In Detroit, Everybody loses

Disgrace. Shameful. Tragic. You name it, the word is being tossed around in Detroit tonight. Incase you missed it, Armando Galarraga was 8 2/3 innings into perfect, needing just one out. After Austin Jackson made a ridiculous web-gem of a grab, it seemed like fate.

Then hell broke loose.

Even when a pitcher is one out away from perfect or a no-no, you still wonder -- even until the last batter -- whether they'll do it or not. Curt Schilling lost it at 8 2/3. Tim Wakefield took one into the 9th against Tampa in 2001, and had four outs to go in April of 2009 at Oakland. Pedro also came close, twice.

When Galarrga induced Jason Donald's grounder in the hole, two thoughts came to mind: 1. is it going to get through the hole? 2. Get your rear-end over to the bag. That's when everyone lost.

Loser 1: Miguel Cabrera. Ideally, Miggy should have let that ball go to the second baseman. It was too far in the hole for him to go after it. A first baseman's rule is to not let the pitcher have to do as much fielding as possible, and in that situation, Miggy's lousy defensive reputation made sense considering his lack of quick reaction and thought. However, given the tight circumstances of the game, it's hard to blame him for being aggressive and wanting the ball -- when most don't in that situation. Who wants to make the mistake?

Loser 2: Armando Galarraga. Obvious loser, considering he not only lost the perfect game, but the no-hitter as well. He isn't anything special to brag about as a pitcher. He has average stuff, and on a night where his slider was very good and sharp, he was able to have a shot at history. It really is a shame this kid couldn't have gotten his moment, no matter how it happened. He should always know in his heart he did indeed pitch a perfect game. Actually, better. He's the first pitcher to throw a 28-out perfect game.

Loser 3: Umpire Jim Joyce. The real loser of them all, it's a real tragedy, more than anything else, that he will be take hit after hit. Written here a few days ago, umpires and officials have become parts of the game. Jim Joyce made a judgment call, and he was wrong. Yes -- any close play in that situation, give the pitcher the call. Yes -- Galarraga beat Donald by two steps, maybe even a pinch more. But Joyce called when he thought he saw and give him credit for having the guts to do so. It is scary how quickly people will turn on an umpire. He's an easy target and easy to blame. Even though he messed up and is at fault, he admirably accepted responsibility and personally apologized to Leyland and of course, Armando Galarraga. It'll be a real shame if this gets dragged out and turns into a high-school romance drama. Jim Joyce is human. Let's remember what matters most, here.

Loser 4: Everybody. On a night where one person could have been perfect, several ended up far from it. It goes to show that there truly is no such thing as perfection. It is an impossible milestone in all shades of sports for everyone to be perfect. Umpires, managers, players, and even fans -- cannot all click at the same time. Doesn't happen. Never will happen. Condolences to Galarraga for his unfortunate occurrence, but congratulations on a hell of a game.

JMO