The Perfect Game That Wasn't

I'm pretty sure everyone has seen it by now. I was able to see it last night live on MLB Network. The "Perfect Game That Wasn't." Detroit Tigers P Armando Galarraga was one out away from a perfect game against the Cleveland Indians. Then this happened...



It's a sports moment that will live on for years. Obviously for the wrong reasons in that Galarraga was robbed of a perfect game he clearly should have had. The runner was out, I thought it the moment it happened, and it wasn't even close. Yet MLB and Bud Selig will not reverse the call. I think they should, but oh well. Of all these bad things I do think a couple of great things came out of it. One is the sportsmanship Galarraga showed. He didn't yell. He did not go insane. He just let it go and continued his job. He got the next and final out. In the postgame he could have blasted umpire Jim Joyce left and right. He didn't. In his words "no one is perfect." How ironic. He showed class and great sportsmanship. To me it's a no brainer now that Sports Illustrated name Armando Galarraga Sportsman of the Year for 2010.

The second great thing out of this. The way Jim Joyce handled himself. As soon as he made the call he stood his ground and allowed magager Jim Leyland and all the Tigers players to yell at him blue in the face. He let the players and coaches give it to him without saying a word. Then when the game ended he went into the clubhouse, saw the video, and knew the mistake he made. He apologized to Leyland, Galarraga, and all the fans until he was in tears. He knows this will follow him for the rest of his life. People are saying he should be fired, or suspended, or even worse. NO! I don't agree witht that. I think he has punishment enough in knowing he cost Galarraga a perfect game.

Hopefully, the third great thing that can come out of this is more replay in baseball. From the 7th inning on there should be a system that allows eithers umps on the field, or officials in a booth to look at close calls on bases, on home plate, fair or foul hits to add to looking at homerun calls. If Bud Selig has any gull this will happen by the time the playoffs start.

Finally, last night showed me how great sports is. Last night was a random June 2nd night on a Wednesday. In big moments, Super Bowls, championships, etc. we expect to see a sports moment to remember. Last night was a great Stanley Cup Finals Game 3. I loved every minute of it. It had drama, suspense, and even two replays (hello baseball). But it wasn't necessarily unexpected. It's the Stanley Cup Finals you would expect to see high drama hockey at that point. But last night was all about baseball. It started with the retirement of Ken Griffey Jr. It ended with one of the most controversal calls in the history of sports. All on a random Wednesday night. That's why I love sports. It's unscripted and you never know what could happen next.

Kofod