Armando Galarraga
Encyclopedia
Armando Antonio Galarraga (born January 15, 1982) is a Venezuela
n professional baseball
pitcher
who is a free agent. Galarraga made his Major League Baseball
debut with the Texas Rangers
on September 15, 2007. On June 2, 2010, while playing for the Detroit Tigers
, he lost a perfect game
following a wrong call made by umpire Jim Joyce
in the top of the ninth with two outs.
Galarraga was born in Cumaná
, Venezuela
. He originally signed as a free agent
with the Montreal Expos
on October 31, 1998. He was acquired by the Rangers from the Washington Nationals
as part of the deal that sent Alfonso Soriano
to the Nationals in 2005.
for Michael Hernandez, an outfielder that had spent the last season playing for the AA Erie Seawolves
. As a minor league
call up for the injured Dontrelle Willis
, Galarraga earned his first career win
April 16, 2008 in a 13–2 victory over the Cleveland Indians
.
ile:Armando Galrraga 2009.jpg|thumb|left|Galarraga pitching in 2009]
On June 13, 2008 Galarraga pitched seven shutout innings in a 5–0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers
. He finished the 2008 campaign with a 13–7 record, a 3.73 ERA
, and 126 strikeouts in 178⅔ innings. Additionally, he placed fifth in AL rookie of the year balloting. 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. Galarraga threw sliders 38.9% of the time in 2008, more than any other starting pitcher
in the majors.
. 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.
. 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. On July 19, the Tigers recalled Galarraga.
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 on a close play, ending the perfect game and no-hitter. Completing the one-hitter, 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
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, Roy Halladay
having thrown his on May 29, the fourth no hitter of the season, as well as the third perfect game in 24 days.
Joyce later issued a direct apology to Galarraga, saying that the call was incorrect. Galarraga accepted the mistake gracefully, saying later, “Nobody’s perfect.” Observers pointed to the handling of the situation as an example of good sportsmanship
on both sides. 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.
by the Tigers. On January 24, 2011 he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks
in exchange for pitchers Kevin Eichhorn and Ryan Robowski.
On May 17, 2011, Galarraga was designated for assignment with the Reno Aces After the 2011 season, he elected for free agency.
Category:Living people
Category:Texas Rangers players
Category:Detroit Tigers players
Category:Arizona Diamondbacks players
Category:2009 World Baseball Classic players
Category:Major League Baseball pitchers
Category:Major League Baseball players from Venezuela
Category:People from Caracas
Category:People from Cumaná
Category:Gulf Coast Expos players
Category:Savannah Sand Gnats players
Category:Potomac Nationals players
Category:Harrisburg Senators players
Category:Arizona League Rangers players
Category:Spokane Indians players
Category:Bakersfield Blaze players
Category:Frisco RoughRiders players
Category:Oklahoma RedHawks players
Category:Toledo Mud Hens players
de:Armando Galarraga
fr:Armando Galarraga
ja:アーマンド・ガララーガ
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
n professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who is a free agent. Galarraga made his Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
debut with the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
on September 15, 2007. On June 2, 2010, while playing for the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, he lost a perfect game
Armando Galarraga's near-perfect game
In an American League baseball game played on June 2, 2010 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan, Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga nearly became the 21st pitcher in Major League history to throw a perfect game...
following a wrong call made by umpire Jim Joyce
Jim Joyce
James A. "Jim" Joyce III is a Major League Baseball umpire who has worked in the American League from 1987 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000. He wears uniform number 66...
in the top of the ninth with two outs.
Galarraga was born in Cumaná
Cumaná
Cumaná is the capital of Venezuela's Sucre State. It is located 402 km east of Caracas. It was the first settlement founded by Europeans in the mainland America, in 1501 by Franciscan friars, but due to successful attacks by the indigenous people, it had to be refounded several times...
, Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
. He originally signed as a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
with the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
on October 31, 1998. He was acquired by the Rangers from the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
as part of the deal that sent Alfonso Soriano
Alfonso Soriano
Alfonso Guilleard Soriano is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs....
to the Nationals in 2005.
2007
Armando Galarraga made his major league debut on September 15, 2007 against the Oakland Athletics. He entered the game in the eighth inning, and pitched a scoreless inning. He allowed no hits and one base on balls.2008
On February 5, 2008, Galarraga was traded to the Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for Michael Hernandez, an outfielder that had spent the last season playing for the AA Erie Seawolves
Erie SeaWolves
The Erie SeaWolves are a minor league baseball team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball club....
. As a minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
call up for the injured Dontrelle Willis
Dontrelle Willis
Dontrelle Wayne Willis , nicknamed "The D-Train", is an American professional baseball pitcher. Willis is notable for his success during his first few years in the league and for his unconventional pitching style, which includes a high leg kick and exaggerated twisting away from the batter...
, Galarraga earned his first career win
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
April 16, 2008 in a 13–2 victory over the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
.
ile:Armando Galrraga 2009.jpg|thumb|left|Galarraga pitching in 2009]
On June 13, 2008 Galarraga pitched seven shutout innings in a 5–0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
. He finished the 2008 campaign with a 13–7 record, a 3.73 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
, and 126 strikeouts in 178⅔ innings. Additionally, he placed fifth in AL rookie of the year balloting. 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. Galarraga threw sliders 38.9% of the time in 2008, more than any other starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
in the majors.
2009
On April 10, 2009, Galarraga pitched the home opener at Comerica ParkComerica Park
Comerica Park is an open-air ballpark located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It serves as the home of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball's American League, replacing historic Tiger Stadium in 2000....
. Tigers manager Jim Leyland
Jim Leyland
James Richard "Jim" Leyland is a Major League Baseball manager, currently with the Detroit Tigers.He led the Florida Marlins to a World Series championship in 1997, and previously won three straight division titles with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
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
Miguel Cabrera
José Miguel Cabrera Torres nicknamed "Miggy", is a Venezuelan professional baseball first baseman with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed....
. On April 29, prior to a game against the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, 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
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. Galarraga was called up to the Tigers in May 2010 and was put into the starting rotationStarting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
. 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. On July 19, the Tigers recalled Galarraga.
Near-perfect game
On June 2, 2010, Galarraga pitched 8⅔ perfect innings, but lost the perfect game on the 27th batter after what was ruled an infield hit. Rookie Jason DonaldJason Donald (baseball)
Jason Thomas Donald is an Olympian for the United States and a Major League Baseball shortstop who currently plays for the Cleveland Indians...
hit a ground ball to first baseman Miguel Cabrera
Miguel Cabrera
José Miguel Cabrera Torres nicknamed "Miggy", is a Venezuelan professional baseball first baseman with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed....
, who tossed to Galarraga—who was covering first base—but first base umpire Jim Joyce
Jim Joyce
James A. "Jim" Joyce III is a Major League Baseball umpire who has worked in the American League from 1987 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000. He wears uniform number 66...
incorrectly called Donald safe on a close play, ending the perfect game and no-hitter. Completing the one-hitter, 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
Addie Joss
Adrian Joss was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched his entire nine-year baseball career for the Cleveland Bronchos/Naps .-Early life:...
74 in 1908, and the shortest game since Sandy Koufax
Sandy Koufax
Sanford "Sandy" Koufax is a former left-handed baseball pitcher who played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers...
s perfect game in 1965. It would have been the second perfect game in the Major Leagues in just four days, Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
having thrown his on May 29, the fourth no hitter of the season, as well as the third perfect game in 24 days.
Joyce later issued a direct apology to Galarraga, saying that the call was incorrect. Galarraga accepted the mistake gracefully, saying later, “Nobody’s perfect.” Observers pointed to the handling of the situation as an example of good sportsmanship
Sportsmanship
Sportsmanship is an aspiration or ethos that a sport or activity will be enjoyed for its own sake, with proper consideration for fairness, ethics, respect, and a sense of fellowship with one's competitors...
on both sides. 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.
2011 season
During the 2010–11 offseason, Galarraga was designated for assignmentDesignated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
by the Tigers. On January 24, 2011 he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
in exchange for pitchers Kevin Eichhorn and Ryan Robowski.
On May 17, 2011, Galarraga was designated for assignment with the Reno Aces After the 2011 season, he elected for free agency.
External links
Category:1982 birthsCategory:Living people
Category:Texas Rangers players
Category:Detroit Tigers players
Category:Arizona Diamondbacks players
Category:2009 World Baseball Classic players
Category:Major League Baseball pitchers
Category:Major League Baseball players from Venezuela
Category:People from Caracas
Category:People from Cumaná
Category:Gulf Coast Expos players
Category:Savannah Sand Gnats players
Category:Potomac Nationals players
Category:Harrisburg Senators players
Category:Arizona League Rangers players
Category:Spokane Indians players
Category:Bakersfield Blaze players
Category:Frisco RoughRiders players
Category:Oklahoma RedHawks players
Category:Toledo Mud Hens players
de:Armando Galarraga
fr:Armando Galarraga
ja:アーマンド・ガララーガ