The pitcher who almost threw a perfect game, in one of baseball's most memorable and controversial moments, was Armando Galarraga.
Armando Galarraga's Near-Perfect Game
Armando Galarraga, a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, famously came within one out of achieving a perfect game on June 2, 2010, at Comerica Park. The game against the Cleveland Indians unfolded without a single baserunner reaching first base for the first 26 outs, building towards a rare feat in baseball history.
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | Armando Galarraga |
| Team | Detroit Tigers |
| Date | June 2, 2010 |
| Opponent | Cleveland Indians |
| Location | Comerica Park, Detroit |
| Outcome | One-hit shutout (not a perfect game or no-hitter due to a missed call) |
| Umpire Involved | Jim Joyce (First Base Umpire) |
The Infamous Call
In the top of the ninth inning, with two outs and a perfect game on the line, Galarraga induced a ground ball from Cleveland's Jason Donald. First baseman Miguel Cabrera fielded the ball cleanly and threw to Galarraga covering first base. Galarraga caught the ball and touched the base seemingly before Donald arrived. However, first base umpire Jim Joyce incorrectly called Donald safe, shattering Galarraga's bid for perfection.
- The play would have been the 27th and final out of a perfect game.
- Replays immediately confirmed that Donald was out.
- Joyce later admitted his mistake after seeing the replay, expressing deep regret to Galarraga and the Tigers organization.
- Despite the blown call, Galarraga retired the next batter, Lou Marson, for the final out, securing a one-hit shutout.
The grace and sportsmanship shown by both Galarraga and Joyce in the aftermath of the controversial call earned widespread praise. The incident remains a poignant example of the human element in baseball and a testament to integrity.
For more details on this historic event, you can refer to discussions about Armando Galarraga's "Imperfect Game".
