Robbed

Three months is better than four. I just couldn't let tonight's results stand without regurgitating a combination of everyone else's opinions that I will call my own.

Officiating in sports will always be a hotbed issue. I can't keep track of how many times I've erred at my job, and that's without thousands of people watching in person, and millions more dissecting my every decision during and after the fact. On the other hand, if I could review all of my customer interactions on video I'd probably be a lot better at my job. And if my job actually mattered, they might force me to "watch the tape." But let's talk about the sucky job that you do care about.

It's been said many times that the best refs go unnoticed. That's where umpires differ. Whether ump makes a good call or not, you will notice him because he makes a call on every play. Football refs will do all kinds of things between and during plays, but unless they throw a flag or get in the way or dressed like an ice cold creamsicle you won't take note. They blow a whistle, but they don't make a noticeable decision on most plays. Every pitch, every batted ball, every wind-up can't be completed legally without the umpires' approval.

Which is probably why umpires do what they do. They not only get paid to interact with the game they (presumably) love, they get paid to control the game they (presumably) love. And they really do control the game. Their rule is final. In what other sport can a player be ejected for arguing with an official, without warning?

It's natural to resent their power. They may have to answer to some league official at some point, but during the game there is nothing anyone else can do to stop an umpire making a mistake, and refusing to believe they made a mistake. Implementing instant replay two seasons ago was a big deal, because it was the first time an ump could be wrong, and be told he was wrong, and have his wrongness corrected. But what's more important: the distinction between a home run and not a home run or the distinction between an out and not an out? The answer lies in another question: which came first, the out or the home run?

Consider the American League Central. Umpire mistakes robbed both of the primary contenders tonight.

By now most have heard about Jim Joyce's mugging of Armando Galarraga and the Detroit Tigers. Best described by the man himself: "I just cost that kid a perfect game." Joyce said this after viewing the instant replay of his terrible call.

The small consolation of Detroit's stolen perfect game: they still won. Jim Joyce denied us history, but he did not deny victory. The Tigers would rather have the latter right now.

The big consolation: Dale Scott's compensatory robbery of the Twins' chance at victory. No national outlet mentions it, but instant replay clearly shows that Josh Wilson was just as out as Jason Donald.

Galarraga loses his place in history, but Detroit gains a game in the standings. Next to each other, in that sentence, makes it sound pretty lopsided. Come September, however, we'll see whose prize was more valuable.

Hibernation

In what may be a recurring pattern, I stopped writing for four months. Besides sleeping with grizzly bears, I've been reading about sports and following sports, agonizing over how many mistakes the Wolves will make and continue to make, and how consistently inconsistent the Wild remain.

There is some good news though: The Twins have been killing it. And killing it. And really, really KILLING IT. The Twins' payroll this year is pushing $100 million, and with the insurance money from Joe Nathan's UCL, the Twins could sign a possible replacement.

Wait, I didn't mention Joe Nathan's impending surgery? Or the Twins complete lack of any other reliable strike-out relievers? Oh. Well I guess you probably know this, but throwing a baseball 93 miles an hour does not strengthen a human arm. It really is too bad that there's so much money in it, because throwing a baseball does not do a body good. Joe Nathan will know this soon enough, because regaining his previous strength and range of motion takes almost a year of painstaking physical therapy. Some twelve million dollars in guaranteed salary will ease pain. Didn't I say we should trade him?

Not that a closer would net a team much. They're important, but only to contenders. They're probably the most important role-player on a baseball team, but should role-players take up more than 10% of a team's payroll? There's bound to be some teams who would trade for an elite closer, and be dumb enough to give up at least one prospect with star-potential. That's too much to give up for a luxury.

That's what Joe Nathan was/is: a luxury. Baseball games have lasted nine innings for a hundred years without much trouble. The Twins have played without the ninth inning for awhile, but they can still win playing it old school. Which they will have to do, because a good replacement isn't going to fall into their lap. Teams will be asking for half the farm, because the Twins will not have enough options to get a favorable price.

So who will end up closing? Don't be surprised if it's Nick Punto.

So I guess that turned out a bit more negative than such great news merits. The Twins are going into this season with a new stadium and a new infield. They're going to be good, even if Nick Punto really does pitch in the ninth. At least his defense would be solid.