Tradition is a glorious and noble concept. Just ask Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof." That is until it is corrupted and lapses into crazy silliness, which is exactly what happened in Detroit this early summer when the Tigers pitcher was one out away from a perfect game -- only the 21st in Major League Baseball history. The pitch was thrown and the ball was hit to the first baseman who threw it to the pitcher who ran to cover first base. The runner was out. A perfect game -- no runs, no hits, no errors and no walks. The first in Tiger history.
But wait. The umpire called the runner safe. The whole park knew it was a bad call. The pitcher was dumbstruck. Video replay confirmed beyond any doubt that the man was out, and shortly after that the ump himself admitted it was a bad call and that indeed the Tigers had won a "perfect game."
Was the call reversed? No way! By tradition, the umpire's decision is final, infallible and not open to appeal. This is -- no, was -- an honored and reasonable tradition years ago and for many years, before the advent of instant video replay. But to make such a weighty decision in 2010 based on a tradition that is hopelessly outdated can be termed nothing less than pernicious silliness. Yet, Bud Selig, the commissioner of baseball, upheld the call and voided a perfect game. Given all the evidence, combined with a modest dose of common sense, I submit that Selig's judgment and decision on this case was as totally errant as was the ump's initial call -- and that judgment is not open to review.
Joseph F. Just
Ely
