Baseball must add replay to avoid more ‘imperfect’ games
Armando Galarraga smiles at the absurdity of umpire Jim Joyce's call.
It’s funny how baseball gets picked on sometimes for being like the stodgy old coot on the front porch who never wants to see anything change. Fact is, when the sport does make a change, it usually gets it wrong.
It instituted the sport’s first full-time part-time player (designated hitter) and then compounded this mistake by sticking it in only one league. It foolishly tried to add meaning to the All-Star Game by giving the winning league home field advantage in the World Series. And, of course, the one time owners actually were unified and determined to change baseball’s economic system, they colluded. Not smart. Also not legal.
Well, baseball does need to change one thing. Now. It needs to add television replay to make up for the human mistakes of umpires.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga threw a perfect game against the Cleveland Indians Wednesday night. The only guy who didn’t realize it was first base umpire Jim Joyce, who will not be remembered as fondly as James Joyce.
On what should have been the 27th out following the 27th Indians’ batter of the game, this is what happened: Jason Donald hit a ground ball to first base. The Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera fielded it to his right. He tossed the ball to Galarraga, who clearly got to the base before Donald. The side view at the end of the video below will show you just how close this play wasn’t.
Take a look:
People make mistakes, and to Joyce’s credit, he admitted his blunder: “I just cost that kid a perfect game. I thought he beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw, until I saw the replay.”
But the problem is that baseball’s officiating crews have a history of being the most obstinate, arrogant and even obnoxious of the four sports’ officials.
Too many umps believe they are the show. This is not a new observation. It’s just too accurate and has gone on for too long.
Baseball umpires don’t want controversial replays shown on stadium video boards because it might make them look bad. They hated it when officials started using technology analysis of ball-and-strike calls with things like “QuecTec” and “Zone Evaluation.”
Football uses replay to correct mistakes all the time on the most crucial of plays: touchdowns and fumbles. Hockey uses replay to confirm (or negate) goals. Basketball uses replay to adjust time remaining on the play clock. Baseball is stuck in the era of the sundial.
If it takes an embarrassment like this to convince baseball to add replay for close calls — and force umpires to bury their egos — then at least the sport finally will have moved forward.
But Galarraga will still have to settle for throwing baseball’s most perfect imperfect game.
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159 comments Add your comment
GGP
June 2nd, 2010
10:16 pm
First!
GGP
June 2nd, 2010
10:18 pm
Glad the ump could admit his mistake. Gotta be tough for a professional umpire to know he cost a kid a perfect game.
Reid Adair
June 2nd, 2010
10:21 pm
That was pathetic. It wasn’t even close. Someone tried to say it was a “bang-bang” play. It wasn’t.
Jim Joyce gets paid to make the calls, and that wasn’t nearly as close as some would like people to believe.
Holy Smokes!
June 2nd, 2010
10:22 pm
It wasn’t even close. How do you miss that call? MLB HAS to reverse the call and give him the perfect game. There has to be a way for managers to challenge one or two questionable calls per game.
OhMyDawgs
June 2nd, 2010
10:24 pm
I know it will popular to pile on that umpire for the blown call, but he could not have been more upfront and direct in admitting the mistake. Very admirable. Would be nice if some of our politicians could do the same. Galaragga will likely get an endorsement deal out of this and end up making it ok.
Tom
June 2nd, 2010
10:24 pm
Since the ump admitted he missed the call, is there anyway the Commissioner or MLB can correct to the right call?? Or is this a dead issue? Would like to know!
YoungerThan ThatNow
June 2nd, 2010
10:24 pm
I watched the last two innings of this game and you could just sense something afoul after the second out of the top of the ninth inning… especially after such a great play on the first out of the inning. But I never thought the umpiring crew would be what went wrong. But it was clear on the actual play… not the replay… the actual play.
But I do credit Jim Joyce for facing up to his error and telling it as it is… “I just cost that kid a perfect game”. Indeed he did.
tipster
June 2nd, 2010
10:27 pm
I can’t understand why MLB can’t easily institute a replay system like football. You get a certain number of challenges a game (not including called balls and strikes). Why is this so hard for them to do? I know judgement is part of the game, but if the technology exists to “get the call right,” why wouldn’t they use it.
Philip Tortora
June 2nd, 2010
10:27 pm
Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig absolutely has to apply common sense here, and award Armando Galaragga a perfect game. Selig must use his authoritative powers and overrule the blown call by Jim Joyce
http://philiptortora.blogspot.com/2010/06/major-league-baseball-should-reverse.html
PlusSizeModel
June 2nd, 2010
10:30 pm
Damn, even the runner looked bummed by the call!
YoungerThan ThatNow
June 2nd, 2010
10:32 pm
And I’ll say this… at least 98% of the time, the replays show that the umpire made the correct call. And he doesn’t get the benefit of a replay and has to make the call in a nano second… still, they make the correct call the vast majority of the time. The only time an umpire is recognized, as is the case here, is when he blows a call.
As far as the issue of having the replay as a part of the game… I’m on the fence. I would like to see the ultimate call to be correct… but doesn’t that take away the human aspect of the game?!?
Now, the DH and the all-star winner determining home field advantage for the world series…
cheshire
June 2nd, 2010
10:33 pm
Tom, i was wondering the same thing. I know it’s pretty rare for sports to go back and correct things after the fact, but this seems like a clear cut case where it would be okay to do so. Had it been a situation where it was the first or second out of the inning that would be different, but it was the last out of the game and it’s obvious what happened and what should have happened. I don’t know what the argument would be against Selig stepping in and fixing it other than falling back on some stupid principle.
Mr Charlie
June 2nd, 2010
10:36 pm
Now way they “award” him anything. He got 29 in a row, and was the pitcher to have the only perfect game get blown with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th by a bad call. He gets his own space in the HOF, he does not need to share it with the other 19 pitchers. Cudos to the Ump for taking responsibility and showing class. It is refreshing.
PlusSizeModel
June 2nd, 2010
10:36 pm
I also can’t figure out how the pitcher didn’t go ballistic. I sure wouldn’t be smiling, of all things.
bravos
June 2nd, 2010
10:37 pm
GIVE GALLARAGA THE PERFECT GAME BACK! HEY JIM JOYCE IF YOU’RE TRULY REGRETFUL GO TO THE COMMISH OF BASEBALL AND TELL HIM TO CHANGE IT TO A PERFECT GAME! THE THING THAT PISSES ME OFF WAS HOW ARROGANT AND IGNORANT JIM JOYCE WAS OF THE CALL HE MADE get thoughts from the other umps id say most of them would consider it an out!!!!
captainamerica
June 2nd, 2010
10:37 pm
any way mlb can overrule the screw up and give the pitcher the perfect game he so clearly deserves?
Mr Charlie
June 2nd, 2010
10:41 pm
It is not that big a deal, sure it is a great accomplishment, or milestone, a place in history, but under the rules, he did not get the perfect game. Can’t go “awarding” them, he got his place in history. I also think the Ump called it like he saw it, and that is the game.
Mr Charlie
June 2nd, 2010
10:44 pm
How many other one hitter/29 batters game have there been? Or no hitters with walks? Now do we have to go back and revew them all to see if a call might have been blown? Or how about walks that killed perfect games, should we go back and put them all the pitchers under the strike zone cam to see if they were truly balls? Again, he did not get it, but what he did do should get him a place in the HOF in the perfect game exhibit.
Mr Charlie
June 2nd, 2010
10:46 pm
Or, what if a call gets blown in a WS game? Should we “award” the team a championship?
Herschel Talker
June 2nd, 2010
10:47 pm
Well said, Schultzie. Kudos though to Jim Joyce for admitting the error and apologizing. He’s only human.
sheeesh
June 2nd, 2010
10:55 pm
I think the ump got it right and no one realizes it – not even the ump himself. I saw a replay from the third-base camera that shows that the pitcher did not have the ball secured in his glove when the runner reached the bag. The ball was being slightly bobbled. This is not why the ump called the runner ’safe’, but that is what happened. So it was the right call for the wrong reason. Too bad for the Tiger pitcher, but instant replay would have shown it was the right call.
Instant replay in all sports sucks. It does not ensure that all mistakes are eliminated. Officials seem to find ways to blow it even when they have replay. Not to mention the number of instances where replay is not allowed. I think it should be eliminated completely. If you want technologically accurate games, go play your computer games in your mom’s basement.
Tom
June 2nd, 2010
10:57 pm
Mr Charlie – Are you really a baseball fan or someone who is just having a bad day?? You sound awful mean spirited to me, get a life!!
Dayman
June 2nd, 2010
10:58 pm
I feel terrible for the kid. I don’t however feel terrible for the ump like some do. I don’t understand how you call the runner safe there, you have to be a real moron. IT WASN’T EVEN CLOSE!!!!!
jesse james
June 2nd, 2010
11:00 pm
In the umpires defense everybody says it was an easy call. I have watched the replay live and it was alot closer than they make it out to be. Even on the replay you can’t tell exactly when Gallarraga’s foot came down on the base. I agree that 99% of the time he is called out. Now we have to listen to all these media guys blast the umpire when most of them wouldn’t have the balls to call a little league game. I do feel for Gallaraga, but alot of people could learn something from Gallaraga’s and Joyce’s class act after the game.
rc35
June 2nd, 2010
11:01 pm
At the very least, this umpire should be suspended without pay for a week. That would be a weak penalty, but MLB has to do something to show that flagrantly erroneous calls like that cannot just be overlooked.
jesse james
June 2nd, 2010
11:02 pm
Dayman you don’t know what you are talking about. Watch the play live and you tell me it wasn’t close. Let me call the MLB Umpires Association and give them your name. By the way how many games have you umpired. That is what I thought.
Coach (2011 or Bust)
June 2nd, 2010
11:04 pm
Tragic, simply tragic. If this doesn’t open the door for instant replay, nothing will. Yes Jim Joyce admitted he blew the call but it wasn’t even close as the runner was out by a full step. Joyce made a brutal call.
My two cents: give the umpires the ability to check the video replay and change the call but leave it up to the umpires discretion. Baseball is a game of inches sometimes decided by the slimmest of margins, human error shouldn’t be allowed to stretch these limits.
jesse james
June 2nd, 2010
11:04 pm
Listening to the Tigers they put the win above a great individual accomplishment. Class Act!
Dayman
June 2nd, 2010
11:06 pm
Whatever, I promise I’ve been around the game more and watched way more baseball than you and there is no way you call the runner safe there. He was out by a step plus. And I umpired little league games in college so GTH.
jesse james
June 2nd, 2010
11:08 pm
Everybody wants replay. Part of baseball is arguments with the umpires and it should remain a part of the game. I’m not sure replay should be used. We have taken the human element out of so many things. It has cost people jobs.
Dandy Don
June 2nd, 2010
11:10 pm
Instant replay should be used.
Gwinnett Fred
June 2nd, 2010
11:12 pm
At least Len Barker can still hold the title of worst pitcher ever to throw a perfect game.
jesse james
June 2nd, 2010
11:12 pm
Dayman – He was not out by a step plus. What replay or you watching. Even on the replay in slow motion it is not even a step plus. I agree he was out but to say it was cut dry is stupid. Oh you umpired little league games. I can see why you went no higher. Oh by the way my life and way of making a living is baseball. So I believe I have been around alot more than you.
Moot Point
June 2nd, 2010
11:13 pm
Yes he missed the call. But why was Cabrera fielding the ball all the way over there in the first place? Freeze the above video at the 1:05 mark and tell me the second baseman wouldn’t have gotten him by three steps if Cabrera had just stayed home. If I’m Galarraga, that’s what I’m thinking.
mrs. jim joyce
June 2nd, 2010
11:14 pm
“i umpired little league games in college so GTH.”
love it.
jesse james
June 2nd, 2010
11:15 pm
Yea why don’t we let computers pitch it and hit it. Bobby Cox is known for all his ejections. That is part of baseball. After further review he was safe, oh by the way umpires we do not need you anymore.
Delbert D.
June 2nd, 2010
11:15 pm
There was a big blown call in the Braves-Twins world series game 7 in the Metrodome when the Twins’ 1st baseman wrestled the Braves’ runner off the bag and the ump called him out.
jesse james
June 2nd, 2010
11:16 pm
Bottom line is the kid pitched a great game and even though he didn’t get the perfect game or nohitter he made himself a hero with his class. If it was the NBA there would have been a damn riot and probably a killing.
Coach (2011 or Bust)
June 2nd, 2010
11:24 pm
How many of you have seen a perfect game in person at a ML baseball game? the answer is obvious.
There are seventeen thousand Tigers fans who went home tonight feeling empty and cheated because they were. Seventeen thousand baseball fans who should have seen history for only the 21st time in more 120 years of ML baseball, and they will almost certainly never be afforded the chance to see a perfect game again and that is tragic.
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TheAntiMe
June 2nd, 2010
11:29 pm
Unfortunately, even very good umpires can’t get past their egos and way too many times on a close, or even semi-close call, if a player doesn’t wait for the umpire to officially make the call the umpire will rule against that player just to make the point that you don’t assume a close call and show the umpires up.
That is very overly sensitive as no one is trying to show these umpires up but the are getting more and more insecure with each passing year. After all, how many times have we seen on a 3-2 count the pitch be six inches outside and the batter start to go to first base only to have the umpire make a very late call of strike and call the batter out, basically for having the nerve not to let the umpire make the call first. This also happened in today’s game when the Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick started to first base on a pitch that was clearly ball 4 but the home plate umpire refused to be shown up by a hot shot player.
Think back to the Texas Rangers game a week ago when the umpiring crew chief refused to review an errant call on what was a home run by Josh Hamilton only because he didn’t want to hurt another umpires’ feelings. It’s abundantly clear that many of today’s umpires resent anyone having the gall to question their judgement to the point that even when they have the tools like replay to get the call right, their egos as well as their insecurities cause them to refuse to do what is allowable to get the call right.
I believe that Joyce really just made an honest, albeit huge, mistake because it was a career defining moment for all involved and he choked and just got it wrong. However, we have all seen umps like Bob Davidson and Joe West make bad calls just to spite the players and managers of whom they are so very jealous.
jesse james
June 2nd, 2010
11:29 pm
Coach – I agree the fans are disappointed but that is life. Anytime the human element is involved you will have error. We have taken the human element out of so many things that we have people that are unemployed and that is disappointing. That is tragic. The great thing about it is that they have another chance and that is what is so great about sports.
jesse james
June 2nd, 2010
11:32 pm
The worst call I have ever seen was in last years playoffs when the Angels got the Yankee runners out at third. Ego hungry Tim Mclellend made the call. Yes some of them do think they are bigger than the game.
gcs
June 2nd, 2010
11:39 pm
OMG, Schultz! You could not be more wrong. If you introduce television replay it will ruin the game.
You and other misguided fans out there think that replay would have helped this “almost perfect” game. But do you know what? Even if the next guy had hit a home run, the Tigers would still have won the game. It really didn’t matter.
If MLB has replay for plays like this one, they will have to have replay for every single close play. Even if it a 12-0 game between two eliminated teams playing after a two hour rain delay. Do you really want the game slowed down even more?
The only stat in baseball that really counts in wins and losses. There are no style points in baseball. I am sorry Galarraga lost his perfect game, but take the W and move on.
.
Kane337
June 2nd, 2010
11:39 pm
Baseball has long been reactive instead of proactive. Drug testing steroids, home run instant replay, and now this.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 2nd, 2010
11:43 pm
Considering the situation, that may be the single worst call I’ve ever seen in any sport.
Kane337
June 2nd, 2010
11:44 pm
The NHL refs used instant replay twice tonight to verify goals in the Stanley Cup finals. One review was called a goal, the other was not. The refs got the calls right. Isn’t that their job? What a novel concept!!!!!!!!
Bonny
June 2nd, 2010
11:44 pm
Jim Joyce deserves to be fired. I don’t care he admitted anything, he failed to do his job, not on a hair splitting call, but a BLATANT call that he failed to see correctly.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 2nd, 2010
11:45 pm
For the record, cricket — an even slower sport than baseball — has instant replay, and they manage to use it without slowing the game down considerably by having an umpire who sits in a booth and is solely responsible for evaluating the replay. Baseball could do the same thing and not have to worry about adding to the already long game time.
Kane337
June 2nd, 2010
11:48 pm
The human element is way overrated and opens itself to disasters like this. For those that clamor to instant replay ruining the game……What has ruined the game more today? Not having instant replay or having it so the poor ump could get the call right?
Kane337
June 2nd, 2010
11:54 pm
What other sport has instant replay ruined their game? Hmm, can’t think of one.
Nick
June 2nd, 2010
11:56 pm
Jeff come on now. I usually side with you, but to say umpires do not want controversial calls shown on the big screens is insane! That is a baseball rule, not an umpire rule. If they were the show then would they not indeed want the replay shown instantly to everyone in attendance so they can prove their power?
I like what you did with the story, but do not make things up…
Ross
June 2nd, 2010
11:59 pm
I think the Commissioner has to make a special edict for this, and award the perfect game, even though it wasn’t that way on the field. Also – if this isn’t an out, it’s an error, so at the very minimum, he deserves a no-hitter. Just a real tragedy!
Nick
June 3rd, 2010
12:02 am
And since when did you meet an umpire who wanted to steal the show? Stop spitting out what the ESPN critics are saying and wise up.
Replay has nothing to do with slowing down the game. It has everything to do with what a previous commentor said. Do you really want replay in a 12-0 game between 2 last place teams at 1230 in the morning in the 8th inning? Not even close. You can not have replay for every close call. What will then be the point in even having officials. Just let some guy in a box watch and signal on the screen safe or out based on what the camera showed.
Baseball is great because it is not perfect. Everything has to go absolutely right for it to be a perfect game. And tonight it did not. I give the batter props for hauling butt down the line and making it interesting. I do not see anybody complaining that he tried to ruin the perfect game.
You want to go down in history you have to have luck on your side. Tonight was not meant to be. Simple as that…
Ross
June 3rd, 2010
12:04 am
One thing that struck me – the kid handled it magnificently – that grin will always stay in my mind! – and I thought of Tiger Woods, huffing and puffing and pouting over one blown putt when he’s ahead by 5 strokes – what a contrast.
Dale Murphy for Governor
June 3rd, 2010
12:15 am
Shut up Ross! What do Tiger have to do with this? Hater.
The call was horrible. You have to give that call to the pitcher. For 26 batter before the blown call not one of the professional players on the Indians team could get a hit. Then on the last play of what would be an historic feat, the runner gets the call? The only way the Indians should have been rewarded with a hit was for it to be clear and indisputable, anything else is an out in my eyes.
James
June 3rd, 2010
12:16 am
I do not even watch that much base ball at all.. heck, I rarely do what so ever.
Hell I dont even watch sports at all in fact.
I must even admit that this is just a horrid mistake that must be corrected.
boots
June 3rd, 2010
12:27 am
Correct the call – give him a perfect game. No reason in the world not to. Do the right thing, baseball. First, you let steriods ruin the game. Then you rob Hank Aaron of the legit record. Let’s see you get it right for once.
PaulyIcecubes
June 3rd, 2010
12:32 am
Did anyone else notice that Miguel Cabrera was about 20 further over than he should have been while fielding that ball? That’s a routine grounder for the second baseman. The runner would have been out by 10 feet if Cabrera had played his position properly.
PaulyIcecubes
June 3rd, 2010
12:32 am
*20 FEET further
Michael
June 3rd, 2010
12:39 am
It’ll never happen.
Willy
June 3rd, 2010
1:03 am
You people are stupid. First of all, the game’s been played that way for how many years> This isn’t the first time it’s happened. Secondly, what more human of a moment can you possibly ask for than for the umpire to come out and proclaim his guilt and sorrow at missing such a huge call. That is the game, I think, in its purest form.
You can’t make every call a perfect call. Every umpire has his own strike zone, that’s a huge part of the game. They sometimes make bad calls, but at least we have somebody to blame for them and, bless-fully in this case, someone to own up to it. You can’t fix that and you shouldn’t want to. Its perfect.
Scooter
June 3rd, 2010
1:07 am
The TV analysts bug me. I must have heard 20 of them tonight say that, “Nobody feels worse about it than Joyce”. How many people said, “Nobody feel worse about i tthan Les”, when Les Miles made those bonehead decisions at the end of the Ole Miss game? How many said, “Nobody feels worse tha Billy”, after Bill Buckner made that error in the ‘86 World Series? Every weekend ESPN show replay after replay of screw-ups by players and coaches, but let an ump screw the pooch and its all, “To his credit”. Joyce should either be suspended by MLB or sent to the minors for a few weeks. During a perfect game the players are sharper. Look at the plays on ground balls. Look at the throws. Look at the catches (like the one in Center field). Joyce should have been at his sharpest. Enstead, he acted like a texting driver and missed the call. With no punishment, umps are bound to repeat the same mistakes. I feel bad for everyone involved, including Jim Joyce, but there has to be professional accountability. Hell, the league charges fans enough to go to the game. There is nothing wrong with fans calling for accountability.
TheAntiMe
June 3rd, 2010
1:07 am
Jeff come on now. I usually side with you, but to say umpires do not want controversial calls shown on the big screens is insane! That is a baseball rule, not an umpire rule. If they were the show then would they not indeed want the replay shown instantly to everyone in attendance so they can prove their power?
I like what you did with the story, but do not make things up…
I hate to break this to you, Nick, but 15 to 20 years ago when stadiums were first equipped with the large screen matrix boards, the entire umpire crew would walk off of the field if a close play was replayed on the large screen and it showed the umpires were in error. True fact.
wxwax
June 3rd, 2010
1:17 am
Maybe now, Joyce will shave off that dumbass Orange County Chopper mustache.
Willy
June 3rd, 2010
1:18 am
And let me say that baseball umps MUST be arrogant. They are in line to get more flack than anybody (save tennis judges). I’ve never heard anybody say baseball umps think they are the show, though. Your whole take on this bit is just self eating logic, as is your habit. But I don’t know why I’m writing this because, unlike Mark Bradley, once you’ve written your piece and obligatorily read the first few comments, your day is done.
You’re getting old Schultz. It shows – and it ain’t gracefully.
fayncdawg
June 3rd, 2010
1:34 am
Jesse James must have pictures of Don Denkinger and Jiom Joyce on his wall!
Tim Pilgram
June 3rd, 2010
2:24 am
What a SHAME!!… you honestly have to see it to believe it.. First time I saw it, I was like… no way, and the replay… confirmed it. I’m honestly surprised buddy didn’t get beat down hard… check out the HD video of the blown call here: http://www.lionsdenu.com/umpire-ruins-perfect-game/
Honestly, I am still giving him the perfect game, Congrats Gallaraga… now Selig NEEDS to overrule the call and award it!!!!
jeminal
June 3rd, 2010
2:35 am
This should be reversed..
Worse than some of the blown calls during the World Series Last Year
BOYCOTT TV BASEBALL
BOYCOTT ALLSTAR GAME
BOYCOTT ATTENDING …. MLB MUST BE SENT A MESSAGE
REPLAY MUST BE EXPANDED
… Its a shame this record lifetime achievement and players excitement will
never be realized as the other two this year.. DAMN SHAME.
Legend of Len Barker
June 3rd, 2010
2:36 am
If you had instant replay, that would be one of the few calls that is open and shut. Say runners are at first and third when the batter is called out trying to stretch it into a double with two outs. The runner on first has not scored and is only midway between third and home when the batter is tagged out.
However, replay shows the shortstop missed the tag on the hitter trying to get the double. What do you do with the runner that has not scored? Remember, he was only midway between the bases. You cannot assume that he would have scored.
Way too many intangibles in baseball to have a totally proper replay system.
Someone mentioned Hrbek. That was not in game seven. It was in either game one or two as there was a huge banner at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium declaring “Hrbek is a jrk” in game three.
Eric Gregg also says “hello” from beyond the grave and reminds you of game seven of the 1997 NLCS.
Baseball has been at a worse point with owners. At the turn of the century (1900s), there was conglomerate baseball where men were allowed to own more than one team. The Cleveland Spiders and Baltimore Orioles were both raided of talent and killed in order to feed bigger market teams. Then again, that’s essentially what happens now, only without multiple ownership.
Bubba
June 3rd, 2010
5:41 am
Yes, replay is just what we need to slow baseball games down even more. Review every play. Every ball and strike. The games are far too fast now. We should aim for the cricket model, where games can take several days to complete.
bob
June 3rd, 2010
5:55 am
If he had made the right call, one seventh of all perfect games ever would have happened within the last month. Seems like umps are calling more strikes to speed up the game.
bob
June 3rd, 2010
5:59 am
And congrats to Ump on admitting his error, not that he really had a choice. We all miss a call or two in life.
Riordan
June 3rd, 2010
6:37 am
Drew Coble was wrong in the Series in ‘91. That’s what he’ll always be known for. Sorry, Jim Joyce, you just joined the club.
jeffrey d
June 3rd, 2010
7:00 am
I think I’m the only one who feels bad for Jim Joyce. It’s not like he intended to screw up, and his master plan to rob a kid of a perfect game is now complete. He’s human, and in a split-second, he made a bad call.
And I don’t know how people are saying it’s “not even that close!” You know when I found out the runner was out? When I watched the replay. Watch the video at 1:07….you mean to tell me that after watching once, you can say that the ball clearly was in Galarraga’s glove and his foot was on the bag before the runner got there?
I feel horrible for Galarraga too, but I think most of America considers that he threw a perfect game last night anyway.
jeffrey d
June 3rd, 2010
7:02 am
And what the heck is with all this “We need to keep the human element in baseball!” As if the players will be replaced by robots or something?
MitchC
June 3rd, 2010
7:31 am
Jeff, I saw the replay. The batter was definitely out. Galaragga was denied a perfect game. I feel bad for him, because how often does that happen to a player in a game.
I dont know if you read Phil Niekro’s book, Knuckleballs, from 1985, but, he describes how, while a member of the Yankees that season, then AL Ump Vic Voltaggio blew a crucial call during the pennant race, as the Yankees were chasing Toronto for the AL East title.
Also, too many of the umps are like sacred cows. It seems like they cant wait to eject players and managers, because they have the power to do so.
It would be nice if baseball allowed replay, but, if I know Selig, he probably won;t do so.
TommyJack
June 3rd, 2010
7:47 am
The question is, how was this call missed? You see bang-bang plays all the time that can understandably be missed. But THIS one? Sheesh.
Happy2
June 3rd, 2010
7:59 am
What a surprise! A classic knee-jerk reaction to a travesty that occurred despite one in a million odds.
Oh, and by the way:
The reality of baseball in terms of hits, fair or foul, outs, and home runs, etc, is defined not by what physically occurs on the playing field, but by the judgment of its umpires. Even if the runner is beat by the throw, it is not an out unless the umpire says so. The umpire’s judgment call creates the out, not the fact that the runner arrived after the ball.
Tron
June 3rd, 2010
8:02 am
I hope in the future, when technology allows, that human umpires will be replaced with cyborgs.
Ted Striker
June 3rd, 2010
8:03 am
Good column. Read a few of the comments and only have one thing to say. This call wasn’t about an umpire’s ego. It was just a bad call.
NotBlindAsABat
June 3rd, 2010
8:05 am
That umpire needs to be fired without his pension and the call reversed.
Ted Striker
June 3rd, 2010
8:06 am
p.s. I like how Najeh brought cricket into the topic. I freaking love (playing) cricket.
keep your replay
June 3rd, 2010
8:08 am
Bad calls are apart of baseball. Always has been.
NotBlindAsABat
June 3rd, 2010
8:13 am
Hey, Legend of Len Barker (whoever that is), it was game 7 of the 1991 Series and it was in Minnesota, not Atlanta. You’d better check your stats. Also, do the math. Game 7 was in Minnesota, so that means it started there, so game one or two couldn’t have in Atlanta. Duh!
Gen Neyland
June 3rd, 2010
8:19 am
Gosh, just think. If replay overturns become reality in baseball, Bobby Cox’s record of being ejected will stand forever.
Dave
June 3rd, 2010
8:27 am
What is absolute nonsense is having players, managers and fans having to deal with stopping games for arguing of call that never change things one iota except getting players or managers thrown out of games. These stupid interruptions for games change nothing except diminish teams by losing players and managers for the rest of the game. With instant replay few people will get thrown out of games and we get calls right. I agree on one thing balls and strikes would slow down the game too much so exempt that part everything else should be subject to instant replay. Heck just give each manager two challenges a game that might even work to start this off to show instant replay will work just fine.
Mr Charlie
June 3rd, 2010
8:28 am
Not that easy a call to make, umps are trained that their eyes decieve, to first use their ears.
On a normal play at 1st base, they listened for the ball hitting the glove, and the foot hitting the bag, hence “bang bang”.
However, since it was a toss, the ball did not make any sound hitting the glove, so the ump had to rely completely on his eyes, and on fast motion plays, the eyes-brain connection is not even close to 100%.
bulldogsteve
June 3rd, 2010
8:30 am
So every first hit or questionable call gets reviewed? What it was a questionable checked swing called a ball and hitter gets a hit on the next pitch? What if that happens early in the game? Instant replay would be terrible in baseball.
Mr Charlie
June 3rd, 2010
8:36 am
Dave, managers argueing and getting kicked out is part of the strategy of the game. It is a motivational tool, an emotional part of the game at is integral.
On that replay, From the angle, you can’t see the exact instant the pitchers foot touches the bag, Also, an argument can be made that the pitcher did not have complete control of the ball.
You want to talk about slowing the game down, put in instant replay. Except it will me much more boring as they stop the game to review every detail of the play.
EW
June 3rd, 2010
8:38 am
still feel sick to my stomach this morning, this was unbelievable.
meh
June 3rd, 2010
8:39 am
they should make it like the final 2 minutes of the half/game in the NFL. Guy in a booth reviews the plays. And in a situation like this he can signal that he wants to check out the play one more time. he reviews it, calls the guy out, and Gallaraga has a perect game. Takes like 2 seconds. Especially if it’s as obvious as this play was.
Kashi
June 3rd, 2010
8:45 am
I AGREE, MLB OUTTA GIVE MANAGER TO CHALLENEGE 1 OR 2 CLOSE CALLS IN A GAME. MLB UMPIRE MAKE IS SICK. BUD MUST RETIRE FOR A BIGHT 21 CENTURY COMMISSIONAR TO TAKE OVER AND CHANGE MLB RULE – PATHETIC CALL
Spirit of the game
June 3rd, 2010
8:55 am
Emphatically calling a runner safe and then admitting that he made the wrong call simply means that Joyce had made up his mind what the call would be before the play. Since the pitcher was covering first it would also give him the chance to eject the pitcher for arguing, which would be newsworthy. Then he saw the whole plan fall apart so he decided to apologize to everyone who would listen and admit his error. An apology will not offset the perfect game he stole.
Ted M
June 3rd, 2010
8:56 am
Is anyone trying to get a statement from Bud Selig?
big D
June 3rd, 2010
9:00 am
Of course the ump admitted his mistake after seeing the replay that doesn’t give him class. If he wants to appear “classy” he’d admit he missed it on purpose. Otherwise his competency is in question. There is no way he heard the ball hit the mitt after the foot hit the bag.
extremus
June 3rd, 2010
9:02 am
I know MLB is a stickler for tradition and “sticking with the call no matter what”, but this is definitely one time where they should do the right thing and award Galarraga with a perfect game. All they’d need to do is erase whatever at-bats by Cleveland came after the blunder from the official record, the same as they would a rain delay. This should be a no-brainer, even for MLB.
As for replay, I agree with that as well. Whether a call might go for or against a team on a close play, at least both clubs would have the benefit of knowing it was the CORRECT call.
k483
June 3rd, 2010
9:15 am
Baseball is a game of arbitrary calls. How about if he had hit a hot shot to the 2nd baseman–a hit or an error? (now an imperfect game but still a no hitter). Or strikes out of strike zones-a perfect game becomes a walk. I believe if you take that human element out of the game baseball will lose its intrigue, and interest, to the fans. I bet Galarraga would be known for this in baseball lore far longer than if he was credited a perfect game.
All I'm Saying...
June 3rd, 2010
9:17 am
I’m in favor of no crying in baseball and no instant replay except to check home run calls. The only thing I’d concede is to maybe give each manager two to three challenges per 9 innings where a replay booth ump can review a play but only after every MLB park was equipped to provide the same capability and angles.
MLB can easily correct this Jim Joyce faux pas and Bud Selig as Commissioner can do it as doing so would “clearly be in the best interest of the game” since the next batter was retired and the Tigers won the game.
If a Commissioner can go in and mandate an asterisk by a batter who hit 61 homers in a 162 game season, then that same position can unilaterally over-rule what was called declare that 27 batter out and chalk it up as perfect game.
WOW!
June 3rd, 2010
9:18 am
You have to feel bad for both sides here. Them ump will always be remembered fro blowing this call. I understand how some of you are saying Selig should change the call. But then you would be obligated to go back and look at other near perfect games / no hitters. I do think instant replay is needed, but only for game changing plays. It should only be used in cases as last night.
spokybob
June 3rd, 2010
9:23 am
Bad call. Done is done. Don’t be changing things after the game is finished. That would be foolishness.
andrew horne
June 3rd, 2010
9:32 am
The Ump should do the right thing and take his own life!
Old Snarky
June 3rd, 2010
9:35 am
Go back and change the ruling which obviously was wrong. The guy was out by a ‘mile’. Why rob that young man of something he worked hard all evening for. Its just plain stupid. I have never seen so many blown calls in my life in sports. Where are these guys getting their license to officiate. Blown calls should and could be changed. Its just no big deal, but it is a huge deal to that pitcher.
If the commissioner of Baseball has any gall, he will change that ruling. It certainly won’t affect the outcome of the game. Enough poor officiating is enough period!!
Poorbrave
June 3rd, 2010
9:41 am
Its time Umps have to get it right. I watch a couple games a day on MLB and you will see 1 are 2 missed calls. Almost at least one a game that could influence the out come of game. It sucks that MLB has the worse umpire system of all sports..they think their sh#@ don’t stink!They’re not God as they believe. Thank the Unions for this BS.
Michael
June 3rd, 2010
9:45 am
Jeff, does Selig have the authority to overturn the call and award the perfect game? Of course he’d never do it because he’s a spineless idiot, but I’d at least like to know that he could if he wanted to.
cricket
June 3rd, 2010
9:50 am
Agree with Najeh Davenpoop. Baseball can look at cricket to implement replays without slowing the game. Current system of replays should be changed.
John K
June 3rd, 2010
9:52 am
Hate instant replay. Bad calls, doctoring the ball, corking the bat and the infield fly rule – all part of what makes the game great. A friend of mine had a great fish on the line and lost it five feet from the net. He wasn’t sorry. He said, “I’ve caught a lot of fish, but this is the one I’ll remember.” Same as a bad call – this is the one we will remember.
Tech Sucks
June 3rd, 2010
10:01 am
That is one of the worst calls I’ve ever seen… 20 perfect games in the HISTORY of the world and this would have been 21 and this guy makes that call?
That is unforgivable. They have to institute replay.
GET THE CALL RIGHT. That’s all that matters.
the real Old Gold
June 3rd, 2010
10:05 am
This is a case where all 3 parties agree the game was perfect. The umpire who blew the call, the Tigers and the team who was the victim of the Perfect Game. So where is the justification for leaving the game as is?
There needs to be a system in place to review calls of this magnitude.
BP
June 3rd, 2010
10:09 am
There is no reason baseball can’t do replay the way college football does it. Have an official in the booth who looks at the close plays (not balls and strikes, but certainly game changing plays) on a HD tv and signal down if it should be reversed. The umps wouldn’t have to leave the field and the review would be finished before the manager and players finish arguing with the ump.
PMC
June 3rd, 2010
10:11 am
Bad calls happen, they are human after all…. see Kent Hrbeck 1991.
I don’t see why they can’t just give the plate ump a radio and have a booth umpire that can flag a call if it’s obvious like that. It shouldn’t take a conference… just get the call right.
PMC
June 3rd, 2010
10:12 am
That said… with what 3 perfect games this year… that blown call is more of an interesting story than another perfect game today.
smokemonster
June 3rd, 2010
10:40 am
Jack is the Smokemonster
Road Scholar
June 3rd, 2010
11:01 am
Haven’t read the above posts, but:
1. They should change the call.
2. eliminate the out the guy who hit behind the the player who was called safe (he should like it for his average)
3. If not fire, suspend the umpire for a substantial amount of time.
Where were the other umps? The crew cheif? It’s about tim we not only preach responsibility , but also practice it!!! If the pither had a clause in his contract for performance, such as a no hitter, the club should pay it immediately.
atleagle
June 3rd, 2010
11:03 am
Bad calls happen but the essence of this is did he intentionally miss the call or if he really missed it maybe its time to retire. Another thing….you would have thought even the ump’s get sharper when calling an on-going perfect game.
Zach
June 3rd, 2010
11:08 am
who is this kid donald? I mean good for you that you got a hit and all, and good for you that you that you’re in the bigs, and good for you for running hard. BUT THIS WAS A PERFECT GAME! And who takes second and third. What a crappy move on the part of this guy.
heartofdarkness
June 3rd, 2010
11:17 am
Why is an umpire’s fallibility less a part of baseball than that of the players, the managers, and, for that matter, everyone in attendance at the game? Suppose Jason Donald hit a long fly to the right field wall, and that stinking little truant, latter a distinguished Ivy League baseball player, Jeffery Maier was sitting in the front row with his stinking little glove, which he promptly used to reach into the field of play and snatch the last out. Home run for Donald; another opportunity to appreciate the genius of Rudyard Kipling’s “If” for mankind.
A perfect game requires everything to be perfect, including somethings beyond our control.
ole smoky
June 3rd, 2010
11:17 am
It’s simple…. Fire the Umpire
heartofdarkness
June 3rd, 2010
11:19 am
Okay, Maier played for Wesleyan, not in the Ivies. Sorry.
Time
June 3rd, 2010
11:21 am
There is precedent for going back into the record books and changing things. Many no hitters were stricken from the record books for various reasons about a decade ago. Selig should waste no time in changing the record book here.
And yes, it’s well beyond time for instant replay. Schultz is right in his statements about how arrogant the umpires have become. I was mortified that Joyce, nor the crew chief, bothered to call a conference with the umps to even see if one of the other umps had a good enough view of it to definitively tell Joyce that he was wrong. The call could have been fixed right there.
Too much money, guys careers and shots at history on the line for games and or historic events to be decided by blown umpire calls.
scott
June 3rd, 2010
11:29 am
What I dont understand is why people are calling for this umpires head. 1. He admitted his mistake. 2. It was not and easy call…he was not out by a mile. It was a half step at best, a tenth of a second. 3. Reverse the call, every party involved says it was a perfect game there is no harm in reversing the call. 4. THE BRAVES ARE FREAKIN AWESOME… Vote Heyward and Prado for the allstar team!
scott
June 3rd, 2010
11:30 am
*an easy call
stevek
June 3rd, 2010
11:41 am
he bobbled the ball. the call was correct even though for the wrong reason.
jeffrey d
June 3rd, 2010
11:47 am
In a 2006 survey of baseball players (the most recent I could find) Joyce was ranked 2nd best umpire. How about we not judge him forever based on one missed split-second close call?
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/players/06/20/poll.0620/
GTSteve
June 3rd, 2010
12:02 pm
I have a better argument or conversation…why was there 17 perfect games in 129 or so years, and 4 (if you count last night) in the last calendar year……does that mean steroids are finally out of the sport???
eric the elder
June 3rd, 2010
12:12 pm
Instant replay is called for, but there will be problems. E.g.,
Runner on second. Batter hits grounder and is called safe at first. Firstbaseman turns to argue the call. Runner rounds third and scores.
Instant replay shows the batter was out. Does the runner still score?
We can all think of dozens of such farfles. Instant replay would require a whole bunch of new baseball rules.
jesse james
June 3rd, 2010
12:26 pm
Somebody said fire the umpire. Well do you fire every umpire that misses a call? God alot of them would be gone. I agree the situation was big but it is no different than a call that cost a kid a major league career because he didn’t get a call. Let’s just get robots and let them call the games. It is easy to blast the umpire and want him fired, but some of us probably need to look in the mirror and our boss could fire us for a job we screwed up. Bottom line is that alot could be learned by the actions of Gallaraga, Curt Shillings comments and even Jim Leyland. That way we might not have fights at little league games, drive by shootings, carjackings and even some of these crooked politics that has cost this country greatly.
Trade Nate for a Bag of Balls to the Mets
June 3rd, 2010
12:27 pm
yeah on Double plays half the SS or 2B baseman dont even touch the base they just have to be close to the bag.
It sucks for him but he should reverse it. We all know that Selig does not have the guts. I think Goodell, Stern and bettman would change the call
jesse james
June 3rd, 2010
12:28 pm
Scott – I forgot to say you are right and show the most common sense in handling the situation. You ever thought of running for President or even takeover BP Oil.
Trade Nate for a Bag of Balls to the Mets
June 3rd, 2010
12:31 pm
Why it is so hard to have someone in the booth to review all the calls. I would gladly sit behind a tv and watch all the plays. And if a mistake is made I would radio it down to the field.
Richard
June 3rd, 2010
12:39 pm
If MLB needs a precedent for changing the call, don’t forget about George Brett’s retroactive “pine tar” home run. A different class of situation (that turned on the rules surrounding a bat challenge)… but they even went so far as to resume the game at a later date (unnecessary here).
Fred
June 3rd, 2010
12:40 pm
What I don’t understand is – if Jim Joyce knew at the time he had made a mistake, why did he not simply call the umps together and overturn his call right then and there? They have the authority don’t they? If Joyce thought he had it right until he saw the replay, then that in itself should cement the argument to use replay, but I still don’t see why it was not overturned at the time.
Zach
June 3rd, 2010
12:59 pm
fred,when have you ever seen umps confer on a out/safe call at first base? It’s kinda like them conferring on a ball/strike call without a check swing.
Mr. Phil
June 3rd, 2010
1:07 pm
I don’t want to hear nothing about baseball reviewing bad calls until Braves fans receive proper reparations for the World Series debacle against the Twins. For God sake Kent Allen Hrbek lifted Ron Gant off the base before tagging him out. Literally lifted!
To heck with a perfect game ( little more than a personal accomplishment for one player) but a whole city was slapped in the face during the World Series.
Tron5000
June 3rd, 2010
1:07 pm
Football uses replay on a lot more than just “touchdowns and fumbles,” Mr. Schultz. How far into MLB should we allow replay to creep? Do we use it on all safe/out calls at a base, or only those in the 9th inning? Are balls and strikes reviewable? How about trapped balls? Is each team alloted a certain amount of challenges, or is there a replay official who instigates the review? How do you deal with runners who could’ve advanced but didn’t, thinking a play or inning was over? I’d be interested to hear your plan for replay in MLB, Mr. Schultz.
Mr. Phil
June 3rd, 2010
1:09 pm
@Jesse James
Yes. Fire every umpire that misses an obvious call.
Ed
June 3rd, 2010
1:14 pm
I’ve watched the replay a dozen times, and am convinced that it was the official scorer, not the ump, who blew the call. It looks clear to me that Galarraga was bobbling the ball. He sort of snow-coned it, it shifted in his glove, and he didn’t secure it fully until the runner was past the base. I think the runner was safe. It should have been an E-1 and a no-hitter after Galarraga retired the next batter, but not a perfect game.
Rick
June 3rd, 2010
1:23 pm
Fred, Joyce didn’t know he made the mistake until after the game when he saw the replay.
MLB simply needs to expand the current video replay rule to include other plays at the discretion of the crew chief. This would allow a manager, like Leyland last night, to ask the crew chief to review the play, just like they do for questionable home runs. Problem solved. Now, you would hope that even the most egotisical ump would not oppose having his call reviewed, especially one that could potentially take a perfect game away. Think about all the calls in the ALCS last year that would have been corrected if such a system were in place. Besides, having challenges is just silly. If a call needs to be reviewed, review it. Give the umps a chance to police themselves, and if that doesn’t work, then implement some sort of automatic review process (similar to college football). Obviously, balls and strikes would not be reviewable.
Ed
June 3rd, 2010
1:24 pm
“If I had been Galarraga, I would have been the first person in my face,” said a dismayed Joyce after the game, “and he never said a word to me.”
That’s because Galarraga knows that he didn’t secure the ball before the runner tagged the base. Look at the replay, and not only do you see a slight bobble, but you see Galarraga check his glove to see if he even had the ball. I think Galarraga’s first reaction was that he committed an error and blew his own perfect game. He should have a no-hitter – 27 batters retired, 1 batter reached on an error.
jesse james
June 3rd, 2010
1:58 pm
Mr. Phil – Have you seen the play live? It is not obvious. It was a close call. I believe he was not in the best position to make the call. Do you fire the umpire in the first, third, or nineth inning? Do you have eight alternates at each game? I mean if you are going and fire him do it when it happens, don’t beat around the bush. Let’s please these fans. I’m glad the players can put it behind them. At this time it is a part of the game and you have to accept it.
Hillbilly Deluxe
June 3rd, 2010
2:03 pm
For those who say that MLB has the worst officiating in sports, can you tell me what is a foul or traveling or palming the ball, in the NBA?
Producer
June 3rd, 2010
2:03 pm
MLB should review and reverse this crap immediately! Enough of incompetent refs in all of the sports. Instant replay is just what is necessary in this instance. Make it right!!!!!!!
Fred
June 3rd, 2010
2:06 pm
Rick, thanks for the clarification. I agree wholeheartedly with your proposal. Unfortunately, much like with our government, those ideas which appear to be the most logical are the ones with a snowballs chance of being implemented!
Daisy
June 3rd, 2010
2:17 pm
I hate professional sports, and this is part of the reason. Let’s do away with replays in all sports!.
The emphasis in professional sports is no longer on sports, its on entertainment.
Sports are a game, simply a game, nothing more than a game. No one will loose their life or children depending on the outcome of a game. Games are played by humans and humans make mistakes; players make mistakes, coachs make mistakes, AND officials make mistakes. Its part of the the “game;” get over it. Would you want lazer beams from a computer calling balls and strikes and being 100% correct all the time? I think not; ragging the umpire is part of the game. If we are gonna let machines take over sports, why not get rid of humans all together and just watch virtual sports.
Over the years professional sports have been juiced for the entertainment value. The players, equipment and rules have been juiced. As an example, professional wrestling has no resemblance to the true sport of wrestling in college and high school. Similar argument for hockey; who would attend if not for an etertaining fight or two? Granted, professional baseball is a couple of steps above professiona wrestling, but the NBA and NFL is only one step above. Evidently, greater entertainment value is accomplished by greater offense. Ergo, the powers that be have seen to it that there are more points, homeruns, touchdowns and baskets than there should be. Baseball scores should not look like slow-pitch softball; total football scores should never be over 100; and basketball teams should never routinely score 100 each.
Entertainment value: what would be the attendance at games if you could no longer buy a beer?
Ramblin Wrecker
June 3rd, 2010
2:20 pm
Talking about adding more instant replay should be instituted in MLB is an overreaction. The real answer is for MLB to create a more collaborative environment among umpire crews. So often one umpire will make a controversial call (other than ball/strikes) and refuse to consult with the other three umpires or the other umpires won’t assert themselves with a colleague to correct a mistake. That is a simple way to have avoided last night’s lost perfect game. I think Jim Joyce has shown himself to be a man of integrity. Do you not think that if MLB made it part of the culture of umpires to consult the rest of the crew on questionable plays that Joyce would not have welcomed that input and changed the call on the field? I feel like full blown replay could be avoided if umpires were required to get calls right as a crew rather than hang one guy out to live and die based on a split second play.
Legend of Len Barker
June 3rd, 2010
2:25 pm
Enter your comments here
Legend of Len Barker
June 3rd, 2010
2:32 pm
Probably way too late, but BlindAsABat, I’m quoting myself here:
“Someone mentioned Hrbek. That was not in game seven. It was in either game one or two as there was a huge banner at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium declaring “Hrbek is a jrk” in game three.”
I checked some 1991 newspaper archives. It was in game two. Which I also do not say was in Atlanta. Check the last sentence. It says the banner was in the stadium in game three.
FredFlinstone
June 3rd, 2010
2:48 pm
I dont know why baseball has taken so long to incorporate Instant Replay. If IR was in place the other day when Andres “The Big Cat” Galarrage was on the mound, he would have gotten a perfect game”. The umps blew the game and an apology doesnt do any good. Baseball had a chance yesterday to #1) put a close on the steroid era by having an historic season (w/at least 3 perfect games so far) and #2) finally implement IR and get the crucial controversial calls under control. Football has it and it was worked well, although the ridiculous CHALLENGES waste an inordinate amount of time. Baseball should have gotten this right way ahead of any other sport. Now “The Big Cat” may go his entire career or even his entire lifetime for that matter without ever getting another one. What a sad day for baseball and it came on the day that (major leagues best player ever) George Kenneth Griffey retired grabing the spotlight from Ken and completely OVERSHADOWING THE GREAT KEN GRIFFEYS RETIREMENT. So actually yesterday there were TWO BLACK MARKS ON BASEBALL. #1) Griffeys retirement went literally unnoticed (in light of the fact that he was the games best player ever) and #2) A young man (Galarraga) was cheated out of a perfect game because Bud Selig and baseball continues to run a modern game using primitive (ancient, archeaic dinasour rules). Sad day for baseball.
Gen Neyland
June 3rd, 2010
3:08 pm
Snap and click. Commissioner Slive has offered the ump in question a job ref’n SEC football games…
Taylor Hanson
June 3rd, 2010
3:10 pm
Let’s see how long we can make a baseball game.
bfred
June 3rd, 2010
3:11 pm
Are people seriously suggesting that the ump blew the call on purpose? What, was Galarraga messing around with his wife? Give me a break.
And Barker is right – when the ‘91 series came back to Atlanta I distinctly remember the Hrbek is a Jrk sign. So definitely not game 7.
Back to the present: Selig does have the authority to overrule the call and wipe the last batter from the record books. In this case it would basically be a goodwill gesture, as all agree the guy was robbed and it wouldn’t affect the outcome of the game.
He Bobbled the Ball
June 3rd, 2010
3:16 pm
It should be a no-no, not a perfect game. E-1.
Zach
June 3rd, 2010
3:19 pm
For those who think he bobbled the ball,
It did appear that the ball shifted in his glove but only after he secured the catch and touched the bag. If you look at when he moves it in his glove its after he touches the bag. Plus I’m not so sure that even if you move the ball in you’ve glove its considered a bobble, especially considering that the ball is in the glove the whole time.
TROTTINGHOME
June 3rd, 2010
3:24 pm
Jeff…stfu
TROTTINGHOME
June 3rd, 2010
3:25 pm
More drama…while poverty grows and children become more certain our system is designed to hold them in bondage.
Taylor Hanson
June 3rd, 2010
3:41 pm
I’ve had it longer than four hours. Is it time to call my physician?
eric the elder
June 3rd, 2010
3:43 pm
Wow, Daisy, you hate professional sports, yet here you are on a professional baseball blog with considerable knowledge!Interesting perspective, though.
Joyce would never have seen the bobble, if there was one. The umpire watches the runner’s foot and listens for the sound of the ball. Look at the clip to see what I mean.
Would instant replays cause the games to be longer than the unending and mostly childish arguments that take place on disputed calls? If Bobby’s 150+ ejections took even 3 minutes each, that would be 7.5 hours of watching Bobby’s veins sticking out.
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