Armando Galarraga

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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] He was designated for assignment on January 18, 2011, Galarraga was designated for assignment by the Tigers. [10]

"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." [11] 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. [12] [13] [14] Galarraga accepted the mistake gracefully, saying later, "Nobody's perfect." [15] Observers pointed to the handling of the situation as an example of good sportsmanship on both sides. [15] 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. [16]

Arizona Diamondbacks

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 18, 2011, Galarraga was designated for assignment, he cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Reno Aces on May 20. [18] He elected free agency following the season on September 30. [19]

Baltimore Orioles

On January 30, 2012, Galarraga signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles. He was released on April 5.

Houston Astros

On May 21, 2012, Galarraga signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros. He had his contract selected to the major league roster on July 28. 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, he cleared waivers and was released on August 25. [20]

Cincinnati Reds

On January 17, 2013, Galarraga signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds. [21]

Colorado Rockies

On July 15, 2013, Galarraga was traded to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for Parker Frazier. [22] He was assigned to the Triple–A Colorado Springs Sky Sox. [23] He elected free agency following the season on November 4.

Texas Rangers

On February 3, 2014, Galarraga signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers. [24] He was released on March 23. [25]

Chinatrust Brothers

On April 17, 2014, Galarraga signed with the Chinatrust Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. He pitched 10 games and posted an ERA of 4.47. He was released by the club on July 5, 2014.

Pericos de Puebla

On February 6, 2015, Galarraga signed with the Pericos de Puebla of the Mexican League. [26] In 10 starts for Puebla, Galarraga logged a 3–3 record and 3.75 ERA with 26 strikeouts across 50+1⁄3 innings pitched. He was released by the Pericos on June 21.

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. [28]

See also

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<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".

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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. Archived from the original on April 22, 2008. 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. ↑ "The Tigers finalized their deal with pitcher Brad Penny and designate Armando Galarraga". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  11. ↑ Beaton, Al (June 2, 2010). "Armando Galarraga pitches 28 out perfect game". SBNation. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. 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.
  16. ↑ 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.
  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
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