The Baseball Commissioner Must Change the Umpire's Callafter all, they did it in the pine-tar incident

I know that in the grand scheme of things, this really doesn't matter much. But it wouldn't take much to set things right.

Detroit Tiger pitcher, Armando Galarraga had retired 26 opponents in a row in tonight's game against Cleveland. If he retired the 27th, he would pitch a perfect game, only the 21st in the history of baseball (albeit the third one this year!). 

Ground ball to the first baseman, who tossed it to Galarraga covering first base. As the replays showed, the throw beat the runner by half a step. But incomprehensibly enough, the first base umpire, Jim Joyce, called the batter safe. See here for details. After the game and after studying the replays, umpire Joyce admitted he had "blown the call":

"I just cost that kid a perfect game," Joyce said. "I thought he beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw, until I saw the replay."

"It was the biggest call of my career," said Joyce, who became a full-time major league umpire in 1989.

Now it is time for the Commissioner's Office to make it right. If they could over-rule the umpire in the famous George Brett pine-tar incident, surely they can over-rule this blown call and award Galarraga a perfect game.

And since Galarraga got the next batter out on a ground ball to the shortstop, it would essentially cost nothing to make the change.

Comments

[Norman Youtsey]

Bud Selig MUST CHANGE last night's call and do it IMMEDIATELY

[ray]

The Commissioner MUST reverse the wrong call by the umpire in the Detroit-Cleveland game. IT IS THE ONLY RIGHT THING TO DO. How can you deny a man what he has rightfully earned? Where is Bud Selig? Why is he hiding under his desk. Have the balls the do the right thing Commissioner.

[Ken]

i say this: if they dont correct this bad call, make it a perfict game, as it should of been, + look at instant replay on EVERY close call, we should boycott baseball in record numbers to show the commissioner's of all sports, we, the people, the fans should have their say heard over the commissioners decisions.. Ken..

[Bill Christiansen]

I agree with all of you. These are compelling arguments. If he doesn't overturn the call, and he hasn't, we should pick a day and completely boycott baseball for the day. No going to the games, no radio and no TV. If this doesn't work then we should repeat this. The advertisers won't like it. So, somebody get the ball rolling and lets get it done. Let's use all of the sites on the internet, Facebook and everything else. Bill