Rice’s quick action saved a life.
Baseball’s Jim Rice played his entire 16-year season with the Boston Red Sox. An eight-time American League All-Star, Rice was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1978. And in 2009 Rice received the highest honor in the game–induction into baseball’s Hall of Fame.
But Rice is known for something other than his ability on the field and at the plate. Rice, you see, saved a young person’s life.
The date was August 7th, 1982. The Red Sox were playing the Chicago White Sox in a nationally televised game. Dave Stapleton was at bat in the 4th inning. Stapleton swung and hit a sharp line drive into the stands. The ball hit 4-year-old Jonathan Keane in the head.
As fans and players looked on, Rice raced out of the dugout to check on Keane. He found the boy bleeding heavily from his head. Rice grabbed the boy and raced to the Red Sox dugout. The Red Sox medical staff took over from there.
Rice played the rest of the game in a blood-soaked uniform. And, more importantly, Jonathan Keane made a full recovery. Doctors credited Rice’s quick response for helping to save Keane’s life.
Jim Rice was a great baseball player. But he’s obviously great in other ways, too.
