Denkinger has quietly released a statement, following the horrendous mistake by a guy that he had previously worked side by side with for years, Jim Joyce. In this statement Denks came out in support of the use of replay for rare close plays on the bases like this, especially in these desperate circumstances. What a shocker right? The guy who will forever be known as "that fuckin ump" by Cardinal, National League, and baseball fans all over and through many generations, now supports taking a second look so another ump doesn't get that tag placed on him. I'm sure Joyce seconds that opinion. At least it seems due to the absolute class showed by Galarraga and Joyce equally that this may not cluster into the same disaster the missed call from the 85 series did. Galarraga said "no body's perfect, we all make mistakes" while Joyce admitted his gaff and provided a teary eyed apology to the pitcher, his teammates, the Tigers franchise (would have been first perfect game in the Tigers rich history), and to future Hall of Fame manager Jim Leyland, who he stated rightfully chewed him out following the game.
I will give it up to Joyce, you don't see honesty like that from an umpire or official of any sport everyday. Galarraga even made the ultimate baseball gesture, he handed Joyce the lineup before the start of the next days game, Joyce was ironically the home plate umpire for that contest not even 24 hours after his name became famous for all the wrong reasons. The pitcher who threw Major League Baseballs first 28* out perfect game was awarded a brand new car, gifts such as these are commonly presented to players following individual achievements by the teams owner. The Tigers felt he earned it regardless of if the record books show him to have thrown the 21st perfect game or 10th 1 hitter broken up on the last out in the oldest professional sport.
Try looking at these pics without rolling your eyes. I know I can't. Let's just hope insanely poor calls in big moments such as a World Series clinching game or the last out of a rare perfect outing by a pitcher do not become a once every 25 year routine or for that matter, based on the recent work by the men in blue, a once every 25 day routine. Do the right thing Selig, correct this mistake, give Galarraga the perfecto he earned, and take Joyce off the hook from his mental prison.
OUT!
OUT!
Turns out Selig didn't reverse the call. It's a shame. Will the opportunity for three perfect games in one season ever come again? I wish he would have but that would open the floodgates to reverse every shitty call in the history of baseball. If he gave Galarraga that perfect game, would St. Louis pettition for their 11th title?
ReplyDeleteI don't care how sorry Jim Joyce is, he should be fired.
ReplyDeleteWho would get the job to ask Brett for his 85 ring back too haha? What an awkward phone call that would be. I understand what your saying and it is a very slippery slop. I was just pointing out the similarities to the 85 call since Denkinger commented on Joyce's. Baseball has gone back and re edited stats though which is different but does change history. About 10 years ago baseball randomly took a few rbi away from Hak Wilson's single season rbi record. They moved him from almost 200 to 190 now saying he was getting credited when driving in runs due to grounding into a douple play etc. Still stupidly high for a single season. That was a mark that was edited after about 70 years. Either way I will forever give Galarraga credit for a perfecto as it seems the Tigers will based on their reward gesture regardless if the record books show it. Think of it this way at least his perfect outing may be remembered more then Bradens, a similar young pitcher.
ReplyDeleteI think the way Joyce handled it and now having the support of Leyland and Galarraga he wont have any serious punishment. The realization he will forever be remembered for this may be punishment enough, he said he worked with Denks and knew what he went through. He also is a 22 year veteran ump who has umpired multiple big playoff games including the historic 2001 World Series, granted I doubt he will appear in the 2010 Fall Classic. I wonder how Joyce got home from the stadium and how he sleeps at night.