Man Who Tried to Revive Giamatti Quits His Job After Criticism

The volunteer emergency medical technician who tried to revive baseball Commissioner Bart Giamatti has resigned after being criticized for telling details of the incident to the Boston Globe.

David Bell said he quit the Edgartown (Mass.) Volunteer Ambulance Service “over a conflict with the board arising from having spoken with the Globe about the particulars of Mr. Giamatti’s death.”

Bell was dispatched to Giamatti’s residence at Martha’s Vineyard after the commissioner suffered a heart attack last Friday. He tried for an hour to revive Giamatti.

Later, Jim Rankin, president of the EMT volunteer service and driver of the ambulance, filed a grievance alleging Bell violated Giamatti’s right to privacy by commenting to the media.

No one, including Rankin, questioned the medical help Bell provided but quarreled only with his decision to talk to reporters about over-the-counter medications Giamatti may have been taking and the circumstances surrounding his death.