Geico And Griffey Jr.’S Umpiring Legacy Honored By Hall Of Famer

In a national TV commercial, retired MLB umpire Jim Joyce and Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. showcase their mutual respect and keep their legacies connected. The GEICO Insurance ad, which aired frequently during last year’s World Series between the Diamondbacks and Rangers, features Griffey Jr., his wife Melissa Griffey, and Joyce. As MLB’s 2024 postseason approaches, the trio continues to be familiar faces to TV viewers across the country. The 30-second baseball-themed ad has garnered attention and potential customers for GEICO.

The intrigue surrounding the man behind the mask drives the ongoing interest in the commercial. As the ad begins, the former home run slugger and retired 30-year MLB umpire, Jim Joyce, appear together. Joyce is seen multiple times throughout the ad, and in the fourth and fifth segments, he removes his mask, revealing his signature handlebar mustache that set him apart from other umpires. This unique feature is a key aspect of the GEICO promotion.

So, how did Joyce end up in Orlando, Florida, after flying across the country from his home in Portland, Oregon, for a day of work with the iconic couple? “With baseball sponsoring the commercial by GEICO, I believe there is an agreement that whenever an umpire is included, they will use either a current or past MLB umpire. When Junior was asked who he would want in the commercial, he asked for me. We’ve had a good relationship over the years. He respects me, and I respect him,” Joyce explained to The Epoch Times in a recent phone conversation.

The connection between Griffey Jr. and Joyce dates back to June 1989, when Joyce was calling balls and strikes behind the plate in Seattle’s Kingdome. Griffey Jr., a 19-year-old rookie with high expectations, struck out and expressed dissatisfaction with Joyce’s calls, leading to his ejection from the game. However, after the game, Griffey Jr. visited the umpire’s dressing room and apologized to Joyce, marking the beginning of their respectful relationship. This memorable incident is one of the reasons Griffey Jr. hand-picked Joyce for the GEICO ad.

Other noteworthy moments during Joyce’s career further solidified Griffey Jr.’s choice. In 2012, at a game in Arizona, Joyce administered CPR to an Arizona Diamondbacks employee who had gone into cardiac arrest before the game began. A month later, she personally thanked Joyce at the ballpark for saving her life. Additionally, in June 2010, Joyce made headlines with one of MLB’s most infamous umpire calls during a game in Detroit. In the ninth inning, with two outs and a potential perfect game on the line, Joyce erroneously called a player safe, robbing Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga of his perfect game. However, Joyce apologized to Galarraga after realizing his mistake, showcasing his integrity as an umpire.

With a successful career spanning three decades in MLB stadiums, including multiple World Series and All-Star games, Division and League Championship Series, Joyce was an obvious choice for Griffey Jr. when it came to selecting someone for the GEICO ad. “I worked one day on the commercial,” mentioned Joyce, who portrays the problem neighbor in the ad. Filming took place in the early morning, and by early afternoon, they had wrapped up. Joyce had a great time during the shoot and was delighted to see Griffey Jr.’s infectious smile once again.

The last time Joyce and Griffey Jr. crossed paths was in August 2016, when the Seattle Mariners retired Griffey Jr.’s uniform number 24. Joyce was part of the umpiring crew assigned to the series against the Los Angeles Angels during this historic event. Now, combining 30 years of MLB umpiring service with 30 seconds of participating in a TV ad for a major insurance company, Joyce finds himself back in the spotlight. A story about his involvement in the ad with Griffey Jr. published in a Cincinnati daily newspaper has sparked interest from other media outlets and individuals, reigniting conversations about his career.

In retirement, Joyce is enjoying the attention that continues to come his way. “It’s fun!” he exclaimed. “MLB Network had me on their Intentional Talk program.” Although he may not be heavily promoted in the commercial, it’s still satisfying for Joyce to be recognized and appreciated.