I'm giving it it's own thread to keep comments out of the other threads.
I was rooting for him to throw it because it would have been interesting. However, I think I like the ultimate outcome even better. I have no vested interest in Armando Galarraga actually throwing a perfect game other than wanting Dallas Braden to look less impressive.
I do have a vested interest in umpires getting more calls right. If that means more use of instant replay, I am all for it. This ending can only help generate interest in expanding the use of instant replay in baseball. This is one of the few instances when I am hoping for the media outrage machine to go into overdrive.
1 recs | 136 comments
I completely agree
Although, I do really feel bad for Armando Galarraga, and even Tigers fans. If that shit happened to Felix, for instance, I would be going absolutely nuts.
Griffin Cooper - June 2, 2010
Seriously
If I had been at that game, I’d have been livid. You go to games your entire life hoping to see something like a perfect game, and to have it taken away on such a blatantly wrong call, well, I’d sure want SOMETHING to come of it
Sportszilla - June 2, 2010
Jeff beat you again?
Scruffy Lefty - June 2, 2010
I BEAT HIM THE OTHER TIME
Matthew - June 2, 2010
I had a link!
Jeff Sullivan - June 2, 2010
You didn't even link to the actual tweet
Matthew - June 2, 2010
Because there were two
Jeff Sullivan - June 2, 2010
I hate how the guys on MLB Network keep saying Joyce "may" have missed the call.
As if there’s any doubt.
ScottBrowne - June 2, 2010
We got Pravda.
And now TASS.
harkening - June 2, 2010
Great point, Matthew.
I totally agree. I imagine they’ll be going on and on about the call on SportsCenter and Baseball Tonight.
wyte_lightning - June 2, 2010
Fucking terrible.
I feel sick and I am not even a Tiger fan, but rather a fan of the game. God that was bad.
hawks02 - June 2, 2010
What a fucking crime.
No, I too have no interest in this other than a passing fascinating with history making, and that run and catch that Austin Jackson made was well done, but all of that matters for absolute shit because Jim Joyce blew a call.
My God. Someone PLEASE FORCE INSTANT REPLAY IN THIS SPORT or ROBOTS!
The Typical Idiot Fan - June 2, 2010
It will be a huge arguement for IR.
No way this doesn’t strike up a huge arguement for instant replay. And what a play by Jackson.
hawks02 - June 2, 2010
Jim Joyce is an ass bag.
InSpokane - June 2, 2010
No he's not
He just blew a call.
Jeff Sullivan - June 2, 2010
I know. I just wanted to overreact.
InSpokane - June 2, 2010
Yes, he is.
saw him punch an infant once.
PLU Tim - June 2, 2010
You can not be sure he is not an assbag
Nor can we be sure that he is one.
dkulich - June 2, 2010
I am feeling crappy watching the 9th inning replay on MLB network rigth now.
hawks02 - June 2, 2010
Cockblocked
Slurvey - June 2, 2010
Can the Tigers protest the game?
Is there any recourse for them, and does the commish have the power to overturn that call?
jwolf0 - June 2, 2010
I wondered that too.
Especially since he got the final out in the next at bat.
hawks02 - June 2, 2010
No
You can only protest the game, I believe if it is a misinterpretation of the rules that impacts the outcome of the game.
It clearly did not do so.
skywaker9 - June 2, 2010
Well, maybe Joyce misinterpreted the rules of a force out.
yuniform - June 2, 2010
But it didn't effect the outcome of the game.
seattle_since_81 - June 2, 2010
See below (I posted the rule)
Its a judgment call.
skywaker9 - June 2, 2010
Man Cabrera gave Joyce an earful that final at bat.
hawks02 - June 2, 2010
Why the hell was Cabrera fielding the ball anyway?
That’s the 2nd baseman’s ball.
seattle_since_81 - June 2, 2010
I am surprised the booing wasn't more forceful
Jeff Sullivan - June 2, 2010
Only about 17k fans there in DET
skywaker9 - June 2, 2010
Not enough fans at the game!
Matthew - June 2, 2010
Because Detroit's out of money!
Jeff Sullivan - June 2, 2010
They can't catch a break!
Jeff Sullivan - June 2, 2010
Breaks cost money!
Matthew - June 2, 2010
Oh the humanity!
Jeff Sullivan - June 2, 2010
No Griffey/Silva jokes.
Faux - June 2, 2010
Owned
Jeff Sullivan - June 2, 2010
That's a 20yd field goal of a prediction right there, Sullivan.
Faux - June 2, 2010
What are tonight's powerball numbers, Jeff?
I’ll cut you in on half.
craig3410 - June 2, 2010
I feel awful for Joyce.
Not as awful as I feel for Galarraga and his teammates, but Joyce is a dude who made a mistake. The stubbornness of the baseball establishment as a whole is to blame for why Joyce didn’t have an opportunity to correct himself.
Teej - June 2, 2010
SPORTS ARE SERIOUS BUSINESS
Jeff Sullivan - June 2, 2010
Rule 4.19 on protested games
From the MLB rule book:
skywaker9 - June 2, 2010
I'm pretty sure
that Jim Joyce has the biggest balls ever. To make that call on the 27th out of a potential perfect game, and to do it in Detroit. Get that man some security, or don’t, either way.
Sutiyo - June 2, 2010
I am soooooooooo happy
Robert - June 2, 2010
DOWN WITH JAMES JOYCE
WORST AUTHOR EVER
theslothking - June 2, 2010
Btw I wish Leyland had pulled a Pinella and started throwing bases and stuff
That would have have been awesome.
skywaker9 - June 2, 2010
I was waiting for Joyce to eject Cabrera
Jeff Nye - June 2, 2010
I was pretty amazed that Joyce didn't.
seattle_since_81 - June 2, 2010
Is that an admission of guilt?
thehemogoblin - June 2, 2010
My the look on his face, I think he realized pretty quickly that he might have botched that.
And you could tell the significance of it was sinking in pretty bad.
BigR - June 2, 2010
The Cleveland player looked shocked to be called safe
Players know when they are out/safe.
skywaker9 - June 2, 2010
He totally looked like, "OH SHIT, you called me safe...oooh no!"
kentroyals5 - June 2, 2010
I can't wait for the inevitable
Posnanski piece on this.
levnclf - June 2, 2010
The Austin Jackson catch on the previous out makes it all that more devastingly entertaining.
edddgar - June 2, 2010
Nevermind, the Jackson catch was the first out and the Donald hit would have been the third.
edddgar - June 2, 2010
Jim Leyland was very well spoken on mlb network.
He was very neutral and not a dick at all. Leyland said the call looked like an out but that Joyce is a good ump, it’s the human element of the game and thats just what happens.
hawks02 - June 2, 2010
The last thing Leyland or any manager wants to do is publicly rip on an umpire
You don’t want to make enemies of them
Corco - June 2, 2010
This was the most hilariously ridiculously awful thing I've seen in a long time.
If I’m Bud Selig and I’m watching this game, I’m pulling out the best-interest-of-baseball clause and saying that was an out and Galarraga has his perfect game.
Two Rs and Two Ls - June 2, 2010
Is that a real clause?
Decatur - June 2, 2010
Who cares? He's the commissioner!
What’s the worst that would happen? An umpire strike? Heavens no!
Corco - June 2, 2010
Leyland should NOT have left the field until he got tossed or the call reversed.
He did not do enough. After the call is blown it is Leyland’s shoulders.
Tyler is a G - June 2, 2010
That I agree with
Corco - June 2, 2010
They don't reverse those calls.
msb - June 2, 2010
The he should have gotten tossed.
Leyland needed to show Galarraga that he did all he could.
Tyler is a G - June 2, 2010
It was pretty obvious Joyce wasn't going to toss anyone.
You want him to just stand there and throw a tantrum for 30 minutes?
msb - June 2, 2010
I just want the satisfaction of knowing the manager did absolutely everything possible to help is player out.
Say if this happened to the Mariners, other than the obvious feelings, I’d be mad at Wak.
Tyler is a G - June 2, 2010
What the hell is Leyland supposed to do?
Umpires absolutely NEVER reverse their own calls on bang-bang plays.
Decatur - June 2, 2010
Ask for the umps to come together for some groupthink.
At the least.
Tyler is a G - June 2, 2010
And note the comment below by msb.
Im new. Is there a way to link to his comment. (For future reference.)
Tyler is a G - June 2, 2010
Right click the timestamp
BigR - June 2, 2010
Right click on the timestamp.
BrianL - June 2, 2010
Thanks guys.
Tyler is a G - June 2, 2010
That "on" killed your time.
Faux - June 2, 2010
You were told by BigR and BrianL how to do this.
But for future reference as well, you are not linking to his comment. You are linking to her comment.
harkening - June 2, 2010
I apologize.
Go Mariners.
Tyler is a G - June 2, 2010
Do they ever reverse calls?
Besides disputed homers.
voltron27 - June 2, 2010
I found this:
The Major League Baseball Umpire Manual addresses call reversal in section 4.12 under the title, “Crew Consultation and Getting The Play Right.” The following plays lend themselves for call reversal, according to the Manual:
msb - June 2, 2010
So umpired can't reverse the call?
Can anyone? And by anyone I mean Selig.
voltron27 - June 2, 2010
Actually, the juggle would probably apply.
thehemogoblin - June 2, 2010
And the "umpire clearly errs" part.
Hence Leyland should have requested that the umps meet to make the correct call.
Tyler is a G - June 2, 2010
"because a ball is dropped or juggled after making a tag or force"
Not applicable here.
Matthew - June 2, 2010
What if Joyce thought he didn't have the ball? It did shift in his glove, I guess.
thehemogoblin - June 2, 2010
Sentence states because a ball is dropped
not because a ball is thought to have been dropped.
You can’t parse that sentence both ways. It reads as out calls that should be changed to safe calls.
Matthew - June 2, 2010
I think the elasticity of that clause gives me enough ammo to be satisfied with a Selig reversal.
If Bud does reverse it.
Tyler is a G - June 2, 2010
I was going with juggled, not dropped. I think that makes a difference in this case.
thehemogoblin - June 2, 2010
If Joyce is calling safe because he perceived the ball to be juggled by Galarraga,
then he has erred in judgment subsequent to a force out. It doesn’t say “after calling the player out.” It just says “after a tag or force.”
harkening - June 2, 2010
Then Joyce can still save himself by stating that he called the runner safe because "I thought the ball was juggled."
Tyler is a G - June 2, 2010
But if another umpire could have conceivably seen it and recognized the ball was not dropped, a call reversal could have been made.
thehemogoblin - June 2, 2010
Yes.
harkening - June 2, 2010
See below
“If a decision is appealed, the umpire making the decision may ask another umpire for information before making a final decision. No umpire shall criticize, seek to reverse or interfere with another umpire’s decision unless asked to do so by the umpire making it.”
msb - June 2, 2010
Yes, this, too.
I think the assumption to the joint complaint from hemoglobin and Tyler is that Leyland would admit that he “thought” it was bobbled and asked for help. My reply to Matthew was only saying that the dropped/juggled rule applies here assuming juggling and a force.
harkening - June 2, 2010
They can say one thing and believe the other.
My point being that I feel there is (and has to be) a way for these umpires to bullshit their way out of this. They all could say they saw a bobble (knowing that there wasn’t), allowing the possibility of this clause to be interpreted such that it gets reversed.
Tyler is a G - June 2, 2010
I haven't seen the video, who juggled?
voltron27 - June 2, 2010
Galarraga snowconed it.
thehemogoblin - June 2, 2010
Just saw the video.
Is there anything that can be done now?
voltron27 - June 2, 2010
No.
harkening - June 2, 2010
Asterisk then!
voltron27 - June 2, 2010
They need to go back and give him the perfect game.
I know he didn’t have the ability to celebrate like he should, but I’m sure Galaragga would certainly appreciate having his name put down as one of 21 guys to throw a perfect game.
Bud Selig needs to reverse that call.
Rudy4three - June 2, 2010
I think...
at best they may decide to rule that an error….I mean…CLEARLY he bobbled the ball, right? He’d still get a no hitter.
PLU Tim - June 2, 2010
I think its become more of a matter of principle than no-no or perfect or not.
Tyler is a G - June 2, 2010
This was absolute BS
How does the ump make that call in that situation. I saw a very similar thing in Arizona a few years ago. With 1 out in the 9th, a similar blown call was made that cost Carlos Zombrano a no hitter. This is just unbelievable.
spencer peaty - June 2, 2010
This makes me sick to the core.
Tyler is a G - June 2, 2010
Does zomg no politics apply to the stupid little pictures on the right?
greymstreet - June 2, 2010
That picture is an ode to the USA men's soccer team.
“Don’t push your politics on me, pal.”
Tyler is a G - June 2, 2010
Wait, which way do the umpires rotate?
Is he going to be behind home plate tomorrow? The Tigers DO play another one at home vs. Cleveland….
Two Rs and Two Ls - June 2, 2010
I can't imagine him umpiring tomorrow.
kentroyals5 - June 2, 2010
Third -> Second -> First -> Home
Looks like Joyce is slated to be the home plate umpire tomorrow.
BrianL - June 2, 2010
Oh man. That should be interesting.
wyte_lightning - June 2, 2010
The jokes are starting already
The Typical Idiot Fan - June 2, 2010
This is very funny.
Long live Freddy!
Tyler is a G - June 2, 2010
The official Mariners twitter account said that the players in the clubhouse who were watching on TV were furious.
BrianL - June 2, 2010
That was Divish
Official Mariners feed has been busy RTing #thanksjunior
greymstreet - June 2, 2010
Ah right.
Tweets were coming in so fast I had a hard time telling who was tweeting what.
BrianL - June 2, 2010
Did anyone see Joe West's abuse of power in the White Sox v. Indians game last week?
That was an utter disgrace to the umpiring profession and the game of baseball. With that in mind (even though I feel tremendously bad for Galarraga), I can’t seem to get too worked up about this particular missed call. However costly it may be, it’s just another baby step towards increased usage of instant replay.
flashbeak - June 2, 2010
From the Official Rules
9.02
(a) Any umpire’s decision which involves judgment, such as, but not limited to, whether a batted ball is fair or foul, whether a pitch is a strike or a ball, or whether a runner is safe or out, is final. No player, manager, coach or substitute shall object to any such judgment decisions.
Rule 9.02(a) Comment: Players leaving their position in the field or on base, or managers or coaches leaving the bench or coaches box, to argue on BALLS AND STRIKES will not be permitted. They should be warned if they start for the plate to protest the call. If they continue, they will be ejected from the game.
(b) If there is reasonable doubt that any umpire’s decision may be in conflict with the rules, the manager may appeal the decision and ask that a correct ruling be made. Such appeal shall be made only to the umpire who made the protested decision.
© If a decision is appealed, the umpire making the decision may ask another umpire for information before making a final decision. No umpire shall criticize, seek to reverse or interfere with another umpire’s decision unless asked to do so by the umpire making it.
Rule 9.02© Comment: The manager or the catcher may request the plate umpire to ask his partner for help on a half swing when the plate umpire calls the pitch a ball, but not when the pitch is called a strike. The manager may not complain that the umpire made an improper call, but only that he did not ask his partner for help. Field umpires must be alerted to the request from the plate umpire and quickly respond. Managers may not protest the call of a ball or strike on the pretense they are asking for information about a half swing.
msb - June 2, 2010
Wait...
So you guys really want to send the umps to the instant replay room to review close safe/out calls on the basepaths? Isn’t that getting a little too nitpicky?
This is different from home run/not a home run because there’s much less at stake, so the potential is there to extend the lengths of games way out unnecessarily. And let’s face it, as much as we love too geek out on perfect games, the outcome of the game wasn’t affected.
Luscious James - June 2, 2010
Whatever needs to happen to make sure calls are correct should happen
Why play the games at all if calls are going to be blown? I’d rather take an extra five minutes to make sure the game is conducted accurately.
Corco - June 2, 2010
Also perfect games are not something people wrongfully "geek out" about
23 Perfect Games have been thrown in Major League history. The Perfect Game is the most difficult achievement in baseball and it should absolutely not be compromised by an erroneous third party
Corco - June 2, 2010
23?
You counting Pedro and Harvey Haddix, as well as Galarraga?
thehemogoblin - June 2, 2010
er...20
I’ve been drinking
Corco - June 2, 2010
I hold to the fact that 116 wins in a season is the most difficult achievement.
Only done twice!
Tyler is a G - June 2, 2010
I mean in an individual game
Corco - June 2, 2010
I know. I just like to brag about that season!
Tyler is a G - June 2, 2010
Or the home run cycle
Tube - June 2, 2010
No. Just that the umps should have done their little meeting spiel.
Tyler is a G - June 2, 2010
No further comments because I'm going to stay civil, but I think you're completely wrong.
Faux - June 2, 2010
The only thing I care about is that calls are correct.
Umpires should not determine the outcome of games, the players should.
BrianL - June 2, 2010
Sorry,
but I suspect this will be a big story for about a week. Maybe. And then it will blow over. Because it didn’t happen to the Yankees or the Red Sox (though I may be biased, since I’m also a huge Seahawks fan and I’m used to blown calls). And even if MLB does do anything about it, they will probably screw it up.
On a side note: I may be a bit of a pessimist.
Fear - June 2, 2010
This will be a story for a lot longer than a week.
This has never happened. And with an ump admitting that he ruined a kid’s perfect game and the technology sitting right there in the corner, unused, I think there are going to be some discussions.
Teej - June 2, 2010
George Brett got his Home Run back!!
The Royals eventually won the "Pine Tar" game. All be it nearly a month later, none the less there is a precedent for this just not from Selig. So while he’ll never have that true "Holy fuck I just threw a Perfect Game" celebration it should at least be added that he is now the only pitcher in MLB history to have thrown a 28 out Perfect Game.
DHforHOF - June 2, 2010
The rules say you can reverse a decision based on the misapplication of the rules.
But not for a blown judgement call.
doublemazaa - June 3, 2010
If you read the recap of the game on MLB.com
Joyce even admits that he made the wrong call. Even Galarraga says " I felt bad for him, he was all teary-eyed."
DaeguDave - June 2, 2010
It looks like the ball was still moving in Galarraga's glove when the runner's foot hit 1st.
Does the ball have to be stationary in the glove or can there be a slight bobble and it still be called an out.
Watching the replay in real time it looked to me like Galarrga didn’t have a firm handle on the ball.
That said, I think we should use all means at our disposal to increase call accuracy, consistency and speed.
PDXTai - June 2, 2010
Funny update to Joyce's Wiki page
Linky
wyte_lightning - June 2, 2010
It sucks for Galarraga but I hope the call stands.
The call was blown, and I’d hate for them to fix this a week from now and then defend the umpire status quo by saying that “the system works!!!”
I’d rather Galarraga get the 1hit shutout and actually have this situation be a fulcrum for change.
doublemazaa - June 3, 2010
Schilling concurs that Joyce
is not the ump you want to be in the middle of something like this
msb - June 3, 2010
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Lookout Landing to post a comment.