Umpire costs Tigers Pitcher a Perfect Game!

[Toad_Passenger]

Or Roy Halladay who did it on Saturday.

Yeah, but Halladay will be a Hall of Famer. I was talking about guys who threw no hitters/perfect games, but didn't do anything else in their career. They're hardly "immortal" as the PP implied.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I was so afraid of backlash, and to hear his family is receiving death threats, makes me sick.
I can almost bet the ump feels worse than the pitcher. He messed up. He feels horrible. The pitcher can be comforted by that fact, that even though it won't be recognized officially, that he did indeed pitch a perfect game. I don't think Selig should over rule the decision. That is undermining the job of an umpire. Mistakes have always been made, and they always will be. It's a shame this happened in a perfect game. I would not mind if MLB adopted a review process similar to the NFL. Maybe 2 reviews allowed per game/per team and a different ref would review the play if a coach opts to throw the red flag. And if the call stands, the team is charged with a timeout. I don't think the umpire is worthy of being called "boneheaded". He's already going through enough. What do the name callers expect him to do? Resign? Flee the country?

 

[Jennasis]

I was so afraid of backlash, and to hear his family is receiving death threats, makes me sick.
I can almost bet the ump feels worse than the pitcher. He messed up. He feels horrible. The pitcher can be comforted by that fact, that even though it won't be recognized officially, that he did indeed pitch a perfect game. I don't think Selig should over rule the decision. That is undermining the job of an umpire. Mistakes have always been made, and they always will be. It's a shame this happened in a perfect game. I would not mind if MLB adopted a review process similar to the NFL. Maybe 2 reviews allowed per game/per team and a different ref would review the play if a coach opts to throw the red flag. And if the call stands, the team is charged with a timeout. I don't think the umpire is worthy of being called "boneheaded". He's already going through enough. What do the name callers expect him to do? Resign? Flee the country?

I called his call "boneheaded". And I stand by that. Certainly not worth the flogging some folks seem to be after (you should hear the stuff on the radio! Wowsers.). He apologized to the pitcher and made a public acknowledgment of his bad call. The words he used to describe the call are not DIS friendly, so boneheaded seemed like a worthy substitute IMHO.

The apology is good enough, and it seemed like it was good enough for the wronged party (Gallaraga).

 

[diznygirl]

I don't think there should be replay except in the cases of a disputed home run or disputed fair ball.

I also think that there are some times in life when saying that someone made a mistake and let's just move on just doesn't cut it and this is one of those cases. The umpire cost the pitcher "immortality." His name would have lived forever in baseball, and now unfortunately, probably won't.

If MLB won't overrule the play, then I feel that some disciplinary action should be in order for Joyce, a week suspension that is made public. Something along those lines. You just cannot miss that call and I know he is human but still can't miss that call. Its his job to get that call right.

Armando Galarraga's name will live forever in baseball for the classy way he has handled the situation.

 

[Mermaid02]

Armando Galarraga's name will live forever in baseball for the classy way he has handled the situation.

And as the guy who was robbed of the perfect game- the Ump will go down in infamy too- kind of like Buckner here in New England

 

[over the hill]

Galarraga was given a brand new Corvette before the game this afternoon--does that make up for the game last nite?? I don't think so.

 

[Dismagic1]

I don't know if pitching a perfect game is a 1-way ticket to immortality. There have been pitchers who've thrown no-hitters, then disappeared into obscurity forever. Anyone have the names of Kevin Gross or Tommy Greene on the tips of their tongues whenever they talk about baseball? How about Perfect Game pitcher Mike Witt?

Toad, while I agree the pitchers names won't be on everyone's minds, all the perfect game pitchers are listed at Cooperstown. So in that sense, yes immortality is given. Tons of people go through that exhibit every year and would have seen his name there, like he deserved.

 

[Dismagic1]

Armando Galarraga's name will live forever in baseball for the classy way he has handled the situation.

No this will be forgotten. Actually Joyce will probably get more fame than the pitcher which is really sad.

 

[Dismagic1]

MLB already has instant replay for disputed home runs. Have had that since August 2008, I believe.

Wow, do you get suspended for 1 week when you make a mistake at work? That's a bit harsh, especially since he has apologized to the pitcher & he's owned up to his error. The pitcher has forgiven him.

and BTW, it appears that Selig will not be overturning the call.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5248118

I know MLB has instant replay for home runs. I also think it should be used for disputed fair balls, but not expanded to anything else. Or you could institute a system similar to the NFL where each team is given a certain amount of challenges that they can use, no more than 2 per game!

And about being suspended at work. Actually funny that you mention that. I worked at an investment company several years ago and when a trader committed a risk violation (which is one of the more serious mistakes a person can make) they were suspended for a week without pay. So if it can happen to them, it can happen to an MLB ump. Joyce royally screwed this up.

 

[Guy Incognito]

I don't think there should be replay except in the cases of a disputed home run or disputed fair ball.

I also think that there are some times in life when saying that someone made a mistake and let's just move on just doesn't cut it and this is one of those cases. The umpire cost the pitcher "immortality." His name would have lived forever in baseball, and now unfortunately, probably won't.

If MLB won't overrule the play, then I feel that some disciplinary action should be in order for Joyce, a week suspension that is made public. Something along those lines. You just cannot miss that call and I know he is human but still can't miss that call. Its his job to get that call right.

disciplinary action, yes. Against Joyce, no. The action should be that "Larry" Bud Selig should be removed from his position. The batter admits he was out. The umpire admits he blew the call. The replay clearly shows what happened. Changing the final stats to a perfect game has no impact on the outcome of that game. It's not like they would change it from a win to a loss for either team.

I don't know if pitching a perfect game is a 1-way ticket to immortality. There have been pitchers who've thrown no-hitters, then disappeared into obscurity forever. Anyone have the names of Kevin Gross or Tommy Greene on the tips of their tongues whenever they talk about baseball? How about Perfect Game pitcher Mike Witt?

while I can't name every pitcher who has thrown a perfect game, you have to admit that there is a bit of 'immortality' in it. If you include this game, he would be one of only 21 other pitchers in the 140 or so year history of the game to accomplish it. That's a pretty exclusive club.

 

[declansdad]

I know MLB has instant replay for home runs. I also think it should be used for disputed fair balls, but not expanded to anything else. Or you could institute a system similar to the NFL where each team is given a certain amount of challenges that they can use, no more than 2 per game!

And about being suspended at work. Actually funny that you mention that. I worked at an investment company several years ago and when a trader committed a risk violation (which is one of the more serious mistakes a person can make) they were suspended for a week without pay. So if it can happen to them, it can happen to an MLB ump. Joyce royally screwed this up.

Your example was a major infraction, this wasn't. It was one of many missed first base calls that happen over the season. This one is different because of the circumstances.

 

[castleview]

Are we still arguing this?

For all of you who played sports, do you remember a 12 yr. old umpire calling you out on a "strike" that was actually two feet above your head? These things happen. Sports are unpredictable - it's the nature of the game.

Only a handful of umps get to the level that Joyce has. He has to be good. The fact that all the players said he's one of the best should be enough indication for everyone to let it go.

Galaragga was extremely classy about this and I think everyone who is pushing for a reversal is behaving like the parent who is more ticked off at losing than the player.

 

[krcit]

Are we still arguing this?

For all of you who played sports, do you remember a 12 yr. old umpire calling you out on a "strike" that was actually two feet above your head? These things happen. Sports are unpredictable - it's the nature of the game.

Only a handful of umps get to the level that Joyce has. He has to be good. The fact that all the players said he's one of the best should be enough indication for everyone to let it go.

Galaragga was extremely classy about this and I think everyone who is pushing for a reversal is behaving like the parent who is more ticked off at losing than the player.

 

[DisMN]

Are we still arguing this?

For all of you who played sports, do you remember a 12 yr. old umpire calling you out on a "strike" that was actually two feet above your head? These things happen. Sports are unpredictable - it's the nature of the game.

Only a handful of umps get to the level that Joyce has. He has to be good. The fact that all the players said he's one of the best should be enough indication for everyone to let it go.

Galaragga was extremely classy about this and I think everyone who is pushing for a reversal is behaving like the parent who is more ticked off at losing than the player.

I am very impressed and touched at the grace and forgivness shown by Galaragga. You don't see that every day and I'm betting lots of people will remember THAT.
I really feel for the ump. He's human and he made a mistake. It happens.

 

[Dismagic1]

disciplinary action, yes. Against Joyce, no. The action should be that "Larry" Bud Selig should be removed from his position. The batter admits he was out. The umpire admits he blew the call. The replay clearly shows what happened. Changing the final stats to a perfect game has no impact on the outcome of that game. It's not like they would change it from a win to a loss for either team.

Bud Selig is the most gutless commish in the history of sports.

 

[Dismagic1]

Your example was a major infraction, this wasn't. It was one of many missed first base calls that happen over the season. This one is different because of the circumstances.

Risk violations happen because of carelessness.

This play happened because of carelessness. Joyce was watching Cabrera pick up the ball and kept looking at him even as he released the ball. Why? Joyce should be watching first base. Then it almost looked as if he was going to signal out but then waved his arms safe. He completely lost his composure at a critical time.

It's a major infraction in my book and a lot of people's. But not yours, I know where you stand.

 

[Carl Fredricksen]

Bud Selig is the most gutless commish in the history of sports.

I agree. If he overturns this (and there is precedent to do so), there would be no impact to the game outcome since the next batter was out. It would be good PR for the game, get the ump off the hook with the fans, and give Galarraga the no-no he deserves. Plus since Selig professes to be such a historian of the game, it would be the first time in history that we had 3 no hitters in a season, and especially within a 1 month time frame. Great press for the game, and they can always say "we'll look at instant replay later, but we got this one right".

But that would only happen if we had a different and more decisive commissioner. He is a gutless waffling idiot and I can't wait until he retires. The sport will be better for it IMO.

 

[castleview]

Bud Selig is the most gutless commish in the history of sports.

True, but he was correct to not get involved in this one.

 

[declansdad]

Risk violations happen because of carelessness.

This play happened because of carelessness. Joyce was watching Cabrera pick up the ball and kept looking at him even as he released the ball. Why? Joyce should be watching first base. Then it almost looked as if he was going to signal out but then waved his arms safe. He completely lost his composure at a critical time.

It's a major infraction in my book and a lot of people's. But not yours, I know where you stand.

The umpire was positioned perfectly, he simply missed the call on a bang bang play; it happens everyday. It wasn't a major miss in anyway other than the for the fact that it would have been the final out in a perfect game. If it happened in any other game, it wouldn't even have made the news.

 

[goofy's friends]

Are we still arguing this?

For all of you who played sports, do you remember a 12 yr. old umpire calling you out on a "strike" that was actually two feet above your head? These things happen. Sports are unpredictable - it's the nature of the game.

Only a handful of umps get to the level that Joyce has. He has to be good. The fact that all the players said he's one of the best should be enough indication for everyone to let it go.

Galaragga was extremely classy about this and I think everyone who is pushing for a reversal is behaving like the parent who is more ticked off at losing than the player.

Absolutely! well-said!