Galarraga Robbed

On Wednesday, June 2, 2010, an imperfect call ruined a perfect game for Armando Galarraga.  There were two outs in the ninth inning when Jason Donald grounded to first base.  Umpire Jim Joyce botched the call that cost Galarraga the perfect game – 27 batters up, 27 batters down.  Replays told otherwise, showing Galarraga’s foot was on the bag before Donald.  Jim Joyce said “I really thought he beat the ball.”  “It was the biggest call of my career,” an emotional Joyce told the reporters, “I just cost that kid a perfect game.”  After seeing the replay, Joyce admitted his mistake and apologized to Armando Galarraga.  Armando Galarraga handled the situation like a perfect gentlemen and accepted the umpire’s apology saying “I know nobody’s perfect.  What are you going to do?  I was mad in the moment because I was nervous.  I didn’t know what to do.  I was like celebrating.  Then I looked at him.” 

By: Ryan Ziemianski