Armando Galarraga's near-perfect game
Encyclopedia
In an American League
baseball
game played on June 2, 2010
at Comerica Park
in Detroit, Michigan
, Detroit Tigers
pitcher Armando Galarraga
nearly became the 21st pitcher in Major League
history to throw a perfect game
. Facing the Cleveland Indians
, Galarraga retired the first 26 batters he faced, but his bid for a perfect game was ended one out short when first base umpire Jim Joyce
incorrectly ruled that Indians batter Jason Donald
reached first base safely on a ground ball. Galarraga instead finished with a one-hit shutout in a 3–0 victory. He faced 28 batters and threw just 88 pitches (67 strikes and 21 balls), striking out three. The game is sometimes referred to as the "28-out perfect game," the "Imperfect Game," or simply the "Galarraga game."
The incorrect call drew a large amount of negative attention to Joyce, and has led to renewed discussions about whether instant replay in baseball
should be expanded. Joyce was tearful and apologetic to Galarraga after the game upon realizing he had made the incorrect call. Galarraga was forgiving and understanding of the mistake. Without irony, he told reporters after the game, "Nobody’s perfect." Galarraga was the most prominent of the many people throughout Major League Baseball who subsequently voiced their support for Joyce. Unusually, the umpire met with both the pitcher and the media after the game to apologize for his error. The sportsmanship
demonstrated by Galarraga and Joyce earned them both widespread praise for their handling of the incident.
. Two more runs scored in the eighth inning when Austin Jackson
singled, then advanced on an infield hit by Johnny Damon
. Jackson and Damon both then scored on a single by Magglio Ordóñez
and a throwing error by Shin-Soo Choo
.
In the top of the ninth inning, Tigers' center fielder Austin Jackson
executed an over-the-shoulder catch on the run to retire Cleveland's Mark Grudzielanek
for the first out and preserve the perfect game, a play that has been compared to DeWayne Wise
's spectacular ninth-inning catch that preserved Mark Buehrle's perfect game
in 2009
. Mike Redmond
grounded out to make the second out of the inning. Jason Donald
then reached first base on a soft infield hit, though video replay shows that Miguel Cabrera
's throw to Galarraga, who was covering first base, beat Donald to the bag. Donald advanced to second and third base on defensive indifference during Trevor Crowe
's at-bat, until Crowe grounded out to Inge, ending the game in a 3–0 victory for the Tigers.
Source: MLB.com
pitched a perfect game for the Philadelphia Phillies
, and just twenty days prior to that, Dallas Braden
threw a perfect game for the Oakland Athletics
. Halladay's and Braden's perfect games had been the first pair of such games to occur in the same season during the modern era, let alone the same month.
The twenty days between Braden's perfect game and Halladay's was the shortest span between two perfect games since 1880 and there was a chance that for the first time in MLB history there would be three perfect games in such short succession. Had Galarraga's game been correctly called, the four-day span since Halladay's perfect game would have broken that 130-year-old record, and marked the only time that three consecutive no-hitters had been perfect games, the only time that three perfect games had occurred in one season, the only time that three perfect games had occurred in a shorter span than a month, the only time four perfect games had occurred in a span shorter than a year (as Mark Buehrle
of the Chicago White Sox
threw a perfect game in July 2009), and the only time that four perfect games had occurred within a stretch of five no-hitters.
This would have also marked the first perfect game in the Tigers' 110-year history. The 83 pitches thrown before the blown call would have been the fewest pitches in a perfect game since 1908. Galarraga's near-perfect game was the first such game since Mike Mussina
's bid for a perfect game on September 2, 2001, was broken up by 27th batter Carl Everett
. It was also the third time for a Tigers pitcher to come so close to a perfect game, as Milt Wilcox
also missed getting the 27th straight batter out on April 15, 1983, and Tommy Bridges
on August 5, 1932.
Galarraga's near-perfect game was, in fact, the tenth time in major league history and third time in Tigers history that the 27th batter in a game broke up what was (to that point) a perfect game. One other instance of this occurrence also involved a missed call by an umpire, who later admitted to his mistake. On July 4, 1908, Hooks Wiltse
of the New York Giants
, perfect through 26 batters, hit Philadelphia Phillies
pitcher George McQuillan
on a 2–2 count in a scoreless game. Umpire Cy Rigler
later admitted that he should have called the previous pitch strike three, which would have ended the inning. Wiltse pitched on, winning 1–0 in ten innings, with the hit-batsman the only lapse separating him from a perfect game.
added, "It's a crying shame. Jim [Joyce] is a class guy. This sounds crazy, but after looking at the play, nobody is going to feel worse than he does. I yelled a bit after the game because emotions are high. You just want it so bad for the kid. I don't think you're as mad at the umpire as mad the kid didn't get it—and he did deserve it." Leyland also said that Joyce's call was part of the "human element of the game".
Joyce, a 22-year veteran, tearfully admitted after the game that "I did not get the call correct," insisting that he "took a perfect game away from that kid over there that worked hard his ass off all night". Joyce called the Donald ruling "the biggest call of my career," claiming that "I thought [Donald] beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw, until I saw the replay". The umpire later said, "I didn't want this to be my 15 minutes of fame. I would have liked my 15 minutes to be a great call in the World Series. Hopefully, my 15 minutes are over now".
Just prior to the next day's game, a tearful Joyce met Galarraga at home plate to receive the Tigers' line-up card. The two shook hands and Joyce gave the pitcher a pat on the shoulder. Joyce's accountability and regret, and Galarraga's sportsmanship were widely praised for turning the unfortunate situation into a positive.
pitcher Mariano Rivera
said, "It happened to the best umpire we have in our game. The best. And a perfect gentleman. (...) It's a shame for both of them, for the pitcher and for the umpire. But I'm telling you he is the best baseball has, and a great guy. It's just a shame." Former Chicago Cubs
pitcher Milt Pappas
said, "I would tell [Galarraga], 'I feel for you. There have been only 20 perfect games in the history of baseball. The umpire situation was the same one I had—they blew it. At least I had the satisfaction of getting the no-hitter. You don't. I feel for you. You pitched a tremendous game. At least you have the satisfaction of the umpire saying he was sorry. But that doesn't help your situation as far as a perfect game." Pappas' own bid for a perfect game on September 2, 1972 was spoiled when umpire Bruce Froemming
called a borderline 3-and-2 pitch to 27th-batter Larry Stahl
a ball, issuing a walk to the pinch-hitter. Former Yankees pitcher Don Larsen
—who threw the fourth perfect game of the modern era and the only one in World Series history on October 8, 1956—said, "I feel sorry for the umpire, and I just feel real badly for the kid. He's probably wondering right now whose side God is on."
The incorrect call led to many baseball writers calling for increased use of instant replay in Major League Baseball, which is currently used only to review disputed boundaries on home runs. Many journalists also advocated for MLB commissioner Bud Selig
to overturn Joyce's call and award a perfect game to Galarraga. On June 3, Selig announced that Major League Baseball would look at expanded replay and umpiring, but he did not specifically address Joyce's call. A baseball official familiar with the decision confirmed to The Associated Press that the call was not being reversed.
For his efforts in this game, Galarraga was named the American League Player of the Week on June 7. Also, first base, a ball used in the game, and Galarraga's spikes were sent to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Less than two weeks after the controversial game, ESPN The Magazine
released an anonymous poll of 100 current MLB players that named Joyce as the best umpire in Major League Baseball. Joyce was named on 53% of ballots, 19 ballots ahead of second-place Tim McClelland
. One player was quoted as saying, "The sad thing about the Galarraga game is, Jim Joyce is seriously one of the best umpires around... He always calls it fair, so players love him. Everyone makes mistakes, and it's terrible that this happened to him." Furthermore, the players in this poll overwhelmingly endorsed (86%) Selig's decision not to overturn the call, and were overwhelmingly against (77%) instituting replay for calls on the bases.
Robert Gibbs
said during his morning press briefing, "I hope that baseball awards a perfect game to that pitcher," joking that the White House
was "going to work on an executive order" to that effect. He elaborated, "To watch an umpire take responsibility and to watch a pitcher do what he did, the type of sportsmanship that was exhibited there—I think that gives a lot of heart (...) I think it's tremendously heartening to see somebody understand that they made a mistake and somebody accept the apology from somebody who made that mistake. I think that's a good lesson in baseball." Michigan state Governor
Jennifer Granholm
also issued a gubernatorial proclamation stating, in part, "I, Jennifer M. Granholm, governor of the state of Michigan, do hereby declare Armando Galarraga to have pitched a perfect game."
Former SportsCenter
co-host Keith Olbermann
dedicated a special edition of the "Worst Person in the World" segment of his political commentary show Countdown
to lambasting Bud Selig's refusal to reverse Joyce's call. While Olbermann ordinarily lists three "Worsts," Selig alone was awarded the title because "there can only be one Worst Person tonight". Olbermann went on to cite Lee MacPhail
's handling of George Brett
's 1983
Pine Tar Incident
as an example of a commissioner overruling an umpire's call, and discussed the matter with both Governor Granholm and documentarian Ken Burns
.
The day after the botched call, in a ceremony before the Tigers game, General Motors
presented Galarraga with a brand new red 2010 Chevy Corvette Grand-Sport convertible, recognizing his outstanding performance on and off the field. GM North American President Mark Reuss said the way the pitcher had handled the situation deserved to be recognized. Galarraga was presented with a "Medal of Reasonableness" by Jon Stewart
at the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear for his measured response.
On July 14, 2010, Joyce and Galarraga together presented the ESPY Award for Best Moment at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles
. The winner was the stoppage-time goal scored by Landon Donovan
for the US National Team versus Algeria
at the 2010 World Cup.
On June 2, 2011, exactly one year after the near-perfect game, Major League Baseball put a rule into effect that Joyce cannot umpire any games in which Galarraga’s team plays. Due to the book release, the two are now business partners, and this relationship could affect Joyce's impartiality while umpiring Galarraga's team. It is similar to the policy that prevents umpire Jim Wolf
from being the plate umpire in games that his younger brother Randy
pitches in.
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
game played on June 2, 2010
2010 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champions - San Francisco Giants**American League Champions - Texas Rangers**National League Champions - San Francisco Giants*Postseason - October 7 to November 4...
at Comerica Park
Comerica Park
Comerica Park is an open-air ballpark located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It serves as the home of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball's American League, replacing historic Tiger Stadium in 2000....
in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
, Detroit Tigers
2010 Detroit Tigers season
The 2010 Detroit Tigers season was the team's 110th season. This year saw the passing of legendary Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell, and nearly saw the first perfect game thrown by a Tigers pitcher. The Tigers spent most of the season in 2nd or 3rd place...
pitcher Armando Galarraga
Armando Galarraga
Armando Antonio Galarraga is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. Galarraga made his Major League Baseball debut with the Texas Rangers on September 15, 2007...
nearly became the 21st pitcher in Major League
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
history to throw a perfect game
Perfect game
A perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
. Facing the Cleveland Indians
2010 Cleveland Indians season
The 2010 Cleveland Indians season marked the 110th season for the franchise, with the Indians attempting to improve on their fourth-place finish in the AL Central in 2009. The team played all of its home games at Progressive Field. In addition, this was the second season for the Indians playing...
, Galarraga retired the first 26 batters he faced, but his bid for a perfect game was ended one out short when first base umpire Jim Joyce
Jim Joyce
James A. "Jim" Joyce III is a Major League Baseball umpire who has worked in the American League from 1987 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000. He wears uniform number 66...
incorrectly ruled that Indians batter Jason Donald
Jason Donald (baseball)
Jason Thomas Donald is an Olympian for the United States and a Major League Baseball shortstop who currently plays for the Cleveland Indians...
reached first base safely on a ground ball. Galarraga instead finished with a one-hit shutout in a 3–0 victory. He faced 28 batters and threw just 88 pitches (67 strikes and 21 balls), striking out three. The game is sometimes referred to as the "28-out perfect game," the "Imperfect Game," or simply the "Galarraga game."
The incorrect call drew a large amount of negative attention to Joyce, and has led to renewed discussions about whether instant replay in baseball
Instant replay in baseball
In Major League Baseball, a system similar to that in the National Hockey League for the last month of the season and beyond was implemented on August 28, 2008...
should be expanded. Joyce was tearful and apologetic to Galarraga after the game upon realizing he had made the incorrect call. Galarraga was forgiving and understanding of the mistake. Without irony, he told reporters after the game, "Nobody’s perfect." Galarraga was the most prominent of the many people throughout Major League Baseball who subsequently voiced their support for Joyce. Unusually, the umpire met with both the pitcher and the media after the game to apologize for his error. The sportsmanship
Sportsmanship
Sportsmanship is an aspiration or ethos that a sport or activity will be enjoyed for its own sake, with proper consideration for fairness, ethics, respect, and a sense of fellowship with one's competitors...
demonstrated by Galarraga and Joyce earned them both widespread praise for their handling of the incident.
Game summary
Detroit scored a run on a second-inning solo home run by Miguel CabreraMiguel Cabrera
José Miguel Cabrera Torres nicknamed "Miggy", is a Venezuelan professional baseball first baseman with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed....
. Two more runs scored in the eighth inning when Austin Jackson
Austin Jackson
Austin Jarrell Jackson is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball...
singled, then advanced on an infield hit by Johnny Damon
Johnny Damon
Johnny David Damon is an American professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter. From 2000–2008, he was third among active players in runs and seventh in hits and stolen bases . He is currently second among active leaders in triples , five behind Carl Crawford...
. Jackson and Damon both then scored on a single by Magglio Ordóñez
Magglio Ordóñez
Magglio José Ordóñez Delgado is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right fielder. He has played for the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers . Ordóñez is six feet, one inch tall and weighs .-Professional career:...
and a throwing error by Shin-Soo Choo
Shin-Soo Choo
Shin-Soo Choo is a South Korean professional baseball outfielder with the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball in the United States.Choo was selected as the Most Valuable Player and Best Pitcher of the 2000 World Junior Baseball Championship as South Korea won the event...
.
In the top of the ninth inning, Tigers' center fielder Austin Jackson
Austin Jackson
Austin Jarrell Jackson is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball...
executed an over-the-shoulder catch on the run to retire Cleveland's Mark Grudzielanek
Mark Grudzielanek
Mark James Grudzielanek is a retired Major League Baseball second baseman and shortstop. Grudzielanek played six different teams during his 15-season career. He batted and threw right-handed.-Early years:...
for the first out and preserve the perfect game, a play that has been compared to DeWayne Wise
Dewayne Wise
Larry DeWayne Wise is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He graduated from Chapin High School in 1997 and was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 5th round of the 1997 amateur draft...
's spectacular ninth-inning catch that preserved Mark Buehrle's perfect game
Mark Buehrle's perfect game
Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox pitched a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays by retiring all 27 batters he faced on Thursday, July 23, 2009. This event took place in U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois in front of 28,036 fans in attendance...
in 2009
2009 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champions – New York Yankees**American League Champions – New York Yankees**National League Champions – Philadelphia Phillies*Postseason – October 7 to November 4...
. Mike Redmond
Mike Redmond
Michael Patrick Redmond is a former Major League Baseball catcher.Redmond graduated from Gonzaga Preparatory School in 1989. He attended Gonzaga University. Mike and his wife Michele have two sons.Redmond made his Major League debut with the Florida Marlins on May 31, 1998...
grounded out to make the second out of the inning. Jason Donald
Jason Donald (baseball)
Jason Thomas Donald is an Olympian for the United States and a Major League Baseball shortstop who currently plays for the Cleveland Indians...
then reached first base on a soft infield hit, though video replay shows that Miguel Cabrera
Miguel Cabrera
José Miguel Cabrera Torres nicknamed "Miggy", is a Venezuelan professional baseball first baseman with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed....
's throw to Galarraga, who was covering first base, beat Donald to the bag. Donald advanced to second and third base on defensive indifference during Trevor Crowe
Trevor Crowe
Trevor Thornton Crowe is a Major League Baseball outfielder in the Cleveland Indians organization. He was born on the same day as major league stars Ryan Braun and Nick Markakis....
's at-bat, until Crowe grounded out to Inge, ending the game in a 3–0 victory for the Tigers.
Linescore
Boxscore
| Cleveland Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona... |
AB At bat In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance... |
R Run (baseball) In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured... |
H Hit (baseball) In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice.... |
RBI Run batted in Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI... |
BB Base on balls A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08... |
SO Strikeout In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters.... |
LOB Left on base In baseball, a baserunner is said to be left on base when the half-inning ends, he has not scored, and he has not been put out. This is to include a batter-runner who has hit into a fielder's choice, causing another runner to be put out as the 3rd out... |
AVG Batting average Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crowe Trevor Crowe Trevor Thornton Crowe is a Major League Baseball outfielder in the Cleveland Indians organization. He was born on the same day as major league stars Ryan Braun and Nick Markakis.... , CF Center fielder A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field... |
4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .240 |
| Choo Shin-Soo Choo Shin-Soo Choo is a South Korean professional baseball outfielder with the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball in the United States.Choo was selected as the Most Valuable Player and Best Pitcher of the 2000 World Junior Baseball Championship as South Korea won the event... , RF Right fielder A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .275 |
| Kearns Austin Kearns Austin Ryan Kearns is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent.-Cincinnati Reds:... , LF Left fielder In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .282 |
| Hafner Travis Hafner Travis Lee Hafner is a left-handed hitting designated hitter for the Cleveland Indians of the American League Central Division. His nickname, "Pronk", was given to him by former teammate Bill Selby during spring training of when people sometimes referred to him as "The Project" and other times... , DH Designated hitter In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .258 |
| Peralta, J Jhonny Peralta Jhonny Antonio Peralta is a Dominican professional baseball shortstop with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He previously played with the Cleveland Indians.-Playing career:... , 3B Third baseman A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .243 |
| Branyan Russell Branyan Russell Oles Branyan is a Major League Baseball first baseman. He throws right-handed, bats left-handed, and primarily plays first base, but is capable of playing third base and the outfield. Branyan began his professional career in the Cleveland Indians minor league system... , 1B First baseman First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .235 |
| Grudzielanek Mark Grudzielanek Mark James Grudzielanek is a retired Major League Baseball second baseman and shortstop. Grudzielanek played six different teams during his 15-season career. He batted and threw right-handed.-Early years:... , 2B Second baseman Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .283 |
| Redmond, M Mike Redmond Michael Patrick Redmond is a former Major League Baseball catcher.Redmond graduated from Gonzaga Preparatory School in 1989. He attended Gonzaga University. Mike and his wife Michele have two sons.Redmond made his Major League debut with the Florida Marlins on May 31, 1998... , C Catcher Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .220 |
| Donald Jason Donald (baseball) Jason Thomas Donald is an Olympian for the United States and a Major League Baseball shortstop who currently plays for the Cleveland Indians... , SS Shortstop Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the... |
3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .280 |
| Totals | 28 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | .243 |
| Detroit Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant... |
AB At bat In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance... |
R Run (baseball) In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured... |
H Hit (baseball) In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice.... |
RBI Run batted in Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI... |
BB Base on balls A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08... |
SO Strikeout In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters.... |
LOB Left on base In baseball, a baserunner is said to be left on base when the half-inning ends, he has not scored, and he has not been put out. This is to include a batter-runner who has hit into a fielder's choice, causing another runner to be put out as the 3rd out... |
AVG Batting average Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson, A Austin Jackson Austin Jarrell Jackson is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball... , CF Center fielder A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field... |
4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .332 |
| Damon Johnny Damon Johnny David Damon is an American professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter. From 2000–2008, he was third among active players in runs and seventh in hits and stolen bases . He is currently second among active leaders in triples , five behind Carl Crawford... , LF Left fielder In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound... |
4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .277 |
| Kelly Don Kelly (baseball) Donald Thomas Kelly is an American professional baseball player infielder with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball... , LF Left fielder In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .277 |
| Ordóñez Magglio Ordóñez Magglio José Ordóñez Delgado is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right fielder. He has played for the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers . Ordóñez is six feet, one inch tall and weighs .-Professional career:... , RF Right fielder A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound... |
4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .307 |
| Cabrera, M Miguel Cabrera José Miguel Cabrera Torres nicknamed "Miggy", is a Venezuelan professional baseball first baseman with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed.... , 1B First baseman First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team... |
4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .351 |
| Boesch Brennan Boesch Brennan Philip Boesch is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Detroit Tigers of Brennan Philip Boesch is an American professional [[baseball]] [[outfielder]] with the [[Detroit Tigers]] of... , DH Designated hitter In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to... |
3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .319 |
| Guillen, C Carlos Guillén Carlos Alfonso Guillén is a Major League Baseball second baseman and switch-hitter.... , 2B Second baseman Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .265 |
| Inge Brandon Inge Charles Brandon Inge is an American professional baseball infielder for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed.... , 3B Third baseman A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .232 |
| Avila Alex Avila Alexander Thomas Avila is an American professional baseball catcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He is 5' 11" tall and weighs 210 pounds. Avila was born in Hialeah, Florida.-Early Baseball Career:... , C Catcher Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to... |
3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .192 |
| Santiago Ramón Santiago Ramón D. Santiago is a Major League Baseball shortstop. He has spent most of his major league career at shortstop, but has also played a significant amount of time at second base... , SS Shortstop Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .239 |
| Totals | 31 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | .267 |
Source: MLB.com
Historical context
Only four days before Galarraga's near-perfect outing, Roy HalladayRoy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
pitched a perfect game for the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, and just twenty days prior to that, Dallas Braden
Dallas Braden
Dallas Lee Braden is a left-handed pitcher for the Oakland Athletics. He was drafted out of Texas Tech University in the twenty fourth round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft by the Athletics...
threw a perfect game for the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
. Halladay's and Braden's perfect games had been the first pair of such games to occur in the same season during the modern era, let alone the same month.
The twenty days between Braden's perfect game and Halladay's was the shortest span between two perfect games since 1880 and there was a chance that for the first time in MLB history there would be three perfect games in such short succession. Had Galarraga's game been correctly called, the four-day span since Halladay's perfect game would have broken that 130-year-old record, and marked the only time that three consecutive no-hitters had been perfect games, the only time that three perfect games had occurred in one season, the only time that three perfect games had occurred in a shorter span than a month, the only time four perfect games had occurred in a span shorter than a year (as Mark Buehrle
Mark Buehrle
Mark Alan Buehrle is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He has pitched his entire baseball career for the Chicago White Sox, starting the opening game every season from 2002 to 2006 and again from 2008 to 2011....
of the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
threw a perfect game in July 2009), and the only time that four perfect games had occurred within a stretch of five no-hitters.
This would have also marked the first perfect game in the Tigers' 110-year history. The 83 pitches thrown before the blown call would have been the fewest pitches in a perfect game since 1908. Galarraga's near-perfect game was the first such game since Mike Mussina
Mike Mussina
Michael Cole Mussina , nicknamed Moose, is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He played for the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees ....
's bid for a perfect game on September 2, 2001, was broken up by 27th batter Carl Everett
Carl Everett
Carl Edward Everett III is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He is currently an outfielder for the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League. A switch hitter, he played with the Chicago White Sox on their 2005 World Series winning team...
. It was also the third time for a Tigers pitcher to come so close to a perfect game, as Milt Wilcox
Milt Wilcox
Milton Edward Wilcox was a pitcher who had a sixteen-year career from 1970 to 1975, 1977–1986. He played for the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs of the National League and the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners of the American League...
also missed getting the 27th straight batter out on April 15, 1983, and Tommy Bridges
Tommy Bridges
Thomas Jefferson Davis Bridges was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career with the Detroit Tigers from 1930 to 1946...
on August 5, 1932.
Galarraga's near-perfect game was, in fact, the tenth time in major league history and third time in Tigers history that the 27th batter in a game broke up what was (to that point) a perfect game. One other instance of this occurrence also involved a missed call by an umpire, who later admitted to his mistake. On July 4, 1908, Hooks Wiltse
Hooks Wiltse
George Leroy "Hooks" Wiltse was a pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1904 to 1915. He was the brother of pitcher Snake Wiltse....
of the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, perfect through 26 batters, hit Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
pitcher George McQuillan
George McQuillan
George Watt McQuillan , born in Brooklyn, New York, was a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies , Cincinnati Reds , Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Indians ....
on a 2–2 count in a scoreless game. Umpire Cy Rigler
Cy Rigler
Charles "Cy" Rigler was an American umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the National League from 1906 to 1935. His total of 4,144 games ranked fourth in major league history when he retired, and his 2,468 games as a plate umpire still place him third behind his NL contemporaries Bill...
later admitted that he should have called the previous pitch strike three, which would have ended the inning. Wiltse pitched on, winning 1–0 in ten innings, with the hit-batsman the only lapse separating him from a perfect game.
Armando Galarraga and Jim Joyce
On tagging first base after Cabrera's relay, Galarraga began celebrating his accomplishment. His immediate reaction to Joyce's on-field ruling was a momentary pause followed by a wry smile at the umpire before returning to the mound. Galarraga told reporters after the game that the outing "was my best game, so far," and said that Joyce "probably feels more bad than me. Nobody's perfect. Everybody's human. I understand. I give the guy a lot of credit for saying, 'I need to talk to you.' You don't see an umpire tell you that after a game. I gave him a hug." He also told reporters, "I know that I pitched a perfect game, I believe I got it. I said before, I got a perfect game. I'm going to show my son. Maybe it's not in the book, but I'm going to tell my son, 'One time I got a perfect game.' I'll show him the CD," further calling his effort "the first 28-out perfect game". Tigers' manager Jim LeylandJim Leyland
James Richard "Jim" Leyland is a Major League Baseball manager, currently with the Detroit Tigers.He led the Florida Marlins to a World Series championship in 1997, and previously won three straight division titles with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
added, "It's a crying shame. Jim [Joyce] is a class guy. This sounds crazy, but after looking at the play, nobody is going to feel worse than he does. I yelled a bit after the game because emotions are high. You just want it so bad for the kid. I don't think you're as mad at the umpire as mad the kid didn't get it—and he did deserve it." Leyland also said that Joyce's call was part of the "human element of the game".
Joyce, a 22-year veteran, tearfully admitted after the game that "I did not get the call correct," insisting that he "took a perfect game away from that kid over there that worked hard his ass off all night". Joyce called the Donald ruling "the biggest call of my career," claiming that "I thought [Donald] beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw, until I saw the replay". The umpire later said, "I didn't want this to be my 15 minutes of fame. I would have liked my 15 minutes to be a great call in the World Series. Hopefully, my 15 minutes are over now".
Just prior to the next day's game, a tearful Joyce met Galarraga at home plate to receive the Tigers' line-up card. The two shook hands and Joyce gave the pitcher a pat on the shoulder. Joyce's accountability and regret, and Galarraga's sportsmanship were widely praised for turning the unfortunate situation into a positive.
The rest of MLB
Many people within Major League Baseball spoke out in support of Joyce, offering their sympathies and noting his exceptional reputation. New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
pitcher Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...
said, "It happened to the best umpire we have in our game. The best. And a perfect gentleman. (...) It's a shame for both of them, for the pitcher and for the umpire. But I'm telling you he is the best baseball has, and a great guy. It's just a shame." Former Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
pitcher Milt Pappas
Milt Pappas
Milton Steven "Milt" Pappas is a former professional baseball pitcher...
said, "I would tell [Galarraga], 'I feel for you. There have been only 20 perfect games in the history of baseball. The umpire situation was the same one I had—they blew it. At least I had the satisfaction of getting the no-hitter. You don't. I feel for you. You pitched a tremendous game. At least you have the satisfaction of the umpire saying he was sorry. But that doesn't help your situation as far as a perfect game." Pappas' own bid for a perfect game on September 2, 1972 was spoiled when umpire Bruce Froemming
Bruce Froemming
Bruce Neal Froemming is Major League Baseball Special Assistant to the Vice President on Umpiring, after having served as an umpire in Major League Baseball. He is the longest-tenured umpire in major league history in terms of the number of full seasons umpired, finishing his 37th season in 2007...
called a borderline 3-and-2 pitch to 27th-batter Larry Stahl
Larry Stahl
Larry Floyd Stahl , is a retired professional baseball player who played outfielder in the Major Leagues from -...
a ball, issuing a walk to the pinch-hitter. Former Yankees pitcher Don Larsen
Don Larsen
Donald James Larsen is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 15-year baseball career, he pitched from 1953-67 for seven different teams. Larsen is best known for pitching the sixth perfect game in baseball history, doing so in game 5 of the 1956 World Series...
—who threw the fourth perfect game of the modern era and the only one in World Series history on October 8, 1956—said, "I feel sorry for the umpire, and I just feel real badly for the kid. He's probably wondering right now whose side God is on."
The incorrect call led to many baseball writers calling for increased use of instant replay in Major League Baseball, which is currently used only to review disputed boundaries on home runs. Many journalists also advocated for MLB commissioner Bud Selig
Bud Selig
Allan Huber "Bud" Selig is the ninth and current Commissioner of Major League Baseball, having served in that capacity since 1992 as the acting commissioner, and as the official commissioner since 1998...
to overturn Joyce's call and award a perfect game to Galarraga. On June 3, Selig announced that Major League Baseball would look at expanded replay and umpiring, but he did not specifically address Joyce's call. A baseball official familiar with the decision confirmed to The Associated Press that the call was not being reversed.
For his efforts in this game, Galarraga was named the American League Player of the Week on June 7. Also, first base, a ball used in the game, and Galarraga's spikes were sent to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Less than two weeks after the controversial game, ESPN The Magazine
ESPN The Magazine
ESPN The Magazine is a bi-weekly sports magazine published by the ESPN sports network in Bristol, Connecticut in the United States. The first issue was published on March 11, 1998....
released an anonymous poll of 100 current MLB players that named Joyce as the best umpire in Major League Baseball. Joyce was named on 53% of ballots, 19 ballots ahead of second-place Tim McClelland
Tim McClelland
Timothy Reid McClelland is an umpire in Major League Baseball who has worked in the American League from 1983 to 1999 and throughout both leagues since 2000. He has called many important games, from post-season games to the George Brett "Pine Tar" game in...
. One player was quoted as saying, "The sad thing about the Galarraga game is, Jim Joyce is seriously one of the best umpires around... He always calls it fair, so players love him. Everyone makes mistakes, and it's terrible that this happened to him." Furthermore, the players in this poll overwhelmingly endorsed (86%) Selig's decision not to overturn the call, and were overwhelmingly against (77%) instituting replay for calls on the bases.
Outside baseball
On June 3, White House Press SecretaryWhite House Press Secretary
The White House Press Secretary is a senior White House official whose primary responsibility is to act as spokesperson for the government administration....
Robert Gibbs
Robert Gibbs
Robert Lane Gibbs was the 28th White House Press Secretary. Gibbs was the communications director for then-U.S. Senator Barack Obama and Obama's 2008 presidential campaign...
said during his morning press briefing, "I hope that baseball awards a perfect game to that pitcher," joking that the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
was "going to work on an executive order" to that effect. He elaborated, "To watch an umpire take responsibility and to watch a pitcher do what he did, the type of sportsmanship that was exhibited there—I think that gives a lot of heart (...) I think it's tremendously heartening to see somebody understand that they made a mistake and somebody accept the apology from somebody who made that mistake. I think that's a good lesson in baseball." Michigan state Governor
Governor of Michigan
The Governor of Michigan is the chief executive of the U.S. State of Michigan. The current Governor is Rick Snyder, a member of the Republican Party.-Gubernatorial elections and term of office:...
Jennifer Granholm
Jennifer Granholm
Jennifer Mulhern Granholm is a Canadian-born American politician, educator, and author who served as Attorney General and 47th Governor of the U.S. state of Michigan. A member of the Democratic Party, Granholm became Michigan's first female governor on January 1, 2003, when she succeeded Governor...
also issued a gubernatorial proclamation stating, in part, "I, Jennifer M. Granholm, governor of the state of Michigan, do hereby declare Armando Galarraga to have pitched a perfect game."
Former SportsCenter
SportsCenter
SportsCenter is a daily sports news television show, and the flagship program of American cable network ESPN since the network launched on September 7, 1979. Originally broadcast only daily, SportsCenter is now shown up to twelve times a day, replaying the day's scores and highlights from major...
co-host Keith Olbermann
Keith Olbermann
Keith Theodore Olbermann is an American political commentator and writer. He has been the chief news officer of the Current TV network and the host of Current TV's weeknight political commentary program, Countdown with Keith Olbermann, since June 20, 2011...
dedicated a special edition of the "Worst Person in the World" segment of his political commentary show Countdown
Countdown with Keith Olbermann
Countdown with Keith Olbermann is an hour-long weeknight news and political commentary program that airs on Current TV, where it began airing on June 20, 2011. The program was broadcast on MSNBC from March 31, 2003, to January 21, 2011. On MSNBC, the show presented five selected news stories of...
to lambasting Bud Selig's refusal to reverse Joyce's call. While Olbermann ordinarily lists three "Worsts," Selig alone was awarded the title because "there can only be one Worst Person tonight". Olbermann went on to cite Lee MacPhail
Lee MacPhail
Leland Stanford MacPhail, Jr. is an American retired front-office executive in Major League Baseball...
's handling of George Brett
George Brett (baseball)
George Howard Brett , nicknamed "Mullet", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman, designated hitter, and first baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Kansas City Royals. Brett's 3,154 career hits are the most by any third baseman in major league history, and 15th...
's 1983
1983 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Baltimore Orioles over Philadelphia Phillies ; Rick Dempsey, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Mike Boddicker*National League Championship Series MVP: Gary Matthews...
Pine Tar Incident
Pine Tar Incident
The Pine Tar Incident was a controversial incident during an American League game played between the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees on July 24, 1983 at Yankee Stadium in New York City. With his team trailing 4–3 in the top half of the ninth inning, George Brett of the Royals hit a 2-run...
as an example of a commissioner overruling an umpire's call, and discussed the matter with both Governor Granholm and documentarian Ken Burns
Ken Burns
Kenneth Lauren "Ken" Burns is an American director and producer of documentary films, known for his style of using archival footage and photographs...
.
The day after the botched call, in a ceremony before the Tigers game, General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
presented Galarraga with a brand new red 2010 Chevy Corvette Grand-Sport convertible, recognizing his outstanding performance on and off the field. GM North American President Mark Reuss said the way the pitcher had handled the situation deserved to be recognized. Galarraga was presented with a "Medal of Reasonableness" by Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart is an American political satirist, writer, television host, actor, media critic and stand-up comedian...
at the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear for his measured response.
On July 14, 2010, Joyce and Galarraga together presented the ESPY Award for Best Moment at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. The winner was the stoppage-time goal scored by Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Timothy Donovan is an American soccer player for the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer in the United States. He usually plays as a withdrawn forward, and can also be used as an attacking midfielder on either wing....
for the US National Team versus Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
at the 2010 World Cup.
Book release and resulting MLB rule
Armando Galarraga and Jim Joyce released a book chronicling their experiences during and after the game. The book is titled Nobody's Perfect, by Armando Galarraga and Jim Joyce with Daniel Paisner, Atlantic Monthly Press, New York, 2011, ISBN-13:978-0-8021-1988-0.On June 2, 2011, exactly one year after the near-perfect game, Major League Baseball put a rule into effect that Joyce cannot umpire any games in which Galarraga’s team plays. Due to the book release, the two are now business partners, and this relationship could affect Joyce's impartiality while umpiring Galarraga's team. It is similar to the policy that prevents umpire Jim Wolf
Jim Wolf
James Michael Wolf is a Major League Baseball umpire. He joined the major league staff in 1999 after working in the Arizona Rookie League, the South Atlantic League, the California League, the Texas League and the Pacific Coast League. He wears uniform number 28...
from being the plate umpire in games that his younger brother Randy
Randy Wolf
Randall Christopher Wolf is a left-handed pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball. Randy's older brother Jim is a Major League umpire. Unlike his brother Jim and Houston Astros relief pitcher Ross Wolf, Randy is a boss...
pitches in.