Ump Blows Perfect Game

Bad call snatches record from Tigers' Galarraga
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 3, 2010 2:47 AM CDT
Updated Jun 3, 2010 5:45 AM CDT

If umpire Jim Joyce hadn't screwed up, Armando Galarraga would have entered the record books as the first Detroit Tiger in history to pitch a perfect game. But the ump—with 8 and two-thirds innings gone—incorrectly ruled that the Cleveland Indians' Jason Donald was safe, sparking a chorus of boos from the stands and guaranteeing himself a place in the record books for making one of the worst calls in baseball history, ABC News reports.

"It was the biggest call of my career. I just cost that kid a perfect game," Joyce lamented after the game. "I thought he beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw, until I saw the replay." Galarraga, who received a post-game apology from Joyce, said: "I feel sad. I just watched the replay 20 times and there's no way you can call him safe." The umpire "needs to do a better job in that situation," he added. "It wasn't even close." (More baseball stories.)

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