Imperfect Perfection

Armando Gallaraga. You did it! The 21st perfect game in MLB history (and the 3rd in a month). It’s yours man! Only it isn’t. A terrible call by a well respected 22 year veteran umpire cost you your shot at history. Jim Joyce has called World Series, All Star Games, and in this case, blows a call he gets right 99.9% of the time, in one of the biggest situations you can possibly blow it. It’s heart breaking. This kid has been through so much! Just recently called up from the minors after, seemingly, a total loss of focus. He was incredible in 2008, really carried the staff that year. Today his struggles all seemed in the distant past. He had only 3 Ks, but he threw 88 pitches. He was impeccable. Dominant. Amazing.


The game seemed pretty easy for him. He showed no nerves. He had a great play by Inge in the 5th off a come-backer that hit Armando and Brandon short hopped and got Russell Branyan out. In the 9th, Mark Grudzielanek hit A DEEP shot to center, that was run down by rookie outfielder Austin Jackson. I heard someone say Curtis who after that play.

What a grab! That was followed by a grounder to short and a put out by Santiago.


Then, the final out. A 1-1 count, grounder the the right, Cabrera grabs it, Armando covers and Jason Donald was safe. Safe? Huh? What do you mean he was safe? He was out by a half a step. Armando smiled, looked in disbelief. Cabrera puts his hand on his head. Leyland comes out to argue, but to no avail. The last hitter grounds out and its over, a 1 hitter, Perfect Game. A MLB record 28 outs. This is going to bring up the argument of instant replay in baseball. I say no, this sucked, Bad, But its part of baseball. One thing I will say is that Jim Joyce came into the locker room. He went up to Armando with tears in his eyes and said he was sorry. Armando accepted. He didn’t yell, he wasn’t pissed. He was a class act. That’s one good thing to take away from what can only be called a debacle. Armando sucked it up, he was happy with the win he got for his team, and at least on the outside, he showed a tremendous amount of sportsmanship. Good job tonight Armando. Congrats on your MLB record 28 outs. You deserved it. Class act sir. Class act.

-Bobby Garrott