Get it right!
Umpires are going to make mistakes. They’re human beings. They make an easy target since for several decades, the worst of them made a spectacle of themselves being overtly confrontational with players and managers inserting themselves into the game in a way that’s over the line. Umpires are best when they’re invisible. No one goes to a game to see the umpires call a good game, but they sure expect them to do so.
What an embarrassing situation, two out in the ninth inning, Detroit pitcher, Armando Galarraga, hurling a perfect game, Cleveland batter, Jason Donald lined to first baseman who tossed it to first with the pitcher covering, video evidence showed the pitcher caught the ball creating the force out at least a good step ahead of the runner. The umpire, Jim Joyce, called him safe. The pitcher’s rendezvous with baseball history as one of the elite few to throw a perfect game destroyed. The game wasn’t on the line. It didn’t cost Detroit a playoff bid or championship, but it does reflect badly on the calling of the game given what was at stake. To Jim Joyce’s credit, he apologized profusely after the game and did not create a scene being defensive of a blown call as sadly often happens in situations like this. He truly acted professionally even if his call was a terrible blunder.
It’s time for Major League Baseball to expand the roll of instant replay. There are so many potential camera angles, the correct call can be made quickly, with little interference in the game. It’s better have a few second delay while the play is reviewed than have a horrible player or manager confrontation with an umpire. Those just aren’t entertaining without Earl Weaver and Billy Martin managing any longer. Sure, soon to retire, Atlanta manager, Bobby Cox, holds the records for ejections but there’s nothing colorful about when he gets run.
Modern technology provides the game with options it didn’t once have. The goal should always be to get it right. If instant replay can be used without needless delays in the game’s progress, DO IT!!! If major league baseball can retroactively correct this horrible decision since it had no effect on the game’s outcome, perhaps Galarraga should be afforded that which was taken away. We don’t need any more asterisks in baseball.
Umpires are going to make mistakes. They’re human beings. They make an easy target since for several decades, the worst of them made a spectacle of themselves being overtly confrontational with players and managers inserting themselves into the game in a way that’s over the line. Umpires are best when they’re invisible. No one goes to a game to see the umpires call a good game, but they sure expect them to do so.
What an embarrassing situation, two out in the ninth inning, Detroit pitcher, Armando Galarraga, hurling a perfect game, Cleveland batter, Jason Donald lined to first baseman who tossed it to first with the pitcher covering, video evidence showed the pitcher caught the ball creating the force out at least a good step ahead of the runner. The umpire, Jim Joyce, called him safe. The pitcher’s rendezvous with baseball history as one of the elite few to throw a perfect game destroyed. The game wasn’t on the line. It didn’t cost Detroit a playoff bid or championship, but it does reflect badly on the calling of the game given what was at stake. To Jim Joyce’s credit, he apologized profusely after the game and did not create a scene being defensive of a blown call as sadly often happens in situations like this. He truly acted professionally even if his call was a terrible blunder.
It’s time for Major League Baseball to expand the roll of instant replay. There are so many potential camera angles, the correct call can be made quickly, with little interference in the game. It’s better have a few second delay while the play is reviewed than have a horrible player or manager confrontation with an umpire. Those just aren’t entertaining without Earl Weaver and Billy Martin managing any longer. Sure, soon to retire, Atlanta manager, Bobby Cox, holds the records for ejections but there’s nothing colorful about when he gets run.
Modern technology provides the game with options it didn’t once have. The goal should always be to get it right. If instant replay can be used without needless delays in the game’s progress, DO IT!!! If major league baseball can retroactively correct this horrible decision since it had no effect on the game’s outcome, perhaps Galarraga should be afforded that which was taken away. We don’t need any more asterisks in baseball.
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