The Cleveland Indians had the bases loaded in the bottom of the third inning against the Astros earlier today when Lonnie Chisenhall fouled off a ball that first bounced in front of the plate.
The Cardinals took a 2-1 lead in the World Series on a walkoff without ever touching home as Allen Craig was ruled safe at the plate on an obstruction call in the bottom of the ninth at Busch Stadium.
Welcome to Better Know An Umpire, an effort to educate ourselves on the human elements who have ultimate decision-making power over some 2,500 Major League Baseball games a year. (All cumulative statistics are through the 2011 season, unless otherwise stated.)
After the shouldabeen perfect game, Armando Galarraga and Jim Joyce wrote a book together. Because they've got a business relationship, says MLB, Joyce would not be allowed to work any games involving Galarraga's teams.
Bullshit call? Bullshit call. Koman Coulibaly has joined Jim Joyce in the pantheon of People That Are Probably Very Good At Their Job But Still Managed To Fuck Up On The Biggest Stage Possible. They share Wikipedia debasement as well.
No overturning Jim Joyce's call, and no perfect game for Galarraga. But there's this: "Given last night's call and other recent events, I will examine our umpiring system, the expanded use of instant replay and all other related features." [MLB]
In sports, everyone is a winner—some people just win better than others. Like those of us subject to the whims of our flawed humanity. Some of us blow calls at first base. Others spend the night teepeeing a Wikipedia page.
A West Virginia man, dipping and wearing short shorts, watches the ninth inning of Armando Galarraga's masterpiece with his young children. Hilarity ensues.
Detroit's Armando Galarraga just threw the 21st perfect game in Major League history and the second one this week. Unfortunately, umpire Jim Joyce turned the 27th out into a infield hit with a horrendously botched call. (UPDATE: Joyce has apologized.)
