Armando Galarraga perfect through 7

[OnBaseMachine]

Audio of Jim Joyce's postgame interview:

http://wxyt.cbslocal.com/2010/06/03/...-perfect-game/

[redsmetz]

Here's the story in the Detroit Free Press

http://www.freep.com/article/2010060...arred-by-gaffe

Here's the prime bit in the story:

I told Galarraga that Joyce said he felt terrible, that he cost Galarraga a perfect game and that he was really beating himself up over it.

Galarraga did not hesitate.

"Tell him no problem," Galarraga said. "I can go tell him."

He smiled. "I should probably talk to him. It will be better." And he did.

On one hand, you would think it would be easy enough with the info at hand for MLB to change the ruling on the field. But I wonder about the precedent of that, that stain that can't be removed, if you will. It's a game involving flesh and blood, fallible, imperfect human beings.

[reds44]

Here's the story in the Detroit Free Press

http://www.freep.com/article/2010060...arred-by-gaffe

Here's the prime bit in the story:

I told Galarraga that Joyce said he felt terrible, that he cost Galarraga a perfect game and that he was really beating himself up over it.

Galarraga did not hesitate.

"Tell him no problem," Galarraga said. "I can go tell him."

He smiled. "I should probably talk to him. It will be better." And he did.

On one hand, you would think it would be easy enough with the info at hand for MLB to change the ruling on the field. But I wonder about the precedent of that, that stain that can't be removed, if you will. It's a game involving flesh and blood, fallible, imperfect human beings.

Is there any reason for it to be though? Define a strikezone on a player. Define it. We've all seen K-zone, make a strike a strike and a ball a ball. He's safe or he's out. It's fair or foul. It's a catch, or it hit the ground.

In baseball, there is really no reason for umpiring being as inexact of a science as it is.

[mth123]

This Galarraga kid seems to be about as classy a guy as there is in baseball. I don't care about the perfecto so much (outside of Cincy who really remembers Tom Browning anyway?) but he's sure made a favorable impression with the way he handled this.

[Always Red]

Dallas Braden’s perfect game was thrilling. Roy Halladay’s perfect game was art. But Armando’s Galarraga’s perfect game was a lesson in grace.

Poz weighs in: http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2010...-of-jim-joyce/

[Redhook]

Do what is right, do the right thing.

This doesn’t call for instant replay. The perpetrator admitted guilt, the video and still photo’s support the confession. Do what is right and give the victim, the pitcher his once in a lifetime, perfect game. Case closed, media go away. The record books have some integrity, win/win.

I agree. It's a fact that he was out. And this out was the last of the game. Game over. If it happened earlier, you couldn't change it, but in this very rare case the game should be reviewed and the perfect game should be rewarded. It's just a shame it won't happen though.

[cumberlandreds]

The time has come for MLB to step into the 21st Century and have replay for more than on just a HR. The technology is there to do it. Just have an official in the booth to buzz down to the crew chief when a review is taking place. I would bet it would, in most cases, take only a minute to review and make a determination. There's no need in this day and age to have what happened last to ever happen again. Some have said that replay makes the NFL unwatchable. I disagree. What make the NFL unwatchable,at times, is the plethoria of commercials you have to endure while watching a telecast. The NFL at least understands that getting the call right is the important thing. They aren't hiding behind the concept of tradition and the human element.

[redsmetz]

Poz weighs in: http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2010...-of-jim-joyce/

Posnanski nails it and I noticed the same thing he did, Gallaraga's graceful reaction; really a look of absolute chagrin, not the histrionics that we've grown accustomed to. Ultimately, life's not fair, no one (as he notes) is perfect. Everyone knows the kid threw a perfect game, but things like this happen. It's unfortunate, in the small way a game can be this, it was tragic (but clearly in the grand scope of things in real life, it's not). But the kids was perfect in his own actions. That's wonderful.

[redsmetz]

Here's an additional column referenced in the comments of the Posnanski piece.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/06/0...imperfect.html

[Always Red]

Posnanski nails it and I noticed the same thing he did, Gallaraga's graceful reaction; really a look of absolute chagrin, not the histrionics that we've grown accustomed to. Ultimately, life's not fair, no one (as he notes) is perfect. Everyone knows the kid threw a perfect game, but things like this happen. It's unfortunate, in the small way a game can be this, it was tragic (but clearly in the grand scope of things in real life, it's not). But the kids was perfect in his own actions. That's wonderful.

Very often it's not what happens to us that matters most, but our own reaction to the circumstances of life. In a way, they define us as a person.

I learned a valuable lesson in life from this 28 year old guy last night; I hope that I remember his charity and grace next time I feel like life (or someone else) has been unfair to me.

[Falls City Beer]

This really isn't nearly the big deal that the media is making it out to be.

Jeeps. Detroit still won the game. This is the stuff that makes baseball so rich and interesting. Instant replay? Yuck.

I agree.

[bucksfan2]

This really isn't nearly the big deal that the media is making it out to be.

Jeeps. Detroit still won the game. This is the stuff that makes baseball so rich and interesting. Instant replay? Yuck.

Its not a big deal? 20 perfect games have happened in the history of baseball. A blatant missed call nullified the 21st. I think this is kinda a big deal.

[Redsfan320]

Its not a big deal? 20 perfect games have happened in the history of baseball. A blatant missed call nullified the 21st. I think this is kinda a big deal.

My thoughts exactly. It is a big deal.

320

[westofyou]

Do what is right, do the right thing.

This doesn’t call for instant replay. The perpetrator admitted guilt, the video and still photo’s support the confession. Do what is right and give the victim, the pitcher his once in a lifetime, perfect game. Case closed, media go away. The record books have some integrity, win/win.

Games over, move on to the next game.

There are no do overs in life.

Baseball is life.

[dabvu2498]

Seeing real humility and grace in action is better than any perfect game.