Moments ago, Armando Galarraga of the Detroit Tigers (and former Nats prospect) threw what looked like to be the second perfect game this week and the 21st in the history of major league baseball. Jason Donald grounded the ball to first. Galarraga caught first baseman Miguel Cabrera's throw and touched first before Donald had. Galarraga beat Donald by half-a-step, usually an easy call for an umpire.
But, for some reason, it wasn't. Jim Joyce called Donald safe. Galarraga's perfect game was gone. There was nothing that could be done. He then retired his 28th straight batter.
Umpires get things wrong. Sometimes they get it wrong badly. They're human. This blown call doesn't make Jim Joyce a bad guy. But, for an umpire, when it matters most, you must get the call right. It was a fairly easy call for an experienced umpire in a huge moment. Joyce blew the call. When it counted most, Joyce did not come through. Instead, he failed badly. He must be fired.
1 comment:
Galarraga has shown so much class since. I wouldn't give Joyce that kind of compliment, he just has done what was mandatory- admitting he was wrong and apologizing.
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