Armando Galarraga

Last updated

2⁄3 innings. [4] When batters did hit the ball against him, they only managed a .237 batting average on balls in play, the lowest in the Major Leagues. [5] Galarraga threw sliders 38.9% of the time in 2008, more than any other starting pitcher in the majors. [6]

After a superb rookie season, Galarraga finished fourth in the balloting for the 2008 American League Rookie of the Year Award.

2009

On April 10, 2009, Galarraga pitched the home opener at Comerica Park. Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Galarraga deserved to pitch Opening Day after having an impressive 2008 season. The Tigers won the game 15–2, which included a grand slam by Miguel Cabrera. On April 29, prior to a game against the New York Yankees, Galarraga received his 2008 Tigers Rookie of the Year award from the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association.

Statistically, Galarraga did not approach the success he achieved in the 2008 season. His 2009 ERA was a below average 5.64, and opposing batters hit a high .284 against him.

2010

Galarraga pitching in July 2010 Armando Galarraga pitching 2010 cropped.jpg
Galarraga pitching in July 2010

In seven innings of work in spring training of 2010, Galarraga allowed nine runs, 14 hits and seven walks. That, coupled with his attitude ("They've seen my stuff; they know what I can do", Galarraga said during his ineffective spring training stint), prompted the Tigers to option him to the Tigers Triple-A affiliate Toledo on March 18, 2010. [7] Galarraga was called up to the Tigers in May 2010 and was put into the starting rotation. He had an ERA of 4.50 as of June 1. Galarraga was optioned to Toledo on July 6, 2010 but Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski has said he would return on July 20 and start against Texas. [8] On July 19, the Tigers recalled Galarraga. [9]

"The 28-out perfect game"

On June 2, 2010, Galarraga pitched 82⁄3 perfect innings, but the perfect game disappeared on the 27th batter after what was ruled an infield hit. Rookie Jason Donald hit a ground ball to first baseman Miguel Cabrera, who tossed to Galarraga—who was covering first base—but first base umpire Jim Joyce incorrectly called Donald safe, ending the perfect game and no-hitter bids. Galarraga retired the next batter, completing the one-hitter, though many in the Tiger press preferred to call it "the 28-out perfect game." [10] Galarraga threw 88 pitches, 67 of them for strikes. If he had completed the perfect game (83 pitches), it would have been the lowest number of pitches thrown since Addie Joss's 74 in 1908, and the shortest game since Sandy Koufax 's perfect game in 1965. It would have been the second perfect game in the Major Leagues in just four days, Philadelphia's Roy Halladay having thrown his on May 29, and the third in 24 days (Dallas Braden of Oakland on May 9).

Joyce, who later received death threats from Tigers fans, issued a direct apology to Galarraga, saying that the call was incorrect. [11] [12] [13] Galarraga accepted the mistake gracefully, saying later, "Nobody's perfect." [14] Observers pointed to the handling of the situation as an example of good sportsmanship on both sides. [14] He was presented with a "Medal of Reasonableness" for his reasoned response to Joyce's call at the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear. [15]

Arizona Diamondbacks

During the 2010–11 offseason, Galarraga was designated for assignment by the Tigers. [16] On January 24, 2011 he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for pitchers Kevin Eichhorn and Ryan Robowski. [17]

Galarraga pitching in April 2011 Armando Galarraga (51007091977) (cropped).jpg
Galarraga pitching in April 2011

On May 17, 2011, Galarraga was designated for assignment and spent the rest of the season with the AAA Reno Aces [18] After the 2011 season, he became a free agent. [19]

Baltimore Orioles

Galarraga signed as a minor league free agent with the Baltimore Orioles on January 18, 2012. The Orioles released him on April 6.

Houston Astros

He signed a minor league contract as a free agent with the Houston Astros on May 21, 2012. He pitched in five games for the Astros between July 28 and August 19, losing four of them. Galarraga was designated for assignment on August 22 [20] and released on August 25, 2012.

Cincinnati Reds

Galarraga signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds in January 2013. [21]

Colorado Rockies

He was traded to the Colorado Rockies for Parker Frazier on July 15, 2013. [22] He was assigned to AAA affiliate Colorado Springs Sky Sox. [23]

Texas Rangers

In January 2014, Galarraga joined the Texas Rangers on a minor league deal. [24] He was released on March 24. [25]

Chinatrust Brother Elephants

Galarraga signed a contract with the Chinatrust Brother Elephants of Taiwan's Chinese Professional Baseball League in April 2014. He pitched 10 games and posted an ERA of 4.47. He was released by the club on July 5, 2014.

Pericos de Puebla

In 2015, Galarraga signed a contract with the Pericos de Puebla of the Mexican League. [26]

In between, Galarraga played winter ball with the Leones del Caracas club of the Venezuelan League in parts of seven seasons spanning 2009–2014.

Galarraga retired from professional baseball in December 2015. [27]

Personal life

Armando and his wife Christin met when he was a minor league player for the Montreal Expos and she was a strength and conditioning coach for the team. The couple had two wedding ceremonies, one in Chicago, Illinois on January 19, 2008, and the other in Venezuela on January 28, 2008. [28]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenny Rogers (baseball)</span> American baseball player

Kenneth Scott Rogers is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher, with a 20-year career for six different teams. He won the 1996 World Series with the New York Yankees over the Atlanta Braves, and played in the 2006 World Series with the Detroit Tigers. In addition to being known for his fielding, he pitched the 14th perfect game in MLB history. In 2008, he was the oldest baseball player in the American League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colby Lewis</span> American baseball player (born 1979)

Colby Preston Lewis, popularly nicknamed "Cobra", is a former American professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, Oakland Athletics, and Texas Rangers and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Félix Hernández</span> Venezuelan baseball player (born 1986)

Félix Abraham Hernández García, nicknamed "King Félix", is a Venezuelan former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners from 2005 through 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Wilson (baseball)</span> American baseball player (born 1981)

Joshua Aaron Wilson is an American former professional baseball infielder. Wilson is a Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania native. He was part of the 1998 Pennsylvania state championship baseball team and Pennsylvania Player of the Year. Wilson played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Florida Marlins, Washington Nationals, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Garza</span> American baseball player (born 1983)

Matthew Scott Garza is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2006 with the Minnesota Twins, and also played in MLB for the Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers and Milwaukee Brewers. With the Rays, Garza was named the American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player in 2008, and threw a no-hitter on July 26, 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Joyce</span> American baseball umpire (born 1955)

James Alfred Joyce III is an American former professional baseball umpire who worked in the American League (AL) from 1987 to 1999 and throughout Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2000 to 2016. He wore uniform number 6 while in the AL and number 66 for MLB. His loud and enthusiastic strike call drew comparisons to that of retired umpire Bruce Froemming. Though his umpiring was generally praised by players and coaches, Joyce is best known for his incorrect call in Armando Galarraga's near-perfect game in June 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marvin Hudson</span> American baseball umpire (born 1964)

Marvin Lee Hudson is an American Major League Baseball (MLB) umpire who began his career in the National League in 1998. He has officiated in the 2004 All-Star Game, eight Division Series, two League Championship Series, and two World Series. He wears uniform number 51.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Scherzer</span> American baseball player (born 1984)

Maxwell Martin Scherzer is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets. A right-handed starting pitcher, Scherzer is an eight-time MLB All-Star, has won three Cy Young Awards, has pitched two no-hitters, and won the World Series with the Nationals in 2019, and the Texas Rangers in 2023. Known for his intensity and competitiveness on the field, he is nicknamed "Mad Max" after the film series of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austin Jackson (baseball)</span> American baseball player (born 1987)

Austin Jarriel Jackson is an American former professional baseball center fielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants and New York Mets. Prior to playing professionally, he attended Billy Ryan High School.

The following are the baseball events of the year 2010 throughout the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeanmar Gómez</span> Venezuelan baseball player

Jeanmar Alejandro Gómez is a Venezuelan former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, and Texas Rangers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug Fister</span> American baseball player (born 1984)

Douglas Wildes Fister is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox, and Texas Rangers from 2009 through 2018.

The 2010 Major League Baseball season began April 4, with the regular season ending on October 3. The 2010 All-Star Game was played on July 13 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, California. The National League ended a 13-game winless streak with a 3–1 victory. Due to this result, the World Series began October 27 in the city of the National League Champion, the San Francisco Giants, and ended November 1 when the Giants defeated the American League Champion Texas Rangers, four games to one.

The 2010 Detroit Tigers season was the team's 110th season. This year saw the passing of legendary Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell, and nearly saw the first perfect game thrown by a Tigers pitcher. The Tigers spent most of the season in 2nd or 3rd place. The third-place Tigers finished 13 games behind the AL Central Champion Minnesota Twins, with an 81–81 record and failed to make the playoffs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armando Galarraga's near-perfect game</span> Baseball event

In a Major League Baseball game played on June 2, 2010, at Detroit's Comerica Park, Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga nearly became the 21st pitcher in Major League Baseball history to throw a perfect game. Facing the Cleveland Indians, Galarraga retired the first 26 batters he faced. His bid for a perfect game was ruined one out short when first-base umpire Jim Joyce incorrectly ruled that Indians batter Jason Donald reached first base safely on a ground ball. Galarraga instead finished with a one-hit shutout in a 3–0 victory. He faced 28 batters and threw 88 pitches, striking out three. The game is sometimes referred to as the "28-out perfect game", the "Almost Perfect" game, the "Extra Perfect Game", the "Imperfect Game" or simply the "Galarraga game."

The 2011 Detroit Tigers season was the team's 111th season. The season began on March 31 at New York against the Yankees, and the home opener was on April 8 against the Kansas City Royals. The Tigers honored the late Sparky Anderson during the season. The Tigers sent five players to the 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game: starting pitcher Justin Verlander, first baseman Miguel Cabrera, catcher Alex Avila, shortstop Jhonny Peralta, and closer José Valverde. The regular season concluded September 28 at home against the Cleveland Indians, with the Tigers holding a 95–67 record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drew Smyly</span> American baseball pitcher (born 1989)

Todd Andrew Smyly is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, and Atlanta Braves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">José Álvarez (baseball, born 1989)</span> Venezuelan baseball player (born 1989)

José Ricardo Álvarez is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, and San Francisco Giants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Detroit Tigers season</span> Major League Baseball team season

The 2015 Detroit Tigers season was the team's 115th season, and their 16th season at Comerica Park. This season saw the release of president and general manager Dave Dombrowski, who had been with the team since 2002. In a season plagued by injuries to star players Justin Verlander, Víctor Martínez, Miguel Cabrera, José Iglesias, and Aníbal Sánchez, the Tigers finished in last place in their division with a 74–87 record, had their first losing season since 2008, and failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

References

  1. ↑ "Scout.com: Armando Galarrga (sic)". Scout.com. September 12, 2007. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics September 15, 2007". ESPN. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  3. ↑ Beck, Jason. "The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: Tigers pull off minor trade with Rangers". Detroit.tigers.mlb.com. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  4. ↑ "ESPN.com: Armando Galarraga Stats". ESPN. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  5. ↑ "2008 Major League Baseball Batting Against". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Major League Leaderboards » 2009 » Pitchers » Pitch Type Statistics". Fangraphs.com. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  7. ↑ DiComo, Anthony (March 18, 2010). "Tigers option Galarraga to Triple-A". MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 19, 2010. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Galarraga to Triple-A, Weinhardt called up". MLB.com. July 7, 2010.
  9. ↑ Beck, Jason (July 19, 2010). "Galarraga recalled, Oliver optioned". MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2010. Retrieved July 19, 2010.
  10. ↑ Beaton, Al (June 2, 2010). "Armando Galarraga pitches 28 out perfect game". SBNation. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  11. ↑ Lowe, John (June 3, 2010). "Umpire Jim Joyce apologizes to Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga for his blown call, denying Gallaraga his perfect game". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved June 3, 2010.
  12. ↑ Seidel, Jeff (June 3, 2010). "Fans applaud Galarraga for being perfect gentleman". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on June 7, 2010. Retrieved June 3, 2010.
  13. ↑ Wezner, Paul (June 3, 2010). "Despite Blown Call, Class Acts All Around". Scout with FoxSports.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2010. Retrieved June 3, 2010.
  14. 1 2 White, Paul (June 4, 2010). "When baseball gets it wrong. Blown call is a case for instant replay – and a lesson in sportsmanship". USA Today. pp. 1A.
  15. ↑ Montopoli, Brian (October 30, 2010). "Jon Stewart Rallies for Sanity – and Against Cable News". CBSNews.com. Archived from the original on November 1, 2010. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
  16. ↑ "The Tigers finalized their deal with pitcher Brad Penny and designate Armando Galarraga". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  17. ↑ Beck, Jason (January 24, 2011). "Tigers acquire two pitchers for Galarraga". MLB.com. Archived from the original on February 9, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2011.
  18. ↑ Gabel, Chris (May 28, 2011). "Galarraga to pitch for Aces tonight". RGJ.com. Gannett. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  19. ↑ Axisa, Mike (October 2011). "22 Triple-A Players Elect Free Agency". MLBTradeRumors.com. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  20. ↑ "Astros purchase contract of RHP Hector Ambriz". Associated Press. August 22, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  21. ↑ "MLB Rumors". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on February 15, 2013.
  22. ↑ Cotillo, Chris (July 15, 2013). "Reds, Rockies swap Galarraga, Frazier". SBNation. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Armando Galarraga acquired in trade involving Parker Frazier". Denver Post.
  24. ↑ Durrett, Richard (February 3, 2014). "Rangers sign Daniel Bard". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  25. ↑ Todd, Jeff (March 24, 2014). "Minor Moves: Galarraga, Wada, Lim". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Garcia ready to pitch in for Taiwan's Rhinos". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 29, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  27. ↑ Armando Galarraga retires, wants to be pitching coach
  28. ↑ Galarraga, Armando; Joyce, Jim; Paisner, Daniel (2011). Nobody's perfect: Two men, one call, and a game for baseball history . New York: Atlantic Monthly Press. p.  176. ISBN   978-0-8021-1988-9. LCCN   2011276151.
Armando Galarraga
Jia Luo La Jia Armando Galarraga.jpg
Galarraga pitching for the Chinatrust Brothers in 2014
Pitcher
Born: (1982-01-15) January 15, 1982 (age 42)
Cumaná, Venezuela
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Professional debut
MLB: September 15, 2007, for the Texas Rangers
CPBL: April 26, 2014, for the Chinatrust Brothers
Last appearance
MLB: August 19, 2012, for the Houston Astros
CPBL: June 29, 2014, for the Chinatrust Brothers
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.