[2] Joyce impressed St. Louis Browns player-manager Charlie Comiskey at a December 1889 exhibition game, leading Comiskey to recommend that Players' League founder John Montgomery Ward hire Joyce for his Brooklyn Ward's Wonders club.

[4] He tied for the National League lead in home runs in 1896 (with Ed Delahanty) while playing for Washington and New York, and finished second three other times.

Despite generally being popular with other players, Joyce gradually lost favor with Giants owner Andrew Freedman and was not brought back after the 1898 season.

Joyce also developed a reputation as a frequent and vociferous critic of umpire calls, earning numerous fines for arguing.

[6] After retiring in December 1899, Joyce held many jobs, including saloonkeeper, minor league owner and manager, professional baseball scout, security guard, and municipal smoke inspector.