Umpire: ‘I just cost that kid a perfect game’

MSNBC/Associated Press ^ | June 2, 2010 | Larry Lage

[Free ThinkerNY]

DETROIT - Armando Galarraga of the Detroit Tigers lost his bid for a perfect game Wednesday night with two outs in the ninth inning on a call that first base umpire Jim Joyce later admitted he blew.

[CriticalJ]

“Everybody gets a trophy” crowd.”

Uggh. This crowd has been around for a while.

[rsobin]

Who was the lead ump on the field. Why was the call not overturned? I’ll bet 3 other umps saw the call was wrong.

[ilgipper]

right now, it is only to evaluate home runs. I have a strong hunch that is about to change, and it should. Outs at 1st and at home should be reviewed.

[FredZarguna]

Williams was religious about taking the first pitch, and it was well known. I doubt an umpire would’ve called ball one just because Ted watched it go past.

[FredZarguna]

On the basis of ten thousand close calls per year, the umps are probably right about 9,995 times. The difference is that this call was not close. No one on the field or in the stands had any idea what this guy was looking at.

[whence911]

And............?

[whence911]

Your logic is only exceeded by your sense of humor. The story is made up as a tribute to the batting eye of Ted Williams about whom it was said he could read the stamp on the ball as it came to the plate. Chill and enjoy what you can.

[Rider on the Rain]

With such an obvious screw up and with absolutely nothing at stake, the Commissioner of Baseball should overrule the umpire. Just my 2 cents.

[FredZarguna]

And.....................?

You must have baseball confused with the ten commandments.

You must have umpires confused with the Pope.

[FredZarguna]

It’s only funny if there’s a possibilty that it’s true. In Williams’ case, there isn’t any.

[whence911]

Please continue your crusade to introduce right and wrong onto the baseball field as a standard for awarding the game to the righteous. Best wishes!

[whence911]

suit yourself. you either get it or you don’t

[JoeDonnellymakesmepuke]

Jim Joyce blew a judgment call. He didn't ransack a village, behead the men, rape and murder the women, eat the babies and children, and blaspheme the Almighty.
I don't see a moral component to a call. It's not as though he violated the ninth commandment by making a terrible call. He was wrong; it's hardly a sin, and certainly no indication as to his political leanings.
And he's not the first umpire to cost a guy a complete game. Former Cub Milt Pappas is still cussing in Greek at Joe West for turning his perfect game into a no-hitter.

[FredZarguna]

It’s not a question of right and wrong. Umpires are not infallible, and there is no excuse for not reviewing base-calls. I believe the Commissioner has the authority to overrule this call: he should. Then, MLB needs to get serious about using instant replay, the way a real sport already does.

[dfwgator]

I believe the Commissioner has the authority to overrule this call: he should

As much as I would like that, it would set a horrible precedent.

[this_ol_patriot]

Former Cub Milt Pappas is still cussing in Greek at Joe West for turning his perfect game into a no-hitter.

Bruce Froemming

[whence911]

You came into the middle of my exp[lanation that right and wrong is not a determinate in a judgement play. That is what i was referring to when I addressed your comments.

This commissioner declared the all-star game a tie, so he can do whatever he wants. But he will not over rule a judgement call on the field. Unless he wants to start reviewing 1-2 games a week. You are opening a can of worms which purists do not want to see opened. Baseball is a very traditional game.

[ninergold3]

Thanks for clarifying that. I love baseball! My family are huge SF Giants fans. In fact, we are watching the game right now. :D

I think you are right - 1st and home are important calls - especially in close games. We have seen blown calls win and lose games for years. I honestly feel the umps seem to be getting worse. Hmmmm.

[FredZarguna]

Baseball is a very traditional game.

An argument I tried to make to my father years ago for why the DH would never last.

He laughed then, and as I've learned in very nearly every case in my life he was right. "Baseball," he said, "is in the business of making money. Tradition is what they hide behind."

[JoeDonnellymakesmepuke]

You’re right; my fault. I mixed up a pair of fat umpires.