No One's Perfect

I can't stop thinking about this missed perfect game. Even with an excellent Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals and a mediocre but still entertaining Game 1 of the NBA Finals, my mind remains in Motown. Commissioner Selig made the right decision in not reversing the call. While it was a rare and special circumstance, the legitimacy of the game was at stake. Had he reversed the call, the entire umpire's union would be undermined and lacked any sense of authority going forward. The only reason I thought Selig might reverse it was because the call in question had zero impact on the outcome of the game. The only thing that would have changed is Galarraga's WHIP and Jason Donald's batting average. All things considered, Bud did the right thing.

As I thought more about it, I began to realize some of the subtleties that may be overlooked by a casual fan. A perfect game isn't just something accomplished and celebrated by a pitcher. It's effects loom large organizationally. Tigers' catcher Alex Avila would be able to add catching a perfect game to his resume. Announcers for both Detroit and Cleveland would always have the distinction of calling a perfect game. These are things that get you remembered forever. While Galarraga and everyone who watched know in their hearts that he was perfect for 27 outs, the accolades his supporting cast would have received will be lost to the wayside.

The scene at home plate yesterday was what makes baseball the greatest sport on the planet. Galarraga walked to home plate where the umpires were gathered and presented Jim Joyce with the day's line-up card. Joyce was visibly emotionally, wiping away tears as he accepted the line-up card olive branch. Noticing the sensitive moment, Galarragga reached out and patted Joyce on the back, reassuring him that everything would be alright. After collecting himself, Joyce returned the smack on the back and baseball was played. While the boos from the fans poured down for Joyce, the overall tone was one of empathy. It was a great lesson for little leaguers to take note of. Amid travesty, the game prevailed and brought together an elite fraternity of Major Leaguers. No one is bigger than the game and at the end of the day, we're all people. I was truly impressed with the compassion showed by the Tigers and especially Galarraga. That man has reached a level of respect in my book that is not easily ascertained. Everyone's opinions will be different, but we can move on and get excited for what promises to be another outstanding year of baseball.