In the span of the last 24 hours we’ve witnessed three one-act plays in human drama, damnation, reconciliation and forgiveness. And it all happened in the context of Major League Baseball. The first one-act play involved a young Venezuelan pitcher who should be celebrating an historic perfect game today. Instead, he has to be content with a one hit shutout courtesy of a missed call by the umpire. Gallaraga’s reaction? A smile. He didn’t bump the ump. He didn’t curse him. He didn’t trash him in the media. No, the day after he comes out to the ballfield, shakes the ump’s hand and is gracious. That’s greatness and class that no perfect game can match. Kudos to Armando Gallaraga.
The second one-act play involves grisly Jim Leyland, the chain smoking manager of the Detroit Tigers (who’s brother is a Catholic priest). Leyland gives the ump hell after he obviously blew the call that would’ve assured his pitcher a perfect game. The next day, Leyland leads the charge in imploring Detroit fans to forgive a remorseful umpire Jim Joyce. Joyce, who’d admitted he blew the call, must have talked to Leyland after the game and realized what he’d done. Leyland, in response, decides to send Gallaraga out the next day to exchange lineup cards with the same ump who’d denied him a perfect game!
The third one-act play involves the umpire, poor Jim Joyce. After reviewing videotape of his ninth inning, two-out call, he immediately admitted he was wrong and cost “this kid a perfect game”. He did it with humility and heart-wrenching sorrow. What a classy man. He was wrong, admitted it and went to Gallaraga after the game and apologized. Perhaps Joyce should run for political office. He has the type of integrity sorely lacking in most of our elected officials.
Finally, watching today’s video of Joyce and Gallaraga meeting at home plate was heart wrenching. You could see Jim Leyland standing on the top step of the dugout clapping. What a testament to baseball. What a testament to these three men who showed class and dignity in the face of a horrible mistake. What a great game we have!
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