Poll: Fans want umpire's blown call overturned, expanded instant replay
11:36 AM
Armando Galarraga is willing to overlook the blown call by an umpire that cost him a perfect game, but nearly two-thirds of baseball fans want the play reversed and the Tigers pitcher to have his place in baseball history.
In a USA TODAY/Gallup poll conducted Thursday, 64% of respondents who described themselves as baseball fans said Major League Baseball should overturn umpire Jim Joyce's safe call with two outs in the ninth inning Wednesday against the Indians. The poll, which was based on 470 respondents who identified themselves as baseball fans, has a margin of error of 6%
Joyce, a 22-year veteran, admitted he got the call wrong and has apologized to Galarraga, who has forgiven the umpire and turned yet another high-profile umpire gaffe into a feel-good story. "I just cost that kid a perfect game," Joyce said Wednesday. "I would've been the first person in my face, and he never said a word to me."
Joyce's reaction has also garnered overwhelming support amongst fans, 84% of whom said they feel sympathetic toward the umpire.
Despites calls to overturn the base hit, Commissioner Bud Selig said in statement Thursday the matter was being reviewed but did not seem inclined to reverse the call. A high-ranking MLB official with knowledge of Selig's plans told USA TODAY the commissioner would not do so. The official requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter.
"Given (Wednesday's) call and other recent events, I will examine our umpiring system, the expanded use of instant replay and all other related features," Selig said in a statement.
On this point baseball fans agree with Selig. The USA TODAY/Gallup poll found that 78% of people said they believe Major League Baseball should expand the use of replay to include plays such as the one in Galarraga's one-hit shutout victory. The current system, implemented during the 2008 season, only determines whether potential home runs are over the wall or fair or foul.
"When does it stop, when does it start?" Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter said of expanding replay. "Do you have a flag that you throw from the bench for challenges? There are always plays throughout the course of a game that you wish were called the other way, but it comes to the point, where does it start and where does it stop?"
By Peter Barzilai
) I was such a huge Bulls fan in the 80's. lol Of course, we have the SPAZZ but I've just never rooted for 'em. Mainly cos I think our local fans are by far some of the biggest crybaby, poor sports around. Well, next to Wolfie within these forums but that's neither here nor there. lol
EAT US AND SMILE!!!!
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by chefcraig
