Tonight Armando Galarraga threw 8 2/3 perfect baseball innings for the Detroit Tigers. The next batter, the 27th of the game hit a grounder to first. The first baseman fields the ball cleanly and tosses it to a covering would-be perfect Galarraga who made an imperfect catch of the throw. The snow-cone appearance of a nearly dropped ball prompted a call of safe though replay shows the runner was out.
Travesty? Do we need official instant-replay review in baseball? Should replay be used just this once to grant perfection to Galarraga?
I say no. If replay is to be used on this one play, then replay should be used on every play (maybe every pitch) of the game to ensure every call was solid. In fact, review should be made of each of the 20 games currently listed as ‘perfect’ (where available as these date back pre 1890).
There is a lot of talk that THIS PLAY justifies review and little talk of what REALLY goes into a perfect game. Great pitching is only part of the equation. Outstanding plays in the field and at least one run scored before the pitcher leaves the game are also required.
Perhaps MOST important to a perfect game isn’t perfect umpiring, but, in its absence, for all bad calls to go the pitcher’s way.
One play doesn’t warrant an overhaul of the game, but this may be the straw that broke the camel’s back. Instant replay has enhanced the accuracy of officiating in other sports. Generally the rules are set as to not allow any one team get too trigger-happy with challenges. Only certain plays would be reviewable. I think the role of instant replay has proven its ability to make sports less about the calls and more about athletic performance. It works.
P.S. I think that this type of play should be reviewable. However I don’t think pitches should be reviewable.
The trouble with that reasoning, Mike, is that this play only brought on interest by other circumstances that occurred in tandem. SOOOoo, if they are going to review a play ‘like this’ in order to preserve a ‘perfect game’ having no bearing on the outcome of the game other than a superficial yet rare label, then EVERY play should be reviewed EVERY TIME a perfect game is issued.