MLB Commissioner Bud Selig had an opportunity on Thursday to reverse umpire Jim Joyce’s botched call that cost Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game.
Predictably, Selig – admitting that “there is no dispute that last night’s game should have ended differently” – refused to overturn Joyce’s call.
Selig said he would “examine our umpiring system, the expanded use of instant replay and all other related features” in the wake of the blown call.
He said he’d consult with baseball’s labor unions and the game’s special committee for on-field matters before announcing any decisions.
As usual, Selig appears to be blind to the obvious. Just as he’s done with every major issue facing baseball, he’s allowed the growing problem of umpires blowing calls to reach a crisis point before taking action.
For Selig to suggest that the umpiring system needs to be reviewed now is laughable. It should have been addressed years ago when the problem began.
Selig clearly lacks the prerequisite proactive management skills to effectively deal with baseball’s problems.
He’s exhibited that inability throughout his tenure as commissioner, and this latest issue only exacerbates his inability to recognize the revisions baseball needs to provide fans with an acceptable product.
Despite the baseball purists who believe Selig made the correct decision in not reversing Joyce’s call, what they fail to understand is the long-term consequences situations like this create.
The “human element” that baseball loves to invoke doesn’t mean that Selig can divorce himself of the human element of the game.
By continuing to protect the umpires and the so called integrity of the game, Selig is allowing Joyce’s failed job performance to stand.
What Selig fails to recognize is that integrity must be earned through truth, and if the truth is going to be ignored there can be no honor in the integrity of baseball.
Where else but in Major League Baseball would an error of this magnitude be okay?
No where.
Unfortunately for baseball fans, until that day comes when Selig is fired or resigns, the game will continue to have problems that he’s either incapable or unwilling to address.
Unlike Joyce who admitted his mistake and apologized, Selig couldn’t muster the intestinal fortitude to do the same.
It’s a case where Selig simply lacked the courage to make the right decision, but that doesn’t come as a shock given his track record.
