MLB Talk - 2010 Season

[Aragorn]

Good lord, ESPN showed the Joyce call a dozen times in like a 15 minute period, and then they followed by showing all the other umpire blunders from this season. This is what he's going to be known for forever. Bill Buckner has the World Series error, Gus Frerotte has his endzone head butt injury, Tim Ruskell has losing Steve Hutchinson to the Vikings because he wouldn't franchise him, Joyce has screwing over a perfect game.

 

[Nobody]

I've been hearing this argument a lot in regards to instant replay:

Inevitably, the game's sad ending is going to elicit an outcry for expanded use of instant replay. It's a worthwhile debate, but consider this for a second: How gratifying would it have felt if Joyce's botched call was followed by a trip to the replay booth, a five-minute conference, the umpiring crew emerging from the tunnel and Joyce throwing up his right arm with an "out" sign.
ESPN

As a fan, having been invested in games where instant replay was used on a deciding call, it was still an elated/deflated feeling when the call finally came. You still get that second of dread/joy when the play first happens, the moments of trepidation afterwards, then the second moment of dread/joy when the call comes in. If anything, instant replay makes you more of an emotional trainwreck then giving you time--as a fan--to become coldly detached.

Yeah, I'm still a homer.

(Detroit fans: How long until Mitch Albom (or another Freep or News columnist) uses Galarraga's snatched perfect game as an analogy for Detroit's and Michigan's troubles? I say 2-days.)


-nobody

 

[Tiberius Jim]

Two words: robot umpires.

 

[Nobody]

One word: cylons.


-nobody

 

[Neroon]

That call stunk for sure. First perfect game in Detroit history, out the window. Only the 21st ever to be thrown in MLB history... gone. Having three perfect games so close together? Pffft.....

But for me the worst part is that this one bad call has completely overshadowed the retirement of one of the best who ever played: Ken Griffey, Jr.

Not exactly one of the better days that baseball has seen......

 

[DeafPoet]

Wow I just heard about this and saw the highlights. That's just brutal for everyone involved. Yeah, Joyce fucked the call but he's being a class act about it. That's worth something in my book.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Now it's time for Selig to own up and reverse the call. He can do it. He's the commish...he can do anything.

 

[Neroon]

Wow I just heard about this and saw the highlights. That's just brutal for everyone involved. Yeah, Joyce fucked the call but he's being a class act about it. That's worth something in my book.

While I am glad to see him taking the high road on this, it's not as if he has much choice given the video evidence. Still, you're right. That counts for something that he's owning up. The latest word is the MLB is considering reversing the call. I'm not sure how likely that is to happen, and I'm not sure that I'd agree with it if they do overrule. Whatever they decide I hope it's done quickly, so this story can dissolve into the past.

 

[AliciaD496]

NO ONE's talking about Ken Griffey's retirement?! Wow, that's really sad. It's a BIG DEAL here in Seattle for Mariners fans at least. I remember going to games at the Kingdome and watching him and Edgar Martinez come up to bat were the highlights of the whole game. I even had a poster of him in my room up until I left for college in 2001 (and he moved to Cincinnati). I'm glad he came back to Seattle before he retired, it seems right since he made most of his career here.

 

[Neroon]

Well, that was mostly yesterday. Griffey is deservedly getting more attention today. But it still seems to be ranked behind the blown call as far as news goes. I was kind of hoping he'd hold off the announcement until the Reds came to Seattle for their series. That could have been a fun way to go out, don't you think?


One little aside... as terrible as that call was it has helped demonstrate to others - especially younger players - how to handle disappointment. Galaraga has shown some real class through this whole episode.

 

[Nobody]

He did handle it well, Jim Joyce is behind the plate today (awkward for the crowd, I'm sure) and Galarraga presented Joyce with the line up card from yesterday's game. I'm still debating if that was the ultimate sugar-coated dick move, or a beautiful olive branch.


-nobody

 

[the 4th hanson bro]

The latest word is the MLB is considering reversing the call. I'm not sure how likely that is to happen, and I'm not sure that I'd agree with it if they do overrule.

If the call is overturned, that's such a dangerous precedent to set. They're essentially adding instant replay that is not in the context of the game. Has MLB ever overturned a call in this manner?

It opens such a can of worms. I wish the call had been correct on the field, but failing that, a method to challenge and review it during the course of the game would be ideal.

MLB- yes, Selig does have theoretically broad powers under the "good of the game" clause, but he lacks the will to use them.

ETA: And he won't use them, apparently. No big surprise there.

 

[Timby]

The latest word is the MLB is considering reversing the call. I'm not sure how likely that is to happen, and I'm not sure that I'd agree with it if they do overrule.

If the call is overturned, that's such a dangerous precedent to set. They're essentially adding instant replay that is not in the context of the game. Has MLB ever overturned a call in this manner?

Yes, and no. Fay Vincent's Committee for Statistical Accuracy tossed out 50 or so no-hitters about two decades ago, removing them from the rulebooks. But there's no precedent for something like this.

In any event, Selig has ruled that while he will take a look at the umpiring system and explore the expansion of instant replay, he will not reverse the call.

 

[Nobody]

I'd argue it wouldn't set a dangerous precedent:

(1) This is obviously such an extraordinarily rare circumstance (though if we keep getting perfect games like we have been maybe not so much anymore )

(2) Reversing the call would not effect the outcome of the game; it ended with the next batter grounding out, no runs were scored after the play, no other hits, just the next hitter grounding out to third.

(3) Because of (2) there is no effect on divisional standings, playoff positioning, etc.

(4) Joyce admitted culpability.

It just boils down to a change in the box score in an bizarre and rare moment, and nothing else. You can make it one time deal, and no one will be that upset because of events leading up to it. Or, if you only apply to games that meet the criteria: (1) Historic moment; (2) The game ended on the next play; (3) Didn't change outcome; and (4) No effect on the standing; you'll probably never have to apply it again.

Granted, Galarraga will be more immortal because of this, and it will always be talked about as the only 28 out perfect game. But I still think Selig could reverse the call, and not jeopardize the integrity of the game, with all the public support to reverse the call, he might actually save some integrity.

On another note, Selig managed to say absolutely nothing about instant replay with a lot of words. Unsurprising, all things considered, it'll probably be tough to come out against instant replay now. It will be a fun off season!



-nobody

 

[Squiggy]

Well, Galarraga got a brand new Corvette today. For free. While it might not be as good as a perfect game, it ain't bad.

 

[Kira's Mom]

And Keith Olbermann just named Bud Selig The Worst Person in the World on Countdown.

 

[the 4th hanson bro]

 

[Kirby]

In any event, Selig has ruled that while he will take a look at the umpiring system and explore the expansion of instant replay, he will not reverse the call.

Ah, the old 'we'll form a committee to look into it' comment. This way he can delay actually doing anything at least until the off season. My problem with Selig is that he will not accept the fact that Major League Baseball is fallable and that something could and should be done immediately.

I'm ok with him not reversing the call. The game is over and for good or bad the call was made. I also agree with the others that say it could start a bad precedent. Selig can take immediate action and allow some form of instant replay, even if it's just allowing each manager one challenge per game. Baseball is great, but constant interruptions because the umps have to go to replay will get very old very fast. Giving each team one challenge per game wouldn't be that much of a problem.

 

[Tiberius Jim]

I'm assuming the artist was going for a Mr. Magoo comparison..but he really should have found a way to work in that ridiculous mustache.

 

[Starbreaker]

Are there any better sports cartoonists than Drew Litton?