As you may have heard by now, Armando Galarraga of the Detroit Tigers threw a perfect game last night. The only problem is, it wasn't recorded as a perfect game. With two outs in the ninth, veteran umpire Jim Joyce apparently went temporarily blind and called Indians SS Jason Donald safe at first on what can't even be described as a bang-bang play. It was more like bang..................bang. They got him by a full step. I don't understand how he could have seen it any other way.
You can see the video at here.
Galarraga handled it like a true professional. He just smiled and went back to work. Ended the game with a one-hit shutout. I have much respect for him in the way that he handled himself. He didn't blow up at Joyce, he didn't bitch and moan. He just went back to the mound and finished the game.
This morning, I tweeted "Jim Joyce isn't a tool! He's a damn tool shed! Galarraga was robbed of a perfect game but took it like a man. Better than I would have." Yes, I had already seen the play and heard his statement from after the game. That thought was based on the sheer tool-baggery involved in blowing a huge call so horribly. As for Jim Joyce the person, I don't know him but I do respect him. He also handled himself professionally and like a man. He admitted his mistake and was very sincere about it.
Now, on to the commish. Mr. Allan H. (Bud) Selig. The worst commissioner in the history of sports. The man-in-charge who has the league that wins the All-Star game getting home field advantage of the World Series. You know, because an exhibition game is ALWAYS a good way to determine factors for the championship. For more on everybody's favorite bud check out Fanhouse.
Anyway, Selig comes out today and says "there is no dispute that last night's game should have ended differently." However, he will not review the call and award Galarraga the perfect game. I've heard all kinds of arguments today about whether he should or not. "Imagine if this happened forty years ago. Changing the call wouldn't even be an option." "It's played and umpired by humans. Always has been, always will be." "He should set things straight." "By not changing the call, he's showing kids it's ok to ignore the truth." I happen to agree with the latter opinions. Yes, baseball has always been umpired by humans and, hopefully, always will be. As time marches on, though, we have the advantage of technology and we should use it. I'm all for Selig changing the call. It would show that while humans make mistakes, they can be fixed. Kind of like life in general. It would show that Selig wants to usher baseball into the 21st century.
In my opinion, Galarraga threw a perfect game. I know that many people agree with that. I've heard it and read it all day long. Maybe Galarraga even shares the same opinion. He should. But I don't think that's good enough. His name should be there on the list of perfect games. Right there at #21. He may not care. Baseball is a team sport and they got the win. Still, he deserves to be recognized for his feat. Let him take his place in history.
Bud Selig also said that he would be reviewing instant replay and umpiring. Good for you. Go sit in your office and think about changes that can be made. Then do what you do best. Nothing. That's what I'm expecting.
As far as replay goes, DO IT!!! NOW!!! The world is changing and baseball should be part of the world. I'm not saying review every close pitch or close play, but definitely look at things that have a direct and obvious impact on the game. A close pitch on a 1-1 count in the third may not affect the outcome, but a hook slide at the plate with a phantom tag could. I know, I know. The Tigers still won. The call didn't affect the outcome of the game. It affected the historical value of the game. Come on, Commish, grow a set! You're ump changed history, now change it back!!!
I know there's no precedent for a commissioner changing an umpires call but MAN UP, BUD and set one. A scorekeeper can change a hit to an error or vice versa up to 24 hours after a game. Since when do scorekeepers have more power than the commissioner?
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