#25 Adam Greenberg’s MLB Story: Overcoming a Head Injury for an Unbelievable Comeback

On this episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich sits down with Adam Greenberg, the former Major League Baseball player whose unforgettable journey redefines what it means to persevere through life’s biggest challenges. Adam shares his story growing up as one of five kids in Connecticut, dreaming of one day making it to the big leagues—and the pivotal moments that shaped his path, from competing at UNC to getting drafted by the Chicago Cubs.

But Adam’s baseball dream took a dramatic turn when, on the very first pitch of his Major League debut, he was hit in the head by a 92 mph fastball—a devastating setback that instantly changed the course of his career. In this candid and moving conversation, Adam recounts the resilience and mental toughness it took not only to recover from that moment, but to fight for a second chance at the plate seven years later.

Together, Scott and Adam dive deep into the psychology of adversity, the power of attitude, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right kind of support. Adam’s reflections aren’t just about baseball—they’re about how any of us can face life’s curveballs, find hope, and keep moving forward, no matter what stands in our way.

Tune in for a powerful story of grit, growth, and the relentless pursuit of a dream that’s so much bigger than one at bat.

Listeners Will Learn:

• Adam talked about being a multi-sport athlete as a child and only specializing at age 13.
• Adam described his first at bat at UNC as a defining moment because of how he handled initial failure.
• The episode discussed the importance of surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people.
• Adam broke down the journey to the major leagues into three "buckets"—those with transcendent talent, those in the middle who need drive and consistency, and those with less raw talent.
• The story of Adam’s MLB debut—getting hit in the head with a pitch on his first pitch—was dramatic and traumatic.
• Adam spoke about perseverance as a gift that everyone has, but that needs to be worked on like a skill.
• The concept of “attitude is your decision” was a key message in this conversation.
• The “One At Bat” campaign showed how larger communities can rally around an individual’s story.
• Adam reflects on how his experience brought him new opportunities and perspectives he may not have otherwise had, calling it a “blessing.”

Key Moments:

(00:00) Baseball Sparked My Love for Stats

(05:18) Perseverance Leads to Freshman Success

(09:39) Moving on from Past Mistakes

(12:39) Focus and Resilience in Sports

(15:41) Follow Your Passion

(17:45) Positive Mindset: Influenced by Environment

(23:18) Winning and Teamwork Mindset

(26:26) Instinctual Processing in Baseball

(29:15) Concussion Check: Three Key Questions

(30:53) Life's Transformative Inflection Point

(36:48) Knuckleball Challenge at Marlins Game

(38:31) Life's Unpredictable Paths

(40:57) Turning Setbacks Into Opportunities

(44:11) Train Your Mind Positively