Thursday, June 03, 2010
It will be “The Galarraga Game”
Posted by Steve TrederRotten as the bizarre finish to Armando Galarraga's imperfect game was, there is this to consider: by not being credited with a perfect game, Galarraga will very likely be better remembered decades from now than if that play had been (correctly) called as out.
The best historical comparable to this circumstance is that of Harvey Haddix, and his celebrated non-achievement of May 26, 1959, a game which has ever since been familiar to nearly every serious fan as, simply, "The Harvey Haddix Game." That game and that pitcher gained far more permanent prominence because of the heartbreaking outcome than if it had been a successfully completed, actual, garden variety perfect game.
So though it's no doubt cold comfort to him, Armando Galarraga, an otherwise forgettable journeyman pitcher, will almost certainly find his name being uttered by fans a very long time from now, as they shake their heads over the amazing "Armando Galarraga Game." He will be known forever to a degree that, say, Dallas Braden won't.
Steve Treder can often be found spending way too much time talking baseball at Baseball Primer. He welcomes your questions and comments via e-mail.
I like your take on this and hope you’re right. I think that legacy has the best chance if this spurs MLB to move forward with instant review.