The Perfect Response to the Almost Perfect Game

The recent debacle regarding the Perfect Game that almost was is a teaching moment for us all. When Armando Galarraga, the pitcher, touched first base for the final out, the entire stadium erupted. The tone quickly changed when Jim Joyce, the umpire, called the runner safe at first. That ended any possibility of a perfect game for this young pitcher. In an interview following the game, Joyce admitted that he robbed the pitcher of his perfect game, and he did so with tears running down his cheeks.

We knew we were dealing with someone special by the look on Galarraga's face after the terrible call. Cabrera, the second baseman, looked like he wanted to kill the ump. Galarraga, on the other hand, simply stood in disbelief. Jim Leyland, the manager, quickly ran to the ump to argue that the ruling be overturned. He was not successful.

We had further proof the next day. When the time came for the game to begin, Jim Leyland didn't deliver the lineup card to Jim Joyce, who was now behind home plate. It was Galarraga, the pitcher who was robbed of his perfect game. And when Joyce took the card from Galarraga, he had tears in his eyes, for he knew that it was his bad call that ruined the perfect game.

There are some teachable moments here for us all. This pitcher could have argued that he had been wronged, but he didn't. Instead, when he was wronged, he responded with grace and mercy toward the umpire. Also, when he was interviewed later, he recognized that mistakes are made in life and that even umpires are human. It was clear to everyone that he didn't harbor bitterness toward the ump.

How different than many ballfields around the country on any given evening. Parents all too often teach their children the roots of bitterness and self-centeredness by choosing a different path when mistakes are made or when wronged. They respond with a bitter spirit if a call doesn't go their way, and their example empowers their children to sulk and pout when they feel mistreated. The same is even true in many of our churches, as members who feel wronged or mistreated choose the path of anger or bitterness when things don't go their way.

Here is a radical thought. The next time you are wronged, don't cry foul. Instead, choose the path of grace and mercy shown to us by this young pitcher.

By the way, his perfect response to loosing the perfect game reminds us of someone even greater. Jesus, when He was mistreated, responded in the following manner. "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth" (Isaiah 53:7).

The fact that history will record one less perfect game is truly unfortunate. However, we are left with the example of the perfect response that reminds us that life is filled with mistakes and missed opportunities. We choose, however, how we will respond when it happens to us. When we wronged or mistreated, we can harbor bitterness and refuse to forgive or we can instead respond with grace and mercy.

~Jim