Why Bud Selig Can't Change The Call

The story broke last night. It knocked Ken Griffey Jr's retirement off the headlines (and off my topics of blog posts today.) Jim Joyce blew the call [video]. Bud Selig said he won't change it.

Before I comment, I should mention how much I despise Bud Selig. He's incompetent and a moron. Anyone who calls the All-Star game as a tie should be fired. It's a joke that he's commissioner. We deserve better.

Anyway, I actually agree with Bud on this one. And that's not easy for me to type. Here's why though: It ruins the integrity of the game. By Selig invoking the "Best Interest of the Game" clause, it takes away all credibility from the umpires and bastardizes the game. Even when Jim Joyce says that he screwed up, it doesn't matter. At least he is able to admit it rather than pull a Joe West and be an asshole about it.

I originally thought the call should of been changed. Give the kid his perfect game. But I realized that's wrong.

If this call was changed, think about how many other changes that people could argue should be reviewed. Umpires have screwed up before. They will screw up again. We can't change every single call after the game. It's the same as how we can't put an asterisk on Bonds and everyone else that took steroids and ruined the home run records. It happened. It's over. Unfortunately, we have to move on.

In the eyes of everyone, it already was a perfect game. This will be one of the great baseball stories we can tell. The Perfect Game That Wasn't. Every baseball fan will remember this game and the events that took place. People who aren't even into baseball have taken notice because of the way it's happened. This is a story that goes beyond sports. It won't always be relevant, but it can always be something to bring up every now and again. It's captured everyone's attention.

Also, if Selig recalled it, how anti-climatic would that be? Part of the fun of a no hitter or perfect game is the final out, and watching the pitcher truly celebrate with his team and the fans cheer him. There was some excitement after the final out, but not the appropriate celebration for what should of been a perfect game - the 3rd this year (and there have only been 18 before going into this year.) Not sure if this speaks to hitters going off the juice or what - but it's definitely a pitchers age in baseball.

MLB should institute some kind of instant replay system that allows for one challenge from each team. It can't argue balls and strikes, because that's something that can't be proved easily. The only thing that can really be challenged should be: safe/out, fair/foul, and ensuring the catch was indeed a catch and not a trap. Balls and strikes can never be challenged. Make it quick. Don't make the game much longer than it already it is.

MLB can take a cue from the NHL, who is very quick on their challenges and don't waste time like the NFL does. In last night's Stanley Cup Final Game 3, there were 3 challenges that the NHL reviewed quickly to make the right call. I know that the NHL has a much easier time determining calls than any other league - all they have are goals - but they have it down.

Anyways, serious congrats to Galarraga. He'll go down in history as the pitcher who was denied a perfect game by the league he plays for. And quite possibly the reason why instant replay is instituted into the league. Plus, he got a car from Ford for his effort. Kinda stupid considering he could probably afford 200 of them, but whatever. He was a professional about it, as was Joyce. If I was denied a perfect game like that I think I would have raised some serious hell. His teammates and managers were furious. But Galarraga was poised the whole time, even able to talk to Joyce today and give the scorecard.

Finally, doesn't Joyce have an awesome mustache? That thing is for real.