What everybody's saying about the blown call that cost Armando Galarraga a perfect game
Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland, third from left, yells at first base umpire Jim Joyce, right, as umpires Jim Wolf (78), left, and home plate umpire Marvin Hudson (51), intervene. Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga lost his bid for a perfect game with two outs in the ninth inning on the disputed call at first base.
Associated Press
Tough day to be Jim Joyce, wouldn't you say?
Joyce, the umpire at first base who called Cleveland shortstop Jason Donald safe at first base to leave Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga one out shy of the 21st perfect game in Major League Baseball history.
Replays show Galarraga had the ball and his foot was on the bag with Donald a half step from first base.
Joyce: "I just missed it."
Galarraga: "That blew something really special for me."
Here's your guide to what everybody's saying about a stunning finish to the Tigers' 3-0 victory against the Indians on Wednesday.
THE GAME • MLive.com: An imperfect call cost perfection • MLive.com: Steve Kornacki says Galarraga handles the blown call in a classy manner • MLive.com: Jim Joyce talks after the game. "Nothing like this has ever happened to me."
THE PLAY
• MLB.com: How various announcers called the play
THE AFTERMATH • MLive.com: Dozens of Facebook groups now are devoted to Jim Joyce • ESPN: A perfect moment stolen • SI.com: This play may be the call that birthed expanded instant replay in baseball • SI.com: Galarraga, Joyce hug it out afterward • Yahoo Sports: Jim Joyce's good reputation takes a big hit • New York Times: That's the most egregious blown call in baseball in the last 25 years • El Universal: This is news - even in Venezuela • Associated Press: Baseball commissioner Bud Selig says he won't reverse call
THE POLL
Comments
LRF
Fri, Jun 4, 2010 : 9:46 p.m.
You have to feel nearly as bad for Jim Joyce as you do Galarraga. This just proves that everybody is 'human'. I think both guys involved showed class by the way they responded to the blown call. I think the only guy who needs to look at himself in the mirror and ask 'did I do the right thing'? is Bud Selig.
Ann English
Fri, Jun 4, 2010 : 6:22 p.m.
A worse call would be declaring a runner out when he was actually safe. Baseball is a game much slower than hockey or basketball; replays would slow it down even more. Jim Joyce's call did not change who won the game. I've heard that a blown call in the Show Me Showdown (1985 World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals)did affect the outcome of the Series: the Kansas City Royals won.
Tom Teague
Thu, Jun 3, 2010 : 3:45 p.m.
ESPN is reporting that MLB will not overturn the call.
Math
Thu, Jun 3, 2010 : 11:33 a.m.
I'm sure that MLB will overturn the call and the Tiger's will be the only team in Baseball that had a picture get 28 consecutive outs!
SonnyDog09
Thu, Jun 3, 2010 : 11:30 a.m.
Baseball likes getting it wrong. Otherwise, they would take steps to reduce their error rate. Compare baseball's approach with hockey. Last night in the Philadelphia-Chicago game there was an apparent goal that was not called a goal on the ice. Play went on for another ninety seconds. At the next whistle, the play was reviewed and replays clearly showed that the puck was across the goal line. A goal was awarded. The clock was set back to the time of the goal, and they played on from there. Hockey would rather take the time to get it right. Baseball likes blown calls. This is another reason why I now rarely watch baseball. For those who say that baseball cannot replay the end of the game, I would remind you that baseball did replay the end of the infamous "pine tar" game after they determined that the umpire's decision was wrong.
Ignatz
Thu, Jun 3, 2010 : 9:32 a.m.
A bad call at the worst possible moment. I wonder if the Mr. Selig has the authority to alter it. It seems simple to call that play an out and eliminate the at bat for Crowe. I'm sure he wouldn't mind his average going back up. In the end, Galleraga would have his perfect game and Jim Joyce would not look bad forever. Oh, and get some quick instant replay, too.
loser
Thu, Jun 3, 2010 : 9:15 a.m.
id wager if cabrera would've let guillen field the ball we wouldnt be having this conversation..garbage call by the ump either way
friend12
Thu, Jun 3, 2010 : 9:04 a.m.
For those that want Jim Joyce fired or severely punished you are wrong. Bad calls happen all the time and in this case he did something most rarely do, admitted to the mistake. As so many have said it is part of the game. Use your energy towards getting baseball to start using replays in these cases.
friend12
Thu, Jun 3, 2010 : 8:59 a.m.
You have to give Jim Joyce credit; he openly admitted he was wrong. I am sure if someone asks him, he will say the league should overturn the call. It doesn't change the outcome of the game and next batter's stats are better with that at bat gone. When it comes down to it, it is just the right thing to do. Hopefully it will happen today so the players and fans can properly celebrate the accomplishment at tonights game.
Tom Teague
Thu, Jun 3, 2010 : 8:57 a.m.
While it's heartbreaking to see the replay, the bright spot is that Armando Galarraga accepted the ump's apology fully and graciously; he even expressed concern for Jim Joyce's feelings. I'm sure it has happened before, but I've never heard of an ump apologizing for a blown call. Galarraga set an example that I hope I can follow next time someone seeks my forgiveness. I would hate to see Major League games inordinately burdened (and lengthened) by replays of *every* close call. That said, the runner was o-u-t out and Galarraga, the Tigers and all baseball fans were robbed of history. MLB needs to figure out how to review and, when appropriate, reverse calls that have an impact on recording wins or setting records.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Thu, Jun 3, 2010 : 8:19 a.m.
Major League Baseball has the worst referees of any professional sport in North America--a perfect storm of arrogance and incompetence. Time to fire 'em all and bring up a new crew willing to discuss their calls on the field with the entire crew (as happens in the NFL) and to reverse the call as necessary. Good Night and Good Luck