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Mixed Emotions At Comerica Park Thursday
Jim Joyce was booed Thursday by the crowd at Comerica Park, even though 28-out perfect game hero Armando Galarraga handed him the Tigers' lineup card.
It was a mixed emotion.
On one hand, there were no hard feelings. Whatever bitterness Galarraga, or the Tigers, displayed directly after his near-perfect game Wednesday night, were like a home run call with Ernie Harwell on the microphone - long gone. Joyce was more than contrite. He was devastated. I talked to people here at Comerica Park Thursday who said he broke down emotionally after the media departed the umpire's room Wednesday.
Galarraga, presented with a sparkling cherry red Corvette Thursday, has made the best of the circumstance. He has become a humble hero, who will long be remembered for sportsmanship. Joyce has become a sympathic figure. How can anyone be that angry at him by this point? He certainly has conceded he missed the call and feels terrible about it.
It's difficult, though, not to imagine what a feel good story this would have been for this area had the perfect game not arbitrarily been denied Galarraga.
This is a good story. In some ways a more compelling tale. It's no longer a bitter story. Sure.
But it's certainly not better than what should have been.
It was a mixed emotion.
On one hand, there were no hard feelings. Whatever bitterness Galarraga, or the Tigers, displayed directly after his near-perfect game Wednesday night, were like a home run call with Ernie Harwell on the microphone - long gone. Joyce was more than contrite. He was devastated. I talked to people here at Comerica Park Thursday who said he broke down emotionally after the media departed the umpire's room Wednesday.
Galarraga, presented with a sparkling cherry red Corvette Thursday, has made the best of the circumstance. He has become a humble hero, who will long be remembered for sportsmanship. Joyce has become a sympathic figure. How can anyone be that angry at him by this point? He certainly has conceded he missed the call and feels terrible about it.
It's difficult, though, not to imagine what a feel good story this would have been for this area had the perfect game not arbitrarily been denied Galarraga.
This is a good story. In some ways a more compelling tale. It's no longer a bitter story. Sure.
But it's certainly not better than what should have been.
Labels: Armando Galarraga Jim Joyce
posted by Pat Caputo at
1:29 PM
6 Comments:
"It's difficult, though, not to imagine what a feel good story this would have been for this area had the perfect game not arbitrarily been denied Galarraga."
I agree, this is the only thing that's still bothering me. Last night should've been a magical night for the Tigers, their fans, and especially Galarraga. Instead it became all twisted. Everyone involved handled it with a ton of class, particularly Galarraga and Joyce, but I still feel the impact of the tragedy of the event.
Michael C,
The reaction has been great by team and Joyce in a certain sense, but, man, can you imagine the party there would have been?
Caputo
Pat, the end result could be an act of God. Galarraga took his raw deal and moved on without creating a fuss. Joyce admitted his mistake and faced the music. Those are two fine characteristics that the media has exploited and should be given a pat on the back. Too bad more people don’t show those tpye of characteristics more often.
Barry,
Great point. Too often we overlook virtue in favor of vice.
Caputo
"can you imagine the party there would have been?"
I know, that's what is killing me. I think all Tigers fans would've been floating on cloud nine for a week if things went the way they should've. What an emotional lift that would've been to the Detroit area during a tough time for many of us.
Michael C,
That is the tough about the what could have been. We can use all the feel good stories we can around these parts.
Caputo
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