| Jim Joyce | |
|---|---|
 Joyce in 2013 | |
| Born: (1955-10-03)October 3, 1955 (age 70) Toledo, Ohio, U.S. | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 23, 1987 | |
| Last appearance | |
| October 2, 2016 | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
James Alfred Joyce III (born October 3, 1955) is an American former professional baseballumpire who 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 game in June 2010.
Joyce was born inToledo, Ohio, on October 3, 1955. He grew up in Toledo, where he graduated fromCentral Catholic High School in 1973.[2] He then attendedBowling Green State University inBowling Green, Ohio, where he played baseball.[2] In 1977, he graduated from Bowling Green with a Bachelor of Science degree in education.[2]
After graduating fromBowling Green State University in 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.[3]
Joyce umpired in theAll-Star Game (1994,[4]2001,[5] and2012[6]), 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).[7]ESPN The Magazine released 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.[8]
On August 20, 2012, Joyce saved the life of anArizona Diamondbacks employee by administeringCPR to the woman who was incardiac arrest atChase Field.[9]
He retired on January 16, 2017.[10]
On June 2, 2010, Joyce made an incorrect call, as the first base umpire, which costArmando Galarraga aperfect 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 Rivera spoke on the record about Joyce's superb career of umpiring.[12]
Joyce had been the second-base umpire forDallas Braden's perfect game on May 9, 2010, less than a month before the Galarraga game.[13] He was also the first base umpire for theno-hitter pitched byCarlos Zambrano on September 14, 2008.[14]
In 2011, Joyce, Galarraga, and authorDaniel Paisner collaborated 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]
In September 1996, Joyce restrained fellow umpireJohn Hirschbeck when Hirschbeck angrily charged into theBaltimore Orioles clubhouse 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 Craig of theSt. Louis Cardinals had beenobstructed whenBoston Red Sox infielderWill Middlebrooks went diving after an errant throw by catcherJarrod Saltalamacchia.[17][18] Craig was then awarded the winning run when home plate umpireDana DeMuth enforced the obstruction called by Joyce. This is the only case of a World Series game ending on an obstruction call.
Joyce, 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,[2] and in 2009 he was inducted into the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame.[20]
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