Lessons from a blown call

Sunday, June 6, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

Virtually everybody knows that umpire Jim Joyce’s blown call Wednesday cost Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game — and a place in the history books, as only 20 Major League Baseball pitchers have recorded such a feat. Galarraga had retired 26 batters, and was one out away from throwing a perfect game, when Joyce called Cleveland’s Jason Donald safe at first base.

Video replays clearly showed that Donald was out. Many sports fans argued this was one more reason why video replays should be used more often in baseball. Currently it is only done to determine if, on close plays, a ball hit was a home run. Some fans also argued that baseball’s commissioner should overrule the call, so Galarraga would get credit for having pitched a perfect game. It would have been the last out of the game anyway, so they said there wouldn’t be any harm. Commissioner Bud Selig wouldn’t reverse the call, but he did say baseball would see if instant replay should be expanded someday.

While fans argued about what should be done, if anything, what was most notable was the reaction by the two men at the center of the controversy: They behaved like gentlemen. Galarraga didn’t complain, showing true sportsmanship, and that’s saying something in today’s world. And the next day, instead of the manager presenting the lineup card at home plate, Galarraga did so, creating an emotional, heartfelt moment in which the two shook hands and Galarraga patted Joyce on the shoulder. Other Tigers shook the umpire’s hand, and Joyce wiped away tears. Joyce, for his part, acknowledged he blew the call — something referees and umpires at the professional level are loath to do.

We hope the class and sportsmanship demonstrated by Galarraga and Joyce are what are remembered most after the dreadful call. It provides the right lesson for children — and adults — that a game is just a game and people make mistakes. For that matter, and just as important, it instructs us about the power of forgiveness, something too short in supply.