I got onto ESPN.com a while ago, and there was a headline that yet another pitcher was in the process of throwing a perfect game. Armando Galarraga, who pitches for the Detroit Tigers, had gone 8 innings without giving up a hit, and nobody had reached base yet.
Side note: there have been only 20 perfect games in the history of Major League Baseball--two of them have come this year.
Anyway, Galarraga is pitching the game of his life, with some help from the most ridiculous catch I have ever seen.
By the way, anybody that doesn't think being an outfielder is hard (I'm talking to you, Adam Prokai) just watch this catch.
Okay, so Galarraga is one measly out away from perfection; from the best individual accomplishment that a pitcher can receive; and from going straight into the record books. A grounder is hit to the first baseman, Miguel Cabrera. He fields it cleanly, and throws it to the pitcher covering first base. The pitcher steps on the bag, when the runner is about a foot and a half away from the base (which is way farther than it sounds in baseball).
The umpire begins to pump his fist with an "out" call, but he ultimately gives the "safe" signal, breaking the hearts of thousands of people around the country.
My first reaction was to yell "HOW COULD YOU MAKE THAT CALL?!" but my dad, who's always the sensible one (not really) said "Well, he was in position, so he was probably right." (That's not a direct quote). When they show the replay, it is blatantly obvious that the runner was out.
So his perfect game is ruined, and he gets the next batter out with a grounder to the third baseman.
After the game, Galarraga gets interviewed. I figured he'd have hatred in his eyes, and he'd be lusting for blood or something, but he was incredibly gracious, saying that nobody's perfect and everybody makes mistakes. He doesn't blame the umpire for the blown call, and he's just happy to have pitched as well as he did.
The umpire released this statement after the game: "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." Also: "It was the biggest call of my career, and I kicked the s--t out of it."
I can't fault the man for that. He realizes that he made a mistake, and I guarantee that nobody feels worse about it than he does.
You know what could really fix this situation? Two things: first, if Bud Selig retroactively gives Galarraga the perfect game. Everybody would rejoice, and Bud Selig would be hailed as a savior. Not really, but everyone would be happy.
Two: GET INSTANT REPLAY! The biggest problem that I've heard with instant replay, from fans, is that it slows the game down too much. Because apparently, they're willing to sit through a 3-hour baseball game, but they can't possibly sit through a 3 hour, 5 minute baseball game. Give me a break.
Another issue I've heard is that it removes the human element from the game. Stupid! I notice how everybody hates football because there's no "human element" to it. Sure, baseball's been around longer, and it's tradition to have the "human element," but it was also tradition to use the Pony Express to deliver mail and we got rid of that nonsense.
The game would be fixed with instant replay. Mistakes could be overturned, and people would lose very little in the process.
Do the right thing(s), Mr. Selig. Give the kid his perfect game, and give Major League Baseball instant replay. Actually, I'm not sure if it's completely Bud Selig's right to expand instant replay, but I'm sure he could do something.
Never let this happen again.
Peace.
Now playing -- No Sleep Till Brooklyn, Beastie Boys (for the record, you have to absolutely crank this song to get the full effect)
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