After a gut wrenching call at first base Wednesday night that cost Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game, you must say the situation by both parties was handled in an impressive fashion and deserves to be admired. As we look back on this dramatic chain of events, you must say that both Jim Joyce and Armando Galarraga are nothing but a “class act” and two very respectable individuals that proudly represent the game of baseball.
After watching countless replays on Sports Center there is no question Jim Joyce missed the call, as he admitted immediately after seeing the replay. Joyce apologized to Galarraga, and in return Galarraga seemed to be forgiving – something that does not happen very often in sports period.
Take a step back for a moment and image yourself as an MLB umpire. Just think of the physical and emotional demands of the men in blue. Umpires endure grueling schedules throughout the course of a season, jumping from plane-to-plane, and traveling to countless stadiums and hotels throughout the country.
With such an agenda, fatigue for umpires is unavoidable. Bad calls will be made, and play will continue. Mistakes are only human.
The mistake made by Joyce at first on Wednesday, was definitely a historic moment and may affect the game forever. Instant replay has now been a major discussion in the MLB commissioners office and may be implemented sooner than we know because of Wednesday night’s events.
No matter the case, the “classiness” demonstrated by Armando Galarraga and Jim Joyce will always be remembered. We all need to admire the courage of Joyce for living with the call he made, and taking the field on Thursday. As for Galarraga, he and the fans know how perfect Wednesday night really was, and his attitude towards the situation has made him standout from the crowd. He definitely deserves the ‘vette!
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