Baseball and Perfect Games

[TRBeck]

This has been an incredible month in baseball, at least if you enjoy watching absolute mastery by pitchers. Lots of excellent pitching throughout the year so far, including two perfect games, the first time in 120 years or so that there have been two in the same season.

Last night, as I'm sure some of you saw, another pitcher was robbed of a perfect game. It would have been the third in 24 days.

Damn shame, and I feel bad for the umpire and for the pitcher. He had a classy reaction, though, and that impressed me nearly as much as his pitching performance.

Unreal.

Regards,

[Baloosh]

I feel sorry for the pitcher, but the umpire always has the ability to reverse his own decision, especially in light of such an important call. And there were other umpires on the same field he could have consulted with before deciding whether or not to stick with a mistake of such proportions.

If I was that manager, I'd have been tossed from that game, thrown every base on the field, and probably get myself escorted out of the stadium before I'd let another pitch get thrown after that blown call. That play wasn't even close... a first year umpire in the Bush Leagues should get that call right in his sleep.

[Sam]

Tim, I saw the interview of the pitcher and class is a good word. He could easily have ranted and been justified, but he will get more mileage out of being classy. It will be nice for the resume, but really, does anyone talk about David Wells or David Cone having thrown gems? Only one I see talked about is Don Larsen's. Good pros and cons on Mike and Mike in the Morning (ESPN tv and radio simulcast) about instant replay in baseball and a challenge like they do in football.

[casecracker]

Baseball is by far my favorite sport. Since I was a kid. The emotional roller-coaster of baseball season is not something I take very well. Especially since I have a love/hate relationship with the San Francisco Giants who, for the past decade, gets my hopes up and then drops me hard. But I guess with a 160+ game season they can do that to you.

In my opinion, it is the ultimate game of triumph and devastation. Because anything can happen at any given moment. It is the one sport where the outcome of the game is never so predictable. Just a few more inches to the left; if the ball was hit just a few feet further; if the wind hadn't been blowing so hard; walk-off home-runs; walk-off balks (hehe); stranding 3 runners when down by two runs in the ninth; your ace closer blows it; the rookie hits in the go-ahead run off your Cy Young award winning ace; a bird flies between Randy Johnson and the catcher at just the wrong moment. And the game is never over before that list out is recorded and anything can still happen.

Yeah it was a pretty lame call. I do feel bad for Galarraga. But you know what? That's baseball.

[AACJ]

I read a few articles that said the umpire believed he was safe the whole time, that is until he saw the replay which under the rules, he could not see until after the game. So in his mind, he had no basis or abitlty to overturn his own decision. I also read that he feels badly about it too and apologized to Galarraga for denying him his perfect game.

Both seem to be stand up guys, especially Galarraga. But like you said, if I was the manager, I'd sure as hell have been escorted away after turing that field upside down.

I feel sorry for the pitcher, but the umpire always has the ability to reverse his own decision, especially in light of such an important call. And there were other umpires on the same field he could have consulted with before deciding whether or not to stick with a mistake of such proportions.

If I was that manager, I'd have been tossed from that game, thrown every base on the field, and probably get myself escorted out of the stadium before I'd let another pitch get thrown after that blown call. That play wasn't even close... a first year umpire in the Bush Leagues should get that call right in his sleep.

[Baloosh]

I understand that, and unless the Instant Replay is instituted, we'll always have the potential for mistakes like this. However, there are multiple umpires on the field for a reason... and this is one of them. Better vantage points via position on the field is another. I'm not saying the ump wasn't in the correct spot to make that call -- I'm just saying the crew chief (unless he WAS the crew chief) has a responsibility to make sure each and every call made is as accurate as possible.

At the very least, a meeting at the first base line between all the umps, and a quick, "Hey man... are you sure about that call? Me, Phil and Joe (or whatever their names are) saw that one quite differently. You sure?"

I fully believe the ump thought he made the right call the whole time. Nothing wrong with that - I'd expect him to support what he believes is correct. But that doesn't mean he can't be called on his mistakes - even during the game. And unless I'm mistaken, I'd bet $1 that they played that replay over and over on the stadium scoreboard quite a few times while the pitcher was smiling at the ump right after the play.

I read a few articles that said the umpire believed he was safe the whole time, that is until he saw the replay which under the rules, he could not see until after the game. So in his mind, he had no basis or abitlty to overturn his own decision. I also read that he feels badly about it too and apologized to Galarraga for denying him his perfect game.

Both seem to be stand up guys, especially Galarraga. But like you said, if I was the manager, I'd sure as hell have been escorted away after turing that field upside down.

I feel sorry for the pitcher, but the umpire always has the ability to reverse his own decision, especially in light of such an important call. And there were other umpires on the same field he could have consulted with before deciding whether or not to stick with a mistake of such proportions.

If I was that manager, I'd have been tossed from that game, thrown every base on the field, and probably get myself escorted out of the stadium before I'd let another pitch get thrown after that blown call. That play wasn't even close... a first year umpire in the Bush Leagues should get that call right in his sleep.

[AACJ]

Oh, I am sure it was played over and over, ad nauseum too. I am also for instant replay. If the play was reviewed, it would definately have been overturned. Although I didn't see if the other umps were even watching, if they had seen it, they should have called him on it. They may not have been in good positions to see it.

I personally would like to see the comissioner overturn the safe call and give the Galarraga the credit he is due. It would have made no difference in the game as there were no other hits and the outcome would have been the same.

[BullGoose]

Tim, I saw the interview of the pitcher and class is a good word. He could easily have ranted and been justified, but he will get more mileage out of being classy. It will be nice for the resume, but really, does anyone talk about David Wells or David Cone having thrown gems? Only one I see talked about is Don Larsen's. Good pros and cons on Mike and Mike in the Morning (ESPN tv and radio simulcast) about instant replay in baseball and a challenge like they do in football.

I do hear people talk about David Cone and David Wells on occasion but I never hear about Len Barker. I would have to look up the stats but I do not think Barker even finished with a .500 record.

[TRBeck]

Yeah, I don't think anyone will remember - or rather, would have remembered - the perfect game he threw. But he would have. And he would have had that moment of total euphoria, celebrating on the field with his teammates. Among all the articles I've read, one column that made this point was the most interesting - after all, even if Selig overturns it and he gets credit for the perfect game, that moment of absolute elation can never be recaptured.

Around here, one of our local radio stations plays an audio "drop" of Rangers' manager Ron Washington delivering a perfectly zen summation of almost any situation: "That's the way baseball go."

Regards,

[BullGoose]

Among all the articles I've read, one column that made this point was the most interesting - after all, even if Selig overturns it and he gets credit for the perfect game, that moment of absolute elation can never be recaptured.
,

That is very true and it is a shame.

[casecracker]

Around here, one of our local radio stations plays an audio "drop" of Rangers' manager Ron Washington delivering a perfectly zen summation of almost any situation: "That's the way baseball go."

that's my viewpoint. It's a shame and it's tough - but that's baseball.

[Paddywhacked]

I happened to be at the game last night, and I feel absolutely horrible for Armando, great guy. That was the worst I ever felt leaving after a Tigers win. From my seat it looked like to me that Armando got on the bag before the runner, and I'm sitting between third base and home plate. Oh well, I guess all we can hope for is things can be made right, and maybe some things will change.

[ThePossum]

Tim, I saw the interview of the pitcher and class is a good word. He could easily have ranted and been justified, but he will get more mileage out of being classy. It will be nice for the resume, but really, does anyone talk about David Wells or David Cone having thrown gems? Only one I see talked about is Don Larsen's. Good pros and cons on Mike and Mike in the Morning (ESPN tv and radio simulcast) about instant replay in baseball and a challenge like they do in football.

I do hear people talk about David Cone and David Wells on occasion but I never hear about Len Barker. I would have to look up the stats but I do not think Barker even finished with a .500 record.

Len Barker, ah yes, lifetime 74-76 record with a 4.34 ERA. He was 8-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 1981 the year he threw his perfecto. Of course the 1981 season was shortened by the player's strike so his record might have been better had they played a full season.

Barker was 19-12 in 1980 and 15-11 in 1982 with a poor Cleveland team. Perhaps if he had played for a better team he may have had a better career record. Nevertheless, that one night June 15, 1981 Len Barker was the best pitcher in baseball.

[casecracker]

Look at it this way -

He's the only pitcher in baseball history to get 28 outs in a single 9 inning game. He actually pitched better than a perfect game!

[Julius_Rodman]

I do hear people talk about David Cone and David Wells on occasion but I never hear about Len Barker. I would have to look up the stats but I do not think Barker even finished with a .500 record.
[/quote]




I listened to Tom Cheek call that game. Not sure if Early or Jerry was also in the booth that year.

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Kent

[jthomas60506]

As Sam mentioned, when the conversation turns to perfect games, we tend to mention Larsen's game and then the games thrown in the last season or two. Without Googling, how many more can you name?

Koufax and Tom Browning (athough twenty years apart) come to mind for me. And then there was the footnoted Babe Ruth/Ernie Shore perfect game (admittedly before my time.)

[nolawis]

The one I remember most vividly was the perfecto thrown by Billy Chapel of the Tigers.

[Paddywhacked]

The one I remember most vividly was the perfecto thrown by Billy Chapel of the Tigers.

One of my favorite movies, and they show it all the time in the summer, I watch it every time.

[stagger]

I think Galarraga got robbed and the commissioner should overturn the decision and give the pitcher his due. But, when I read where grown men say that they'd tear up the field after a bad call and such, it reminds me of why the youth in our society have such bad manners and so little respect. Makes me wanna grab my belt and beat some a--. How childish.

[Baloosh]

... But, when I read where grown men say that they'd tear up the field after a bad call and such, it reminds me of why the youth in our society have such bad manners and so little respect. Makes me wanna grab my belt and beat some a--. How childish.

It has nothing to do with "bad manners" and "disrespect." It has everything to do with performing your job as Team Manager and defending your players against a known bad call -- especially one as monumental as this one. I would expect any Manager worth his weight in salt to have a similar reaction... the "youth" of today notwithstanding.

I would also point out the irony in your reaction of physical violence, as you decry a similar reaction in someone else. "Childish" indeed.