It would have been 27 up, 27 down for Armando Galarraga, the unprecedented third perfect game of the 2010 season.
But Jim Joyce had something to say about that.
The first-base umpire made a bad call on a bang-bang play that should have ended the game against the Indians, denying Galarraga a place in history.
The hit came courtesy of Jason Donald on a slow roller to Miguel Cabrera at first base. Galarraga ran to cover, but had trouble finding the bag on the play. That he did find it anyway proved meaningless. Donald was called safe despite being a half step slow.
Galarraga then retired Trevor Crowe on a groundout to end the game with a 3-0 score.
It was the first career complete game for Galarraga, who entered 1-1 with a 5.23 ERA in his two starts this season. The Tigers considered sending him down over the weekend to make room for Max Scherzer in the rotation, but they designated Dontrelle Willis for assignment instead.
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- Jim Jones - Jun 2, 2010 at 9:55 PM
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The part that I don’t like is that the league nor the umpire organization will not comment on this unsatisfactory call.
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- Chuck - Jun 2, 2010 at 9:55 PM
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This guy is a complete idiot… he had to have known there was a perfect game on the line and as close a play that was, I almost think he should have given him courtesy call. Even worse than that, the play was obvious you can’t make those mistakes especially in this situation.
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- Craig - Jun 2, 2010 at 9:55 PM
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First off…if Cabrera *made* the play, why is it that people are saying he did something wrong?
Secondly…I can’t express enough my gratitude to all the non-Tigers fans who are upset by this. Twins fans? Indians fans. Guys…I tip my hat to your class. Thank you.
Finally…class is personified by Armando Gallarraga. I just watched an interview of him in which he described the meeting he just had with Jim Joyce. He said Jim apologized to him…with watering eyes. He said he gave Jim a hug and forgave him. “We’re all human,” he said. Armando is the epitome of class, and he’s right…we are all human. I was *mortified* at what happened. My 13 year old son and I were breathless with anticipation at what we were about to witness…especially after Jackson’s catch…and we had that stolen from us. It was so, so disappointing. But if Armando can put it in perspective, I guess I can, too.
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- Paul - Jun 2, 2010 at 9:56 PM
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Watching with my 11 year old little league son with whom I have had many conversations about not arguing an ump’s call…what now Mr Selig? There has got to be a way to make this right. Perhaps if Galaraga is sympathetic towards the ump something good might come of this.
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- trampslikeus - Jun 2, 2010 at 10:00 PM
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to those of you critical of Cabrera’s decision to chase down that ball…they teach first basemen to go after everything they can get to. He did what he was supposed to. Everybody did. Well, almost everybody.
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- PeterPants - Jun 2, 2010 at 10:00 PM
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I wouldn’t want to be Jim Joyce right about now lmao.
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- Cassar - Jun 2, 2010 at 10:01 PM
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Jim Joyce can go f*uck himself. How can you even think of even calling him safe with 2 outs in the ninth in a perfect game? On ESPN they were saying on how in past perfect games, such as Don Larsoe’s, the umps expanded the strike zone. How could you not give the bennefit of the doubt to Galarraga? Also, Bud Selig has the power to overturn the call, if it is in the best interest of baseball.
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- scatterbrian - Jun 2, 2010 at 10:08 PM
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Would have been cool if the official scorer ruled it an error.
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- krapper - Jun 2, 2010 at 10:10 PM
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Stengel would have shot Joyce from the dugout.
In the 50+years I’ve been watching baseball
I’ve seen alot of change. Short fences, thin pitching,
Steroid enhanced home run records, exaggerated celebrating
to give the fans their moneys worth. And on and on.
Joyce is just part of the farce. That call just proves
that he and no doubt a lot of empires have lost respect
for the game. THEY ARE JUST THERE FOR THE PAYCHECK.
Move over wrestling there’s a new show in town.
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- krapper - Jun 2, 2010 at 10:11 PM
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Stengel would have shot Joyce from the dugout.
In the 50+years I’ve been watching baseball
I’ve seen alot of change. Short fences, thin pitching,
Steroid enhanced home run records, exaggerated celebrating
to give the fans their moneys worth. And on and on.
Joyce is just part of the farce. That call just proves
that he and no doubt a lot of empires have lost respect
for the game. THEY ARE JUST THERE FOR THE PAYCHECK.
Move over wrestling there’s a new show in town.
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- Joyce - Jun 2, 2010 at 10:14 PM
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I am a die hard Tribe fan and that is one of the worst calls I have ever seen! But for the love of common sense, what is this cr..p about hoping Jim Joyce gets cancer, etc? Have you people lost your minds? What Jim Joyce did was wrong on so many levels but people, it is a game! Let’s not get carried away here. I think he should be suspended, there should be some kind of punishment for such a horrible call but NEVER would I wish anything so horrible as cancer on ANYONE!
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- Cory - Jun 2, 2010 at 10:15 PM
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Oh, so the overpaid athlete didn’t get a “perfect game” boo-hoo. It’s just a game! All those athletes are grossly overpaid anyways. Nobody should be paid millions of dollars to play a game. That money should be going to people who perform public services (fire fighters, teachers, etc.)
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- Bud Selig - Jun 2, 2010 at 10:18 PM
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Alright then let’s hope he gets herpes lmao.
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- Bobomo - Jun 2, 2010 at 10:18 PM
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Wishing death and illness upon a person because of a game makes you psychopath. Seek help.
Yeah, it sucks. Worse things have happened to better people.
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- Derf - Jun 2, 2010 at 10:19 PM
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I was there. Section 134, me and 17,000 plus made it out for the middle of the week game– and we were all robbed!
ESPN just came out with Joyce’s admission that he was wrong after looking at the replay.
I think I’m going to be sick –
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- dowder - Jun 2, 2010 at 10:21 PM
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Cabrera needed to recognize that while he had a play on that ball, it was a much tougher one than the 2B had. He had to rush the throw and if you watch the replay, Galaragga has a bit of a snow cone when he catches it, which could have played a part in the safe call. I’m not defending the ump, he was out. But if Cabrera let’s that ball go, as he should have, the out is made. Ask yourself this, how many times have you seen a 1B that far off the bag to make a play? He was halfway to second for gosh sakes!!
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- Snickers - Jun 2, 2010 at 10:22 PM
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I am sick of everyone being political after the game. This ump messed up royally! Say it like it is and suspend the guy for a few games for not doing his job correctly. Sick of this!!!
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- doc - Jun 2, 2010 at 10:22 PM
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is there any video of joyces’ press conference where he admits this mistake? absolute joke this was!! there is absolutely no reason why this shouldnt set a precedent for the league to take action and overturn an inadequate umpire’s call!! grow a spine bud!!
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- Jake57 - Jun 2, 2010 at 10:34 PM
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Overturn the call!!!
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- YorickvonFortinbras - Jun 2, 2010 at 10:44 PM
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Official scorer needs to change the base hit to an error on the pitcher – you can say he bobbled the ball (who cares what the umpire said after the game). That way, Galarraga gets a no hitter (at least)
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- Nic J - Jun 2, 2010 at 11:17 PM
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Look at the down the line photos ! Joyce wasn’t even looking at the bag ! he was watching Gallaraga’s glove.
A half step IS bang bang !
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- Andy II - Jun 2, 2010 at 11:20 PM
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If the ump can’t make that call (out by a step and a half) then he shouldn’t be an ump. Not exactly a routine out, but not bang-bang either. The time for change is now!
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- jiggie - Jun 2, 2010 at 11:22 PM
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i feel sick… instant replay needs to be in MLB. this is just wrong
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- piratefan5 - Jun 2, 2010 at 11:59 PM
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This was f*cking sh*t seriously how can u not give Galaragga the denifit of the doubt like come on was he like high or something. But you have to wonder if the call was fixed cause how the hell dont you get that right
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- faJIMggJOYCEot - Jun 3, 2010 at 2:48 AM
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He fucked up the World Series, now this… Tell me, why is the joker still an umpire?
