Jim Joyce

Who is Jim Joyce?

James Alfred "Jim" Joyce III is an American Major League Baseball umpire who has worked in the American League from 1987 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000. He wears uniform number 66. His strike call is extremely loud and enthusiastic, similar to that of now-retired umpire Bruce Froemming.

He became infamous for Armando Galarraga's near-perfect game in June 2010. Prior to this, an ESPN The Magazine poll of MLB players called Joyce the best umpire in the game. He also called an obstruction rule in the bottom of the ninth in Game 3 of the 2013 World Series that helped the St. Louis Cardinals to a win over the Boston Red Sox. In 2012, Joyce was promoted to interim crew chief replacing injured umpire John Hirschbeck. His crew consisted of Jim Reynolds, Mike DiMuro, and James Hoye. Joyce was promoted to regular crew chief prior to the 2013 season.