himself out of that notorious category Oct. 2 with an at-bat for the Miami Marlins that came more than seven years after his first one.

The Jewish native of Connecticut, who struck out against New York Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey, got his second chance from the Marlins after an online petition urging an MLB team to give him one at-bat garnered 25,000 signatures.

In July 2005, Greenberg—playing for the Chicago Cub against, of all teams, the Marlins—was hit in the back of the head by a 92-mile-per-hour fastball from Valerio de los Santos and has suffered from the effects of a concussion ever since. Now 31, Greenberg signed a one-day contract with the Marlins for $2,623, funds that will be donated to the Sports Legacy Institute for brain trauma research.

This September, Greenberg played for Israel’s team in the World Baseball Classic qualifying round. Now, he will seek a spring training invite from an MLB team for next season.

“It’s changed my life and it’s afforded me the opportunity to dedicate myself back to the game,” Greenberg told CBS regarding his second chance in the major leagues.