1 : one of the most culminating, yet ephemeral, milestones in a pitcher's life
2 : in technical terms, a game in which a pitcher earns a victory by pitching at least nine innings without any opposing players reaching base [aka, no walks, hits, steals, etc.]
(definition provided by yours truly)
The night of June 2 should have been a celebration. Instead, it is a night that has sparked the age-old instant reply debate and robbed a young pitcher of an inimitable achievement.
Armando Galarraga should have had a perfect game. As he stood on first base and caught Miguel Cabrera's throw, he started to celebrate. Because the throw had obviously beaten the runner. Thus Galarraga, his teammates and the crowd stared in disbelief as umpire Jim Joyce called Cleveland's Jason Donald safe.
You can view the whole debacle below...
Though Joyce later spoke to Galarraga, and tearfully apologized, the damage was done. And to make matters worse, Bud Selig decided to let the call stand post-game, in spite of calls for him to overturn it. In the classiest move I've seen in awhile, Galarraga shook Joyce's hand after the game and even comforted the guy a little bit.
Armando Galarraga should have had a perfect game. As he stood on first base and caught Miguel Cabrera's throw, he started to celebrate. Because the throw had obviously beaten the runner. Thus Galarraga, his teammates and the crowd stared in disbelief as umpire Jim Joyce called Cleveland's Jason Donald safe.
You can view the whole debacle below...
Though Joyce later spoke to Galarraga, and tearfully apologized, the damage was done. And to make matters worse, Bud Selig decided to let the call stand post-game, in spite of calls for him to overturn it. In the classiest move I've seen in awhile, Galarraga shook Joyce's hand after the game and even comforted the guy a little bit.
I think DBs like Kobe Bryant should take note... this is how an athlete should behave. Galarraga will most likely never have another opportunity to pitch a perfect game, yet he handled his understandable disappointment with a grace and class that we can all learn from.
My hope is that he gets another chance someday.
[P to the S: Do you think the MLB should implement instant replay beyond questionable homeruns? Sound off in the comments.]
My hope is that he gets another chance someday.
[P to the S: Do you think the MLB should implement instant replay beyond questionable homeruns? Sound off in the comments.]
6 comments:
YES! Purists need to understand that the game is not the same as was when Murder's Row played. It needs to be like FOOTBALL... Questionable calls reviewed, and a Manager's flag.
i don't know if i'd go that far. i mean, how long did the celtics/lakers game get dragged out because they demanded that every play be reviewed? and did these plays really determine the game? no.
i think it's all about finding a happy medium. but who knows if that is even possible.
yea, but if your gonna do it, DO IT!
maybe not every questionable play(like Football) but just give a flag to each manager in which if it gets overturned, you get to keep it. so basicly, you can use the flag till you get it wrong??
thoughts?
I think a review could be useful in some cases but I am not sure if it is for baseball. Lauren makes a great point with the NBA game last night... they seem to review everything! Baseball already takes criticism for being to long and I fear if the put replay into effect it will negatively affect the game. Plus half the fun of baseball is watching the managers throw a fit because of a blown call.
there should absolutely be NO instant reply whatsoever in baseball! Questionable home run replay has simply opened the flood gates. Listen, baseball is a game of nuance and superstition. It's crotch grabbing and seed spitting, dirty hats and pine tar stained helmets. Bad calls in baseball are as important as throwing spit balls and putting sand paper in the pitchers glove. Jim Joyce is a dip stick and blew the call but it's controversy that makes the game fun and interesting. Baseball needs to be left alone!!!
Awe the purists!
I will admit Judgie, you paint a picture of every interest I even have for baseball...
Not to jump topics but it's sad because the glimmer of nuance and superstition has dimmed greatly over the last 15 years due to scandal (Steroids). Other professional sports have scandal come and go (An NBA ref that was betting on the game for crying in the morning!), but when it happened to baseball, it darn near killed it.
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