“You never know what somebody’s day looks like.”
Major League Baseball umpire John Tumpane’s perspective was dramatically altered on Wednesday afternoon, when a chance encounter saw him heroically help save the life of a woman in distress.
According to this remarkable story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Tumpane was out for a walk after lunch and before heading to PNC Park, where he was to be the home plate umpire for a game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Pittsburgh Pirates, when he saw a woman climbing over the railing of the Roberto Clemente Bridge over the Allegheny River in downtown Pittsburgh.
Tumpane quickly approached the woman to help. He described what happened next in an interview with the Post-Gazette:
[blockquote]“I just wanted to get a better look of the city from this side,” she replied, according to the umpire’s recollection.
“Oh no,” Tumpane said, hooking his arm around hers. “You don’t want to do that. It’s just as good over here. Let’s go grab some lunch and talk.”
“No, no, no,” she answered. “I’m better off on this side. Just let me go.”
“I’m not going to let you go,” he said. “Let’s talk this out. We’ll get you back over here.”
“No one wants to help me,” she repeated. “Just let me go.”
“No, we’re here to help you.”
“You’ll forget me tomorrow.”
“I’ll never forget you,” he said. “You can have my promise on that.”[cite]Tumpane, via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette[/cite][/blockquote]
With help from others nearby, Tumpane held onto the woman until police, paramedics and other first responders arrived to take over.
Tumpane would go on to umpire the Pirates-Rays game a few hours later, and shared the story at the ballpark prior to stepping onto the field.
“It’s a nice day, everyone’s out for a walk, and somebody’s not having the same day you’re having,” he said. “I was just glad to help.”
Tumpane said he hopes to check back in on the woman, who was taken to the hospital, before he leaves Pittsburgh.
“I told her, ‘I didn’t forget her, and we’d be here, and she’s better off on this side than the other side.’” he said. “I just want her to know that.”
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