Galarraga's Perfe...1 Hitter

[JamesC]

So, my scenario from a couple days back nearly comes true. However, it was on the other end of the diamond. I mentioned a 3-2 count in the bottom of the 9th for the 27th batter with a borderline pitch...yada yada yada...

Anyways, Jim Joyce (?) in the Detroit game clearly blows one. I am not dogging on Joyce at all, but it wasn't really that close. Surely he knows what is going on. I know some of you guys mentioned that you wouldn't know the case, but come on. Bottom of the 9th, 2 outs, entire crowd, entire city, for the love of God nearly the entire country (that enjoys our national past time) is on their feet for this final out. He had to of known it was a perfect game on the line. Especially if he is the first base umpire for the game. He would know if he ever had to line up for a pickoff or watch for a balk...

Just hate to see a guy's perfect game get obliterated that quickly after 8 2/3 innings of immense work!

[carolinablue]

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=8616789

This was a tough call.

[willv28]

Yeah, and the replay expansion and "umpire in booth to overrule" stuff already begins. Watch, the media forces replay expansion to safe/out to happen.

[JamesC]

Yea, that will be a disgrace in baseball. I can somewhat understand it in football because a referee has so much to watch for in addition to "did the very tip of his left big toe touch in bounds also?", so I can see how things like this in the NFL are reviewable, and in the NBA there are only 3 officials, and none get to stand in the middle of the court to see if the shooters foot is entirely behind the 3-point line, so I can see this too.

However, in MLB (especially in MLB since they get the privilege of working a 4-man crew day in and day out) the umpire only has to watch one base. I can see them getting help on questionable fan interference/homerun balls, but not judgmental safe/out calls. That is just part of the game.

It seemed as though Joyce just had it in for him the entire time. It looked, for some reason, like he wanted to call him safe from the beginning. I think, in this situation, it could have been a lot closer than that and I would have still gotten an out.

[willv28]

Yea, that will be a disgrace in baseball. I can somewhat understand it in football because a referee has so much to watch for in addition to "did the very tip of his left big toe touch in bounds also?", so I can see how things like this in the NFL are reviewable, and in the NBA there are only 3 officials, and none get to stand in the middle of the court to see if the shooters foot is entirely behind the 3-point line, so I can see this too.

However, in MLB (especially in MLB since they get the privilege of working a 4-man crew day in and day out) the umpire only has to watch one base. I can see them getting help on questionable fan interference/homerun balls, but not judgmental safe/out calls. That is just part of the game.

It seemed as though Joyce just had it in for him the entire time. It looked, for some reason, like he wanted to call him safe from the beginning. I think, in this situation, it could have been a lot closer than that and I would have still gotten an out.

To me it looked like he was about to bang him out. But then changed his mind. He just had that initial motion. I feel bad for him. But I agree. The fair/foul is bad enough. In football it works, in baseball, not so much. Also like in football you have the "indisputable evidence" and you can actually make things much worse. You could be reasonably sure on replay, but then not have it overturned because it's so close.

[carolinablue]

I don't know about you guys but plays like this are the toughest for me. Anytime the defensive player already has the ball and it's a race to the bag or he's trying to find it with his foot it's tough. Normally you have the listen for the pop and watch the foot method but that was not the case here.

[BrianC14]

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=8616789

This was a tough call.

I cannot agree.

[BrianC14]

Yea, that will be a disgrace in baseball. I can somewhat understand it in football because a referee has so much to watch for in addition to "did the very tip of his left big toe touch in bounds also?", so I can see how things like this in the NFL are reviewable, and in the NBA there are only 3 officials, and none get to stand in the middle of the court to see if the shooters foot is entirely behind the 3-point line, so I can see this too.

However, in MLB (especially in MLB since they get the privilege of working a 4-man crew day in and day out) the umpire only has to watch one base. I can see them getting help on questionable fan interference/homerun balls, but not judgmental safe/out calls. That is just part of the game.

It seemed as though Joyce just had it in for him the entire time. It looked, for some reason, like he wanted to call him safe from the beginning. I think, in this situation, it could have been a lot closer than that and I would have still gotten an out.

What does that mean? :confused:

[Mike Prince]

Well at least the heat will be off of Joe West for a few days .

Runner was out by a full step on the play in question. All I can see is that Joyce did not have a good angle due to where the ball was hit, he was up the line a bit. But wow!

[txump81]

WOW!! I would have to agree about bad position. But most MLB umpires I see are in that position. Anyways-another debate entirely.

Out by a step. Only thing in question would possibly be possession of the ball, but from the angle Joyce was in, he couldn't see that anyway. The only replay showing that is from outfield looking from 2nd to 1st.

I have him out in that sitch unless it is blatantly obvious he is safe.

[willv28]

From the angle, the fact the ball, fielder were moving toward the bag before the ball was caught and the way the ball was caught made it harder than it should have been. It was closer than a full step, but certainly not close enough that it should have mattered. In this case he had to judge multiple things and he missed it. Most of us have made far worse calls. Just were unlucky enough to have it happen in such a situation.

[BrianC14]

Well at least the heat will be off of Joe West for a few days .

Runner was out by a full step on the play in question. All I can see is that Joyce did not have a good angle due to where the ball was hit, he was up the line a bit. But wow!

Sonofa... 'ging beer coming out my nose ...

Short story on his position: he straightlined himself. One or two steps over to his right, and it's likely he bangs it out ... F1 had him by a good 1/2 stride.

I wouldn't want to be Jim Joyce right now for all the tea that WalMart buys from China. I'm betting he's just sick over this. And he's got the stick tomorrow in Motown. :banghead:

[BrianC14]

From the angle, the fact the ball, fielder were moving toward the bag before the ball was caught and the way the ball was caught made it harder than it should have been. It was closer than a full step, but certainly not close enough that it should have mattered. In this case he had to judge multiple things and he missed it. Most of us have made far worse calls. Just were unlucky enough to have it happen in such a situation.

Yeah, most (if not all) of us have indeed made far worse calls. But none of us are at Joyce's level, either, and the sheer numbers will tell you that none of us ever will get to his level.

I work maybe 70 games a year, and I show up to those games from my 'real' job, just like all of us here. There's no getting around it: he poked the pooch on that call.

[willv28]

Sonofa... 'ging beer coming out my nose ...

Short story on his position: he straightlined himself. One or two steps over to his right, and it's likely he bangs it out ... F1 had him by a good 1/2 stride.

I wouldn't want to be Jim Joyce right now for all the tea that WalMart buys from China. I'm betting he's just sick over this. And he's got the stick tomorrow in Motown.

Well, he feels bad.

"I just cost that kid a perfect game," Joyce said. "I thought he beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw, until I saw the replay. It was the biggest call of my career."

Then he goes on to say he essentially ****ed it up.

[willv28]

Yeah, most (if not all) of us have indeed made far worse calls. But none of us are at Joyce's level, either, and the sheer numbers will tell you that none of us ever will get to his level.

I work maybe 70 games a year, and I show up to those games from my 'real' job, just like all of us here. There's no getting around it: he poked the pooch on that call.

Well, I guess I should say it applies to everyone. They've all made calls worse than that too. Only the tenseness of the situation makes it worse.

He's gotta go out there tomorrow (plate I believe) and do it again unless something happens.

[BrianC14]

Check out this video from someone's TV...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t8Tzme56os

Things get interesting AFTER the next batter comes up.

Cabrera won't let it go.... then after the game is over, 1/2 the Tigers team chase down Joyce as he's trying to leave the field, including Jim Leyland. :confused:

[BrianC14]

Well, I guess I should say it applies to everyone. They've all made calls worse than that too. Only the tenseness of the situation makes it worse.

He's gotta go out there tomorrow (plate I believe) and do it again unless something happens.

Yep, that's going to suck big wind.

[JamesC]

Will, where did you get that quote from Joyce?

[BrianC14]

Will, where did you get that quote from Joyce?

First I think you should answer why you think that "Joyce just had it in for him the entire time" ?? :confused:

[JamesC]

I don't know why. Just seemed that way to me, like he could have done a lot more to ensure the correct call. And by "had it in for him", I don't mean it in a bad way, what I meant is that it seemed like he was thinking safe all the way. I mean, immediately upon leaving the bat with F3 fielding the ball that far in the hole, you know this is going to be a close play. He's got to anticipate that and at least look more like he's focused on the call, rather than upright down the line. I guess that is just my opinion, just a tough call to make all around.

[willv28]

Will, where did you get that quote from Joyce?

MLB.com and MLB Network (where they posted the whole thing on the screen).

[Balk Hater]

i thought he bobbled the ball in his glove it was a tough call

[Umpire in Chief]

Well I missed this until about 20 min ago what a heart breaker...

I will say that everybody has handled the situation well.

Starting with Joyce, he went to Galaraga an apologized. he then released the statement, "I don't know what to do. I cost that kid a perfect game... Biggest call of my career and I kicked the **** out of it."

Then to Galaraga, He was exceedingly professional and had nothing but positive things to say about Joyce and the situation. Kudos to him.

Jim Leyland, He was fired up immediately after the game but said he feels sorry for Joyce and still thinks he's a great umpire.

MLB TV announcers, This would have been the perfect opportunity for the media to pile on Joyce, but they took the high road and said how they feel bad for Joyce.

Well handled by all involved. Its a terrible situation.

Now to see the media ump bashing machine has new fuel.

[Umpire in Chief]

Might there be hope: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/official-scorer-could-change-call-on-armando-galarraga-near-perfect-game-060210

[callstrikes]

Balk Hater is only one of us to remotely see the play as it happened. Out of position? straightlined? Had it out for him? You are talking about one of the top two or three guys in the business. I am embarrassed by some of these responses. Joyces angle and distance were perfect to see the pitcher double clutch. He may make the same call 9 out of 10 times and the commentators would say "Tough luck, he didn't have control of the ball"

Everybody probably agrees that it was the wrong call, but not why it was wrong. It was wrong because it was the 27th out of a perfect game. Situational ethics, you bet! Make the obvious call......the ball beat the runner......he is always out..That is what people are asking us to do. Do ANY of you think that the double clutch in any way influenced the call? Do any of you check the mit at first before making your calls?

Mr Joyce was very gracious and fell on his sword. He offered no excuses. What is the excuse of you guys that question his integrety, positioning, etc. We will learn more about baseball umpiring and life in general, by following Mr. Joyces' example.