DETROIT – Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga received a hearty welcome Thursday from fans still smarting from an umpire’s bad call that cost Galarraga a rare perfect game the night before.
The welcome wasn’t quite as warm for the offending umpire.
As a show of goodwill before Thursday afternoon’s series finale against the Indians, Tigers manager Jim Leyland had Galarraga present the lineup card to Joyce, who was behind the plate Thursday. They shook hands and as Galarraga walked away, Joyce patted him on the shoulder.
Galarraga received a standing ovation from the crowd.
But when Joyce’s name appeared on the scoreboard in leftfield, he was booed amid a smattering of cheers.