Time to Re-Joyce

Jim Joyce is a good umpire. Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland's word on that is good enough for me. Now we know that he is human, and that he is also a stand up guy. His quote that he was certain of his call until he saw the replay tells you all you need to know. Put yourself in his situation. A perfect game through 26 batters, and then a close play and it all hinges on your call. He called it (though wrongly) the way he saw it. He didn't let the perfect game or any thing else bias his call. And then, when it was all said and done, he owned up to his bad call, and apologized personally to Armando Galaraga. I tip my cap to Jim Joyce.


I tip my cap to Galaraga. After the call, and after the game, he didn't gripe and complain. He took it like a man. Today, with Jim Joyce moved to the plate umpire position, it was Armando Galaraga who brought out the line up card. Such character is rare in today's game. He is a CLASS ACT. Although it doesn't show up in the record, he now has the most memorable perfect game in baseball history. It will always be remembered - thanks to Jim Joyce.


I tip my cap to Jim Leyland who came out and fought valiantly for his pitcher, and then, when it was all over had the grace to talk positively about Jim Joyce, his career and the bright future of his pitcher. The Detroit Tiger's baseball organization has also behaved with much restraint and CLASS.


Lastly, it is ashamed that the official scorer was bound by baseball rules. Instead of all this talk about instant replay (in baseball the integrity of the umpire is never in question and bad calls are a part of the game) why not institute a new rule that allows for a change in scoring. Official scoring last night? E - 10. No player is charged with an error, and the batter is not charged with an AB (like a walk). The no hitter remains intact, and the perfect game is gone. After all, his call was errant, and the "game" was not perfect.


I was proud of the participants in last night's fiasco. In my opinion, one of baseball's potentially worst moments was transformed into one of it's greatest moments.