History in the making..

So I'm sitting at my desk at work and I get a phone call from a close buddy around 4:45, he proceeds to tell me he has two tickets to the Tigers game tonight and wanted to know if I wanted to go with him. Now keep in mind, this is the same buddy I'm am training with for the Triathlon and we have planned on getting a solid session at the gym tonight, swim, run, lift, the works. So I ponder his offer and say to him, "if we wanna be ready for this come August, we need to make sacrifices." He calmly replies "your right, lets get it done tonight." Now normally that's the complete opposite for both of us, as avid Detroit sports fans, we would normally say, screw the workout and lets go to this Tigers game and enjoy ourselves like gentleman, but not tonight. We are determined to stay on my training schedule and kick some A$$ in this Tri. Good for us right?!

As we walk out of the gym sipping our usual J.Rob(protein shake) bullshitting and patting ourselves on the back for having such a good work out, I reach for my blackberry and notice I have an unusual amount of text messages and missed phone calls. Now listen, I know I'm a popular guy and all but 173 texts and 49 missed calls in 2 hours is a bit above average. Kidding of course, but after checking a couple texts I look at my buddy (who prefers to remain nameless) and I say, we gotta get to the car, ASAFP! I tell him Armando is perfect through 7 innings and he just gives me this look that says it all. We rush to the car and put on 97.1 the ticket immediately. Both listening very intently we look at each and we don't need to utter a word, we are both already thinking it..Why in gods name are we not there right now?!

As we listen to Armando go perfect through 8, we still don't say much, as if to not let Galaragga hear us, we don't want to be the reason for something bad happening. As they come out for the 9th, we are both gitty about the possibility of Armando becoming the first pitcher in Tigers history to throw a perfect game, 1st EVER. As he starts off the 9th against Mark Grudzielanek, Armando hangs a fastball over the plate and Mark pounds it to deep left center. As we both listen to the call on the radio holding our breath, the announcer belts "Jackson, tracking to deep center, at the warning track, HE GOT IT! CAUGHT! CAUGHT!" What we would eventually see later that night was the recently acquired rookie phenom CF Austin Jackson make one of the better catches you will see in baseball. Which sadly will go overlooked in many circles after what is about to transpire, 1 down. Next up is Mike Redmond, ground out, 2 down. So here it is, the stage is set, 26 up, 26 down. Galaragga is only one out away from making history. Only 3 strikes from doing something only 20 other pitchers have done in major league baseball history and a feat that has never been accomplished while wearing the legendary old english D. Jason Donald comes to the plate, my buddy and I listening so intently and looking at each other with sheer excitement inside..."Galaragga delivers, Donald swings its a ground ball towards first, Cabrera over to make the play, Galaragga covering the throw is on time, he's Oooouuu SAFE!! OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG" the announcer continues to say. My buddy look at each other in total disbelief, this can't be happening. My phone proceeds to ring from a handful of my closest friends, some local, some from out of town, but all with one thing in common, die hard Detroit sports faithful. "Did you just see that they ask, that was the worst call I have ever seen." "I can't believe that just happened" one friend repeats. "what an absolute joke!" As we look at each other in disbelief still with with out vision of what just transpired, I can hardly wait to get home. "wait till you see the replays, your going to flip out" one friend says. He was right, when I saw the replays I was absolutely outraged. I couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing. I was actually lucky enough to catch the entire 9th inning replayed live and had chills the entire time up until the end when my stomach hit the floor. I can't remember the last time I felt so genuinely bad for an athlete. He had something so pure and sacred stolen from him right in front of his eyes, with total unjust. I proceeded to rant to my father, "Ref's ruin everything, this happens so damn much in sports and im sick of it!" I continue to complain about, "why doesn't baseball have instant replay at a broader scale, this is total bullshit!" As I sat there and continued to watch coverage and put myself through agony, several things started running through my mind. Such as, I could of been at this game and witnessed this entire chain of event's live. I also thought to myself, wow Armando is really showing maturity and grace after being robbed blind of such a historic feat. As I walked around my house and thought about everything that had just transpired in more depth, I came to this conclusion. I didn't witness a travesty and I didn't just miss out on an opportunity to a game that will be remembered for ages. I just witnessed the 28 year old Armando Galaragga of my hometown Detroit Tigers pitch the first 28 out perfect game in Major league baseball history. All in completely thrilling and suspenseful manor.

So congratulations to you Mr. Galaragga. On this overcast Wednesday in early June I will always remember you as perfect, not only by your play on the mound but also because of the professionalism and class you exude.