Jim Joyce took responsibility for denying Armando Galarraga the opportunity to add his name to Baseball immortality but that doesn't take umpires off the hook.
OK, it's a tough job to be an umpire and we know that but that's why you get paid six figures, fly first class, and stay in five star hotels. In short, it's tough to find sympathy from fans. Congratulations for blowing what should have been the 21st perfect game in Major League history.
Thankfully, Joyce admitted his mistake.
"I just cost that kid a perfect game. I thought he beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw, until I saw the replay," said Joyce who has been an umpire since 1989. "It was the biggest call of my career and I kicked the (stuff) out of it."
But still, he won't have many fans in Detroit.
Armando Galarraga had retired 26 in a row. The 25th out was most impressive. Outfielder Austin Jackson raced all the way back to the center field fence making a terrific over the shoulder catch on a fly ball off the bat of Mark Grudzielanek. And then, what should have been the final batter of the game...
Miguel Cabrera ranged to his right to field the grounder off the bat of Jason Donald and threw to first base to Galarraga who was covering. Although he was a little late in getting the throw, he still got there in enough time to beat the runner. Everyone in the stadium except Joyce saw the play correctly.
After the game was over, a group of Tigers, led by Manager Jim Leyland cursed at Joyce for several minutes while the crowd of 17.738 lustily booed him as he walked off the field.
“I don’t blame them a bit or anything that was said,” Joyce said. “I would’ve said it myself if I had been Galarraga. I would’ve been the first person in my face, and he never said a word to me.”
Without question, a debate should be considered for the use of instant replay in addition to home run calls. Enough talk about it affecting the human element of the sport. Get the damn call right. Period.
Did you know: Jim Joyce was the second base umpire for Oakland A's pitcher Dallas Braden's perfect game vs. Tampa Bay on May 9.
For more info: Listen to the raw audio press conference of Umpire Jim Joyce with reporters after the game courtesy of Detroit radio reporter Jeff Riger. WARNING: Contains adult language: http://drop.io/mrum7x2/asset/060210-jimjoyce-raw-mp3?ref=yahoo
Comments
Jim Joyce lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife Claudia Kay Joyce. Someone should pay him a visit this off-season.
I thought the quote of the night was actually from Galaraga: "nobody's perfect."
Joyce feels horrible, it was an egregious mistake and one that I'm certain he being far harder on himself than anyone else could ever be.
JP -- you're an idiot.
sure it is an unfortunate call, but what a classy guy Gallarraga is. Kudo's !!!
Selig needs to just step in and fix this. The old refrain that human error is part of baseball is just lame in a 21st century when every other sport does its best with replay to rectify bad calls like this.
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