Sometimes Sports is Better Than The Rest Of Us

Umpire Jim Joyce wiped away tears as he took the field, a day after his blown call cost Detroit pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game.



Joyce and Galarraga met at home plate Thursday afternoon as the pitcher presented the umpire with the Tigers’ lineup card. Joyce shook hands with Galarraga and patted him on the shoulder. 

Joyce has admitted missing a call at first base Wednesday night on what would’ve been the final out. The veteran ump personally apologized to Galarraga after the game and hugged him.

A month ago Galarraga was in the minors; if he had gotten the perfecto, he wouldn't been (rather creepily) the third pitcher to throw a perfect game in a month, after MLB took about 134 years to get to 18. Now, he and Joyce can spend years and years at memorabilia shows making a zillion dollars signing this photo like Branca/Thomson.