Umpire Jim Joyce has reportedly saved a woman's life by performing CPR when the woman, Diamondbacks food service (Levy) employee Jayne Powers, stopped breathing following what staff at the time believed was a seizure, but what turned out to be cardiac arrest.
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| "Without a doubt, that man right there saved a life." - FSN Arizona/D'Backs Broadcaster Brad Steinke |
At that point, Joyce knew what he had to do, continuing to administer CPR even after paramedics arrived with a defibrillator, whose first shock failed to revive the patient. After the second round of CPR and a defibrillator shock, Powers began breathing again, all the while Joyce continuing to talk and sing "Staying Alive" in an attempt to revive her.
Joyce, who was the home plate umpire Monday night, said he had learned CPR while in high school: "This is something everybody should know. Everybody should know what to do in a circumstance like that. It's not a hard thing. You don't need a degree. It's very simple, and very easy."
Coming off the intense live-saving experience, his crew presented Joyce with the option of trading his plate game for a night at third base, but Joyce declined: "It was very emotional, I'll be honest with you," he said. "But I didn't want to go to third base because just standing there, literally, [the incident] is all I would have thought about all night. I wouldn't have been able to think about anything else. Going behind the plate, I would have something to do every minute. I could just do my job. But I'll be honest with you, there were still times during the game that I was thinking about it."
*UPDATED* On Tuesday, Joyce and his wife Kay visited Powers at Good Samaritan Hospital in the Phoenix, Arizona area.
*UPDATED* On Tuesday, Joyce and his wife Kay visited Powers at Good Samaritan Hospital in the Phoenix, Arizona area.
"Just knowing [CPR], I think it's imperative," Joyce said. "You may never, ever, have to use it, but it's just that one time that you do." Joyce's daughter is currently in school training to be an EMT while his son, a Beaverton, Oregon baseball coach, is also CPR certified.
Jim Joyce was the UEFL's Umpire of the Year in 2009 and has won multiple UEFL awards over the years.
Wow, way to go Jim. Another show of class from an already classy guy.
ReplyDeleteA little a Pac NW pride.
ReplyDeleteCurt: Joyce should have already been in the Umpire's room, should have never had to perform CPR.
ReplyDeleteZac: Curt, you're a rat.
And so live the story of two men who can never agree. And so live the drama of the UEFL.
4:44, making such a comment would require me to say that Jim Joyce wasn't perfect, something that would be like pulling wisdom teeth. I'm pretty much in the tank when it comes to Joyce. Hell I still won't admit he missed the Galarraga call at first. Call me an apologist.
ReplyDeleteOn a serious note, the world would be a much better place if we had more people like Jim Joyce in it. He long ago proved his character and unquestionable integrity. This act is further confirmation that he is just a good and decent human being.
An incredible act from a superb human and one of the best umpires in history despite his "imperfect" moment.
ReplyDeleteThere's a reason why Mo Rivera said what he said about Joyce, calling him "the best in the game".
Double, Joyce got the call right in the Galarraga game.
ReplyDeleteYou have to be an umpire a long time to understand why you would admit to a mistake, when there was none.
"Double, Joyce got the call right in the Galarraga game."
ReplyDeleteWas it close? Certainly, in fact Galarraga did not help things by shuffling his feet. But was the runner clearly out? YES. If you think otherwise, then you're hitting it too long (it's PUFF-PUFF-PASS not PUFF-PUFF-PUFF!)!
is it wrong of me that after thinking of this story all i can think is nancy marchand exclaiming in naked gun "The umpire!!!! He saved the queen's life!!!"
ReplyDeleteAngel campos dumped ozzie guillen in the first game of the marlins-dbacks double-header.
ReplyDelete