PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Cincinnati Reds’ rookie Todd Frazier is being hailed a hero after he used the Heimlich Maneuver to save a man’s life.

It happened at a restaurant here in Pittsburgh.

Frazier says his reaction was reflex.

After the Pirates wrapped up their win over Cincinnati on Memorial Day, Frazier – the Reds’ third baseman – and his roommate Ryan Ludwick settled in for dinner at The Capital Grille.

“We were just sitting there at the bar having a nice conversation and the next thing I know out of the corner of my eye, I just see a guy choking on something,” said Frazier. “And it wasn’t real at the time; then, I looked again and said, ‘holy cow, he really is choking on something.’”

Frazier stood up as a woman with the man and a waitress were trying unsuccessfully to perform the Heimlich maneuver.

“I went over and told the ladies to let me give it a try, and I did it twice and he caught it in his mouth a big piece of steak came out. It was pretty crazy,” Frazier said.

At 26-years-old, Frazier – from coastal New Jersey – knows his way around a baseball diamond as the Pirates found out Tuesday night when they were crushed 8-1, but his medical skills?

“I remember you learn some stuff in high school that you never forget, like the Heimlich – a couple of fingers down from the sternum and you press it in with your fist and away you go,” he said.

In this case, it meant a life saved, and Frazier did what any of us would. He called home. His dad answered.

“’Dad, just so you know, I saved someone’s life today;’ and he’s like, ‘oh really,’” said Frazier. “I told him what happened, and you know, he said, ‘Good for you. I’m glad you were there.’”

The Capital Grille declined KDKA’s request to talk to the staff that was there, and not even Frazier knows the name of the man whose life he saved.

The very grateful man bought his dinner and the two shook hands.

“I think it was just right place, right time, and just thankful for getting it out,” he added. “And, you know, just being a friend to a guy; you never know; that’s what’s life’s about sometimes.”

RELATED LINKS:
MLB.com: “Frazier saves choking victim with Heimlich”
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