27 up and 1 missed call.

June 2, 2010 was probably one of the biggest, most historic days in baseball. Two amazing things happened last night, and as you can tell, this will be about the great game of baseball.

First, a tribute to one of the greatest baseball players of all time: Ken Griffey Jr. He has finally decided to call it quits after 22 years of playing in MLB and I am glad he decided to retire as a Seattle Mariner. He is leaving the game with 630 homeruns (5th on the all-time list), 10 gold gloves, 13 all-star appearances, 1,836 RBIs , a MVP in the AL in 1997, and virtually saving baseball in Seattle. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5244661
Unfortunately, Griffey’s announcement last night was overshadowed by one of the biggest missed calls in baseball history.

The Cleveland Indians were visiting the Detroit Tigers last night. I must say, being a Royals fan I hate both of these teams. However, this game was something special. During the Reds at Cardinals Wednesday night baseball game on ESPN, the channel decided to change over to the Indians and Tigers game because it was that awesome! Going into the 8th inning, Pitcher Armando Galarraga for the Tigers had a perfect game. Mind you, this would have been the 3rd perfect game this season, which has never happened.
Now, Galarraga got through the 8th and headed to the 9th. His center fielder made and incredible catch for the first out of the 9th to save the perfect game. For the second out he got and easy ground-out. For the 3rd out…it was blown by 1st base umpire, Jim Joyce. The batter hit a standard ground ball where the Tigers’ first baseman went over to get it and Galarraga covered first to get the 27th out. Jason Donald of the Indians was called safe at first base when he was clearly out by at least a full step! Nobody in the stadium could believe it, nobody watching the game on television could believe, and certainly no Tigers’ player could believe it.

Why is this missed call such a big deal? Well, this could have been the 21st perfect game in major league history and it could have been the 3rd perfect game this season and 4th in two years! This missed call could also be a determining factor about instant replay in baseball. If not a determining factor at least another argument for instant replay in MLB. Personally, I do not think MLB should use instant replay because it is one of those sports based on honesty and human mistakes. However, I feel real bad for Galarraga because it would have been awesome to see since he is not a big name pitcher. I do hope that MLB does reverse Jim Joyce’s missed call and give Galarraga the perfect game.