My cyberpal Paul Michael Murphy, known as PMM 'round these parts, is a huge Tigers fan. For all you sports nuts out there, this is baseball we're talking about, not lawn bowling. And yesterday, a young Tiger's pitcher threw a perfect game.
Well, not quite.
The pitcher, Armando Galarraga (no relation to PMM), was robbed (of a perfect game) by the umpire on--what should've been--the final play.
Why is this such a big deal?
There have only been 20 perfect games thrown in Major League Baseball history. Oddly enough, two have already been thrown this season, since May 9. If you didn't click on the link in the first paragraph, a perfect game, in the simplest terms possible, means that in 9 innings (3 outs in each half inning), no one reached first base by being walked or by hitting the ball. So the pitcher (our good buddy Armando), got every batter out. Except the last one (which became the second to last one). Which he actually did get out.
You see, the first base umpire, Jim Joyce, blew the call. Badly. And in doing so, robbed Mr. Galarraga of the 21st perfect game in history. Perhaps Idiot Joyce's moustache was blocking his view of first base. Or maybe he had too many seeds stuffed in his mouth. To Joyce's credit, he admitted blowing the call. But is that enough? Does that make it okay? Humans error, that's a fact, but this isn't fair. Or is it?
I'm no palm reader, but I'm guessing that Armando (the pitcher) had this coming. That's the only sensible explanation. Maybe in second grade he pulled someone's pants down at the urinal. Maybe he dumped his girlfriend on prom night. Maybe he stuffed an avacado in his pocket when the grocer wasn't looking (that was not meant to be racist). Ahh, I got it. He snuck into an R-rated movie when he was twelve. Well, whatever Armando did, it came back around yesterday afternoon when the baseball gods, channeling their energy through the moustache of Jim Joyce, took away his place in history.
Instant replay anyone?
Oh man! That's horrible!
ReplyDeleteI actually feel really bad for the umpire.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I didn't invest three hours in watching the game and cheering every out. Had I, I might feel different.
The umpire apologized for his mistake. Does that count for anything in baseball?
ReplyDeleteGiven the situation, Joyce, a veteran umpire, should've known to call the runner out in any sort of bang-bang play. He apologized. But it's like saying "sorry" after a minor car accident. It's nice, but the damage is done and irreversible.
ReplyDeleteJoyce knew he blew it right away. I'm wondering why he didn't ask for help from home plate umpire or the second base guy. Aren't they allowed to do so?
ReplyDelete...that was gut-wrenching to watch.
ReplyDeleteMy take, caught in a situation of such magnitude as having a perfect game hanging in the balance, even if there's a tinge of doubt in the back of your mind, how can you not call the guy out? IT'S A PERFECT GAME! Are you kidding me?
...yes, the umpire did apologize, which was noble of him. BUT IT WAS A PERFECT GAME!
Although Jim Joyce made a very bad call, he and his family did NOT deserve to have certain fans threaten his family because of his error. That is not right and is unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteNo family should have to endure such poor sportsmanship from unruly and classless fans because of a human error. The man was publicly humiliated, he publicly broke down and he sincerely apologized.
What more does the public want from him after the deed is done and irreversible? Should he have gone to "MLB jail?"
Just my two cents...
-Geralyn C. Adler
*P.S.*
I could've posted this on the comment section of FoxSports.com or MLB.com, but I would be debating with morons who would do nothing but sling profanity and vulgarity without regards to "thinking before posting!"
This is a more dignified place to post my two cents. =)
Thanks, Geralyn, for stopping by and commenting. Well said. Agree that no one's family deserves such treatment, especially over a sporting event. Joyce treated the situation with dignity and should be commended for that.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, umpire Jerry West is out of control and Selig should oust him. His overblown ego has earned him a horrible reputation amongst players and umpires. West has been tossing players for giving him shifty eyes. Did you know West has a country CD and apparently his "publicist" sends emails throughout the league promoting his "music." What an ego maniac. I've never liked his body language on the field, though he might be an okay guy.
Sorry, his name is Joe West.
ReplyDelete