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Speaking of "Judges": Armando Galarraga Throws a Perfect Game, but Umpire Joyce Blows a Clear Out Call at First Base with 26 Batters Down : Video Proof : Baseball Commissioner Lets Decision Stand

By Andis Kaulins

Two down, one to go in the 9th inning of a game between the Cleveland Indians and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Armando Galarraga on the mound has thus far thrown a perfect game for the Tigers. Are the umpires ready? The ball heads for the plate. Strike 1. The next pitch is low. Ball 1. On the next pitch Jason Donald hits a slow grounder into the hole between first base and second base. It is fielded by the first baseman Miguel Cabrera who throws it to first base, where Galarraga, covering first base, catches the ball one split step ahead of Donald. OUT!

Wait a minute!The umpire at 1st base, Jim Joyce, calls the runner SAFE! Is the man blind, or is the mustachioed umpire subconsciously seeking a place in the history books?

Umpires are a colorful element of baseball, but they do not always get the calls right, as the video below proves -- unequivocally. This may go down as the worst blown call in the history of baseball, costing Armando Galarraga a legitimate perfect game. On the other hand, perhaps because of this judging error, it will remain the best known perfect game that never was. Life, as they say, is neither fair nor just, and much is often dependent on how other people see it, rightly or wrongly.The lesson here for judges in the courts is that when the chips are down, pay attention, be alert and don't drop the ball! Joyce -- dropped it. (We are thinking here of Bilski).




Update: Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig is letting the umpire's decision stand.

Full post as published by LawPundit on June 03, 2010 (boomark / email).