Galarraga Perfecto

[kevinG]

Tragic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdQi5Gf1xfw

[94CougarGrad]

Oh yes, we are all fired up about this in the Game Zone tonight.

[Albino Rhino]

There was a George Will article, which I'm too dumb to recall and too lazy to look up, where he spoke with an ump who called a very close ball four in the ninth inning of a formerly perfect game.  Will's point was that umpires call it as they see it; record books be damned.  And I remember thinking at the time that there's every incentive to be the jackass who kills a perfect game--I can't remember the ump who calls a perfect game, but the one who ends it in the ninth on a borderline call is still talking about it ten years later.  

Extraordinarily unfortunate.  

Edit:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/17/AR2007081701690.html

Bruce Froemming was the ump, Milt Pappas the pitcher, 1972 the year.  But how could I possibly be upset about something going against the Cubs?

[remy]

Better link

You can hear the reality, nausea, confusion and anger start to swell in the Detroit pbp guy's voice as they watch the replays...

"He's out.. why is he safe?"

Sickening.

[Duman]

There was a George Will article, which I'm too dumb to recall and too lazy to look up, where he spoke with an ump who called a very close ball four in the ninth inning of a formerly perfect game.  Will's point was that umpires call it as they see it; record books be damned.  And I remember thinking at the time that there's every incentive to be the jackass who kills a perfect game--I can't remember the ump who calls a perfect game, but the one who ends it in the ninth on a borderline call is still talking about it ten years later.  

Extraordinarily unfortunate.  

Edit:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/17/AR2007081701690.html

Bruce Froemming was the ump, Milt Pappas the pitcher, 1972 the year.  But how could I possibly be upset about something going against the Cubs?

I don't see anything wrong with what Froemming said.  Who would want a no hitter or perfect game you didn't earn?  The first pitch and the last pitch should be judged the same way.  Does it happen no, but it should.  That should be the goal.  That is all Froemming is saying.  I like his quote.... "Every pitch is important to someone."

I was super impressed with how Galarraga handled the call.  Not too different than the way he handled the first out of the ninth.  Jackson giveth and Joyce taketh away.  Blessed be the game of baseball.

[OregonStrosFan]

Not too different than the way he handled the first out of the ninth.  Jackson giveth and Joyce taketh away.  Blessed be the game of baseball.

The amount of ground Jackson covered on the play was amazing (not to mention the catch).  I thought it was very Michael Bourn'esque of him (which is of course amongst the highest praise I can give to a CF).

[dirty steve]

just saw the catch by jackson...fantastic.  nothing can change the call, but at least joyce seemed really contrite about the mistake.  pretty rare these days.

[MRaup]

just saw the catch by jackson...fantastic.  nothing can change the call, but at least joyce seemed really contrite about the mistake.  pretty rare these days.

If I'm the head of the umpiring union, I don't think I could be more embarrassed for my profession in the last few weeks than ever before.

Good God almighty, that one wasn't even close by Little League standards.

[dirty steve]

If I'm the head of the umpiring union, I don't think I could be more embarrassed for my profession in the last few weeks than ever before.

Good God almighty, that one wasn't even close by Little League standards.

you could see space between the runner's foot and the bag when galarraga caught the ball. it's funny they dont show close plays on the scoreboard because the umpires dont want to get shown up.

[OregonStrosFan]

you could see space between the runner's foot and the bag when galarraga caught the ball. it's funny they dont show close plays on the scoreboard because the umpires dont want to get shown up.

That's another rule(?) I'm sick of. Show the damn replays on the big screen.  Let the fans know if the ump screwed up. 

On the topic of use of replay: don't you think that Joyce would rather have had a chance to review the play and make the right call rather than having to be vilified for making the wrong call (or living with the knowledge that he cost the kid his chance at becoming the 21st player IN THE HISTORY OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL to have thrown a perfect game)?  As annoyed as I still am by the call (no defending it, it was inexcusable), I think Joyce showed class in the way he dealt with it after the game.

[OregonStrosFan]

Audio of the Jim Joyce post-game interview.  LINK  Wholly contrite. No trying to sidestep the issue.

[believin]

Audio of the Jim Joyce post-game interview.  LINK  Wholly contrite. No trying to sidestep the issue.

Gotta feel bad for the guy.  He blew it, and acknowledges that.  It's got to be a pretty miserable glare coming from the spotlight shining on him right now.

[geezerdonk]

The distinguishing feature of the event is the grace exhibited by the two principals.

[Mr. Happy]

I wonder how big the strike zone will be the next time Joyce has Galarraga behind the plate.

[Ron Brand]

Another really fine article by Tom Verducci, celebrating the class of the individuals involved and the impending move to some form of instant replay, also includes this quote from Mariano Rivera:

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, after seeing a replay of the call Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium, said of about Joyce, "It happened to the best umpire we have in our game. The best. And a perfect gentleman. Obviously, it was a mistake. It was a perfect game. It's a shame for both of them, for the pitcher and for the umpire. But I'm telling you he is the best baseball has, and a great guy. It's just a shame."

[Waldo]

Is this something that MLB would actually overturn?  I don't recall them ever doing something like this, but considering the circumstances and the fact that the game was over on the next at-bat anyway, would they?

[Ron Brand]

I'm sure that's what they're busily discussing this morning.

[Navin R Johnson]

From the Verducci article...

The pitcher told a Venezuelan reporter that Joyce was crying when he offered him his apology.

"He really feel bad. He probably feel more bad than me," Galarraga told Fox Sports Detroit. "Nobody's perfect, everybody's human. I understand. I give a lot of credit to the guy saying, 'Hey, I need to talk to you because I really say I'm sorry.' That don't happen. You don't see an umpire after the game say 'I'm sorry.'"

Damn, I can't recall something of this nature being handled so graciously by both parties.   Talk about taking a terrible situation and making something positive out of it.   Players, umps and fans could learn a lot from these two guys.

[MusicMan]

I'm sure that's what they're busily discussing this morning.

Apparently they are discussing it

[Mr. Happy]

From the Verducci article...


Damn, I can't recall something of this nature being handled so graciously by both parties.   Talk about taking a terrible situation and making something positive out of it.   Players, umps and fans could learn a lot from these two guys.

Well said. Class personified.

[Noe]

Jim Joyce is the best umpire in the league and for this to happen is both strange and wonderful all at the same time.  Joyce was wrong on his call, but that is the nature of baseball... umpires will make mistakes, so will players and if you play this game enough, you tend to realize it could and will happen.  It's the jackasses in the game that really irk me more, not the Joyce's of the baseball world.  Last night, I was proud of my oldest son who happened to walk by when I was watching the last out *NOT* be called correctly.  I screamed "OH MY GOD! NO!!!  JIM!!!".  He looked at me and all his life my oldest has had absolutely no interest in the game.  But he's been around me long enough to pick up just about everything about it.  My son said almost immediately "I feel bad for the umpire, I'm sure he's going to regret it later.  I mean, this is historic and he is going to go down as the man who blew the call.  That's all he'll be known for."  Wow, I stopped to think about what my son just said and thanked him for his perspective.

I felt bad for Joyce as he took in all the abuse after the game and then later apologized to Gallaraga and the whole MLB world.  I also loved the class exhibited by Gallaraga, that was all amazing to watch.  I invited my son to sit and watch the whole thing work out because I wanted him to see how class looks like in this world.  Mistakes happen, but what you can control is your reaction and attitude.  This was a great lesson for many and hopefully Joyce can move on and realize that while it may sting for a while, if he keeps up the class he's exhibited, some of the best of the game's life lesson can overtake everyone and make us all proud of the sport.

[HudsonHawk]

Apparently they are discussing it

As much as this sucks for the kid, reversing the call would be unbelievably bad for baseball.  I'm not sure if it's within the rules, as the rule book says that all judgement calls are final, period, and having the league over rule an umpire's safe/out call the next day would head MLB down a very dark road.

[MusicMan]

I absolutely agree.

[Navin R Johnson]

Scoring question?   Couldn't they simply rule the "hit" as an error claiming he juggled the ball and still award him a no hitter?   I know hits/errors get changed on occasion, post game.

[MusicMan]

Scoring question?   Couldn't they simply rule the "hit" as an error claiming he juggled the ball and still award him a no hitter?   I know hits/errors get changed on occasion, post game.

Official scorer has already ruled this out.  No bobble, no misplay by Cabrera, no basis for an error.

[Noe]

Scoring question?   Couldn't they simply rule the "hit" as an error claiming he juggled the ball and still award him a no hitter?   I know hits/errors get changed on occasion, post game.

Been broached and the official scorer said "No".  And then he followed that up with "end of story".  The dynamic of this story is the media play it's getting from the fringes.  Twitter, Facebook, the fan-blogs, et. al.  Basically, every idiot like me has a voice and if they do not understand baseball and the nuances, then what Jim Joyce will face is ten times worse than Dan Denkinger.  So the over 100 year old league has reached a fork in the road: stay the course and say "It's the nature of the game" and make many of the people who are knowledgeable very proud that it is handled correctly and with grace (and forgiveness for a class guy like Joyce), or you pander to the new fan, the ones who have a voice and are making themselves more and more a part of the game.  That relationship between the MLB and the neo fan is a new frontier and this situation is ripe to explore the ramifications of it all.

To the neo fan, what is right is right and the MLB should do the right thing and overturn it.  It would be the beginning of a new era of baseball's relationship with it's fans.  Think of the days when the league considered lights and night games for it's fans.  Shocking as it was back then, this is also a shocking to the senses of the old guard fan.  And it just may happen too.

BTW - it won't stop the neo idiot fan (what do they called them?  Oh yeah... MORANS!) from berating Jim Joyce.  It will just temper the amount of vitrol from those who are more opinionated and fringe in terms of what is right is right.

[MusicMan]

(Grits teeth, says begrudgingly:)

Olbermann has a point.  There is precedent for an overrule of an erroneous final "out" call - the Pine Tar Game, and Merkle's Boner.  However, both of those involved incorrect application of the rules, not a judgement call.

[HudsonHawk]

(Grits teeth, says begrudgingly:)

Olbermann has a point.  There is precedent for an overrule of an erroneous final "out" call - the Pine Tar Game, and Merkle's Boner.  However, both of those involved incorrect application of the rules, not a judgement call.

The Merkle Boner and the Pine Tar game were not the same situation.  They were not a safe/out judgment.  Baseball simply should not overturn this call, no matter how bad it feels for Galarraga.

[Noe]

Tim McClelland (who was the homeplate umpire on the Pine Tar game) has come out and said he is now in favor of instant replay.  The MLB is now full-fledge into new frontiers and this will be ground breaking in one way or another.  Here is McClelland's radio interview.  FWIW - McClelland hedged a bit about the idea of Bud Selig overturning the call and then said "I'm not sure even Galarraga would be in favor of that".  This will be a story that takes an interesting turn from a umpire missing a call (as can happen, it's the nature of the game) to what the league and it's 100 year old game will do from hence forth.

[MusicMan]

Tim McClelland (who was the homeplate umpire on the Pine Tar game) has come out and said he is now in favor of instant replay. 

As has Denkinger.  I think a full-fledged replay system is almost an inevitability from this.

[Navin R Johnson]

Been broached and the official scorer said "No".  And then he followed that up with "end of story". 

Does the commissioner have the power to overrule the official scorer?

To the neo fan, what is right is right and the MLB should do the right thing and overturn it.

Putting on Devil's advocate horns...

Lets say the commish does decide to overturn the call, do you think that really hurts the integrity of baseball?  Scorers reverse calls post game many times through out the year.   This does differ in what is being reviewed, but is it that much different?   Shouldn't the ultimate goal be to get the call right, when possible?   Obviously you can't go back and change a blown call in the third inning of a (would've been) perfect game, because that changes to much.  In this case, correcting the call changes nothing.

[Noe]

As has Denkinger.  I think a full-fledged replay system is almost an inevitability from this.

McClelland pretty much sounded like a man who is all in favor of being protected from angst and agony from here forth because the media coverage for the game is unbelievable now a days.  And it's grown exponentially from the days of Denkinger and PineTar to what it is today.  Any fool with an internet connection is now a critic with a voice.  So why not protect the human factor of the game with some technology.  It was unheard of ten years ago.  Now, it's about protection of sorts so things can be called a part of the game because we're here, now, in the new world for baseball and it took this sort of thing to go ahead and seriously consider the timeline of the grand old game and the little red dot that says "You are here" on said timeline.

[HudsonHawk]

Does the commissioner have the power to overrule the official scorer?

As much, or as little, as he has to over rule an umpire's in-game judgement call post-game.

[Noe]

Does the commissioner have the power to overrule the official scorer?

I may be wrong, but I don't think he does.

Putting on Devil's advocate horns...

Lets say the commish does decide to overturn the call, do you think that really hurts the integrity of baseball?  Scorers reverse calls post game many times through out the year.   This does differ in what is being reviewed, but is it that much different?   Shouldn't the ultimate goal be to get the call right, when possible?   Obviously you can't go back and change a blown call in the third inning of a (would've been) perfect game, because that changes to much.  In this case, correcting the call changes nothing.

I think this is new ground to be honest and while I'm a purist at heart, the idea isn't repulsive to me.  What you want to avoid is the WWE-type of view of the game.  Of all the examples I can think of, I guess the closest I can think of is the 1972 Olympic Basketball final, where an official overturned what looked like a win for the USA and put several seconds back on the clock for the USSR.  The idea immediately that came into mind is how this was a fix and not a contest.  It didn't smack of human error but of contrived and choreographed.  If you go down this route with the Commissioner, then the idea may become a snowball running downhill.

What would be lost in this conversation is just how much Joyce and Galarraga are able to move on and realize it happens in this game, even at this magnitude.  So while I wouldn't mind turning my head on this one and give the Commish a free pass, I'd hate to think the game becomes a farce wherein he always goes into this mode of "I will correct things".  I'm not so sure I'm ready for that level of change in the game.  A one man committee who makes things right.  I think I'd rather just be able to deal with things and move on instead of having a reset button for the game.

[Navin R Johnson]

As much, or as little, as he has to over rule an umpire's in-game judgement call post-game.

10.01 in the Official MLB Rules says: "The official scorer shall make all decisions concerning judgment calls within 24 hours after a game concludes or is suspended. A player or club may request that the League President review a judgment call of an official scorer made in a game in which such player or club participated, by notifying the League President in writing or by approved electronic means within 24 hours of the conclusion or suspension of such game, or within 24 hours of the official scorer’s call, in the event the official scorer changes a call within 24 hours after a game concludes or is suspended, as provided in this Rule 10.01(a). The party requesting review shall submit, before the close of the second business day of the league office following the request for review, any written explanation or other evidence (such as videotapes or electronic media) the player or club wishes the League President to consider in reviewing such request. The League President shall not consider any evidence submitted after the time for submission set forth in this Rule 10.01(a). The League President, after considering the evidence submitted and any other evidence he wishes to consider, may request that the official scorer change a judgment call or, if the League President concludes that the judgment of the official scorer had been clearly erroneous, may order a change in a judgment call. No judgment decision shall be changed thereafter. A league may impose a reasonable fee upon a party requesting such review in the event that the judgment call of the official scorer being reviewed is upheld."

So does this apply?  Or does judgment call not refer to this type of judgment call?

[BizidyDizidy]

10.01 in the Official MLB Rules says: "The official scorer shall make all decisions concerning judgment calls within 24 hours after a game concludes or is suspended. A player or club may request that the League President review a judgment call of an official scorer made in a game in which such player or club participated, by notifying the League President in writing or by approved electronic means within 24 hours of the conclusion or suspension of such game, or within 24 hours of the official scorer’s call, in the event the official scorer changes a call within 24 hours after a game concludes or is suspended, as provided in this Rule 10.01(a). The party requesting review shall submit, before the close of the second business day of the league office following the request for review, any written explanation or other evidence (such as videotapes or electronic media) the player or club wishes the League President to consider in reviewing such request. The League President shall not consider any evidence submitted after the time for submission set forth in this Rule 10.01(a). The League President, after considering the evidence submitted and any other evidence he wishes to consider, may request that the official scorer change a judgment call or, if the League President concludes that the judgment of the official scorer had been clearly erroneous, may order a change in a judgment call. No judgment decision shall be changed thereafter. A league may impose a reasonable fee upon a party requesting such review in the event that the judgment call of the official scorer being reviewed is upheld."

So does this apply?  Or does judgment call not refer to this type of judgment call?

I think that's talking about scorer judgement, not umpire judgment.

[Navin R Johnson]

IWhat would be lost in this conversation is just how much Joyce and Galarraga are able to move on and realize it happens in this game, even at this magnitude.  So while I wouldn't mind turning my head on this one and give the Commish a free pass, I'd hate to think the game becomes a farce wherein he always goes into this mode of "I will correct things".  I'm not so sure I'm ready for that level of change in the game.  A one man committee who makes things right.  I think I'd rather just be able to deal with things and move on instead of having a reset button for the game.

Agree with that, if Joyce and to a lesser extent Galarraga not handled this the way they have, I'd be more in the camp for overturning the call.

With the way things have shaken out, I think you get more out of letting things stand at a 1 hitter.

[Noe]

10.01 in the Official MLB Rules says: "The official scorer shall make all decisions concerning judgment calls within 24 hours after a game concludes or is suspended. A player or club may request that the League President review a judgment call of an official scorer made in a game in which such player or club participated, by notifying the League President in writing or by approved electronic means within 24 hours of the conclusion or suspension of such game, or within 24 hours of the official scorer’s call, in the event the official scorer changes a call within 24 hours after a game concludes or is suspended, as provided in this Rule 10.01(a). The party requesting review shall submit, before the close of the second business day of the league office following the request for review, any written explanation or other evidence (such as videotapes or electronic media) the player or club wishes the League President to consider in reviewing such request. The League President shall not consider any evidence submitted after the time for submission set forth in this Rule 10.01(a). The League President, after considering the evidence submitted and any other evidence he wishes to consider, may request that the official scorer change a judgment call or, if the League President concludes that the judgment of the official scorer had been clearly erroneous, may order a change in a judgment call. No judgment decision shall be changed thereafter. A league may impose a reasonable fee upon a party requesting such review in the event that the judgment call of the official scorer being reviewed is upheld."

So does this apply?  Or does judgment call not refer to this type of judgment call?

It applies to all judgement calls made by the official scorer I believe and not the umpire.  So if in the judgement of the scorer, the hit given to a player should be an error (judgement call), then he can overturn it.  Good find by the way.

[Noe]

Agree with that, if Joyce and to a lesser extent Galarraga not handled this the way they have, I'd be more in the camp for overturning the call.

With the way things have shaken out, I think you get more out of letting things stand at a 1 hitter.

Imagine the legacy of the two men being "They ushered in the new era of instant replay for the game" rather than "Jim Joyce went into seclusion and ultimately drank his way to the grave" or "Galarraga could never come to grips with the loss of a perfect game and did what Donnie Moore did..."  Ouch.  No way.  Let them deal with it effectively the way they are doing now.  In fact, I'd be really proud of Tigger fan if he gives Joyce a free pass today instead of booing him unmercifully.  We shall see.

[Navin R Johnson]

But wasn't it a judgment call be the official scorer that Galarraga made the play cleanly?  There is one replay where it does look like Galaragga bobbled the ball and it could be argued that he didn't have control when he touched first base.

Seems like they could review that, and give an E1 on the play.   

Or maybe they could add E10, Umping error to the rulebook...J/K.

[HudsonHawk]

But wasn't it a judgment call be the official scorer that Galarraga made the play cleanly?  There is one replay where it does look like Galaragga bobbled the ball and it could be argued that he didn't have control when he touched first base.

Seems like they could review that, and give an E1 on the play.   

Or maybe they could add E10, Umping error to the rulebook...J/K.

The scoring on the play can be reviewed.  On what grounds would they rule it an error?

[Navin R Johnson]

Oh boy howdy.   Made the mistake of venturing into the comments section of the article posted above.   That is where I found the MLB rule posted, but also got treated to this steaming turd.....

"If they let the call stand, it's formalism gone mad.
There's so much that is just baffling about the play.
How about the runner gunning it down the line like it's Game 7 of the World Series? That's pretty close to bunting to break up a no-hitter to my way of thinking.
What if Galarraga reacts more appropriately? Namely, not with a smile that says "well, a close call didn't go my way," but rather with the kind of anger that you would expect from a guy who'd just been robbed of his chance at "baseball immortality."
And what about Jim Leland? How do you not take your team off the field after something like that?

This is exactly the type of person who should be learning something from both Joyce and Galarraga.

[Noe]

But wasn't it a judgment call be the official scorer that Galarraga made the play cleanly?  There is one replay where it does look like Galaragga bobbled the ball and it could be argued that he didn't have control when he touched first base.

Seems like they could review that, and give an E1 on the play.   

Or maybe they could add E10, Umping error to the rulebook...J/K.

Something tells me that every angle is being discussed this morning by the Commish and his advisors, including this one.  I think if they could clearly make it stick, they will try it.  The idea of a changed ruling is probably low on the list however, so I think what they'll tell the Commish is this:

"Sir, you're left with two choices - overturn the umpire call and set a new ground for this office or let it go in the record books as is, but toss a bone to angry fans and agree to set up a committee to immediately come up with a system that will use instant replay for such occasions in the future... we'll call it the Jeffery Mayer Committee".

[moriartp]

The scoring on the play can be reviewed.  On what grounds would they rule it an error?

None. It's an infield hit all the way if they go with the "lack of ball control" argument.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

As has Denkinger.  I think a full-fledged replay system is almost an inevitability from this.

You vastly under-estimate the incompetence of Bud Selig as commissioner.  From all-star game importance to forced games for teams residing in the middle of a natural disaster.  If there's a way to discard the interest of all parties but the owner, he'll find it.  

[HudsonHawk]

How about the runner gunning it down the line like it's Game 7 of the World Series?

How about it?  That's what the game is about?

That's pretty close to bunting to break up a no-hitter to my way of thinking.

It's not in the same universe.

What if Galarraga reacts more appropriately? Namely, not with a smile that says "well, a close call didn't go my way," but rather with the kind of anger that you would expect from a guy who'd just been robbed of his chance at "baseball immortality."

That's only appropriate if you're 5 years old.

And what about Jim Leland? How do you not take your team off the field after something like that?[/i]

Because you're an adult, not a child.

This is exactly the type of person who should be learning something from both Joyce and Galarraga.

Apparently this poster has yet to graduate kindergarten.

[Lurch]

Oh boy howdy.   Made the mistake of venturing into the comments section of the article posted above.   That is where I found the MLB rule posted, but also got treated to this steaming turd.....

"If they let the call stand, it's formalism gone mad.
There's so much that is just baffling about the play.
How about the runner gunning it down the line like it's Game 7 of the World Series? That's pretty close to bunting to break up a no-hitter to my way of thinking.
What if Galarraga reacts more appropriately? Namely, not with a smile that says "well, a close call didn't go my way," but rather with the kind of anger that you would expect from a guy who'd just been robbed of his chance at "baseball immortality."
And what about Jim Leland? How do you not take your team off the field after something like that?

This is exactly the type of person who should be learning something from both Joyce and Galarraga.

I read one earlier that said (I kid you not) something to the effect of : "Well, the Tigers are already out of it.  If they have any class, the next time they face Galarraga they should each just stand at the plate and let him strike them all out."

Wow.

[Noe]

Apparently this poster has yet to graduate kindergarten.

Or coaching little league.  (Apologies to all good LL coaches, this is the sort of move a jerk LL coach would do).

[Navin R Johnson]

Wading into the comments section of any article is like bobbing apples in a port-o-toilet, or reading a Richard Justice blog post.

[EasTexAstro]

Wonderful response by all parties involved. It is really nice to see the players and the umpire show such extraordinary virtue.

I say, let it stand. It might not be recorded as a perfect game, but baseball people will remember this more than any other perfect game the way it is now.

[pots]

They shouldn't change the scoring.  Besides, as far as baeball imortality is concerned, this will immortalize Galarraga much more than had he just got the perfect game.

"It was the greatest 12 of all time. No one's going to remember the Open 10 years from now, who won...but they'll remember your 12! My, God, Roy, it was...Well, it's immortal!"

[Andyzipp]

"Galarraga could never come to grips with the loss of a perfect game and did what Donnie Moore did..." 

This...is quite the stretch.

[Lurch]

I say correct it.  Ideally within the next 30 mins so they can announce it to the home crowd and let them and Galarraga have some bit of the celebration they missed out on last night.

[Bench]

The distinguishing feature of the event is the grace exhibited by the two principals.

And who thinks the Tiger's fans will follow suit during this afternoon's game?

Me neither.

[matadorph]

Leyland is sending Galarraga out to deliver today's starting lineup card to Joyce at home plate in an effort to get fans to move on and forgive Joyce for being human.

"This is a day for Detroit to shine," Leyland said. "First of all, you are talking about one of the best umpires in the business and one of the best guys. You are talking about a guy who feels worse than anybody. It's sad. This guy is an outstanding umpire. I just really think it's a day for Tigers fans to really show what we are all about in a positive way. I really believe that, and I hope that they do. I don't know that they will, but I hope they do. I'm going to try and push for it as much as I can.

"The guy had every bit of integrity. He faced the music. He stood there and took it. What else can he do? I just don't believe in beating people up like that. If he would have been there and been defiant, and said 'No, I got it right,' and all this and that, and looked at it afterward and said, 'Well, yeah, I missed it,' well that's one thing. But this guy was a mess, I mean a freaking mess. I'm taking about sincere. There was nothing phony about it. This guy was a mess. My heart goes out to him."

[HudsonHawk]

I say correct it.  Ideally within the next 30 mins so they can announce it to the home crowd and let them and Galarraga have some bit of the celebration they missed out on last night.

They wouldn't be "correcting" anything, they'd simply be "changing" it.  You can't "correct" a judgement call.

[Noe]

This...is quite the stretch.

Yup, I went hyperbolic on that one.  My bad.

[Lurch]

They wouldn't be "correcting" anything, they'd simply be "changing" it.  You can't "correct" a judgement call.

Great.  Enjoy your semantics.  "Change" it to correct the wrong call.

[pots]

Great.  Enjoy your semantics.  "Change" it to correct the wrong call.

Would this be a time to say two wrongs don't make a right?

[matadorph]

Jim Leyland is a guy I could have a beer with. I'm disappointed that so many fans immediately assumed Joyce's call was rooted in egocentric motives and not simply a result of human error. Granted, the umps aren't having a good week, but ripping off your mask to confront a player or talking shit in the media is a whole different ballgame than intentionally giving a baserunner the benefit of the doubt just so you can say you were the ump who took away a perfect game on batter #27. I cannot believe there are fans who are so cynical as to believe that was the reason Joyce called Donald out. I swallowed a sympathy welp for Joyce as soon as I saw the replay because I knew he was utterly fucked and would face a huge shitstorm.

[Noe]

Standing ovation in Detroit.  Jim Joyce had some tears in his eyes.

[Limey]

As has Denkinger.  I think a full-fledged replay system is almost an inevitability from this.

I'm in favour of some form of replay, but the devil is in the details.  The last thing I want to see is every out call at 1st being subject to review which, of course, is exactly the issue last night.  I think it needs to be instigated by someone other than the team managers as it's hard to see how they could be restrained by a penalty for challenges that are upheld (like the NFL's loss of time out).

Fair vs. foul is the most obvious candidate for replay, but Umps blow calls all the time in sports that allow replay, and not all such events are reviewable.

[HudsonHawk]

Great.  Enjoy your semantics.  "Change" it to correct the wrong call.

It's not "right", "wrong" or "correct".  It's a judgment call.  It *is* what the umpire says it is.

[HudsonHawk]

I cannot believe there are fans who are so cynical as to believe that was the reason Joyce called Donald out.

There are those out there suggesting maybe Joyce was paid to blow the call.

[Astroholic]

There are those out there suggesting maybe Joyce was paid to blow the call.

There are those out there that don't believe in dinos....or that man landed on the moon...just saying.

[Limey]

Great.  Enjoy your semantics.  "Change" it to correct the wrong call.

Unfortunately, this opens the wagon gate on whining.  If this happens, the Nationals have a valid precedent to review the check swing call on Berkman on Tuesday(?).  Replays were quite convincing that he swung, which was strike three ending the game with the Nats winning.  That's an easy fix as all subsequent play is voided.  They simply take an eraser to the scorecard and the result is reversed.

[Noe]

Unfortunately, this opens the wagon gate on whining.  If this happens, the Nationals have a valid precedent to review the check swing call on Berkman on Tuesday(?).  Replays were quite convincing that he swung, which was strike three ending the game with the Nats winning.  That's an easy fix as all subsequent play is voided.  They simply take an eraser to the scorecard and the result is reversed.

What if the Nationals are one game away from making the playoffs?  Oooohhhhhh.....

[HudsonHawk]

Unfortunately, this opens the wagon gate on whining.  If this happens, the Nationals have a valid precedent to review the check swing call on Berkman on Tuesday(?).  Replays were quite convincing that he swung, which was strike three ending the game with the Nats winning.  That's an easy fix as all subsequent play is voided.  They simply take an eraser to the scorecard and the result is reversed.

This is why I think "right" and "wrong" and "correct" are more than semantics.  It's a judgement, it's not an application of a rule.  If you start defining calls as "right" and "wrong", then it's a catastropic slide into an umpiring hell.

[chuck]

Jim Leyland is a manager any organization could be proud of. I am very, very impressed with what he's done with this.

[Limey]

Jim Leyland is a manager any organization could be proud of. I am very, very impressed with what he's done with this.

I very nearly passed out just now, when I tried to contemplate what Cecil Cooper would've done with this.

[moriartp]

I very nearly passed out just now, when I tried to contemplate what Cecil Cooper would've done with this.

I was wondering the other day what this season would be like with Cooper at the helm. The players would likely be going Foxconn by now.

[Limey]

What if the Nationals are one game away from making the playoffs?  Oooohhhhhh.....

Ironically, the scenario I laid out is actually more important to the integrity of baseball as a whole than Joyce's blown call.  It reversed the "correct" result, whereas Joyce changed nothing except that Galarraga doesn't get a (well deserved) footnote on his career profile.

[Navin R Johnson]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100603&content_id=10754978&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Galarraga brings lineup to tearful Joyce
Umpire displays emotion in meeting day after blown call

The Tigers pitcher, who was given a car prior to the game, brought out the lineup card and shook hands with Joyce at the pregame home-plate meeting.

Joyce was tearful as fans offered applause.

"This is a day for Detroit to shine," Leyland said. "First of all, you are talking about one of the best umpires in the business and one of the best guys. You are talking about a guy who feels worse than anybody. It's sad. This guy is an outstanding umpire. I just really think it's a day for Tigers fans to really show what we are all about in a positive way. I really believe that, and I hope that they do. I don't know that they will, but I hope they do. I'm going to try and push for it as much as I can.

[Limey]

All this proves to me that the likes of Hernandez, West and their ilk get what they deserve from the fans.  People will forgive a mistake, but they won't forgive an arsehole.

[Navin R Johnson]

Unfortunately, this opens the wagon gate on whining.  If this happens, the Nationals have a valid precedent to review the check swing call on Berkman on Tuesday(?).  Replays were quite convincing that he swung, which was strike three ending the game with the Nats winning.  That's an easy fix as all subsequent play is voided.  They simply take an eraser to the scorecard and the result is reversed.

That is a really good point.  

I think, like has been mentioned before in this thread, that this ultimately leads to instant replay.    I am fine with that, there is technology available now that can assist in getting calls right, which should be the ultimate goal.

It is one thing that hacks me off about umps, that they let their ego get in the way of getting things right by asking for help on occasion.

I do hope, that if replay becomes a reality it is used in a limited role to an extent.    Maybe 1 coaches challenge per game and in the 9th there is some process to review close calls, on fair foul balls, and bang bang plays.  

[Mr. Happy]

Replay has no place in baseball. It's sad what happened, but it called human error. It happens all the time.

[JackAstro]

All this proves to me that the likes of Hernandez, West and their ilk get what they deserve from the fans.  People will forgive a mistake, but they won't forgive an arsehole.

This is exactly right. Mistakes happen, but they shouldn't define a person. They're more defined by how they choose to deal with those mistakes. The surprise that everyone feels over how gracefully it's been handled is an indictment of how often all parties choose to act like complete and utter dickheads in the face of their mistake – particularly the umps.

[MusicMan]

Standing ovation in Detroit.  Jim Joyce had some tears in his eyes.

That is fucking awesome.

[Mr. Happy]

That is fucking awesome.

Agreed. Thinking out loud, do you think that the fans in Philly would have acted with the class demonstrated by the Detroit fans? I didn't think so.

[Noe]

There were a few boo-birds, but overall, very good of the Tigger fans to act with class to put a bow on this big prize Joyce and Galarraga gave to the MLB community.  The slap on the back by each man (Joyce and Galarraga) is huge in my book.  I want to use this video to show both my boys that in this world, there are ways to handle mistakes and if ever they feel they've made a mistake, I for one, want to partner with them to forgive and move on.

[Lurch]

Unfortunately, this opens the wagon gate on whining.  If this happens, the Nationals have a valid precedent to review the check swing call on Berkman on Tuesday(?).  Replays were quite convincing that he swung, which was strike three ending the game with the Nats winning.  That's an easy fix as all subsequent play is voided.  They simply take an eraser to the scorecard and the result is reversed.

I can appreciate your point.  What I like about correcting this one is that the game outcome itself is not in question.  It's merely a technicality impacting no one other than Galaraga and Donald in the stats book if you can get past the concerns about precedent being set.

[MusicMan]

I want to use this video to show both my boys that in this world, there are ways to handle mistakes and if ever they feel they've made a mistake, I for one, want to partner with them to forgive and move on.

Video

[Duke]

The players would likely be going Foxconn by now.

I was recently in Long Hua.  They are installing nets on buildings 4 stories high or higher.  Terry Guo met with the company in a mass town hall and had all his employees promise not to commit suicide.

[BUWebguy]

I'm incredibly impressed by the class that both Joyce and Galarraga have shown, and I in no way think Joyce blew the call on purpose or any of that mess. He just missed it.

That said, was anyone else surprised that, given the importance of the play at the time, he didn't at least confer with the rest of the crew after Leyland came out? Given that it wasn't even that close a play (certainly not bang-bang), might the rest of the crew have seen that the batter was clearly out?

[94CougarGrad]

There are those out there suggesting maybe Joyce was paid to blow the call.

Those folks read Dan Jenkins' books the wrong way.

[Limey]

I'm incredibly impressed by the class that both Joyce and Galarraga have shown, and I in no way think Joyce blew the call on purpose or any of that mess. He just missed it.

That said, was anyone else surprised that, given the importance of the play at the time, he didn't at least confer with the rest of the crew after Leyland came out? Given that it wasn't even that close a play (certainly not bang-bang), might the rest of the crew have seen that the batter was clearly out?

Maybe the 2B Ump has an angle to see the runner off the bag, but he would not likely be able to tell if Galarraga tagged the base or not.  It was Joyce's call to make, and I think the suggestion that he could've asked for help is a red herring.

[MusicMan]

There are those out there suggesting maybe Joyce was paid to blow the call.

I'm not equipped to understand how stupid one would have to believe that unknown forces paid off an umpire JUST IN CASE he had to make a deciding call in a perfect game.

[Lurch]

Selig wont reverse the call.

[Andyzipp]

I'm not equipped to understand how stupid one would have to believe that unknown forces paid off an umpire JUST IN CASE he had to make a deciding call in a perfect game.

Well, it's would take a lot of planning and cooperation from a lot of different people.  The Cubans. The Mafia. The CIA. Lyndon Johnson. The ONI. Clay Shaw. Joe Pesci. The connections are only at the top of the organizations, but all working together. To prevent possible perfect games.

[Ty in Tampa]

I'm not equipped to understand how stupid one would have to believe that unknown forces paid off an umpire JUST IN CASE he had to make a deciding call in a perfect game.

The first base coach. Duh!

[MusicMan]

Well, it's would take a lot of planning and cooperation from a lot of different people.  The Cubans. The Mafia. The CIA. Lyndon Johnson. The ONI. Clay Shaw. Joe Pesci. The connections are only at the top of the organizations, but all working together. To prevent possible perfect games.

But that's what they do with Kevin Bacon at their gay orgies.

[MusicMan]

Selig wont reverse the call.

Suprisingly, Selig nailed this one.

[Bench]

Selig wont reverse the call.

That's good, but I'm sure he'll find some way to overcompensate to the detriment of the game.

THIS TIME IT COUNTS!!!

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Suprisingly, Selig nailed this one.

Or, in other words, "blind squirrel finds NUT!!!"

[Navin R Johnson]

Well, it's would take a lot of planning and cooperation from a lot of different people.  The Cubans. The Mafia. The CIA. Lyndon Johnson. The ONI. Clay Shaw. Joe Pesci. The connections are only at the top of the organizations, but all working together. To prevent possible perfect games.

Sounds like a plot for a Jack Sutherfood novel.

[EasTexAstro]

Or, in other words, "blind squirrel finds NUT!!!"

That's my line!

BTW, No conference on that, IMO. An obstructed view on a HR? Yes. Ump falls down and can't make the call? Yes. Check swing? Yes. Call like this? No way. Make the call and stand by it. A beer league softball game? Maybe. MLB, you can't be changing your mind unless there were rule for a reply, which I am against.

[OregonStrosFan]

Rajan at the Corpus Christi Caller-Times discusses Galarraga's perfecto with Dennis Martinez, and Martinez' own perfecto.  LINK (worth the read)

[cougar]

Well, it's would take a lot of planning and cooperation from a lot of different people.  The Cubans. The Mafia. The CIA. Lyndon Johnson. The ONI. Clay Shaw. Joe Pesci. The connections are only at the top of the organizations, but all working together. To prevent possible perfect games.

Don't forget the Pope, the Queen, the Rothchilds, the Gettys, AND Colonel Sanders before he went tits up.

[Andyzipp]

Don't forget the Pope, the Queen, the Rothchilds, the Gettys, AND Colonel Sanders before he went tits up.

Oh, yer gonna buy my chicken.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Oh, yer gonna buy my chicken.

If the Double Down isn't full of addictive chemicals that make you crave it fortnightly, I don't know what is.  Smartarse!

[geezerdonk]

Don't forget the Pope, the Queen, the Rothchilds, the Gettys, AND Colonel Sanders before he went tits up.

What about the Trilateral Commission and the Carlyle Group?

[austro]

What about the Trilateral Commission and the Carlyle Group?

Please. That's just crazy talk.

[Limey]

Please. That's just crazy talk.

Right.  Everyone knows you just need the Project for a New American Century.

[cougar]

What about the Trilateral Commission and the Carlyle Group?

They get to meet the real conspiracy at The Meadows, but in an advisory capacity only.  The Colonel felt that they couldn't keep a secret.  That's why he never told them his 11 herbs and spices either.

[Gizzmonic]

Does anyone else feel that this game will bring more notoriety to Galarraga than a perfect game would have?

[JimR]

Does anyone else feel that this game will bring more notoriety to Galarraga than a perfect game would have?

oh, please. do you think that matters?

[Mr. Happy]

Does anyone else feel that this game will bring more notoriety to Galarraga than a perfect game would have?

Why should Galarraga even care about that?

[Noe]

Methinks Gizz is talking more about the fan and media perspective.  Sort of the lore of baseball, wherein we make Olympians and tragic heroes of the players, managers, umpires and owners/GMs.  From Curt Flood, to Billy Buckner, to Babe Ruth, to whomever you choose.  The game of baseball is different than the lore and myth of baseball.  In that regard, only time will tell.  I have no qualms to say that if this incident marks the day baseball instituted instant replay to the game, then yes, Galarraga and Joyce will be forever tied to this dot in the timeline of baseball forevermore.

[Mr. Happy]

I have no qualms to say that if this incident marks the day baseball instituted instant replay to the game, then yes, Galarraga and Joyce will be forever tied to this dot in the timeline of baseball forevermore.

I agree with this.

[Gizzmonic]

oh, please. do you think that matters?

Yes, I do think it matters from a historical standpoint.  Quirky games like this are part of the history that we as baseball fans celebrate.  I think this will be one of those games.  Noe put it a little more poetically than I did, natch.

[BlownRanger]

I just find it interesting that with all the questionable calls that have affected the actual outcome of the games in this team sport, it's a play that had no effect on the game's outcome that will give more impetus to the pro-replay argument than all those game-changing calls combined.  In a strange way, this reminds me of 1998 when Cubs fans had to be occasionally reminded that, while they were obsessing over Sammy's every at-bat in his home-run duel with McGwire, their beloved Cubs were actually in a red-hot wildcard race.  I understand the historical significance of a perfect game, but it's strange to think that a call that didn't even affect a game's outcome will become the ultimate litmus test of a commissioner's powers.

On another note, while Denkinger gets justifiably crucified for his '85 World Series blunder, I can't believe Fred Brocklander lives in relative obscurity after his incredibly bad call cost the Astros Game 5 of the '86 NLCS.

[Ty in Tampa]

I can't believe Fred Brocklander lives in relative obscurity after his incredibly bad call cost the Astros Game 5 of the '86 NLCS.

Aw, man. Did you have to?

[Noe]

I just find it interesting that with all the questionable calls that have affected the actual outcome of the games in this team sport, it's a play that had no effect on the game's outcome that will give more impetus to the pro-replay argument than all those game-changing calls combined. 

It's the perfect storm of time that makes *THIS* incident more conducive to look at change and not the incident singularly.  Take a glut of new stadiums replacing the old, stoic, cookie-cutter stadiums of twenty years ago.  It was the lack of interest by fans and the media and a ranking of third (distant) in the fan entertainment scale that made it so.  Not a real need for new stadiums.  The new stadiums have choo-choo trains, smoke stacks, all sorts of unique nuances that helped make the day at the park fun again for the fringe fan.  By attracting them back, it is now up to the play on the field that will bring them into a longtime relationship that is only realized in burghs like St. Louis, Chicago, Boston, New York and Philadelphia.   One hundred years of ownership, if you will, of the local nine has made it so in those cities.  All others need what happened in the MLB.

So now fast forward to the incident and how this is now putting the voice of those new fans right smack dab in the middle of telling the league how they feel about it.  You invite someone to partner with you, then expect them to either be a silent partner or a really engaged partner.  Well, the media glut today, the fanblogs (like this one), ALL, have made the perfect storm of a spectacular historic gaffe meets fan voice meets media glut.

That's how change happens.

[Bench]

I just find it interesting that with all the questionable calls that have affected the actual outcome of the games in this team sport, it's a play that had no effect on the game's outcome that will give more impetus to the pro-replay argument than all those game-changing calls combined. 

Agreed.  See Check-Swing, Berkman, Lance, 6/1/10.

[Arky Vaughan]

It would be very problemetic for Selig to change the call now, but I see no reason why this game should not be mentioned in a footnote to the list of perfect games. It is not uncommon to see two other not-quite-perfect games footnoted: Ernie Shore's 26 straight batters retired after Babe Ruth was ejected after walking the first batter, who was subsequently caught stealing, in a game in 1917, and Harvey Haddix's 36 straight batters retired in 1959. None of these is perfect games, but they are still remarkable accomplishments worthy of note.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

It would be very problemetic for Selig to change the call now, but I see no reason why this game should not be mentioned in a footnote to the list of perfect games. It is not uncommon to see two other not-quite-perfect games footnoted: Ernie Shore's 26 straight batters retired after Babe Ruth was ejected after walking the first batter, who was subsequently caught stealing, in a game in 1917, and Harvey Haddix's 36 straight batters retired in 1959. None of these is perfect games, but they are still remarkable accomplishments worthy of note.

Agreed.  I took Gizz's comments to reference such games as why Galarraga's near perfect game will be remembered.  It almost puts the game in a more exclusive rank.  How many perfect games have there been compared to games such as Galarraga and the two you mentioned? 

That said, I think the truly special and impressive aspect to this event is how the player, team, mgr, and umpire responded to a situation that could have been devastating if handled poorly.

[Limey]

Agreed.  See Check-Swing, Berkman, Lance, 6/1/10.

Cabrera wants replay.

[BUWebguy]

Cabrera on replay? Time for Doc Brown to start worrying about the space-time continuum again...

[Bench]

Cabrera wants replay.

Are you replaying my replay of your play?

[Limey]

Are you replaying my replay of your play?

Oh shi...

[94CougarGrad]

What about the Trilateral Commission and the Carlyle Group?

Sssssh... the Society of Assassins and the Yakuza will hear you. Fnord.

[Noe]

Whitey Gammons proves once again why he's one of the best baseball analyst, writer and purist around!  This is a wonderful column piece.

[Bench]

And a great article by Verducci as well.