Eight and two—thirds perfect innings.
Everyone agrees it is that 27th out that is the hardest. There was Jason Donald hitting a slow roller to first and hustling down the line.
Armando Galarraga beat him to the bag. He knew it. Miguel Cabrera celebrated. Jason Donald knew he’d been thrown out.
But, Jim Joyce, the first base umpire, saw it differently.
And, sadly, to the history books that is all that matters.
The game just ended and if you haven’t heard what happened to Armando Galarraga yet, I’d be shocked.
The 27th batter was erroneously called safe.
Go check Facebook and Twitter. Pure outrage. And, I don’t even know people from Detroit.
I wouldn’t be surprised if umpire Jim Joyce is placed under police protection while he remains in Detroit.
This could have all been avoided. If MLB were to adopt a NFL—like replay challenge system, everyone would be much happier.
Armando Galarraga would have his perfect game. The 21st in MLB history, and the third this year. Incredible really.
Instead here we are, mourning as a baseball nation. Hating Jim Joyce. Wishing we could do something for Galarraga, but feeling helpless instead.
In another world Jim Leyland would have thrown a red flag from his pocket without leaving the dugout. The crew chief would go review the play and discover that Jason Donald had been, in fact, thrown out by a solid two feet.
Sounds simple doesn’t it?
Give the manager a challenge or two per game. Allow the umpires the discretion to review close plays in game—changing situations. If there were ever a time to push for it, it’s now.
The baseball world would throw their full support behind an idea that would prevent such travesties as what happened to Galarraga.
The one downside? Adding time to already lengthy games.
But when human error can change baseball history, instant replay needs to be extended in some form in MLB.
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