Recognized or not, Galarraga deserves perfection
Miguel Cabrera's throw to Armando Galarraga (left) appears to have beat Jason Donald (right) to the bag. Umpire Jim Joyce (back) called Donald safe, ending Galarraga's bid for a perfect game with two outs in the ninth inning. Galarraga went on to get the next, and final out of the game. (photo from Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press)
Armando Galarraga was an out away from perfection. What happened next will surely grant him more fame then the 21st perfect game in Major League Baseball history could ever bring him.
Cleveland Indian Jason Donald slapped a ground ball in between first and second, but not hard enough to get passed first baseman Miguel Cabrera who cleanly fielded the grounder. Cabrera did take his time to throw over to first, but threw over to Galarraga who was covering first. Galarraga appeared to beat Donald to the bag, caught the ball and threw his fist in the air as to celebrate. Umpire Jim Joyce called Donald safe. Galarraga stood there with a smirk, no doubt dumbfounded. Cabrera was furious, screaming at Joyce. Many of the Tigers joined in with Cabrera. Tigers manager Jim Leyland argued, but to no avail. Galarraga then retired the next batter. A "28-out" perfect game, if you will.
After the game Galarraga, Joyce and Leyland weighed in on the should-have-been perfect game. Here are some quotes. (all quotes courtesy of ESPN.com)
"It was the biggest call of my career, and I kicked the [stuff] out of it. I just cost that kid a perfect game." --- Jim Joyce
"I don't blame (the Detroit Tigers) a bit for anything that was said, I would've said it myself if I had been Galarraga. I would've been the first person in my face, and he never said a word to me." --- Joyce
"You don't see an umpire after the game come out and say, 'Hey, let me tell you I'm sorry.' He felt really bad. He didn't even shower." --- Armando Galarraga
"I feel sad, I just watched the replay 20 times and there's no way you can call him safe." --- Galarraga
"The players are human, the umpires are human, the managers are human," --- Jim Leyland
"It's a crying shame. Jim is a class guy. This sounds crazy, but after looking at the play, nobody is going to feel worse than he does. I yelled a bit after the game because emotions are high. You just want it so bad for the kid. I don't think you're as mad at the umpire as mad the kid didn't get it -- and he did deserve it." --- Leyland
Look, I know it's easy to critcize Joyce for a blatantly bad call, and it was a blatantly bad call. However, Joyce is human and admitted he was wrong afterward, almost in tears. You have to feel for the guy. And as for Galarraga, the guy has handled himself incredibly in the aftermath of a terrible call. He hasn't once blamed Joyce, even sympathizing with Joyce. The bigger issue here is the use of instant replay in baseball. I have to be honest; before the Galarraga call I was not in favor of instant replay. After all, part of the appeal with baseball is the human element. The blown call has swayed my stance a bit. Bud Selig needs to do something about the state of instant replay in baseball. Of course, though, Selig probably won't do a thing and that will be that.
Despite everything, I think Tigers shortstop Ramon Santiago sums it up best.
"I know I played in a perfect game. In my mind, on June 2, Armando Galarraga threw a no-hitter. I'm going to get a ball signed by him."
Kobe Bryant in "24 Month Revenge Therapy"
Kobe Bryant (24) and the Los Angeles Lakers will get his chance to avenge a disappointing and embarassing 2008 NBA Finals loss to the Boston Celtics in the 2010 NBA Finals starting Thursday. Unlike 2008, however, The Lakers hold home-court advantage (photo from Terry Pierson/Press-Enterprise)
Kobe Bryant will get his chance for revenge as the Los Angeles Lakers square off against the Boston Celtics Thursday to kick off the 2010 NBA Finals. This might be the best NBA Finals of the last decade, as both Boston and LA are stacked. But it goes much deeper then that, for both teams.
Los Angeles, as mentioned before, will try and avenge a terrible showing in the 2008 NBA Finals. Sure, they won the 2009 Finals, but they didn't go through Boston to do so. That's like the Red Sox not having to go through the Yankees to win the World Series. I'm sorry, but it's not the same. LA needs to prove that they can beat the Celtics. And for Kobe Bryant, it's a chance for him to prove once and for all that he's the greatest Laker ever. A win over Boston will do so. A loss again to the Celtics would label Bryant with the "can't beat Boston" tag. No other Laker legend can say that.
As for The Celtics. Last season was a lost year for Boston, with injuries ravishing their squad. Boston looks rejuvenated and ready to roll in these NBA playoffs. Rajon Rondo has been absolutely ridiculous, and the Big Three have re-invented themselves. The Big Three, when last playing together healthy won the NBA Finals in '08. Winning it in '10 would cement their place as one of the greatest trio's in NBA history.
What do I think will happen? Boston can match up size wise with the Lakers better than any team that has played LA this postseason. Rondo has been the best point guard in the playoffs, and Rasheed Wallace looks like a much younger 'Sheed. However, none of that will be enough to stop Pau Gasol and Kobe. The Lakers will win in six, with Kobe being crowned the NBA Finals MVP, and the Greatest Laker Ever.
Fuentes continues to flail
Despite three blown saves in just fourteen appearances, Brian Fuentes continues to close out games for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. (photo from Jeff Gross/Getty Images North America)
I could go on and on about Brian Fuentes and his failures, but I'll let his stats speak for themselves.
14 appearances, 12 hits, 10 runs, 5.97 ERA, 5 home runs, 6 walks, 17 strike outs, 7 saves, 3 blown saves.
What does Mike Scioscia need to see before he makes the switch and Fernando Rodney becomes the closer?
That's it for now.
It’s a shame Galarraga lost his bid for a perfect game on Jim Joyce’s blown call. It would have been the third such game thrown in the majors this year, and the season is only approximately one-third over! This is amazing when you consider that this is the first year in baseball’s modern era that saw not one but TWO perfect games thrown.
ReplyDeleteMajor League Baseball definitely needs to take a look at expanding the use of instant replay because of this incident. I am always amazed at the fact that serious events seem to always bring about changes. This applies to many areas, not just sports.
You are correct, sir. I suggest an NFL style challenge situation.
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