The Perfect Response to the Almost Perfect Game

On June 2, Armando Galarraga of the Detroit Tigers had 26 of 27 straight outs in a game; he was one out from a Perfect Game!  Then on a close play at first base, the umpire, Jim Joyce, called the runner safe thus ending the chase for a perfect game.

I always think that call is a difficult one, and as an armchair viewer of the game, I frequently call it wrong.  But in this situation, it was especially stressful for everyone: the umpire, the pitcher, the opposing team, the fans in the stands. This call ended a perfect game for the pitcher, but the ump got it wrong.  Replay showed that the runner was out by at least half a step. A disappointing ending for a run at a perfect game, but this is where the real story begins. 

Jim Joyce saw the replay in the clubhouse after the game, and immediately went to the Tigers locker room to tearfully apologized to Galarraga. He called for the media in the press room, and he apologized in public in front of the fans, his peers, and anyone who would listen. 

How many times do we make mistakes and hide behind excuses? How many other professionals in the spotlight like a major league umpire make huge miscues in their calls or plays and never apologize? As a 33 year professional and one of the best in baseball, he didn't have to do this, but he did. What a great example for all of us.  That is a great story, but it continues.

After the missed call was made, Armando Galarraga didn't argue.  He didn't go to the press room to call out the umpire.  He finished the game and celebrated a win for his team.   In an interview with Sports Illustrated Galarraga said of the apology, "He tried to talk. He'd say a couple words. 'You were perfect, I was not.' I felt so bad. I didn't feel bad for me. I felt bad for him." This pitcher missed a milestone that kids dream about in little league and the umpire "blew it," and Galarraga was humble about entire  situation. He took it in stride with the best sportsmanship on display. Tiger fans and fans of sports of all kinds should look to Galarraga as a model.  Galarraga saw the humanity in the game.  He saw humanity in a judgment call that could have defined his career.  With that, he did something bigger.  His reaction defined who he is as a person. 

I've been a Tiger fan for 26 years, and I will always remember Galarraga not for his almost perfect game, but for the sportsmanship he displayed and for the honorable actions of Jim Joyce.