The call was a mistake, umpire Jim Joyce has admitted to the mistake and apologized profusely. After the outrage last night, the Tigers have apologized for their intense reactions and earlier today Galarraga gave the line-up cards to Jim Joyce and shook his hand in a show of sportsmanship and forgiveness. Galarraga could be angry and hold a grudge. Jim Joyce could be unremorseful about it. Galarraga is accepting of the mistake, and Joyce has gone above and beyond in his attempts to make right with Galarraga and the Tigers organization. Both men should be commended for their efforts.
Originally this was going to be a "should MLB overturn the call post?", but MLB's statement has beaten me to the punch.
"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.It is highly unlikely that the call will be overturned.
"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."
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I am always a proponent that the call must be right. But this is an exception. There are several things that Bud Selig and MLB can do, most of which were stated in MLB's statement below, but the absolute one thing that MLB should not do is overturn the call.
Donald was out, we all know that, but if this call would have been overturned, Pandora's Box would have opened up. So many blown calls at the end of the game would then be called into question. There is no doubt Joyce blew the call, but what happens if you go back and change this? What happens to every other blown call? All of a sudden there will be a firestorm every week with a new blown call where the result of the game should be overturned. Not only that, but MLB would have set the precedent where they can overturn the game.
Then that would eventually extend to the playoffs. Would World Series games be overturned on a blown call? So many blown calls surely affected the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2008 World Series? Should they be co-champions because of it? Just because a call is obviously wrong, it does not mean it should be reversed the next day.
There are ways to remedy this. But overturning the call is not one of them. Expand instant replay is a very good idea and a very good start. Develop a system of manager's challenges, that way stubborn umpires can't just ignore the complaining team/manager. It sucks for Galarraga, but overturning the call is not the proper way to remedy things. And what's going to happen anyway if they did overturn it? Galarraga can never have that moment back on 1st base where he can embrace Cabrera after perfection? It will be all too bittersweet and feel wrong. To change a game that drastically sets a bad precedent for now and for the future.
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.
This is now a moot point, but I like arguing hypotheticals.I think you're wrong when you assert that "MLB would have set the precedent where they can overturn the game." They wouldn't be overturning any result. Detroit still wins the game 3-0, but all they're doing is reversing a horrible call that gets overturned if MLB had replay. Joyce has all but conceded he'd overturn the call in a replay situation. This is the last out of the game, so I think that fact creates a special circumstance, that doesn't apply to the 08 Rays, 96 Orioles, or 85 Cardinals.
ReplyDeleteAnd all future firestorms can be avoided by having freaking replay. It's so damn simple. Each team gets 1 challenge per game. You challenge and get it right, you get to keep using it. Challenge and get it wrong, it's gone for the game. And allow everything to be challenged, including balls and strikes. Every local broadcast now uses the Pitch Fx. I mean let's not hide behind "the chances of fate" when it comes to the umps and blown calls.