FAT-ELVIS baseball collective

i’ve talked to several folks about this and i’m finding myself in a position outside of the “baseball norm”.  every person that is a true, die hard baseball fan (that i’ve talked to) has sided with bud selig [gag] on the recent decision of armando galarraga’s near perfect game.

if you’ve been living under a rock, last week the detroit tigers pitcher retired the first 26 batters.  the 27th batter hit a ground ball to first base.  miguel cabrera flipped the ball to galarraga, covering first base, for the final out and sealed the perfect game.  right?  NO!  the umpire missed the call and gave the SAFE sign.  he could not be swayed in his decision.  it wasn’t until after the game that the umpire, watching the replay and realizing the batter was out by a full step, admitted the error of his call.  with tears in his eyes he said, “i cost the kid a perfect game.”

the debate then raged over why the major leagues are the last professional sports league in the world to move towards instant replay.  the debate over instant replay pulled in this 27th batter that should have been out.  if they could see that he was out, beyond any doubt, why not overturn the call anyway? galarraga wanted it overturned (though being a true professional and sportsman about the whole situation).  the umpire and umpire association said it should be overturned.  EVEN the hitter said it should be overturned.  but for bud.

bud selig stood his ground and said, through sources because he’s a coward with the spine of a jellyfish, “it’s unfortunate, but the call stands.”

really bud?  REALLY?  baseball was the number one sport years ago.  everyone talked or watched the sport forty years ago.  now baseball programs around the U.S. struggle.  once you could find a game going on any vacant lot.  every kid had a glove and every kid dreamed of the game.  now most are into basketball, soccer, or in texas, football.  The other sports have eclipsed baseball a long time ago and there appears to be no turning back.  the only lure baseball still has to the youngsters of today is the hope they could land a big, front loaded contract with a nice signing bonus.

as i stated at the beginning, i’m finding myself in a huge minority amongst zealous baseball fans.  in spite of alleged runs being changed innings later within a game because the umpires changed a ruling later, in spite of games like the Pine Tar incident having two innings COMPLETELY replayed, people are insistent on letting a horrid call stand on this game.  galarraga even retired the 28th batter.  it’s not like everything fell apart after that. having the opportunity for a great PR move, and bringing justice to an injustice, bud selig, wimp that he is, hid in his office and sent word that he was fine with the ruling on the field.  way to go, selig.  you’re a jerk of a commissioner and an example of the worst baseball has to offer.

among the casual fans whom i’ve discussed this, every one of them, EVERY ONE OF THEM,  has said the same thing i did:  overturn the call.  make it right.

another black eye for baseball and the former great game slips further away from being America’s great game. but hey, at least it’s still more popular than hockey.  but that’s only because if you’re south of the Canadian border, most don’t understand the rules.

-chief