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Autographs Regarding the Perfect Game Pitcher

You've all heard the story by now. Pitcher Armando Galaragga pitched a perfect game. These are so rare, only 20 have been thrown in the entire history of major league baseball.

But wait...the first base umpire made a bad call, saying the last runner was safe (video replay clearly shows he wasn't).

The commissioner even considered reversing that call and award Galaragga the perfect game. Doing that, though, would open a big can of worms.

Until a rule could be instituted before hand, saying that they'll go to video replay, you can't just decide to do it.

GM gave this pitcher a brand new Corvette. He said he had no ill will towards the umpire, realizing it was just a mistake. The umpire was cheered by the crowd, and he even felt bad afterwards and was crying.

Everyone involved in this story have shown a lot of class.

Well, I just heard on CNN, that this error cost the pitcher at least $25,000 this season, on memorabilia he could've signed and sold. And, over the course of his lifetime (even if he doesn't pitch another game again), an additional $200,000.

They didn't name the memorabilia expert that made that quote, but I'm guessing he's accurate in that assumption.

Let's just hope Galaragga has a great career, and won't need to worry about a quarter of a million bucks.

Tags: Armando, Galaraggo, bad, call, corvette, game, perfect, umpire

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Comment by Herman Darvick on June 6, 2010 at 6:49pm: I disagree. He will make more money than if he had pitched a perfect game. GM already gave him a new car. He appeared on "Good Morning America." Armando Galarraga and Jim Joyce will do baseball shows in the off season just like other baseball stars. Even during the season. What would you pay for a ball or photo of that play at 1st base signed "Almost Perfect/Armando Galarrage" and "He was out!/Jim Joyce"? Ralph Branca and Bobby Thompson (now in their 80s) have done shows together. Mookie Wilson and Bill Buckner have done shows together. And Armando Galarraga and Jim Joyce will do baseball shows. Or maybe Steiner Sports has made them an offer they can't refuse.

Comment by Josh Board on June 6, 2010 at 9:17pm: That's a great point, Herman. Although, I think you make more on the perfect game memorabilia.
Ask any baseball fan...if they'd rather have an autographed baseball from a Hall of Famer, or Pete Rose, who isn't in the Hall (but wrote "sorry I bet on baseball" on the sweet spot)

Comment by Stephen Duncan on June 7, 2010 at 3:58pm: I see that BOTH your points Josh and Herman are fully valid. Pete Rose has been doing shows for the last 10 years+, including his book. He currently appears at STARS365 in Las Vegas at the Caesars Palace Forum Shops, and yes Billy Buckner has found the profitable side of his photographed error. Yet, having that perfect game in the record book would of come with a guarentee paycheck, I just think Galarraga will have to now work a little harder and a little more often at the autograph table. Either way, right now its good to be him.