Jim Joyce is the umpire whose wrong call cost pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game. Everyone feels bad for Galarraga. But ya gotta give Joyce credit for manning up and giving a full-on apology.
“It was the biggest call of my career, and I kicked the (bleep) out of it, I just cost that kid a perfect game. “I thought he beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw, until I saw the replay.”
Joyce also apologized to the pitcher.
Joyce felt badly enough about it that, long after the game was over, he asked to meet with Galarraga. It’s an incredibly unusual move, but given the circumstances, it was understandable.
Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski brought Galarraga from the home clubhouse into the umpires’ room.
“He asked if he could see Armando and I brought Armando in there,” Dombrowski said, “and [Joyce] apologized profusely to him and he said he just felt terrible. They hugged each other and Armando said, ‘I understand.’
MLB gave Joyce the option to take today’s game off but he refused. Before the game, he said he was ready for boos.
“I’ll take it,” he said. “I’ll take whatever you can give me, and I’ll handle it like a man, and I’ll do the best I can.”
Here’s what happened:
Classy all the way around. Mistakes happen. Character is revealed by how you handle them.
Daryl
on 03 Jun 10Good story.
How many of us even bother to put ourselves in such positions of responsibility that we can have such a profound affect on others lives? And how many of us would have have the incredible character and courage that Mr. Joyce demonstrated?
Extra Kudos to Galarraga also for handling the situation with grace and style and meeting with Joyce for the apology after. Bravo.
Eric Morrison
on 03 Jun 10This guy ought to start a training program for oil company execs, politicians, unfaithful celebrities, etc. What a class act.
Mark
on 03 Jun 10Bad call. Great apology. Nice post.
In a web and media full of vile and questioning of Joyce, it’s refreshing to see this.
Thanks, Matt.
Tim
on 04 Jun 10In cricket, if the umpire buggers a call (run out, LBW), he can call the third umpire, who analyses using slow mo video.
For a run-out, batsman gets benefit of the doubt.
With all the money in MLB compared to cricket (obvious exception being the Indian PL 20/20), why can’t this be the catalyst for a third umpire in MLB, where dubious calls are referred for qualification.
Great story, and a) good on the umpire for manning up, and more importantly, b) good on the pitcher for taking it like a man. He’ll forever be remember for throwing this perfect game, but not being afforded the official accord he deserved. c) MLB, get can do and reverse the call.
Great stuff, Signals.
Timbo
Neil Mansilla
on 04 Jun 10I’m a Detroiter. This is a proud home sports moment and is very consistent with the general groove of Detroit pro sports teams. Humility when you win, grace when you lose, and fight like hell whenever the times call for it.
Apologies like that umpire gave are rare. I have never witnessed anything like that before. As for Galarraga, the pitcher, I have also never witnessed so much humility and empathy especially given the extraordinary circumstances.
Kevin Stong
on 04 Jun 10Also a Detroiter – wanted to second Neil’s thoughts that while the apology was top notch and the fact he was openly weeping/impacted by what had happened I have to give props to Galarraga and the way HE handled the situation. Here is a guy who has a chance to be remembered for throwing the 21st ever complete game and its taken from him. Does he go irate? spiting and cursing? trying to get to the ump physically? no! He smile and shrugs it off. Then later he tells reporters he understands, its part of the game and (when told about how upset Jim Joyce was he says he should meet with him and give him a hug).
With todays typical high price athlete this type of behavior is unheard off… congrats young man – you are now my favorite Tiger!
Kudos to everyone involving turning a terrible moment into a positive – life teaching moment… lemonade from lemons at its finest!
Kev
Dan Boland
on 04 Jun 10I agree that this whole situation has been life-affirming in an unexpected way—grace, humility and forgiveness are alive and well.
And as a baseball fan, I’m hopeful that a future commissioner will do what Bud Selig inexplicably did not do and restore the perfect game.
Paul Carney
on 04 Jun 10Galarraga showed such class and style – way to go!
We need more role models like this in sports, Hollywood and in business.
Mark
on 04 Jun 10Absolutely, Galarraga deserves many kudos as well for being a stand up man about how he handled this. Detroit is honored through his actions.
Dennis
on 04 Jun 10Joyce and Galarraga have shown us the best parts of humanity. In a world full of blame, outrage and misguided screams for punitive “justice” they have demonstrated responsibility, apology, and forgiveness. Thank you, gentlemen.
John
on 04 Jun 10As a 17 year old, I was umpiring a little league game and I made a call that was different from what everyone else thought was right. Jim happened to be at the game due to all-star weekend and was helping coach his son’s team. He and I talked about the play very calmly and in the end I changed my call. It wasn’t until after the game that I found out he was a major league ump. He spent 20 minnutes talking to me and I left very impressed with him. Again, he impressed me. Quality move Jim.
Brian Dosal
on 04 Jun 10Great story and glad to see 37 signals is recognizing it.
Sean McCambridge
on 04 Jun 10Incredible story. I’m not sure what restoring the perfect game would do. They could never give the feeling of celebrating in the moment back.
And I’m surprised no one (in the media or elsewhere as far as I know) has pointed out what an asshole the Tigers’ first baseman was for the rest of the game. Not that I wouldn’t have done it, but all the heralding of Galarraga for being classy puts him in contrast with the guy at first.
Martial
on 05 Jun 10I am also struck by the way Galarraga finished the game. While all around him seethed, he accepted the call, went back to the mound and got the final out.
This discussion is closed.