Tigers RHP Galarraga says it’s no big deal to be on the mound for 1st time with Joyce on field

By AP
Thursday, September 9, 2010

Tigers’ Galarraga says Joyce reunion not big deal

DETROIT — Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga is ho-hum about being on the mound for the first time with umpire Jim Joyce since their infamous moment together.

“It will be no big deal,” Galarraga said Thursday morning.

Galarraga is the probable pitcher and Joyce is scheduled to be behind the plate Friday night when Detroit hosts Baltimore.

“Apprehensive, but also kind of excited about it,” Joyce said Wednesday night in Pittsburgh.

Joyce cost Galarraga a perfect game on June 2 when blew a call at first base, signaling Cleveland’s Jason Donald safe on what should’ve been the game-ending out.

The veteran and respected umpire acknowledged he made the wrong call after the game and sought out Galarraga to apologize.

Joyce and Galarraga hugged the next day on the field and both have been praised for how they handed an unfortunate situation.

The Venezuelan right-hander doesn’t expect anything special to happen between him and Joyce before, during or after the series opener against the Orioles.

“I’ll probably say, ‘Hi,’ like I do to everybody,” Galarraga said.

Joyce said he wasn’t aware Galarraga was pitching Friday until being told by The Associated Press.

“I’ve seen him since, I’ve talked to him,” he said. “The only difference is I’m not going to be at first base, I’m going to be at home plate.”

AP Sports Writer Alan Robinson in Pittsburgh contributed to this report.

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