Perfect Imperfection

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 fielded the ball cleanly and tossed 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.