Cardinals Beat Writer Performed CPR on Videographer in Dugout Sunday and Helped Save His Life

While the baseball world is talking about the St. Louis Cardinals clinching the NL Central crown on Sunday, they missed out on an act of heroism prior to the game.

Mike Flannery, a 64-year-old videographer based out of St. Louis, collapsed in the Chicago Cubs dugout and was left without a pulse. That's when Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch stepped into action and performed CPR before the Cubs medical staff and emergency medical personnel arrived. Flannery was later transferred to Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

I’ve been reminded yet again this week that we shouldn’t wait to tell people how they make life better or inspire us. So, @dgoold, you’re already a legend, but this elevates you to something else. Here’s to a long post-season this man will get to see. pic.twitter.com/LXaRmcTTfE
— Brad Willis (@BradWillis) September 29, 2019

According to Kelly Crull of NBC Sports Chicago, Flannery suffered a heart attack and a stroke.

The medical emergency just happened prior to a Joe Maddon media scrum, who was set to discuss not returning as the Cubs manager in 2020. That was when Goold stepped into action.

According to Post-Dispatch reporter Rick Hummel, Cardinals security director Phil Melcher called Goold's assistance "huge."

"You cannot discount that, at all. I absolutely already thanked him," Melcher continued.

Goold's wife took to Twitter on Sunday to praise her husband, while also wishing a Flannery a quick recovery.

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

The man himself left a heartfelt response as well, and it reads exactly the way we'd expect it to.

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

While the St. Louis Cardinals were portrayed as conquering warriors on the field on Sunday afternoon ahead of the NLDS, Derrick Goold was the true hero off of it.