http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/2010/06/03/2010-06-03_galarraga_delivers_lineup_card_to_ump.htmlLess than 18 hours after his blown call cost Detroit pitcher Armando Galarraga the first perfect game in Tigers history, umpire Jim Joyce returned to the scene of the crime.
Walking onto the field at Comerica Park in tears Thursday afternoon, the first man to greet Joyce was Galarraga, who presented the lineup card to the embattled ump, a move Tiger manager Jim Leyland planned in hopes to defuse a possible angry crowd, caught up in what has become a debate for the ages.
"Major League Baseball gave Jim a chance to take himself off this game, but he said he wanted to do the game and take whatever he got," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "That shows you what kind of man he is."
"This is a chance for the city of Detroit to shine," Leyland added. "I hope everyone remembers that this was a man who made a mistake, and who feels worse about it than anyone."
Galarraga, who had just been presented with a Corvette by the Tigers, delivered the lineup card to Joyce and shook his hand, drawing cheers from the small afternoon crowd.
Members of the Tigers and Indians both praised Joyce for taking full responsibilty for his mistake - both in an emotional meeting with the media after the game and in a personal apology delivered to Galarraga.
"I'm sad, because everyone knows I pitched a perfect game, but he is just a human being," Galarraga said before the game. "He came over and apologized. I forgave him, and I gave him a hug. He made a mistake. That is all."
Joyce met with the media again Thursday, and while he showed no sign of forgiving himself, he appreciated the supportive words from Galarraga, Leyland and others.
"It was not surprising to me, but on the other hand, it was very surprising," he said. "They were both as sportsmanlike as gentleman like and as professional as anybody I've dealt with in this game."
Joyce said he has also received encouragement from many other sources.
"I cannot believe the outpouring of support I've gotten. Not only from my fellow umpires, but all my friends, my family," he said. "It's probably the hardest thing I've had to go through in my professional career without a doubt."
His biggest regret is that abusive messages have gone to his family.
"I wish my family was out of this. I wish they would direct it all to me," he said. "It's a big problem. My wife is a rock. My kids are very strong, but they don't deserve this. I'll take it. I'll take whatever you can give me, I'll take it like a man and I'll do the best I can."
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