Earlier this week, it looked like Major League Baseball history was going to be made in Detroit. The Detroit Tigers were playing the Cleveland Indians and young Tigers pitcher Armando Galaraga looked to be on a verge of pitching a perfect game. The perfect game is one of the rarest feats in all of sports. In the 100+ year history of Major League Baseball, only 20 men have achieved that feat. Galaraga recorded 26 outs and looked to be on the verge of joining that elite club.
Of course fate, and a costly umpiring error had other plans. The Cleveland batter hit what looked to be a routine ground ball. The ball was picked up by Miguel Cabrera and threw the ball to Galaraga, who was covering first base, in what looked to be the final out of the game. But the runner was ruled safe by first base umpire Jim Joyce. Replays of the play showed that Galaraga got the out. Boos rained from the stands as Tigers manager Jim Leyland bolted from the dug out to argue to call. Yes, Major League Baseball history was made. But not in the way the Tigers, Joyce and Major League Baseball Commissioner wanted it to be made.
After the game Joyce decided to view the replay himself and realized his mistake. He instantly apologized to Galaraga and Leyland. Joyce was also bravely took to the airwaves. A visibly upset Joyce publicly admitted to his mistake and admitted it cost Galaraga a perfect game. Galaraga also showed class in the event, saying that Joyce made an innocent mistake and showed no anger over the incident (but I'm sure he's hurting a bit inside over losing the perfect game to a blown call). Some also brought up Joyce's umpiring record, in which various polls rank him as one of the best umpires in the game.
It was not over, as the Tigers and Indians were scheduled to play each other again the following day. Joyce was scheduled to be the home plate umpire and Joyce was given the option not to work the game. He turned it down and chose to work the game. In another touch of class, Galaraga walked out and gave Joyce the Detroit Tigers line up card. They shook hands and the umpire patted the pitcher on the shoulder.
So hopefully a few things will come out of the incident. Major League Baseball will look into ways to expanding instant replay in the game (as they should). It looks like the call will not be reversed (as it shouldn't. As much as you hate seeing Galaraga getting denied the perfect game, overturning the call would open a Pandora's Box). But most of all a few individuals showed sportsmanship and class in what was a most unfortunate situation.
