Selig blows the call worse than umpire on ‘imperfect’ game
Umpire Jim Joyce was still in tears Thursday when Detroit's Armando Galarraga and Cleveland coach Tim Tolman brought out the lineup cards. (Detroit Free Press)
Let’s start with this: Umpires and referees make mistakes all the time that affect the outcomes of games, even championships.
We saw it when Don Denkinger blew a call at first base in the 1985 World Series. We saw it when Colorado scored a touchdown on its “fifth down” of a game against Missouri in 1990, leading to a split the national championship that season with Georgia Tech. We saw it when the Dallas Stars won the Stanley Cup finals over Buffalo on a triple overtime goal by Brett Hull (who was standing in the goal crease at the time, a goal that similarly was disallowed all during that season).
Unfortunately, it’s just not feasible to reverse bad calls that impact who wins and who loses.
Never count on this man to do the right thing.
But what happened Wednesday night is different. An umpire, Jim Joyce, blew a call at first base that prevented Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga from throwing a perfect game against Cleveland. That is not in dispute. This is one case where commissioner Bud Selig could have done the right thing and reversed a mistake. He could have done this without affecting the outcome of the game because the Tigers were going to win anyway.
We’re talking about one out. Selig can’t change one out?
Or was it that important for the Indians’ Jason Donald — who has spent most of his five seasons in the minor leagues — to go 1-for-3 instead of 0-3? Because, Bud, dude, did you see the look on Donald’s face after the play? He was embarrassed himself about being called safe by Joyce.
Selig just blew the call. He blew the call worse than Joyce blew the call. Joyce made a spur-of-the-moment decision that he later admitted was wrong. Selig had a day to think about this. He could have changed the final out call and nobody — NOBODY — would have had a dispute.
Fact is, it probably would have given Jim Joyce, who was still in tears Thursday, some peace of mind.
Selig’s statement was accurate: “While the human element has always been an integral part of baseball, it is vital that mistakes on the field be addressed. Given last night’s call and other recent events, I will examine our umpiring system, the expanded use of instant replay and all other related features.”
But what he left out was a rational explanation as to why that single play could not have been overturned. The reason is obvious: There is none.
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187 comments Add your comment
Adam
June 3rd, 2010
3:49 pm
First!
Herschel Talker
June 3rd, 2010
3:55 pm
Indeed Schultzie. Well said. Mazel Tov. The big difference here is that it’s the last call of the game. Hence why you’re right and Mark Bradley is wrong.
Adam
June 3rd, 2010
3:58 pm
Jeff, you are exactly right. If the outcome of the game would have been effected, maybe then I could see not changing the call. Most of the ‘Horrible Calls’ referenced changed the outcome of the game. This was a personal achievement that will not effect whether or not he ever plays again, granted, but the achievement that he made is one that has rarely been accomplished. I believe Selig could have garnered some better publicity for MLB had he reversed the call. It’s sad, but most times in professional sports, common sense doesn’t prevail…
Keith
June 3rd, 2010
3:59 pm
***Given last night’s call and other recent events, I will examine our umpiring system, the expanded use of instant replay and all other related features. Before I announce any decisions, I will consult with all appropriate parties, including our two unions and the Special Committee for On-Field Matters, which consists of field managers, general managers, club owners and presidents.***
That is the last part of Bud’s statement.
Cutty
June 3rd, 2010
4:00 pm
3rd…. This is why baseball is lagging behind Football, Basketball, Golf, Soccer, and Texas Hold ‘Em Poker in national interest. That and there are no cheerleaders.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
June 3rd, 2010
4:00 pm
It would have been a perfect game w/ the astrick. Selig made the correct call in this situation. The benefit of the doubt should have gone to the pitcher, but alas it was not.
How about an article reflecting on Griffey Jr. and his almost career as a Atlanta Brave?
Cutty
June 3rd, 2010
4:00 pm
5th, man!
GT 1990
June 3rd, 2010
4:04 pm
Does this mean we can go back to 1990 and take away Colorado’s 5th down and inappropriate share of the National title?
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DP
June 3rd, 2010
4:12 pm
This morning I thought Selig should have reversed the call but after seeing the play again in slow motion I’m not sure the umpire didn’t get the call right for the wrong reason. Galarraga’s foot clearly beat Donald’s foot to the bag, but when you see the play in slow motion from the camera near the first base dugout, you can see the ball in Galarraga’s glove, i.e. he snow-coned it a bit. Then he makes a little bit of a movement with his glove hand and the ball disappears from view into the pocket of the glove. I think it looks very likely that the ball was moving in Galarraga’s glove and he didn’t secure it before the batter touched first base.
Baseball Expert
June 3rd, 2010
4:18 pm
Here’s what should happen: MLB should implement a challenge system sometime during the season. The manager can challenge two questionable plays on the bases, or questionable fair/foul balls.
When the Tigers/Indians play again, before the actual game, let them resume the perfect game and allow them the opportunity to challenge the call. Umpires review, perfect game is rewarded, and they play their scheduled game.
The review system shouldn’t be that bad on time, it shouldn’t take more than 2 minutes. The manager spends more than 2 minutes arguing the call ANYWAY, why not use that 2 minutes to review the play and get it right?
Josh M
June 3rd, 2010
4:20 pm
To say nobody would have had a dispute is wildly off-base. Hell, count me as a member of the disputing class. I was physically sick last night watching it live – my stomach actually started hurting – but baseball is a game of rules. And the rule right now, right or wrong (I vote wrong), is that replay is NOT part of the game.
If Selig had overturned the call based on what he saw on replay, he would have been violating the game’s rules. As horrible as last night was, the bad call should stand. Let’s fix it, though, so it doesn’t happen next time.
Chop Chop
June 3rd, 2010
4:20 pm
You know, if the human element was involved in other sports, I think I’d have a problem with Selig’s decision. However, since robots play all other sports, I have to agree with Bud.
Vixzilla
June 3rd, 2010
4:22 pm
Jeff –
Right on brotha. Good read! Keep up the good work.
SportsPaige
June 3rd, 2010
4:22 pm
No Selig should not change the call. It was terrible, tragic call but thats the way the game is played. You KNOW that by doing so, every single call in MLB history that happened on last (or would-be last) out would come up in the media and by fans. Really awful that Joyce blew the call but it happened. Move on. The umpires usually do get it right.
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
4:23 pm
no, I haven’t read Bradley but Selig got this one right. If it’s not in the rules, the call should not be reversed. Should we go back and reverse the error in the Mulholland no-hitter? it didn’t affect the outcome either. Where would the reversals end?
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
4:23 pm
Thanks Herschel.
Chop Chop
June 3rd, 2010
4:23 pm
The call wasn’t changed because Selig had $100 grand on Galarraga pitching a one-hitter. It was one of the craziest wagers he and Pete Rose ever made.
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
4:24 pm
Adam — We draw the same distinction between game outcomes and personal achievements.
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
4:24 pm
Keith, let me translate for you: Blah blah blah … blah blah blah.
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
4:25 pm
Cutty — Is there replay in poker? (More importantly, is there replay for cheerleaders?)
Fleabit
June 3rd, 2010
4:25 pm
What does DP stand for? Dumb Person?
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
4:25 pm
Lowcountry — Asterisk or no asterisk, it’s a perfect game.
Tech Rules
June 3rd, 2010
4:26 pm
“He could have changed the final out call and nobody — NOBODY — would have had a dispute.”
Then I guess you need to read Mark Bradley’s column that was posted two minutes before this one.
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
4:27 pm
DP — I understand what you’re saying but point is moot. And by the way, in the potential 27th out of a perfect game, if the call really is that close, then an umpire should err toward the side of the out.
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
4:27 pm
Baseball Expert — I have no problem with that. I’m sure any replay system, if implemented, will be limited in scope.
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
4:28 pm
Josh M — When I say anybody, I’m talking about subjects involved in the game. Not anybody as in, well, anybody. Maybe I should’ve been more specific.
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
4:29 pm
Vixzilla — Thanks.
Vixzilla
June 3rd, 2010
4:29 pm
Your counterpart Mark Bradley BTW is off his rocker saying Selig got it right. Could we get another driven sensible sports writer to compliment yourself. I recommend Kim Nash. She is one of the best sports writers on earth and doing it as a Female blows me away. Are you familiar with her work? Bradley – If you read this, you’re sucking air bub. Get your crap together.
Jeff -You guys didn’t plan this good cop/bad cop approach did you?
You surely are kidding, right?
June 3rd, 2010
4:29 pm
I could not more vehemently disagree with this column. Talk about opening up a can of worms. Where would you draw the line, Mr. Schultz, in the future when this, or a similar situation, occurs? Human beings, umpires included, are imperfect. I hate that the pitcher will be denied his moment of glory on the field with his teammates, celebrating his “achievement”. However, for the commissioner to reverse the call of an umpire is illogical. I ask again, where would you draw the line? Inevitably, the very integrity of the game, at least what is left after all the steriods and HGH are taken into consideration, is called into question when a team seeks a reversal of an umpires decision which does affect the outcome of a game. Similarly, if you allow the commissioner to do the same, whether asked by a team or not, the fan can never know whether a game is final, whether the players have resolved the issue on the field of contest. Giving the authority to change what happens on the field to a “suit” is the end of sports. Like it or not, a horribly blown call by a baseball umpire, as the rules of baseball presently exist, is part of the game.
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
4:29 pm
SportsPaige — We agree that the umpires usually do get it right.
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
4:30 pm
Wawel78 — I can’t tell you where the reversals end, but I can tell you they should be included in 27th out of a perfect game.
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
4:31 pm
Tech Rules — I’m aware of Mark’s position. As I commented above, by anybody I mean people on the field.
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
4:32 pm
Vixzilla — I can assure you there was no planning of good cop/bad cop. And would I be the good or the bad … BTW, who’s Kim Nash?
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
4:33 pm
You sure are kidding, right? — No, not kidding. As for where draw the line, addressed it above. Don’t know. But I know where the line ISN’T.
DHD
June 3rd, 2010
4:33 pm
Jim Joyce blew a call that everyone of us could have blown. It happened, not on instant replay, but in a split second of time. Bud Selig had all night to think about it. Not a split second. He royally blew it by not reversing the call. I can’t think of one person that would have protested had he just reversed the call. It’s a game, not the US Senate deciding on war. Change the call!!!
Lowcountry Bulldawg
June 3rd, 2010
4:35 pm
Wow were was spell check when I needed it Jeff?
Vixzilla
June 3rd, 2010
4:35 pm
Jeff- you should follow this Gals work. Someone needs to hire her. She’s truly amazing:
http://theladysportswriter.blogspot.com/
Mr. Holmes
June 3rd, 2010
4:36 pm
Let me speak for Schultzie: Nobody would have had a *legitimate* dispute. Bradley’s entire argument is based on the fact that this has never been done before. Y’know, so what?
This situation is unique. It would have been the final out of the game–it WAS the final out of the game. There would be no woulda/shoulda/coulda on the Indians’ part. Let’s say instant replay had been in place and the call was reversed five minutes after the fact. How is reversing it 12 hours after the fact any different at all?
They should have reversed the call and then immediately announced a new review policy (you can’t tell me MLB doesn’t have some viable instant-reply policies sitting around waiting for implementation), then tweaked it either during this season or afterward.
You surely are kidding, right?
June 3rd, 2010
4:36 pm
Because no line presently exists, I do not believe you can retroactively reverse the call of this umpire, as horrible as it is. I would agree that if the rules are changed to permit review of calls, this is Exhibit A.
Mr. Holmes
June 3rd, 2010
4:37 pm
That’s instant replAy policies.
joseph pond
June 3rd, 2010
4:37 pm
There is NO good reason for Selig Not to change that call. It would be the right thing to do- The Umpire admitted his mistake- so should Selig!
Jeff's right
June 3rd, 2010
4:42 pm
In a game where we have players from noncontending teams deciding the location of the world series’ games, and non-official baseballs in home run derbys, I can’t see what the big deal is with changing it. I’m a baseball purist, but everyone should want to see the right thing done. In this situation, you’re not changing outcomes of games. You don’t even have to change the boxscore. But you add it to the record book, to acknowledge a great game by a classy pitcher. You add for the story of how to play the game, because it acknowledges Jim Joyce’s apology as well. Otherwise, baseball is only acknowledging a bad call, not a perfect moment in baseball history.
chief pitchanono
June 3rd, 2010
4:43 pm
I’m not a big fan of going back a changing things, because once you start doing that- then it opens up the bigger question of where do you stop? Hopefully he does the right thing and starts intstant replay right away. Baseball needs to come into the 21st century. This would keep this from ever happening again. There is no good reason they don’t have it already. They just need to have some simple rules for it and it should not slow the game down at all. #1 It cannot be used on balls and stikes. It is allowed for all other calls that are questionable. Whenever a manager comes out to argue, an extra ump upstairs reviews the play and by the time the manager is done screaming at the on field umps the guy calls down to the field and lets them know who was right. There no time wasted. Matter of fact it could save time, now that the arguement gets resolved the managers probably wont be on the field arguing for quite as long as they usually are. If a manager obviously tries to abuse the replay system then the umps still have the option to toss them when they have had enough – same as allways. Like anything else they will have to experiment with the rules for the first few years to see what works best, because you don’t wan’t to lose the fanastic showdowns between umps and managers – thats a huge part of baseball that must be protected. I certainly don’t want to see Bobby Cox on a bad call – slowly walking out of the dugout and quietly throwing down some sort of retarded replay card or anything like that. Its time for instant replay in baseball, I am sure that it can work.
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
4:45 pm
Lowcountry — you mean “where” was, not were was? Right? (Couldn’t resist.)
Michael Scharff
June 3rd, 2010
4:45 pm
Jeff, I almost always agree with you, but not this time. I don’t know if you and Mark flipped a coin as to who would take which side, or if you both truly feel in disagreement. That being said, the call was a snap judgement, as are all baseball calls. The umpires are trained to make the judgements instantly in the heat of the moment. I remember several times when as a Little League coach, myself and the coach for the other team would have to call balls and strikes if the umpire did not show up. For me, it was a very uncomfortable position to be in, because your judgement will be questioned, no matter what. Usually, the Major League umps get the calls right, but occassionally, they blow one. The fact that the pitcher had a perfect game up to that point should not matter – it’s the nature of the game.
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
4:46 pm
Vixzilla — I’ll check her out. I mean it out. I mean — never mind.
Jeff's right
June 3rd, 2010
4:46 pm
I hope down the road, the game will ultimately be acknowledged as a perfect game. It may be years, or decades from now, but hopefully so. Maybe that’s the correct way to change it. By then, there’s no kneejerk reaction to replay other games. Maybe MLB can appoint a board to consider these changes.
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
4:47 pm
Thanks, Mr. Holmes. You have been approved as my spokesman.
johnd
June 3rd, 2010
4:50 pm
Thanks Jeff!! This is too important historically’ Unfortonately we have a weak commish. He should do the right thing and reverse this call! This kid threw a perfect game and should not be denied by an umpire who admitted he blew it! This will not open pandoras box as some have suggested!! DO THE RIGHT THING!!!!!!
Joe T
June 3rd, 2010
4:50 pm
Selig is the BIGGEST idiot!!!!! Why would you not reverse the call? WHY? Tell me why???? A perfect game! Joyce is human…..he admitted he blew the call. Why continue this drama and torture Joyce and Gallaraga! Stupid!! Selig has acted beyond stupid…..I really call into question his Commissioner skills. Aw
ful!!
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
4:52 pm
Jeff’s Right — Can we put that on a T-shirt?
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
4:53 pm
Michael — No coin flip. I really felt this way and he really felt that way.
Jeff's right
June 3rd, 2010
4:55 pm
We could. I guess all the detractors have never taken a mulligan in golf.
brave1
June 3rd, 2010
4:56 pm
Jeff, I agree 100%.
If we all agree that umpires should not be the focus of any game, that their job is to be in the background, why do people embrace “the human element” so much?
I’d be happy if robots made the friggin’ call.
Mr. Holmes
June 3rd, 2010
4:56 pm
Lots of people are asking, if you make this call, where does it stop?
It stops when you can no longer show *crystal-clear* evidence of a blown call that, had it been made correctly, would have ended the game … Right. There. This is not basketball or football where there’s a game clock and who knows what could have happened in those final 0.3 seconds?
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
5:00 pm
so there should be some special rule about the 27th out of a perfect game? But not the last inning of a world-series deciding game? that makes no sense to me.
Angus
June 3rd, 2010
5:01 pm
What if, in the same situation, the runner is clearly safe but called out?
Would you support changing that call too?
HugoStiglitz
June 3rd, 2010
5:02 pm
Part of the game of baseball is the umpires and the terrible calls they make sometimes. Therefore, part of pitching a perfect game is getting the right calls from the umpires. It sucks for Galarraga but thats how things fall sometimes. There is no reversing things to make people fell better. If they want to implement instant replay then go for it, I support it and think it is needed, but for now MLB acted as they should have.
Mr. Holmes
June 3rd, 2010
5:03 pm
Angus: No because the correct call would have prolonged the game. Like I said, this situation was unique (or at least quite rare) in that this blown call, had it been correct, would have ended the game. No room for argument about what could have happened–the game was over.
Rob
June 3rd, 2010
5:05 pm
Selig is an ass. He botches every important issue that comes his way. This is the nail in the coffin. This is worse than calling the All Star game.
bvillebaron
June 3rd, 2010
5:10 pm
Jeff:
Selig didn’t blow anything; your kidding got it right. Reversing this call based upon your “it won’t change the outcome of the game” and “personal achievement” rationale would be a horrible precedent to set. If your only defense to the question as to where you draw the line is that you don’t know, but know where not to draw the line, you have an indefensible position.
If this call were reversed, it would only be a matter of time before some idiot like Scott Boras would petition the commissioner to reverse a call that went against one of his clients by arguing that the reversal would not change the outcome of the game, but would result in the realization of a “personal achievement” bonus by his client. Gimme a break!
SA
June 3rd, 2010
5:10 pm
I don’t see any integrity in letting a call that is so obviously wrong stand. Selig could have, for once in his life, shown some integrity and done the right thing by the pitcher AND the umpire by reversing the call.
Tim Pilgram
June 3rd, 2010
5:12 pm
what a meatwagon!! and 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!!!!
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
5:14 pm
I remember it like it was one the field – a one hitter that stirred a lot of controversy.
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
5:16 pm
So let me get this straight – if it’s a bad call but it doesn’t ultimately affect the outcome of a game – reverse it.
If it’s a bad call that DOES affect the outcome of a game – DON’T reverse it. Yep, that makes all of the sense in the world.
John
June 3rd, 2010
5:17 pm
As tempting as it may be, I agree with the posters who say the call should stand. I guess for the old slippery slope reason.
You wonder if umps ever gameplan what to do as something like a perfect game unfolds before them.
Somebody mentioned – may have been you, Schulz – that a close call for out #27 of a potentially perfect game should err on the side of the pitcher.
Seems Joyce had time to mull over a few scenarios (including that one).
My heart goes out to the guy (Joyce). And the way Gallaraga handled himself was impressive.
tepatl
June 3rd, 2010
5:17 pm
That ruling by Selig shows why baseball has been left in NFL dust since the mid 1980’s. MLB is a monolith that cannot change with the times and refuses to escape the technological stone age.
JoeV
June 3rd, 2010
5:21 pm
Schultz, you and TB are the only credibility AJC sports has. Bradley could learn a whole hell of a lot from you if he could pull his head out of his…
Kane337
June 3rd, 2010
5:22 pm
I agree with you Schultz. I disagree with Bradley.
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
5:22 pm
A perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher (or combination of pitchers) pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base.
No perfect game.
Larry
June 3rd, 2010
5:23 pm
Agreed.
Mitchell
June 3rd, 2010
5:28 pm
As Mark Bradley noted, if you institute instant replay you’ll end up with four and half hour games.
I say, here’s to four and a half hour games!
No. I want neither. It was a close play. That freakin’ guy sounded like he was ready to jump in front of a Marta train afterwards. Get over it. It’s one call.
Human error is no more an intrisic part of the game as disappointment. Deal with it Tigers fans.
I simply cannot accept living in a world where some dude named Andres Gallaraga (oh wait… Armando) has a perfect game and Smotlz, Maddux and Glavine have not even a no-no.
I mean, this is like JoJo Reyes suddenly getting a spot start and throwing a perfect game. Even I might protest that.
It goes against nature. I’m glad he didn’t get it. It wouldn’t be fair to me and other Braves fans who had to endure years of post-season disappointment.
Paul
June 3rd, 2010
5:29 pm
“the very integrity of the game”
What integrity? As a result of the DH for only one league, every WS is tainted (the AL can rightly complain about loss of DH in the NL park and the NL can rightly complain about using their pinch-hitter who would never be the DH on an AL team). Then there’s the era of collusion (when Bud was part of Milwaukee management). With every team purposely not trying to make itself a better team, the result of every game played is tainted. Then there’s looking the other way when balls were leaving the yard at a prodigious pace, and that owing to the interest and money obtained from those who dig the long ball. So, please, spare me the integrity of the game nonsense.
And humans make mistakes, true. That’s why we have appeals in our court cases, so that we might remedy error. If it’s good enough for our courts it ought to be good enough for baseball. Lastly, as someone noted, we don’t even need to get that far, since while the one team’s manager is busy arguing the call to the umpire, the 5th umpire-in-the-booth can be reviewing the play and can call down to the field on completion of review.
Almost forgot, but some seem to have faulty memory, since if we wish to replay game 6 of the ‘85 WS, we’d have to start with Frank White erroneously being called out on his attempted steal of 2B. For why that mattered, next batter, Pat Sheridan, singled to RF, which would have scored Frank White, and so the Royals would not have been down by a run heading into the 9th. So call the blown call late a singular instance of “cosmic justice”.
MightyQuinn
June 3rd, 2010
5:29 pm
Bud Selig is a gutless puppet of management, and what baseball needs most is a REAL commisioners, one who truly acts in the best interests of the GAME first, not ownership. I hate, HATE to agree with him on anything, but on this…I…I…I… dammit I can’t bring myself to say it!
MightyQuinn
June 3rd, 2010
5:30 pm
Thats “commisioner” not commisioners”. Fire my editor!
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
5:31 pm
Mighty Quinn- i believe the answer to your question is Milt Pappas.
MightyQuinn
June 3rd, 2010
5:33 pm
Dammit again! “Commissioner” No more beer before blogging!
Boob Conflict of Interest Selig is a Pompous A$$
June 3rd, 2010
5:33 pm
I talked with the fly who was on the wall in Boob Selig’s office as he was preparing for his press conference to announce the perfect game call would NOT be reversed. Quote from Mr. Selig, according to the fly:
“I love it when I have a chance to make decisions to make the great game look terrible in the public eye! Just when I thought I’d never have a chance to top my own self, like when I called the All Star game a tie, OR when I decided the all star game winner should determine home field advantage for the World Series, NOW here I have a great chance to out do those things! How exciting, and better yet, when I get done with my statement, just for emphasis, I’m gonna say ‘Harsh as this may sound, IT HAPPENS.!’ Wow, that would even get me a little bit of a Forrest Gump quote in my statement!”
The fly said there was more, but he didn’t want to make Mr. Selig look bad and spread too much inside information.
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
5:35 pm
and another – On July 4, 1908, Hooks Wiltse of the New York Giants hit Philadelphia Phillies pitcher George McQuillan on a 2–2 count in a scoreless game—the only time a 0–0 perfect game has been broken up by the 27th batter. Umpire Cy Rigler later admitted that he should have called the previous pitch strike 3. Wiltse pitched on, winning 1–0; his ten-inning no-hitter set a record for longest complete game no-hitter that has been tied twice but never broken.
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
5:36 pm
Why didn’t Bud Selig overturn the ump’s ruling in the Hooks Wiltse game?????? Bud Selig is spineless!!!!!
on a positive, you people make me laugh – a lot.
MightyQuinn
June 3rd, 2010
5:37 pm
Wawel78, uh, did I ask a question? After several beers, I’m not sure.
TROTTINGHOME
June 3rd, 2010
5:37 pm
I repeat…More drama…while poverty grows and children become more certain our system is designed to hold them in bondage.
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
5:43 pm
Quinn – you asked if this had ever happened before. I even found one where the ump admitted mistake.
MightyQuinn
June 3rd, 2010
5:46 pm
Wawel78, yep, I just saw that on SI.com. Not exactly the same since balls and strikes are openly more subjective than who got to first first. (Hell two umps can’t agree on the strike zone and nobody calls it by the actual rule!) But a good call nonetheless! (By you, that is)
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
5:47 pm
there was another one – Milt Pappas.
gcs
June 3rd, 2010
5:54 pm
I hate Bud Selig, but he got it right. You do not want to open that can of worms.
You are wrong, Schultz.
.
Jimmy Payne
June 3rd, 2010
5:56 pm
Here’s where your argument breaks down. “it was the last play of the game”. If you started this you would have a ball rolling down hill you couldn’t stop. Well it happened in the 8th inning but he got the next 5 guys out so let’s change it. You simply can’t change the past, just fix the future. You are trying to hit a moving target. Well this time it is this, and next time it is that.
Bad calls are part of the game. A good part I might add. Lord knows what this has done for MLB publicity the last day or so. We should all give more of our attention to the way both the player and the umpire handled themselves in this matter. Not one person would change that.
Matt
June 3rd, 2010
5:58 pm
Enough with the ridiculous “can of worms” arguments. Those were bad decisions YEARS if not DECADES AGO. This was a bad decisions from YESTERDAY.
Georgia Tech | Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
5:59 pm
[...] ♦ Selig blows the call worse than umpire on ‘imperfect’ game [...]
wayn-o
June 3rd, 2010
6:01 pm
Stupid SOB, I hate Selig. So glad when he leaves. Oh the “human element” this is 2010 moron & a multi-billion dollar industry, bad calls should be kept to a minimum, like every other sport that hast replay!!!!!
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
6:05 pm
Johnd — I agree. I don’t really get the Pandora’s Box argument. How many of these situations are there going to be?
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
6:06 pm
Brave1 — Robot umps? Better get them off the field quickly when it rains. They rust.
Rob
June 3rd, 2010
6:07 pm
Maybe they should let the players vote on changing the call. Gallaraga not only pitched a perfect game
but set a perfect example of perfectly good sportsmanship with the way he smiled and went right back
to the mound and got the the next guy out. TRUE PROFESSIONALISM AND SPORTSMANSHIP.
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
6:07 pm
well, Jeff. I’ve found 2 others so far. How many before you decide it would be an issue to change it?
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
6:07 pm
Wawel78 — We’re not talking about a rule here. This was a judgment call by Selig. And we’re also not talking about a decision that decides any game, let alone a World Series game. Next?
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
6:07 pm
let the players vote? Seriously? why don’t we just have them vote on every call?
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
6:08 pm
Angus — Great question. Not sure about my reaction on that honestly. I’d have to think about that.
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
6:12 pm
Bvillebaron — Don’t tell me I have an indefensible position. You want to disagree, fine, but I stated my position just fine. I’m not prepared to sit here and tell you right now, ‘This is OK, that isn’t OK,’ for every single scenario. What’s the big deal about that. I’m just saying that for the 27th out of a perfect game, it should be reversed. You disagree with that? That’s cool. But tell me what I can and can’t write/say/believe. And by the way, if you’re only defense is that agent Scott Boras would have a conniption because one of his clients got screwed, then you’re the one with a flimsy defense.
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
6:12 pm
no, it’s not next. I have found 2 exact scenarios where an umpire’s ruling has affected a perfect game on the last out. So please feel free to keep dismissing but it’s the same argument.
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
6:13 pm
JoeV and Kane337 — Thanks.
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
6:14 pm
Mitchell: 4 1/2 games? Seriously? Does something think there are going to be 17 replay challenges? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve heard yet.
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
6:14 pm
and to me it’s idiotic to want to change a wrong call in a meaningless game but you, Jeff, think you shouldn’t change a wrong call in one of the most meangingful games in a baseball season? Always opinion but that makes zero sense to me.
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
6:15 pm
GCS — I still don’t get the “can of worms” (or Pandora’s Box, choose your cliche) argument.
Jeff Schultz
June 3rd, 2010
6:17 pm
Wawel78 — Meaningless to who?
BobDawg
June 3rd, 2010
6:18 pm
My Dad & I have been going back and forth on this all day…. But he got to me when he said there was a 28th batter that did come to bat…. Say that batter was Buck Belue who had just gotten called up from the minors, went to bat, grounded out and was sent down to the minors again never to grace The Show again… Do you now take away his at bat???? (By the way, Buck never did make it to The Majors, I believe…Chew on that for a while….)
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
6:19 pm
meaningless compared to a game 6 WS game.
Didn’t expect you to respond regarding the other two games.
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
6:21 pm
here Jeff, let me repost. I’ll await for your blog about the travesty of both games:
On July 4, 1908, Hooks Wiltse of the New York Giants hit Philadelphia Phillies pitcher George McQuillan on a 2–2 count in a scoreless game—the only time a 0–0 perfect game has been broken up by the 27th batter. Umpire Cy Rigler later admitted that he should have called the previous pitch strike 3. Wiltse pitched on, winning 1–0; his ten-inning no-hitter set a record for longest complete game no-hitter that has been tied twice but never broken.
On September 2, 1972, Milt Pappas of the Chicago Cubs walked San Diego Padres pinch hitter Larry Stahl on a borderline 3–2 pitch. Pappas finished with a no-hitter. The umpire, Bruce Froemming, was in his second year; he went on to a 37-year career in which he umpired a record 11 no-hitters. Pappas believed he had struck out Stahl, and years later continued to bear ill will toward Froemming
Jeff Francoeur
June 3rd, 2010
6:25 pm
Just saw you on the news, Jeff….lookin good!
Rob
June 3rd, 2010
6:27 pm
wawel78, your comments are just as meaningless
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
6:32 pm
Rob – I would agree. I’m arguing with people on a sports blog. Pretty meaningless.
Mitchell
June 3rd, 2010
6:47 pm
Jeff, I was being a bit of a jokester there as I am wont to do.
I definitely do not want four hour games in case that was a little unclear and I am pretty ambivalent about instant replay.
What I want to know is why the dumbasses just can’t confer with one another on a play like that or any play where there are multiple perspectives.
The second base umpire had to have a great vantage point to see the guy was safe. Why can’t he just run over than and be like, “yeah, he was out.”
Either way, I’m finding it harder and harder to stomach completely random dudes like Dallas Braden and Gallaraga throwing (or almost throwing) no-hitters/ perfect games when Smoltz, Maddux and Glavine don’t even have a single no-hitter among them.
It’s not right. Anyway, I was just trying to be a rabble rouser, you know, for the hell of it.
If you still say my previous comment was the dumbest thing you’ve ever read, then I can’t fault you for that.
Peace out.
Train Wreck Bystander
June 3rd, 2010
6:54 pm
Spot on.
The kicker is that it was to be the last play of the game. Reversing the umpire’s call the day after would not require the teams to replay the end of a game from a certain point. It would do nothing except correct a heinous wrong. It was the last freaking play of the game!
Shame on you Bud Selig.
Rick Leaman
June 3rd, 2010
6:56 pm
Bud Selig is a spineless bastard! I knew him in Milwaukee when his father gave him his Chevy dealership and he managed to run it into the ground. And I played golf several times with his second in command, Bob DuPuy, who I thought had more integrity than he does now, after sucking on the Bud Selig, MLB tit!!!
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
6:57 pm
it would also take a hit away from Jason Donald.
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
6:58 pm
by the way, Dale Murphy has 398 career home runs. He’s a swell guy. Shame on you Selig for not bumping him up to 400! Spineless!
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
7:00 pm
While we’re at it, Sam Rice is only 13 hits away from 3000. Can’t we just give the hits to him?
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
7:01 pm
can’t we give Bobby Mathews 3 more wins? He’s so close!
Jimmy
June 3rd, 2010
7:04 pm
Selig has been and always will be a joke as commissioner.
It is plain and simple…this is a unique situation.
To overturn the call at this point would not affect the outcome of the game.
It would put Galarraga’s name in the record books though.
Simple.
The only precedent set would be for blown last out’s in a no-hitter.
shane
June 3rd, 2010
7:06 pm
We saw it when Colorado scored a touchdown on its “fifth down” of a game against Missouri in 1990, leading to a split the national championship that season with Georgia Tech.
Tech didn’t win the title in 1990. Colorado did. It won the AP only one that counts. Tech didn’t play anybody all year and then won the Citrus Bowl and won some ULI or OPI title or something. I do know this. The organization that gave Tech that title doesn’t even exist anymore.
Wonder why?
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
7:06 pm
not true Jimmy. Here, i’ll repost:
On July 4, 1908, Hooks Wiltse of the New York Giants hit Philadelphia Phillies pitcher George McQuillan on a 2–2 count in a scoreless game—the only time a 0–0 perfect game has been broken up by the 27th batter. Umpire Cy Rigler later admitted that he should have called the previous pitch strike 3. Wiltse pitched on, winning 1–0; his ten-inning no-hitter set a record for longest complete game no-hitter that has been tied twice but never broken.
On September 2, 1972, Milt Pappas of the Chicago Cubs walked San Diego Padres pinch hitter Larry Stahl on a borderline 3–2 pitch. Pappas finished with a no-hitter. The umpire, Bruce Froemming, was in his second year; he went on to a 37-year career in which he umpired a record 11 no-hitters. Pappas believed he had struck out Stahl, and years later continued to bear ill will toward Froemming
kool$kat
June 3rd, 2010
7:19 pm
Selig sux. That said, at least have the official scorer change the hit to an error and give him a no-hitter!!! I know official scorings have been changed after the fact in many instances!
kool$kat
June 3rd, 2010
7:20 pm
And Pappas deserved benefit of the doubt on a borderline call in the last out of a perfect game, just like Galarraga did. Stupid umps.
DC Braves Fan
June 3rd, 2010
7:45 pm
So, sure there are all sorts of scenarios you could play out: “well, if you reverse this call, then you open up Pandora’s box and you have to reverse every wrong call, etc. . . .” And while thats not a bad point, I dont think its a compelling one either. The fear of unknown hypotheticals should not necessarily be an excuse for inactivity, especially since there is a pretty clear cut opportunity to right a wrong. It should be the excuse for thinking through decisions pretty thoroughly and bounding those decisions explicitly, but to say that to change this one play means that you open up an uncontrollable can of worms is, I think, too easy and ultimately wrong.
Look, with the exception of one person who posted earlier who thinks the guy was safe (he has very much not safe), we can all agree that the call was wrong (and by the way, the Commissioner can uphold protests!). Why not, if you are Bud Selig, simply say this:
“That call was wrong. It was the last out. There are no possible cascading effects of the call. None. Zero. Zip. The next guy made out and there was no effect on the result and only on the offensive statistics of two players (the player who was wrongly credited the hit and the fella who made out after him). We feel in the best interests of the game that that in this one case, we are going to overturn a grossly wrong call. As far as MLB is concerned, this is the only current means of redressing a historcially significant wrong. We do not anticipate nor do we welcome further interventions of this kind and to ensure that we have assembled a blue ribbon panel led by George Will (kidding, kidding) to determine the best system for redressing such grievances during the game in the future”
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
7:57 pm
I don’t feel it’s in the best interests of baseball. And I’m not 100% certain of this, but aren’t protests only in the case of potentially winning or losing the game?
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 3rd, 2010
8:04 pm
Enter your comments here
CajunStorm
June 3rd, 2010
8:04 pm
Yo Jeff, I’m a lil late to the discussion because of an aftrenoon pre-Lakers-Celtics and Braves-Dodgers late-nite. But I have to say this debate has been on my mind since yasterday. The only Real argument I can present without the emotional right and wrong angle is a scenario in the NBA that just took place.
When Kendrick Perkins of the Celtics was ejected in Game 5 for 2nd Technical rules stated that he would be automatically suspened for Game 6. It was obvious it was a terrible call and although he was ejected and the result had an undeniable effect on the result of the game the NBA Commissioners office reviewed the call and REVERSED it. As this reversal had NO bering on the outcome of Game 5 the NBA corrected a mistake.
Therefore, since the effect on the game would not change the outcome in this MOST UNIQUE set of circumstance, Good Ol Bud SHOULD HAVE CORRECTED a WRONG!!
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 3rd, 2010
8:08 pm
Next time this crew rolls into town, the Motor City needs to have a “Fan Appreciation Night- Detroit Rock City” brought to you inpart by the City of Philidephia. IF you smell what the Chef is cookin’…
wawel78
June 3rd, 2010
8:11 pm
the difference cajun is the commissioner has that right in the NBA. I’m not sure the commissioner does. And I didn’t notice, did they take that point away for the technical foul? Didn’t think so.
Greg T
June 3rd, 2010
8:14 pm
Why would we expect Selig to get this call right? He’s gotten ever other call wrong. He is an idiot.
jeminal
June 3rd, 2010
8:43 pm
This Bitter-After-Taste rates up there with the Baseball Player STRIKE.
… the game should have been REVERSE . Mr. SELIG !!!
… America should BOYCOTT the ALLSTAR game.
… replay needs to be expanded,
Mr. Bud Selig, should go too .
Albert
June 3rd, 2010
9:12 pm
Wrong call Jeff. Will your editors give you an instant redo to get this right and recall the print editions in the morning so they can be changed?
Sports is both competition and entertainment. So what if a blown call costs somebody the Superbowl, World Series, or World Cup? It’s all about the competition and the human element makes it even that more interesting. I’ve been on the wrong side of many bad calls and for the bad calls that went my way I was still on the wrong side.
Keep sports in perspective. We tend to forget these are just games for fun and entertainment until tragedy strikes– then they become irrelevant for awhile.
This matter is irrelevant.
gunter
June 3rd, 2010
9:41 pm
You’re all wrong on this one Jeff……….It was a blown call but that’s baseball. There have always been blown calls in baseball, there aren’t any “do overs”. I’m no Bud Selig fan but we don’t want him reversing calls on the field……would open up big can of worms. Just an unfortunate turn of events, but that’s just baseball and that is what makes it the greatest game in America.
MitchC
June 3rd, 2010
10:01 pm
Jeff, I agree with you, and I just told Mark Bradley so. I know he agrees with Selig’s decision, but, here is my feeling:
We all know that umps, like all of us, are human, and will blow calls. They have to make split second decisions, and dont have the benefit of TV replays. That having been said, the call in this case came on what should have been the last out of the game, in what should have been a perfect game. The ump blew it. TV replays showed it, millions of fans saw it, and the ump himself apologized.
The fact that the call was the difference between a perfect game and not a perfect game is the most significant thing to me. Why should Galaragga be denied a perfect game, just because the ump blew the call, and just because Selig is too spineless to change it.
Bad decison by Selig, and one, to me, that just defines his tenure, as a lousy commissioner.
jesse james
June 3rd, 2010
10:07 pm
These people that want the call reversed, would you reverse the call had the runner been really safe and the umpire called him out?
Coach (2011 or Bust)
June 3rd, 2010
10:43 pm
I’ll agree to disagree. Bud Selig is correct in not stepping in and changing the call but allowing the wrong call by Joyce to stand opens Pandora’s box. Video replay will be expanded as a result, there bye removing some of the human element in the game of baseball. Which defeats the very purpose of allowing the incorrect call to stand.
jeminal
June 4th, 2010
12:41 am
All of this Pandora’s box bulls##t, and the deluge of going
back to review video from prior games is horses##t.
This travesty of justice should be REVERSED today, and changes
put in place to prevent in the future.
For Bud Selig, he should resign or better yet — be replaced.
wawel78
June 4th, 2010
1:29 am
I’m just glad Amsterdam Sam still has respect for you.
STRETCH
June 4th, 2010
2:41 am
STRETCH
June 4th, 2010
2:16 am
I wonder what would happen if someones kid came home with an F on his final exam and it turns out that the teacher grading it misread the answers but said the he/she would not overturn that call?
Or what happens when the hospital gives someone the wrong baby and the doctor says i will not correct that mistake? Hmmm….
I know its not that serious but comeone everybody from here to China saw this and the Ump even admited it. And Selig is trying to keep fans, not keepin em that way!
But you know what, Gallaragha did the best thing he could do in that situation(not saying i would have), but by his demeanor he was cool and calm which all this does is magnify how flawed this game is.
And i dont care who you are, you cannot tell me that a 70 year old man is going to keep up with these players. I mean how many times do we watch the ref/umps in the NFL get rolled over by the back coming out of the backfield?
Im not discriminating, just saying nobody is perfect, so they are going to make mistakes but why not help these guys out when they do!
HATinGA
June 4th, 2010
4:51 am
Whats sad is within 1min after the play the only people who hadnt seen the replay and knew for sure he was out was the ones who had to make the call! The people who say replay would be to slow are saying lets get it wrong, but quick! Human element = code words for crappy callls!
obee
June 4th, 2010
6:18 am
It also forces the umpire to live with the horrible call for the rest of his career. Given the way he handled this situation afterward, the ump deserves better.
Braves Fan
June 4th, 2010
7:25 am
This yo-yo has done nothing for baseball. What makes you think he would do the right thing?
Next hitter
June 4th, 2010
8:49 am
If this had been the other way around, with Donald safe but called out, what would we be saying?
I think the managers should have a challenge like in the NFL. Use it over and over until you’re wrong. No review unless the manager challenges. No checking the reply before you challenge – gotta do it on your own. If you’re wrong, then no more challenges that game.
jesse james
June 4th, 2010
9:06 am
Let’s just go back in the game a changed every marginal ball and strike. You people need to quit feeding off your emotions.
jesse james
June 4th, 2010
9:06 am
I do agree Bud Selig is a joke!
Billball
June 4th, 2010
9:15 am
Wrong Jeff. A perfect game is perfect in eveery way, hitting, fielding, umpiring. Like a hole in one, just a miracle. Don’t legislate this.
bvillebaron
June 4th, 2010
9:39 am
Jeff:
Wow, I didn’t realize you were that sensitive. And oh by the way, I didn’t tell you what you could or could not write, just that your postion was not defensible. Apparently you feel that you are entitled to your opinion, but I am not entitled to mine. Grow up!
DC Bravesfan
June 4th, 2010
10:13 am
Couldn’t disagree more, changing this out sets a terrible precedent. There is no question, this sucks for Galarraga, and it sucks for Joyce. BUT, it does prove one point – Pitching a perfect game is extremely hard to do, it has to be PERFECT. Yes, that means the umps have to be perfect, the defense has to be perfect, and the offense has to be perfect. IT’S NOT JUST THE PITCHER! And this game proves it, and it’s better that way.
Will it bring about instant replay? Maybe, but it’s not like Galarraga won’t be remembered for what he did. Besides, no one owes him the title of pitching a perfect game, it’s not an entitlement. It’s something you earn, and something people around you help you earn.
DMac
June 4th, 2010
10:16 am
JS- Thank you for injecting some sanity and common sense into this issue.
DMac
June 4th, 2010
10:23 am
You may not believe this, but if I had been the base runner, I would have called myself out.
bvillebaron
June 4th, 2010
10:25 am
DMac:
Uh, I don’t believe it.
Pandora
June 4th, 2010
11:05 am
Jeff: What if the runner was safe, but had been called out? Would you change the call? What if Cleveland took advantage of the extra out and rallied to win the game? Would you still reverse the call? If the call is reversed should the pitcher’s accomplishment be accompanied by an “asterisk”? If the call can be reversed by Selig, how long does he have to exercise this judgment? Days, weeks, years? Should the next commissioner have the ability to correct this “travesty”?
South GA Dad
June 4th, 2010
12:42 pm
RIGHT ON JEFF!! I just got tee’d earlier reading Bradley’s nonsense but you are right on it. What I want to know is how Galarraga feels about Selig’s decision. Henoestly, baseball would be better off with my grandmother as commish. BTW do you know Selig’s email address, at least one for his office? I can’t find anything but a phone number and I want my message to him to be in written or typed form…
GROW A SET OR GET THE HELL OUT!
redd34
June 4th, 2010
1:26 pm
What a DUMB article by Jeff…. Selig got it right… Would u change a call if a player made an ERROR on the field that cost a team a WIN…. Umps are like the players on the FIELD they can make mistakes to. Give me a BREAK..
KenReitz
June 4th, 2010
1:27 pm
Kobe Bryant is the greatest NBA player ever.
KOBE VERSUS MJ
Kobe has won FOUR NBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
MJ HAS WON SIX NBA TITLES
Kobe has won 1 league MVP trophies
MJ has won six league MVP trophies
Kobe scored 81 points in an nba game against Toronto
Jordan scored 69 points in a playoff game against Cleveland.
Kobe has won one finals mvp
Jordan has won six finals mvps
Kobe HAS BEEN REFERRED TO AS THE “BEST CLOSER” IN THE GAME
Michael has been regarded as the greatest player in nba history.
Kobe has been ROBBED out of at least 3 MVP trophies.
Kobe Bryant will finish with the following statistics:
#1 scorer of all times passing Kareem Abdul Jabbar
most championships for a player named other than Bill Russell
most season MVP trophies (at leat eight)
most points by any Laker player
most prolific scorer of all times
most championships by any Laker player
Kobe Bryant will break Wilt Chamberlains 100 point single game record.
BobtheBlogger
June 4th, 2010
1:48 pm
Jeff,
This is such a point of contention between so many people, it would be very interesting to have a poll on this. I’ll bet it’s 3 to 1 in favor of reversing the call.
JuniorBridgeman
June 4th, 2010
1:59 pm
Its unfortunate that BUD SELIG IS SUCH A STUBBORN OLD MULE. Selig had a chance to do justice to baseball and decided to hold baseball hostage by being too proud to do the right thing. I head today that an Ohio man with the same name as umpire Joyce has gotten so many threatening calls that he had to disconnect his phone. Selig could saved everyone a lot of aggravation by just reversing the call, let history be made and make the fans happy as well as the umpires and players. Now this whole thing has been a big mess that could have easily been straightened out. Selig is someone who craves the spotlight and is an ego power hungry maniac.
bry22
June 4th, 2010
2:53 pm
Bud is a Dickhead!!!!!!!!
bvillebaron
June 4th, 2010
2:56 pm
KenReitz:
What do your Kobe comments have to do with the posted blog? Having said that, and without knowing how old you are, I am old enough to have actually seen the greatest NBA player ever play and that would be Wilt Chamberlain. Do yourself a favor and check out the number of all time records he still has. The NBA actually changed a number of rules to make it harder for Wilt to dominate the game unlike today where the rules have been changed to make it easier for players like MJ and Kobe to score (e.g. the 3 point shot, palming the ball, walking, etc.). I also think you are deluding yourself if you think Kobe will score more than 100 points in a game.
SG10
June 4th, 2010
2:58 pm
Jeff,
You said it very well and I agree with you. Only rational argument I have seen against this is that ‘may be the pitcher was helped by a marginal call, early in the game, that helped him get to this 9th inning 3rd out to begin with. Why not go through the entire tape and reverse those as well?’..
However, the biggest reason I agree with you here is that it will give peace of mind to so many people. Nobody is going to benefit by not reversing the call. This is an extraordinary situation requiring extraordinary action but we can never count on Selig to do the right thing, can we?
reason
June 4th, 2010
2:58 pm
Baseball is not like another other sport, in Football, Basketball or even soccer, are fast action sports and hard to keep up with, so replay can be and is applied to any of the three. Baseball is an in between sport, it can be fast or slow, but not so complicated as to blow a call as the umpired Joyce did to Galarraga.
I know umpires are human, anyway, some look human, but to blow a call as Joyce did, he would have to be asleep. Yes, replay can be used according to situation. Baseball fans can see that umpires are not only making bad call, they enjoyed making bad calls. They enjoyed kicking Bobby Cox out. Most are fat, and lazy and it’s time for some to called it quits. One can tell after a few innings, who they favor the most. The ones who get the shaft from all sports, are the fans.
bvillebaron
June 4th, 2010
3:35 pm
SG10:
With all due respect, the gulf oil spill, the problems with Iran, North Korea, etc. may well be “extraordinary situations”, but reversing or not reversing the blown call during Galarraga’s game is not.
SG10
June 4th, 2010
4:33 pm
bvillebaron:
I agree
but I thought we are talking about extraordinary situation in baseball and not life
Dave In Tampa
June 4th, 2010
7:10 pm
Bud Selig is the Worst call ever in Baseball!!! This guy has ruined a great game. Talk about of impeaching someone!
Dave In Tampa
June 4th, 2010
7:11 pm
Enter your comments here
hind tit
June 4th, 2010
9:48 pm
this is all baseball needs is something to make the game even longer. just think no more manager umpire fights how boring the grand ole game would be.
hind tit
June 4th, 2010
10:13 pm
they could look at the replay and see if the ball got stuck in his glove or if he could have thrown the ball a little harder then you could blame it on the fielder instead of the umpire. why would it be any different than football. the whole world see the replay and they still miss the call. it happens at least one time a game and it still ends up a judgment call even with the replay. do i get an amen.
Trey
June 4th, 2010
10:37 pm
I hope this team can pull out 10 straight. If not, at least it was a 9 straight winning streak. Very impressive.
Trey
June 4th, 2010
10:40 pm
What happened to Sonny?
Trey
June 4th, 2010
10:41 pm
Jeff how are you feeling about the Braves chances this year of being in contention? I know it is early, but improvement from last year?
Joshua
June 5th, 2010
1:52 am
Jeff Schultz doesn’t understand the Pandora’s box argument. I suspect there are many other things that Jeff Schultz doesn’t understand.
At first I wanted the call to be overturned because it seemed the right and fair thing to do. But after the shock of what had happened wore off and I began to apply reason to the situation, I realized what a terrible idea it was to overturn that call. It only requires a modicum of rational thought to understand the logic behind Mr. Selig’s argument. He deserves credit for making the difficult but correct decision.
Devin
June 5th, 2010
9:03 am
Jeff, Thanks for not conforming to the ways of this world and the negative media like Bradley. The ajc finally got rid of one negative in Terrence Moore. I always enjoy your articles but recently got tired of paying for the AJC due to the leftist negative “opinons” like Cynthia Tucker. Your thougts were the only ones I seemed to enjoy. I’m off to subscribe to the Marietta journal but will keep checking your stuff for free on line. At least the MDJ knows that even Lacrosse has exploded in Metro Atlanta and covers the sports and local interest that are more popular than what Bradley thinks.
Trey
June 5th, 2010
1:54 pm
can Japan be said on here?
Max
June 5th, 2010
3:28 pm
The Sorry State Of Affairs Of Baseball..Check This Out..
Last Time I Looked..The NL Had Won 404 Games League Wide!
They LOST 402 Games..This Puts Them On The Plus Side By 2 Games!!
By The Same Token, The AL Won 351 Games And LOST 353 Games!
Ant It Wonderful..They Are In The Hole 2 Games!!
Just Something To Mull Over Before You Get Too Excited By Any Team!!
Eli
June 5th, 2010
6:06 pm
Jeff
Logical- I have to disagree with you on this one. The call was made, the umpires are part of the game. If good ole Bud changes this call, there will be an outcry (small, but mighty, thanks to ESPN) to go back into the vault and look at every 1 hitter ever played. On a slow sports day, ESPN will bring up the fact that…
Emotion- It sucks, but just like a game when you were a kid, it’s still just a game. I got a feeling Gallarraga is young enough to get over it. You never know, it might inspire him to be the next Nolan Ryan.
MitchC
June 5th, 2010
9:00 pm
Jesse, to answer your question: Yes, I would want the call reversed if the runner had been safe and the ump called him out.
The key thing to me is to get the correct call, whatever it is. I’m not arguing in favor of giving the pitcher a no hitter for no reason. Bottom line, he either pitches a no hitter, or he doesn’t. If baseball allowed replays to be taken into account, and the runner had been safe, and incorrectly called out, then yes, reverse it.
wawel78
June 5th, 2010
9:33 pm
so Mitch, I assume you want them to go back and reverse every call? That’s the fairest thing to do.
That's just 2 bad.
June 5th, 2010
10:29 pm
This is it-
Robot umps.
Robot players.
Robot fans.
Robot sports writers.
That's just 2 bad.
June 5th, 2010
10:44 pm
Now, why in the world would selig want to reverse the call? It would take that single away from Jason Donald. Heck, he might even come to within one hit from breaking Ichiro Suzuki’s 262 single-season hits record set in 2004. We wouldn’t want to upset any chance Jason Donald may have at this feat, would we?
wawel78
June 5th, 2010
11:32 pm
why don’t we just start giving hits out at the end of games for hard hit balls?
All aboard the Hey-Train
June 6th, 2010
9:54 am
Selig doesn’t want to open that can of worms. Tim Kurkjian-whose oppinion on baseball matters I value greatly-mention that this would be a precedent that MLB can deal with later. If he reversed the call, people would go back and look, “Well maybe we should give St. Louis another championship!” and that isn’t something that needs to be added onto baseball’s plate right now.
Jordan Schafer believes he’ll work his way back to Braves | Jeff Schultz
June 6th, 2010
1:51 pm
[...] ♦ Selig blows the call worse than umpire on ‘imperfect’ game [...]
Home of the Braves
June 6th, 2010
11:20 pm
Jeff,
What if Gallaraga had thrown a 3-2 strike 3 to the 27th batter mid-thigh-high, right down the center of the plate and it had been called a ball. Would you have wanted Selig to reverse the ball call?
Home of the Braves
June 6th, 2010
11:25 pm
Also, is your point that Gallaraga “deserved” a perfect game? Is that why you believe it should be reversed? Because you could very easily make the argument that every pitcher who throws a would-be perfect game that gets ruined by an error (committed by anyone besides themselves, i guess) should be credited with a perfect game.
Gallaraga’s game was perfect except for an error on the final play. If Cabrera makes the error on the throw, nobody says a word about Selig. But since the error was made by Joyce, people got upset. Well the first base ump is involved in just as many plays in the field as the first baseman – actually more than twice as many when you consider both teams and balls hit down the right field line – so his mistakes are a part of the game just like anyone else’s.
dwaynerice
June 9th, 2010
3:35 pm
jesse james
June 3rd, 2010
10:07 pm
These people that want the call reversed, would you reverse the call had the runner been really safe and the umpire called him out?
Absolutely. Get it right. I don’t want to win or lose, have an individual achievement or not, or a call that is erroneous. If modern technology has it that a person can be saved through a medical procedure/surgery, is it wrong for the surgeon or medicine to say, “well, we can’t reverse (or go back in time) to save patients whose lives were lost without benefit of the new technique, so it would be unfair to them and their memory for us to use this technology now to save this person or individuals today.” Ridiculous. Just keep compounding mistakes and take generations to do the utmost to see that correct or as close with CERTAINTY that calls are correct. No, I’m not for replay on balls and strikes.
Gary
June 9th, 2010
10:02 pm
Jeff
What if the bad call was the second out of the game?