Last night a big league pitcher's perfect game was rendered imperfect by an umpire's bad call on a play at first base. Armando Galarraga of the Detroit Tigers had retired 26 Cleveland Indians' batters in a row and the 27th batter should have been called "out" by first-base umpire Jim Joyce. On a play that wasn't all that close (as evidenced by those who saw it live...as I did...and the replay video) the ump blew the call. The batter was ruled "safe" at first base and it became necessary for Galarraga to pitch to the 28th batter in the game and thus record the 27th out but not a perfect game.
Jim Joyce recognized his mistake and apologized in person to Galarraga and the Tigers in their locker room immediately following the game. For his part, Galarraga never appeared angry at the ump...at least visibly so.
Joyce and Galarraga will now have to live with what might have been. Joyce will suffer the most because fans and critics will not let him forget this one blown call that has had such an impact on Galarraga's career and the record-keeping of the game's history. By all accounts, Jim Joyce is an excellent and well-respect umpire.
It is too bad...too very bad...that a perfect game wasn't to be had even though it should have been. But the classy way in which the two gentlemen directly involved conducted themselves is quite remarkable, and may just be the take-away from this game: Real life is bigger than a game!