A so-called Perfect Game is the ultimate goal for any baseball pitcher, a feat so rare at the major league level that it has only happened fifteen times in over a hundred years. A perfect game means the pitcher throws a complete game facing the minimum twenty seven batters with no hits, no walks, and no runs scored. Curiously, perfection has occurred twice this year, and in reality, three times, although the third occasion did not go into the record books.
In a game where Armando Galaragga had retired twenty six batters, a trip to the record books was one out away. The batter stroked a ground ball, fielded by the second baseman, relayed to first base just in time to record the final out. Except that the veteran umpire, Jim Joyce, blew the call and said the runner was safe.
Almost immediately Joyce realized that he had been in error, but the call had been made. The replays showed clearly that the first baseman stepped on the bag before the runner, yet MLB officials decided not to overturn the umpire's ruling.
Pitcher Galarraga took the high road and accepted the call, and umpire Joyce did what officials rarely do in pro sports, he admitted his mistake. In fact, the following day he tearfully apologized to Galaragga in front of a crowd.
This should be textbook stuff (literally) for contrite apology, forgiveness, and reconciliation. It's been good to hear that many people have supported Joyce for his honesty, although the usual crazies have threatened his wife and children.
Forgiveness is a sermon topic which always gets plenty of response for good reason. So many of us struggle with authentic contrition and reconciliation. Well, one of these days the story will be a sermon illustration!
What are your thoughts about this story and forgiveness in general?
I really like how both the ump and the player handled this. The player did not fly off the handle, which seems to happen far too often in sports. The ump accepted he had made a mistake and apologized, which unfortunately is not only a rarity in sports but in society in general.
ReplyDeleteForgiveness is obviously a very healthy thing. To do otherwise is to continually allow someone to control you and your happiness. It can also be a very difficult thing to do, depending on what it was they did to you!
I agree Johnny that honest apologies are as rare as the proverbial hen's teeth. Thank you for responding.
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