Welcome to the Thursday open thread. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far. I know I’m enjoying the decreased morning traffic for my commute to work. What’s on your mind? Share it here on today’s open thread.
I don’t care about baseball, but this is heartbreaking. Detroit pitcher Armando Galaragga was one out away from a perfect game when the umpire botched a call.
To twist the famous newspaper lede, the imperfect call spoiled the perfect game Wednesday.
The Tigers were ready to celebrate when Indians shortstop Jason Donald grounded to first base with two outs in the ninth. Brandon Inge was jumping for joy. Don Kelly and Austin Jackson were rushing in from the outfield to join in the celebration that was sure. Gerald Laird and the rest of the Detroit dugout was readying to storm the field and mob pitcher Armando Galarraga.
It was tough enough for the Tigers to believe. For Joyce, who made the safe call that broke up perfection in Detroit’s one-hit, 1-0 win over Cleveland, it was heartbreaking. And as television replays showed, it was a mistake — an honest mistake, as Joyce explained.
“It was the biggest call of my career,” an emotional Joyce told reporters, “and I kicked it. I just cost that kid a perfect game.”
Seriously, I don’t understand why MLB can’t overturn the decision in this case.