JudoWolf.com

Yesterday, Armando Galarraga of the Detroit Tigers pitch a perfect game for eight and two-thirds innings, which was ended by first base umpire James Joyce when he called the runner safe at first when the replay showed he was out. Ironic, Armando was involved in the play and after the call smiled at the umpire, walked back to the mound, and induced the next batter to ground out officially ending the game. The Detroit team came out on the field congratulated Armando and the manager spoke with Mr. Joyce regarding the call. Reporters stormed the locker room after the game to get the players reactions and were surprised by the response they received from the manager, Armando, and Mr. Joyce. All three individuals responded appropriately and never hinted at malice or blame for the missed call. Mr. Joyce apologized to Armando and took full responsibility for the error, was contrite, and deeply sorry. Armando accepted his apology and told him he called it the way he saw it.

The firestorm erupted moments after the game when ESPN sport center brought out their baseball experts who were appalled by the call, which should be over turned and Armando should receive credit for a perfect game. The instant replay was shown one million times, should be instituted into baseball like football, and would eliminate human error in the sport. The storm continued on daytime talk radio with the caller’s responses ranging from – firing of the umpire, death threats against the umpire, overturning the call, or the call should stand. Baseball umpires make instantaneous decisions on what they see and has been part of the game for decades. The missed calls not only change games but World Series too, which upset fans but eventually becomes part of baseball lore. Today, instant replay is so prolific fans want every call to be right taking out the human error, which will eliminate the umpire tradition and his control over the game.

Ironic the call prevented Armando from getting into Baseball’s Hall of Fame, and Mr. Joyce will be linked forever to Armando as part of baseball lore. More importantly the call was the essence of a mistake, which two people changed into a life lesson for all, as they remembered – to err is human but to forgive is divine.

With kindest regards, Judowolf