Result of the "Worst Call Ever": Class

By: CBSNews

Home plate umpire Jim Joyce, left, shakes hands with Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga while handing the lineup card on the field before the Detroit Tigers-Cleveland Indians MLB baseball game in Detroit, Thursday, June 3, 2010. Galarraga lost his bid for a perfect game with two outs in the ninth inning on a disputed call at first base by Joyce on Tuesday night. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Just about every baseball fan has thoughts about this past week's disappearing perfect game . . . and that definitely includes our Bill Geist:

When I was coaching my kids in Little League, I was always looking for role models … major leaguers who exemplified sportsmanship.

A few days ago, I think I found a couple,

Amidst the usual bombardment of catastrophic news, umpire Jim Joyce seemed to be contending with BP CEO Tony Hayward for "America's Worst Person of the Week," when he blew a call that ruined Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galerraga's perfect game

It was looking like just another depressing news story when something shocking occurred: The umpire admitted his mistake and … and apologized.

"It was the biggest call of my career and I kicked the s--- out of it. I just cost that kid a perfect game," he said.

He didn't make up excuses, didn't say the devil made him do it, didn't announce that he was going into umpire rehab.

How old-fashioned! Nobody takes responsibility and sincerely apologizes anymore (often on advice of their attorneys).

But what about the victim? The wronged pitcher? He forgave the umpire, saying "Nobody's perfect."

"You don't see an umpire after the game come out and say 'Hey, let me tell you I'm sorry.' He felt really bad," said Galarraga.

Such an act of grace, class and maturity is so rare in these contentious times no one quite knew what to do! General Motors presented Galarraga with a Corvette.

Before the teams' next game, Joyce and Galarraga met at home plate, the umpire wiping away tears, and many Detroit fans cheering them both … even the fans were showing sportsmanship!

One man admits his mistake, the victim forgives him. That shouldn't be news … but these days is.

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by Scimajor June 8, 2010 12:45 PM EDT

Yawn. It's just a game. Yes it's a game where people are paid tens of millions of dollars to play that game but it IS just a game.

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by BCSBUDDY June 13, 2010 6:31 PM EDT: Your comment shows that you read the words but did not understand the content. Read it again bub, maybe you will see something other than "just a game".

by mcgroober June 6, 2010 4:35 PM EDT

BS! If he made the right call, he would continue to be a no name ump and Galarraga goes down in history. He had a split second to decide if he wanted to take the opportunity to become somebody other than the unknown ump that called another player out. But now he is somebody. All the attention is on him. He's crying. He's apologizing. Its all about the ump that, uh, blew the most important call of his career. If he truly blew the call, he would stick to his guns. But he didn't blow it because now it is all about him. Maybe now he can write that book about his average life but based on the "blown" call heard round the world.

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by mitch0927 June 7, 2010 9:04 AM EDT: mcgroober, only a punk like you would say something like that. You are the moron of the month, that's for sure.


by VBnews June 7, 2010 10:36 AM EDT: Mcgroober, your an idiot. Why would you criticize someone for admitting their mistake and apologizing about it? He was being a man for admitting his mistake.


by BCSBUDDY June 13, 2010 6:35 PM EDT: MCGOOBER, it is people like you that would not appreciate someone giving you a million dollars in $100's because you would want it in $20's. Complain and have a negative view on everything, you deserve your miserable life.


by Free13058 June 27, 2010 7:59 AM EDT: "How old-fashioned! Nobody takes responsibility and sincerely apologizes anymore (often on advice of their attorneys)."
How sad is this statement? Also very true. Taking responsibility and apologizing when wrong is considered "old fashioned". I'm guessing that mcgroober is young and if he's not, then pathetically immature. GROW UP McGOOBER