I love sports. My wife – well, she pretty much despises them. Why, she’ll ask, do I so often waste my evenings watching a game between two teams I barely care about? I typically reply with “Sports are the ultimate in reality TV”.
It seems every week or two we’re dealing with another example of athletes making complete shit storms of their lives. Tiger Woods. Ben Roethlisberger. It’s a long list.
However, this week something happened that inspired me. It was a complete injustice – a robbery. Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga did something no other Detroit Tiger has ever accomplished. He threw a Perfect Game. Heck, the feat has only been accomplished 20 or so times in the history of Major League Baseball. Only, on the way into the history books, something happened. In case you haven’t seen it, you can find the video replay here.
The story, however, only begins when Galarraga’s foot steps on the first base bag. The juicier – and more compelling – story comes out of the aftermath.
Photo: from nbcsports.com
Jim Joyce, the umpire who missed the historic call was devastated when he saw the TV replay:
“It was the biggest call of my career, and I kicked the [stuff] out of it,” Joyce said, looking and sounding distraught as he paced in the umpires’ locker room. “I just cost that kid a perfect game.”
No excuses. No attempt at rationalization. It was a bang-bang play that routinely gets botched by first-base umpires. If this happened in the 3rd inning rather than with two outs in the 9th, we wouldn’t even be talking about it. And the wonderful life lesson wouldn’t have been shared:
1) Jim Joyce owns up to his mistake. He then offers a sincere and heartfelt apology to Galarraga and all Detroit Tigers fans who were broken hearted that evening. Not two weeks later, but immediately.
2) Armando Galarraga accepts the apology and takes the high road. “I have a lot of respect for the man. It takes a lot to say you’re sorry and to say in interviews he made a mistake.” said Galarraga. Here’s a brief overview.
Here’s my take: Armando Galarraga could have been the 21st MLB pitcher to toss a perfect game. But as it turns out, today he’s the only MLB pitcher who was robbed of one. And he’s the only MLB pitcher who was presented a truly historic opportunity to set an example for millions of kids out there in the process. As well as millions of adults. Case in point: less than one year ago Mark Buehrle tossed a perfect game for the Chicago White Sox. I had to look it up online because I couldn’t remember his name. Less than a month ago, a pitcher named Dallas Braden achieved perfection. He’s likely going to become a distant memory – at least for me.
But I’ll always remember Armando (not Andres like in my first take on this article – thanks for the catch Doug) Galarraga and Jim Joyce for the classy example they set for us on June 2, 2010.
I screw up all the time. In life, I think we all do. Joyce and Galarraga reminded us there’s an honorable way to handle it. And that’s reality television I can watch anytime.
Joe says:
My thoughts exactly Mark. In fact, my latest blog is mirrors your sentiments on this one. A very classy act in deed.
June 6, 2010 — 8:03 am
Doug Quance says:
“But I’ll always remember Andres Galarraga and Jim Joyce for the classy example they set for us on June 2, 2010.”
LOL – not trying to pick a nit here… but Andres Galarraga retired in 2005…
🙂
June 6, 2010 — 8:05 am
Mark Green says:
Oops! I better change that! good catch Doug. I knew I’d screw something up – I always do. I apologize!!!!
June 6, 2010 — 8:29 am
Jeff Brown says:
Hey Mark — I wonder how Joe West felt about the way both Joyce and Galarraga handled things? I was moved, in my mind, to connect their class, grace, and humility to the death of Coach Wooden, who certainly would’ve been proud of their behavior.
It’s sad that an incident like this stands out so starkly to the norm.
June 6, 2010 — 8:31 am
Teri Lussier says:
You can’t grow up in the sticks as the only sister among 3 brothers without acquiring some sports knowledge, but I stopped watching when what I consider diva behavior- entitlementality- became common place, acceptable, encouraged even. My husband had to fill me in on this story and it’s one for the ages. Which is kind of a shame, because it’s what we should be doing- swift and sincere apologies when we make mistakes, and doing whatever is in our power to make it right, and accepting an apology with grace. It’s a shame that behavior has become notable.
June 6, 2010 — 9:23 am
Alex Cortez says:
Another timeless sports story. In an age of entitlement, Galarraga sets an example beyond sports and will be remembered rightfully so, not only as the one who was robbed, but more importantly as the one who brought class back into sports. Kudos to Joyce as well, taking responsibility while facing a mountain of scrutiny and criticism.
June 6, 2010 — 10:53 am
Brian Brady says:
You have to love the crafty Tigers’ Manager, Jim Leyland. He encouraged the Tigers’ fans to cheer Joyce’s blown call and immediate acknowledgment. Of course, he sent Galarraga out with the starting lineup the next night.
Here’s hoping Galarraga throws another one…with Joyce calling balls and strikes
June 6, 2010 — 11:09 am
Don Reedy says:
Mark,
Thanks for this. All of us who love the game know exactly what you’re saying, and why.
Here’s an old Yogi Berra quote.
Galarraga’s game wasn’t perfect, but it turned out it really was.
June 6, 2010 — 7:59 pm