James Alfred Joyce III(born October 3, 1955) is an American former professional baseballumpirewho worked in theAmerican League(AL) from 1987 to 1999 and throughoutMajor League Baseball(MLB) from 2000 to 2016. He wore uniform number 6 while in the AL and number 66 for MLB. His loud and enthusiastic strike calls drew comparisons to that of retired umpireBruce Froemming.Though his umpiring was generally praised by players and coaches,[1]Joyce is best known for his incorrect call inArmando Galarraga's near-perfect gamein June 2010.
| Jim Joyce | |
|---|---|
 Joyce in 2013 | |
| Born:October 3, 1955 Toledo, Ohio,U.S. | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 23, 1987 | |
| Last appearance | |
| October 2, 2016 | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
He retired on January 16, 2017.[2]
Early life
editJoyce was born inToledo, Ohio,on October 3, 1955. He grew up in Toledo, where he graduated fromCentral Catholic High Schoolin 1973.[3]He then attendedBowling Green State UniversityinBowling Green, Ohio,where he played baseball.[3]In 1977, he graduated from Bowling Green with a Bachelor of Science degree in education.[3]
Professional career
editAfter graduating fromBowling Green State Universityin 1977, he umpired in theMidwest League(1978–1979), the Florida Instructional League (1978), theTexas League(1980), thePacific Coast League(1981–1986, 1988), theInternational League(1987), and theDominican League(1983). In 1989, Joyce was promoted from the Pacific Coast League to the American League upon the death of MLB umpireNick Bremigan.[4]
Joyce umpired in theAll-Star Game(1994,[5]2001,[6]and2012[7]), theDivision Series(1995,1998,1999,2001,2002,2003,2008,2009,2012,and2013), theLeague Championship Series(1997,2004,2006,and2007),[citation needed]and theWorld Series(1999,2001,and2013).[8]ESPN The Magazinereleased an anonymous poll of 100 current MLB players that voted Joyce the best overall umpire in baseball. For the2012 season,Joyce served as an interim crew chief due to the absence of the injuredJohn Hirschbeck.[9]
On August 20, 2012, Joyce saved the life of anArizona Diamondbacksemployee by administeringCPRto the woman who was incardiac arrestatChase Field.[10]
Armando Galarraga's near-perfect game
editOn June 2, 2010, Joyce made an incorrect call, as the first base umpire, which costArmando Galarragaaperfect game.Joyce tearfully spoke with the media following the game and admitted he made a mistake: "I just cost the kid a perfect game."[11]Joyce and Galarraga received praise throughout the sports world for the manner in which they handled the situation; reflecting an earlier ESPN poll, players such asMariano Riveraspoke on the record about Joyce's superb career of umpiring.[12]
Joyce had been the second base umpire forDallas Braden's perfect gameon May 9, 2010, less than a month before the Galarraga game.[13]He was also the first base umpire for theno-hitterpitched byCarlos Zambranoon September 14, 2008.[14]
In 2011, Joyce, Galarraga, and authorDaniel Paisnercollaborated on a book based on the game,Nobody's Perfect: Two Men, One Call, and a Game for Baseball History.Following the book's release, to avoid any appearance of impropriety due to their business relationship, MLB did not allow Joyce to work any games in which Galarraga would be playing.[15]
Other notable games
editIn September 1996, Joyce restrained fellow umpireJohn Hirschbeckwhen Hirschbeck angrily charged into theBaltimore Oriolesclubhouse to confrontRoberto Alomar.The day before the confrontation, Alomar had made comments about how Hirschbeck's attitude changed following the death of his son.[16]
Working third base during Game 3 of the2013 World Series,Joyce determinedAllen Craigof theSt. Louis Cardinalshad beenobstructedwhenBoston Red SoxinfielderWill Middlebrookswent diving after an errant throw by catcherJarrod Saltalamacchia.[17][18]Craig was then awarded the winning run when home plate umpireDana DeMuthenforced the obstruction called by Joyce. This is the only case of a World Series game ending on an obstruction call.
Personal life
editJoyce, who lives inWashington County, Oregon,is married and has two children.[19]In 2000, he was inducted into his high school's sportshall of fame,[3]and in 2009 he was inducted into the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame.[citation needed]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^"Joyce tops survey; players nix replay".ESPN.com.June 13, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on June 15, 2010.RetrievedJune 13,2010.
- ^"Jim Joyce retires, Emmel and Holbrook promoted".Close Call Sports.January 16, 2017.RetrievedJanuary 17,2017.
- ^abcd"Jim Joyce – 66".Umpires: Roster.MLB.com.RetrievedJune 4,2010.
- ^"Umpire Moves Up".The Vindicator.April 12, 1989.RetrievedJanuary 14,2013.
- ^"1994 All-Star Game Box Score, July 12".baseball-reference.com.Sports-Reference, LLC.RetrievedApril 16,2023.
- ^"2001 All-Star Game Box Score, July 10".baseball-reference.com.Sports-Reference, LLC.RetrievedApril 16,2023.
- ^"2012 All-Star Game Box Score, July 10".baseball-reference.com.Sports-Reference, LLC.RetrievedApril 16,2023.
- ^"Hirschbeck to lead World Series umpire crew | MLB.com: News".Archived fromthe originalon October 22, 2013.
- ^"Source: 2012 MLB Umpire Crews".Close Call Sports.April 4, 2012.
- ^Miller, Scott.Umpire Jim Joyce makes the best call of the year -- before the game.CBSSports.com.Retrieved August 21, 2012.
- ^"Missed call leaves Detroit's Armando Galarraga one out shy of perfect game".Content.usatoday.com. June 3, 2010.RetrievedJuly 7,2013.
- ^Mitchell, David."Perfect Game, Blown Call: Galarraga, Joyce Victims of Baseball's Imperfections".Bleacher Report.RetrievedJune 13,2019.
- ^Braden's perfect game 19th ever and second straight against RaysESPN.com.Retrieved July 24, 2012
- ^Zambrano masters Astros en route to first no-hitter for Cubs in 36 yearsESPN.com.Retrieved July 24, 2012
- ^Nelson, Amy (June 1, 2011)."Jim Joyce kept from umpiring D-backs".ESPN.RetrievedJune 2,2011.
- ^"Alomar Aftermath Continues".Lawrence Journal-World.September 29, 1996.RetrievedJanuary 14,2013.
- ^"World Series gets must-see moment, even if it's obscured by a little dirt".Yahoo Sports.October 27, 2013.RetrievedOctober 27,2013.
- ^"The Last Great Call(s)".March 24, 2014.
- ^Alger, Tyson (June 3, 2010)."Jim Joyce's response to mistake earns him praise".The Oregonian.RetrievedJune 4,2010.
External links
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