It was the final day of the 2019 MLB season on Sunday. While everyone was ready to either celebrate or start planning for next season, a scary incident at the Cardinals-Cubs game was a reminder of how quickly things can go wrong…and how quick action can save a life.
Just as the Cubs were getting ready for Joe Maddon’s final interview as manager of the team, St. Louis-based videographer Mike Flanary collapsed while reportedly suffering a heart attack and stroke. He was briefly without a pulse.
According to the Post-Dispatch, a nurse who was on duty asked if anyone knew CPR. Thankfully, Derrick Goold, the Cardinals beat writer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, did. A former lifeguard and Eagle Scout trained in CPR, Goold performed the life-saving technique on Flanary until Cubs training staff and emergency medical personnel arrived. The videographer was taken to Barnes-Jewish Hospital where he was said to be in “critical but stable” condition.
Apologies #Cubs fans on falling behind w/today's news. The photographer we were working w/in STL suffered a heart attack & stroke in the dugout prior to Maddon's announcement. He is now in stable condition in the cardiac recovery room, but please keep him in your prayers.
— Kelly Crull (@Kelly_Crull) September 29, 2019
Cardinals security director Phil Melcher told the Post-Dispatch that Goold’s quick action was “huge. You cannot discount that, at all. I absolutely already thanked him.”
Gould hasn’t released a statement but his wife took to Twitter to confirm the details.
My husband is a dogged, intrepid reporter and an incredible writer.
More importantly, @dgoold is also a damn good person, who jumps in to help when and where he is needed.
Hoping the gentleman he assisted today makes a full and quick recovery.— eebsworthgoold (@eebsworthgoold) September 29, 2019
Goold did respond to one person on Twitter who praised him and how he handled the incident.
Thanks, friend. Only tried to do what's right, as you and so many of my friends would do as well.
— Derrick S. Goold (@dgoold) September 29, 2019
Here’s to hoping Flanary makes a speedy recovering. And if you ever feel like you need some help in the Cardinals press box, make sure you know where Derrick Goold is.
