Editor's note: This article was written by a Townsquare Media Northern New England contributor and may contain the individual's views, opinions, or personal experiences.

Remember, New Englanders: when you go to a Red Sox game, keep your eye on the ball so a future Hall of Famer doesn’t have to rush into the stands and save your life.

But thankfully, Jim Rice didn't hesitate.

Rice just celebrated his 70th birthday. Known as perhaps Boston’s best right-handed hitter of all time (sorry Manny – but we know Jim did it clean), Rice likely got a flood of phone calls from former teammates and managers.

But I’m guessing he also heard from a fan who wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Rice’s quick thinking in the middle of a game at Fenway Park.

While Rice is loved throughout New England for his affable but honest assessments of the Red Sox as a NESN analyst, things weren’t as rosy during his playing days. In fact, his heroics on the field were often overshadowed by tense exchanges with reporters.

Had social media and YouTube been around in the '80s, clips like this would’ve been overshadowed when Rice had no choice but to drop the grumpy façade. It happened during a game in 1982 when a young fan was struck by a foul ball.

Four-year-old Jonathan Keane was at the game with his father and brother, and was critically injured. Sensing how long it would take for paramedics to treat the child – and how little time they had – Rice rushed from the Red Sox dugout and carried the boy back into the clubhouse for immediate treatment.

After years of being overlooked for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, Rice was finally elected in 2009. And even at 70…it feels like he’d be good for a couple home runs as pitchers get used to the pitch clock.

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