Armando Galarraga

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name=Armando Galarraga

|image=賈羅拉加 Armando Galarraga.jpg

|image_size=250

|caption= Galarraga pitching for the Chinatrust Brothers in 2014

|position=Pitcher

|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1982|1|15}}

|birth_place=Cumaná, Venezuela

|bats=Right

|throws=Right

|debutleague=MLB

|debutdate=September 15

|debutyear=2007

|debutteam=Texas Rangers

|finalleague=MLB

|finaldate=August 19

|finalyear=2012

|finalteam=Houston Astros

|debut2league=CPBL

|debut2date=April 26

|debut2year=2014

|debut2team=Chinatrust Brothers

|final2league=CPBL

|final2date=June 29

|final2year=2014

|final2team=Chinatrust Brothers

|statleague=MLB

|stat1label=Win–loss record

|stat1value=26–34

|stat2label=Earned run average

|stat2value=4.78

|stat3label=Strikeouts

|stat3value=346

|stat2league=CPBL

|stat21label=Win–loss record

|stat21value=1–5

|stat22label=Earned run average

|stat22value=4.47

|stat23label=Strikeouts

|stat23value=12

|teams=

Texas Rangers ({{mlby|2007}})
Detroit Tigers ({{mlby|2008}}–{{mlby|2010}})
Arizona Diamondbacks ({{mlby|2011}})
Houston Astros ({{mlby|2012}})
Chinatrust Brothers ({{by|2014}})

| awards =

Pitched a "perfect game" on June 2, 2010

}}

Armando Antonio Galarraga Barreto (born January 15, 1982) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball pitcher. Galarraga made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Texas Rangers on September 15, 2007. He was traded to the Detroit Tigers at the end of the 2007 season where he spent three seasons. He then played in MLB for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Houston Astros. In 2010, Galarraga was one out away from a perfect game when first base umpire Jim Joyce incorrectly called the runner safe.

Playing career

=Texas Rangers=

He originally signed as a free agent with the Montreal Expos on October 31, 1998. He was acquired by the Texas Rangers from the Washington Nationals as part of the deal that sent Alfonso Soriano to the Nationals in 2005.{{cite web |url=http://rangers.scout.com/a.z?s=324&p=9&c=2&cid=678996&nid=3154886&fhn=1&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2frangers.scout.com%2fa.z%3fs%3d324%26p%3d9%26c%3d2%26cid%3d678996%26nid%3d3154886%26fhn%3d1 |title=Scout.com: Armando Galarrga (sic) |publisher=Scout.com|date=September 12, 2007|access-date=December 21, 2013}}

Galarraga made his Major League debut on September 15, 2007, against the Oakland Athletics. He entered the game in the eighth inning, and pitched a scoreless inning. He allowed no hits and one base on balls.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=270915111 |title=Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics September 15, 2007 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=April 23, 2011}}

=Detroit Tigers=

==2008==

On February 5, 2008, Galarraga was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Michael Hernandez, an outfielder that had spent the last season playing for the AA Erie SeaWolves.{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Beck |url=http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080205&content_id=2364741&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422011600/http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080205&content_id=2364741&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 22, 2008 |title=The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: Tigers pull off minor trade with Rangers |publisher=Detroit.tigers.mlb.com |access-date=June 7, 2012}} As a minor league call up for the injured Dontrelle Willis, Galarraga earned his first career win April 16, 2008, in a 13–2 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

On June 13, 2008, Galarraga pitched seven shutout innings in a 5–0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. He finished the 2008 campaign with a 13–7 record, a 3.73 earned run average (ERA), and 126 strikeouts in 178{{frac|2|3}} innings.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/28914/armando-galarraga |title=ESPN.com: Armando Galarraga Stats |publisher=ESPN |access-date= June 7, 2012}} When batters did hit the ball against him, they only managed a .237 batting average on balls in play, the lowest in the Major Leagues.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2008-batting-pitching.shtml |title=2008 Major League Baseball Batting Against |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date= June 7, 2012}} Galarraga threw sliders 38.9% of the time in 2008, more than any other starting pitcher in the majors.{{cite web |url=http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=y&type=4&season=2009&month=0 |title=Major League Leaderboards » 2009 » Pitchers » Pitch Type Statistics |publisher=Fangraphs.com |access-date= June 7, 2012}}

After a superb rookie season, Galarraga finished fourth in the balloting for the 2008 American League Rookie of the Year Award.

==2009==

On April 10, 2009, Galarraga pitched the home opener at Comerica Park. Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Galarraga deserved to pitch Opening Day after having an impressive 2008 season. The Tigers won the game 15–2, which included a grand slam by Miguel Cabrera. On April 29, prior to a game against the New York Yankees, Galarraga received his 2008 Tigers Rookie of the Year award from the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association.

Statistically, Galarraga did not approach the success he achieved in the 2008 season. His 2009 ERA was a below average 5.64, and opposing batters hit a high .284 against him.

==2010==

File:Armando Galarraga pitching 2010 cropped.jpg

In seven innings of work in spring training of 2010, Galarraga allowed nine runs, 14 hits and seven walks. That, coupled with his attitude ("They've seen my stuff; they know what I can do", Galarraga said during his ineffective spring training stint), prompted the Tigers to option him to the Tigers Triple-A affiliate Toledo on March 18, 2010.{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100318&content_id=8828124&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=Tigers option Galarraga to Triple-A |access-date=March 18, 2010 |last=DiComo |first=Anthony |date=March 18, 2010 |work=MLB.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100319012456/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100318&content_id=8828124&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |archive-date= March 19, 2010 |url-status=live}} Galarraga was called up to the Tigers in May 2010 and was put into the starting rotation. He had an ERA of 4.50 as of June 1. Galarraga was optioned to Toledo on July 6, 2010, but Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski has said he would return on July 20 and start against Texas.{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100706&content_id=11988334¬ebook_id=12020040&vkey=notebook_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det&partnerId=rss_det |title=Galarraga to Triple-A, Weinhardt called up |work=MLB.com |date=July 7, 2010}} On July 19, the Tigers recalled Galarraga.{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100719&content_id=12400994&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=Galarraga recalled, Oliver optioned |access-date=July 19, 2010 |last=Beck |first=Jason |date=July 19, 2010 |work=MLB.com |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100723144717/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100719&content_id=12400994&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |archive-date= July 23, 2010 |url-status=live}} On January 18, 2011, Galarraga was designated for assignment by the Tigers.{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110118&content_id=16451744&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |title=The Tigers finalized their deal with pitcher Brad Penny and designate Armando Galarraga |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |access-date=June 7, 2012}}

=="The 28-out perfect game"==

On June 2, 2010, Galarraga pitched 8{{frac|2|3}} perfect innings, but the perfect game disappeared on the 27th batter after what was ruled an infield hit. Rookie Jason Donald hit a ground ball to first baseman Miguel Cabrera, who tossed to Galarraga—who was covering first base—but first base umpire Jim Joyce incorrectly called Donald safe, ending the perfect game and no-hitter bids. Galarraga retired the next batter, completing the one-hitter, though many in the Tiger press preferred to call it "the 28-out perfect game."{{cite web |url=http://www.blessyouboys.com/2010/6/2/1498639/armando-galarraga-pitches-a-28-out |date=June 2, 2010 |title=Armando Galarraga pitches 28 out perfect game |publisher=SBNation |first=Al |last=Beaton |access-date=April 21, 2014}} Galarraga threw 88 pitches, 67 of them for strikes. If he had completed the perfect game (83 pitches), it would have been the lowest number of pitches thrown since Addie Joss's 74 in 1908, and the shortest game since Sandy Koufax{{'}}s perfect game in 1965. It would have been the second perfect game in the Major Leagues in just four days, Philadelphia's Roy Halladay having thrown his on May 29, and the third in 24 days (Dallas Braden of Oakland on May 9).

Joyce, who later received death threats from Tigers fans, issued a direct apology to Galarraga, saying that the call was incorrect.{{cite news |last=Lowe |first=John |url=http://www.freep.com/article/20100602/SPORTS02/100602063/1358/SPORTS/Umpire-Jim-Joyce-apologizes-to-Tigers-Galarraga-for-blown-call |title=Umpire Jim Joyce apologizes to Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga for his blown call, denying Gallaraga his perfect game |work=Detroit Free Press |date=June 3, 2010 |access-date=June 3, 2010}}{{cite news |last=Seidel |first=Jeff |title=Fans applaud Galarraga for being perfect gentleman |work=Detroit Free Press |date=June 3, 2010 |url=http://www.freep.com/article/20100603/SPORTS02/100603045 |access-date=June 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100607043022/http://www.freep.com/article/20100603/SPORTS02/100603045 |archive-date=June 7, 2010 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Wezner |first=Paul |title=Despite Blown Call, Class Acts All Around |publisher=Scout with FoxSports.com |date=June 3, 2010 |url=http://tigers.scout.com/2/974557.html |access-date=June 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606092056/http://tigers.scout.com/2/974557.html |archive-date=June 6, 2010 |url-status=dead }} Galarraga accepted the mistake gracefully, saying later, "Nobody's perfect." Observers pointed to the handling of the situation as an example of good sportsmanship on both sides.{{Cite news |first=Paul |last=White |title=When baseball gets it wrong. Blown call is a case for instant replay – and a lesson in sportsmanship |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2010-06-03-joyce-galarraga-blown-call_N.htm |work=USA Today |pages=1A |date=June 4, 2010}} Galarraga was presented with a "Medal of Reasonableness" for his reasoned response to Joyce's call at the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear.{{Cite news |first=Brian |last=Montopoli |title=Jon Stewart Rallies for Sanity – and Against Cable News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jon-stewart-rallies-for-sanity-and-against-cable-news/ |publisher=CBSNews.com |date=October 30, 2010 |access-date=October 31, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101101055938/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20021281-503544.html |archive-date=November 1, 2010 |url-status=live}}

=Arizona Diamondbacks=

On January 24, 2011, he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for pitchers Kevin Eichhorn and Ryan Robowski.{{cite web |last=Beck |first=Jason |title=Tigers acquire two pitchers for Galarraga |work=MLB.com |date=January 24, 2011 |url=http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110124&content_id=16490666&vkey=news_det&c_id=det |access-date=January 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209045841/http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110124&content_id=16490666&vkey=news_det&c_id=det |archive-date= February 9, 2011 |url-status=dead}}

File:Armando Galarraga (51007091977) (cropped).jpg

On May 18, 2011, Galarraga was designated for assignment, he cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Reno Aces on May 20.{{cite news |url=http://www.rgj.com/article/20110528/SPORTS03/105280337/Galarraga-pitch-Aces-tonight?nclick_check=1 |title=Galarraga to pitch for Aces tonight |first=Chris |last=Gabel | work=RGJ.com |publisher=Gannett |date=May 28, 2011 |access-date=August 16, 2013}} He elected free agency following the season on September 30.{{cite web |last=Axisa |first=Mike |title=22 Triple-A Players Elect Free Agency |url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/10/22-triple-a-players-elect-free-agency.html |work=MLBTradeRumors.com |date=October 2011 |access-date=October 1, 2011}}

=Baltimore Orioles=

On January 30, 2012, Galarraga signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles. He was released on April 5.

=Houston Astros=

On May 21, 2012, Galarraga signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros. He had his contract selected to the major league roster on July 28. He pitched in five games for the Astros between July 28 and August 19, losing four of them. Galarraga was designated for assignment on August 22, he cleared waivers and was released on August 25.{{cite web|title=Astros purchase contract of RHP Hector Ambriz|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/astros-purchase-contract-rhp-hector-ambriz|agency=Associated Press|access-date=April 29, 2014|date=August 22, 2012}}

=Cincinnati Reds=

On January 17, 2013, Galarraga signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds.{{cite web |url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/mlb-rumors/21599076/reds-sign-pitcher-armando-galarraga-to-a-minorleague-deal |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130215163457/http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/mlb-rumors/21599076/reds-sign-pitcher-armando-galarraga-to-a-minorleague-deal |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 15, 2013 |title=MLB Rumors |publisher=CBSSports.com}}

=Colorado Rockies=

On July 15, 2013, Galarraga was traded to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for Parker Frazier.{{cite web |url=http://www.mlbdailydish.com/2013/7/15/4525238/reds-rockies-trade-galarraga-frazier |title=Reds, Rockies swap Galarraga, Frazier |first=Chris |last=Cotillo |publisher=SBNation |date=July 15, 2013 |access-date=April 21, 2014}} He was assigned to the Triple–A Colorado Springs Sky Sox.{{cite news |url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/rockies/2013/07/15/parker-frazier-traded-to-reds-for-armando-galarraga/15099/ |work=Denver Post |title=Armando Galarraga acquired in trade involving Parker Frazier}} He elected free agency following the season on November 4.

=Texas Rangers=

On February 3, 2014, Galarraga signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/dallas/mlb/story/_/id/10398717/texas-rangers-sign-daniel-bard-armando-galarraga |title=Rangers sign Daniel Bard |work=ESPN.com |date=February 3, 2014 | access-date=February 3, 2014 |author=Durrett, Richard}} He was released on March 23.{{cite web|last=Todd|first=Jeff|title=Minor Moves: Galarraga, Wada, Lim|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/03/minor-moves-tsuyoshi-wada-chang-yong-lim.html|publisher=MLB Trade Rumors|access-date=April 29, 2014|date=March 24, 2014}}

=Chinatrust Brothers=

On April 17, 2014, Galarraga signed with the Chinatrust Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. He pitched 10 games and posted an ERA of 4.47. He was released by the club on July 5, 2014.

=Pericos de Puebla=

On February 6, 2015, Galarraga signed with the Pericos de Puebla of the Mexican League.{{cite web|title=Garcia ready to pitch in for Taiwan's Rhinos|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=10855781|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|access-date=April 29, 2014|date=April 29, 2014}} In 10 starts for Puebla, Galarraga logged a 3–3 record and 3.75 ERA with 26 strikeouts across {{fraction|50|1|3}} innings pitched. He was released by the Pericos on June 21.

In between, Galarraga played winter ball with the Leones del Caracas club of the Venezuelan League in parts of seven seasons spanning 2009–2014.

Galarraga retired from professional baseball in December 2015.{{cite web | last=Sipple | first=George | title=Armando Galarraga retires, wants to be pitching coach | website=Detroit Free Press | date=December 7, 2015 | url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2015/12/07/armando-galarraga-retires-detroit-tigers/76929124/ | access-date=April 7, 2025}}

Personal life

Armando and his wife Christin met when he was a minor league player for the Montreal Expos and she was a strength and conditioning coach for the team. The couple had two wedding ceremonies: one in Chicago, Illinois on January 19, 2008, and the other in Venezuela on January 28.{{cite book|last1=Galarraga |first1=Armando |last2=Joyce |first2=Jim |last3=Paisner |first3=Daniel |date=2011 |title=Nobody's perfect: Two men, one call, and a game for baseball history |url=https://archive.org/details/nobodysperfecttw00gala |url-access=registration |publisher=Atlantic Monthly Press |publication-place=New York |page=[https://archive.org/details/nobodysperfecttw00gala/page/176 176] |isbn=978-0-8021-1988-9 |lccn=2011276151}}

References

External links

{{Baseballstats|mlb=451482| espn=28914|br=g/galarar01| fangraphs=4222 |brm=galarr001arm}}, or [http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/G/Pgalaa002.htm Retrosheet]

Category:1982 births

Category:Living people

Category:Arizona Diamondbacks players

Category:Arizona League Rangers players

Category:Bakersfield Blaze players

Category:Brother Elephants players

Category:Colorado Springs Sky Sox players

Category:Detroit Tigers players

Category:Frisco RoughRiders players

Category:Gulf Coast Expos players

Category:Harrisburg Senators players

Category:Houston Astros players