The wrong call is sort of "righted" by a fast moving General Motors.
Armando Galarraga lost his bid for a perfect game last night on what should have been the last pitch of the outing because of the most egregiously bad call I’ve ever seen.
Umpire Jim Joyce’s incorrect “safe” shout and parallel arm motion on a play at first base was wrong, really wrong.
The batter was clearly out by a stride.
While the Commissioner of Baseball, Bud Selig, remained silent about the injustice and Joyce said, “I just missed the dammed call,” Chevrolet announced that it was giving the hard throwing right-hand pitcher a new Corvette convertible.
A perfect game and a darn good sports car.
Galarraga retired 26 consecutive Cleveland Indians batters on Wednesday evening.
The 27th and what should have been the final batsman, Jason Donald, hit a routine ball in the hole between first and second base. Tigers’ first baseman Miguel Cabrera moved quickly to his right and cleanly fielded the ball and threw it to Galarraga – sprinting from the mound – who then stepped on first base well before Donald touched it.
Nonetheless, Joyce called him safe.
Galarraga just smirked and returned to the mound and retired the next batter to record a “one-hit,” 3-0 shutout, throwing just 88 pitches.
GM North American President Mark Reuss, who presented a Chevrolet Corvette to Galarraga at today’s game against the Cleveland Indians, said the way the pitcher had handled the incredible event deserved to be recognized – regardless of what record books would ultimately show.
So kudos to fast acting GM. It gave Galarraga a one-year lease on the ‘Vette.
As to the bureaucratic baseball establishment, my comments are unprintable and involve an anatomically impossible act.
Agreed, GM did the right thing and quickly acknowledged a great athletic performance. Now MLB needs to step up to the plate and do the right thing! Bud Selig should shake off the moth balls and overturn the call. No astericks, no congressional hearings, no whinning from the “purists”. It is 2010 and the entire free world has seen this play. Mend what has been broken. Allow the player to enjoy his moment in the sun and relieve the umpire of his burden.
JT: I can’t help wondering that if this had happened in New York it would already be corrected.
BATTER UP!!
Late this afternoon Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig issued the following statement regarding last night’s game in Detroit:
“First, on behalf of Major League Baseball, I congratulate Armando Galarraga on a remarkable pitching performance. All of us who love the game appreciate the historic nature of his effort last night.
“The dignity and class of the entire Detroit Tigers organization under such circumstances were truly admirable and embodied good sportsmanship of the highest order. Armando and Detroit manager Jim Leyland are to be commended for their handling of a very difficult situation. I also applaud the courage of umpire Jim Joyce to address this unfortunate situation honestly and directly. Jim’s candor illustrates why he has earned the respect of on-field personnel throughout his accomplished career in the Major Leagues since 1989.
“As Jim Joyce said in his postgame comments, there is no dispute that last night’s game should have ended differently. 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. 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.”
Ken, I agree that it was a horrible call. But we all make mistakes. His just happened to be made in front of thousands of spectators and in front millions more on TV.
I think we need to give the umpire more grace than you are giving him.
Bryan: You’re right, of course. “Kill the Umpire” is the name of a William Bendix comedy, which is why I used it. I didn’t mean it literally in Joyce’s case. As to Selig, well … just kidding.
Kill the Umpire (made in the fifties?) was in black and white as I recall or I saw it on TV later in B/W, and there are shades of gray here, as anyone who has followed the sport knows.
Let’s hope Selig overturns the call. Why it is taking so long is a mystery to me.
As to Joyce, who is a class act, I really don’t think he will be living the “Life of Riley” until the call is reversed by Selig on whatever grounds…
A “One Year Lease”?! That’s all?!
I don’t mean to be picky and I appreciate what GM is doing. But come on! One Year?!
Is it that hard to just give him the car for good?!
In my opinion, GM is using this as a huge advertisement. Don’t get me wrong. I still think it meant a lot to Armando Galarraga.
I don’t know, tell me If I’m overdoing it.
To GM: LET HIM KEEP IT !
P.S. I hope it’s the ZR1.
Charles,
Interesting how the little detail of the lease was left out of most of the news coverage. Of course it’s a huge advertisement, worth far more than the value of giving him the car for a year.
p.s. It’s not a ZR1. Looks like a Gran Sport convertible to me.
Bryan,
Thanks for your comment. I just wanted to make sure that people are noticing what the world has come to.
They took a unique moment in baseball, and turned it into a business opportunity.
What has happened?!
P.S. I meant it should be the ZR1.
Charles, unfortunately, our world has become all about business opportunities. Everywhere you go, people are trying to figure out new ways to get advertising messages in front of us. But it’s not going to stop anytime soon.