In June of 2010, Armando Galarraga, Detroit Tigers pitcher, almost made history. In a way, he did make history, but not in the way he was hoping. You see, this was the day that Galarraga pitched a perfect game … but not on paper.
In the top of the ninth inning, after pitching a perfect game thus far, Cleveland’s Jason Donald hit a soft one. It was fielded by first baseman, Miguel Cabrera while Galarraga ran to cover first. Cabrera threw to Galarraga, and beat the runner to the bag. But that’s not the way veteran umpire Jim Joyce called it. He ruled Donald safe, and a perfect game slipped through the pitcher’s grasp.
After review, it was clear that Detroit, in act, got the out, but it was too late. Afterward, Jim Joyce was regretful, saying, “I did not get the call correct. I took a perfect game away from that kid over there that worked his ass off all night. I thought [Donald] beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw, until I saw the replay.”
It was clear that Joyce felt bad about the call. He later called it the biggest call of his career.
What a night for both pitcher and umpire. See the controversial call here:
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