August 7, 1982. It was the fourth inning, with the White Sox ahead, 3-0. Red Sox second baseman Dave Stapleton rocketed a ball foul over the first base dugout. The ball slammed into four-year-old Jonathan Keane’s forehead, critically injuring him!

Rice, who saw the accident, and knowing that medical help would not arrive in time, quickly jumped into action, and leaped into the stands, cut through the crowds, grabbed the little boy, and with him cradled in his arms, ran back to the dugout where the team physician and the medical team worked to save his life. When an ambulance finally arrived, the little boy was rushed to hospital. Doctors claimed that Rice’s quick actions were absolutely instrumental to his survival.

Jim returned to the game, in a uniform stained with the boy’s blood! After the game he visited the boy in hospital. When he learned that the family was struggling financially, he stopped by the office and instructed them to send the bill to him.
True hero