Video evidence can make sure MLB gets calls - and even history - right instead of blowing it like in the case of Armando Galarraga's lost Perfect Game in 2010.
I love the game of baseball.
I began playing T-Ball when I was five years old in Chalmette. I had many great coaches who helped me learn the game through the youth leagues at Chalmette Vista playground. I must credit the late Donald Picou with instilling a love of the game into me from the age 10-14. He and others also taught me the game.
I was fortunate enough to play for four years at Southeastern Louisiana University. Again, I learned a lot about the game from many coaches and teammates. I seem to remember that at all levels there were times when umpires “missed” a call or two. Some missed calls helped the team’s cause, some hurt the cause.
No, I never played professionally as that dream ended after my college days. I still enjoy being at youth league, high school, junior college and college games. I do not get to as many major league games as I would like. However, I do watch as much major league baseball as I can and certainly follow the game through all forms of media.
Last week a friend sent me a text while I was working at the NCAA baseball regional at LSU. He said, “(Johan) Santana throws first no-hitter in Mets history!” I simply replied “wow” and could not wait to get home and see the highlights and find out all about it. When I got home, I did not enjoy what I saw. Instead, I was SO DISAPPOINTED.
It was NOT a no-hitter. The umpire “missed” a call in the 6th inning on a play that was CLEARLY a base hit. No doubt. No question.
Something has to be done and soon. If that is a no-hitter (MLB says it is), then Armando Galarraga should get credit for a perfect game on June 2, 2010. Galarraga endured a “missed” call by umpire Jim Joyce with two outs in the 9th inning. Had the call been correct, Galarraga would have pitched the 21st perfect game in big league history. That special moment was stolen from him by a mistake that we have technology to correct.
Major League Baseball needs to wake up. Baseball is a game of numbers, statistics and comparisons of the past to the current. Tainted or lost “records” diminish the integrity of the game. Don’t get me started on performance enhancing drugs, which can be a topic for another day. This problem is much more easily fixed.
I suggest an immediate adoption of instant replay for situations like these mentioned. I know it is a complicated matter that will require people who are smarter than me to figure out, but it needs to be done.
Legendary football coach Don Shula told NFL executives in the mid 1980’s that they should use instant replay. His rationale: every fan has it in their living room so we need to use it, too. All baseball enthusiasts know that Santana did NOT throw a no-hitter and Galarraga DID throw a perfect game. If only the MLB statistics would be correct and reflect what people saw with their own eyes and not what one person saw incorrectly.
I know it is impossible to “change” what is now done. We cannot alter history. However, from this point forward, baseball should get it right. Please MLB – let’s not miss again!
Tommy Krysan is the host of “Tigers Roar” a live TV show each Wednesday night at 8:00 pm on Pelican Sports TV in Baton Rouge, Lafayette and New Orleans. He also hosts Pelican Sports Radio, Monday – Friday, 3:00-4:00 pm in Baton Rouge on KKAY 1590 AM. Online at; kkay1590.com or globalradiokkay.com
Email Tommy; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
