Armando Galarraga

• Texas Rangers (2007)
• Detroit Tigers (2008-2010)
• Arizona Diamondbacks (2011 -present)

Armando Antonio Galarraga ( born January 15, 1982 in Cumana, Venezuela ) is a Venezuelan baseball player in Major League Baseball. He plays as a pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks in the American League.

Galarraga was in the U.S. through a fast- known Perfect Game: Due to a later confessed the referee Jim Joyce error in the assessment of a game situation Galarraga is not officially counted as 21 players with a Perfect Game.

Career

Galarraga began his career in a franchise system of the Montreal Expos (now the Washington Nationals ). He moved in 2005 to the Texas Rangers, where he made the season end of 2007 his first three games in the MLB. Before the 2008 season, he was discharged to the Detroit Tigers and was there a successful season with 13 wins contest with seven defeats and an ERA of 3.73. His next career move was the appointment for the season opening game ( Opening Day ) 2009, but this season was much worse for him. He only came up with six wins in ten defeats in 29 starts, his ERA deteriorated to 5.64. After poor results for him Spring Training 2010, he lost his place in the starting rotation and had to change in the system of Tigers farm team for the Toledo Mudhens (AAA). Only in May 2010, he was re-appointed to the MLB team.

The almost perfect game

The wrong decision

In the game against the Cleveland Indians on 2 June 2010 Galarraga abolished the extremely rare achievement that the first 26 ( of 27) batters the opponent did not reach the first base. Cleveland's Jason Donald as the 27th batter then hit a ground ball to first baseman Miguel Cabrera, this threw to Galarraga, who covered the first base. The Call, the decision of the umpire, was " safe " in favor of the batter, although the defense of the Tigers had made the player "off", as the video recording finished.

As was the umpire Jim Joyce after the game confronted with the question on his decision, he replied that he had misjudged the situation and the game as a Perfect Game would have to end.

"That was the most important call of my career and I have full verpeilt him. I have tasted this boy a Perfect Game. "

As a result, the performance of Galarraga is run as a one-hit shutout, since according to the official, and thus valid rating in the penultimate at-bat scored a hit.

The subsequent development

Joyce admitted his mistake shortly after the game publicly and apologized to Galarraga. In the game the following day Joyce was plate umpire. Instead of the manager Galarraga delivered the line-up card. In tears, Joyce took the card, both shook hands and Galarraga went to a pat on the back from Joyce visibly touched to the dugout. Both were received from all sides recognition for their exemplary athletic stance. Galarraga was gifted before the game with a red Chevrolet Corvette not only for the loss of Perfect Game, but especially for his attitude towards the umpire and his impeccable handling of the situation. The first base on which the mistake took place, is on display at the Baseball Hall of Fame.