Armando Galarraga’s visit to an Austin troop was, well, perfect


Armando Galarraga and some Scouts from Troop 5

It was one of 2010’s biggest sports stories. On June 2, pitcher Armando Galarraga was one out away from a perfect game when umpire Jim Joyce made the wrong call at first base. Joyce incorrectly said the runner was safe, and the perfect game was no more.

Galarraga could’ve screamed and shouted at Joyce about the wrong call. He could’ve kicked the dirt and thrown down his glove. He could’ve whined to the media. But he didn’t.

In a refreshing change from how many players or managers would act in that situation, he simply said, “Nobody’s perfect.”

Galarraga’s sportsmanship and maturity sets a great example for Scouts. So it was fitting for him to visit Austin, Tex., Troop 5 late last year and share his message.

But rather than me telling you about the event, since I wasn’t there, I asked the troop to have a Scout write a news story about Galarraga’s visit.

Follow the jump to read how David H., a Star Scout from Troop 5, tells it.

On Tuesday, Dec. 14, Troop 5 of Austin, Tex., was in for a surprise.

Armando Galarraga, the famous pitcher formerly with the Detroit Tigers but now playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks, came to talk to the troop at its meeting place next to the Texas capitol building about his experiences in baseball.

He is most famously known as the one who lost a perfect game against the Cleveland Indians, after getting out 26 batters with only 2 outs in the inning left, because of a bad call made by an umpire (Jim Joyce).

He showed no anger at what wasn’t, he just took it well and kept playing the game he loved. He said that if he got the perfect game and the no hitter he wouldn’t have become as well known. Time magazine named the incident the No. 1 sports moment of 2010.

I think that he is known the most for just not dwelling on it. It shows that he has true character. At the meeting with Troop 5 he was signing old baseballs, new baseballs, torn baseballs and used baseballs. He demonstrated that if you are passionate for something you will keep doing it no matter how hard it gets.

He said that when he lived in Venezuela it was his dream to play Major League Baseball, and look where he is now. He talked about his visit with the umpire after the game. He said that the umpire was in tears and was so sorry for what he had cost him. He also said that after the game Joyce gave him the official scorecard of the game.

Galarraga said, “Things happen for a reason.”

David did a great job on the story, don’t you think?


About Bryan Wendell 3282 Articles
Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the founder of Bryan on Scouting and a contributing writer.