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Nobody's Perfect: Two Men, One Call, and a Game for Baseball History
The perfect game is one of the rarest accomplishments in sports. No hits, no walks, no men reaching base. In nearly four hundred thousand contests in more than 130 years of Major League Baseball, it has only happened twenty times. On June 2, 2010, Armando Galarraga threw baseball’s twenty-first perfect game. Except that’s not how it entered the record books.
That’s because Jim Joyce, a veteran umpire with more than twenty years of big league experience, the man voted the best umpire in the game in 2010 by baseball’s players, missed the call on the final out at first base. “No, I did not get the call correct,” Joyce said after seeing a replay. But rather than throw a tantrum, Galarraga simply turned and smiled, went back to the mound and took care of business. “Nobody’s perfect,” he said later in the locker room.
In Nobody’s Perfect, Galarraga and Joyce come together to tell the personal story of a remarkable game that will live forever in baseball lore, and to trace their fascinating lives in sports up until this pivotal moment. It is an absorbing insider’s look at two lives in baseball, a tremendous achievement, and an enduring moment of sportsmanship.
That’s because Jim Joyce, a veteran umpire with more than twenty years of big league experience, the man voted the best umpire in the game in 2010 by baseball’s players, missed the call on the final out at first base. “No, I did not get the call correct,” Joyce said after seeing a replay. But rather than throw a tantrum, Galarraga simply turned and smiled, went back to the mound and took care of business. “Nobody’s perfect,” he said later in the locker room.
In Nobody’s Perfect, Galarraga and Joyce come together to tell the personal story of a remarkable game that will live forever in baseball lore, and to trace their fascinating lives in sports up until this pivotal moment. It is an absorbing insider’s look at two lives in baseball, a tremendous achievement, and an enduring moment of sportsmanship.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published June 2, 2011
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177 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 2, 2013
A story of the triumph of human dignity. If you're reading this review you probably know the context of the blown call. Galarraga did not erupt in anger and Joyce graciously admitted his mistake. So how do you translate that to a book-length narrative? You get the backstory of the two men, the separate paths of their professional lives in baseball that converged in that one historic moment.
Sports books by those active in the game-- players, coaches, or officials-- are, of course, almost always written with the aid of a professional writer or journalist, so you don't judge them on their literary quality. The appeal here is the human quality of the story. It's too easy to forget that the millionaire athletes we watch on TV are simply people too. We hear all too much about how fallible they can be, but we don't see enough of how they can show humility, grace, and dignity. It's true that "Nobody's Perfect," but we can all learn from how these two gentlemen handled a difficult and complicated situation.
Sports books by those active in the game-- players, coaches, or officials-- are, of course, almost always written with the aid of a professional writer or journalist, so you don't judge them on their literary quality. The appeal here is the human quality of the story. It's too easy to forget that the millionaire athletes we watch on TV are simply people too. We hear all too much about how fallible they can be, but we don't see enough of how they can show humility, grace, and dignity. It's true that "Nobody's Perfect," but we can all learn from how these two gentlemen handled a difficult and complicated situation.
April 5, 2012
What a great book. It is not only a great baseball book, but also a great lesson in life. Both of these men handled themselves in such a classy way, under difficult circumstances. I am especially impressed with Armando Gallarraga, if only everyone could conduct their lives the way he has conducted his. He is a real role model for kids, when most athletes are not. Jim Joyce also has my admiration for the way he took responsibility for his actions. When the incident happened, I was mad at him and couldn't imagine what he was thinking, now I know, and I admire him. It was the most difficult for him, but he handled it like a man. I was also very interested, and impressed, with the way everyone involved handled the situation, from everyone in the Tiger organization to the other umpires, to GM for their generous gift to our "Almost Perfect" pitcher. I truly enjoyed this book, especially because I am a Tiger fan, but I think anyone, baseball fan or not, could learn valuable life lessons from reading this book.
May 20, 2011
wow really good book! i really like how the two have alternative chapters through out the book. the thing i like the most is how Galaragga teaches others how to react when something goes wrong. we might get mad but it doesn't matter what you feel like in the inside than it's how you look on the outside. he smiles because he can't be mad because he's having to much fun and nothing will bring him down. this book is about one of the most talked games in history of baseball and wriiten to full deatil and reaction and what the went through (both of them ) to get too the point that they were at when the perfect game was underway.
March 23, 2012
A great book to read if you're a fan of the Tigers or a fan of baseball in general. Interesting to hear the stories of two very different people coming up through the system and coming together on the field for such an historic game.
June 18, 2022
Nobody's Perfect is the story of one of the greatest blown calls in recent MLB History and the back stories of the two men involved in it. Umpire Jim Joyce and Detroit Tigers pitcher, Armando Gallaraga could not have come from more different backgrounds. Their names will be forever linked by a mistaken call at possibly the worst moment of a potential perfect game - the final out. Above all, this is a moving example of pure humility, forgiveness, and sportsmanship by both men. The majority of the book focuses on the backgrounds of each man and their struggles to make it to the majors. even as we know the outcome, a degree of tension builds towards the final chapters - and the decisive call - an obvious mistake by Joyce and a fairly routine ground ball (to first base, pitcher covering). Watching the play in live time - and then on replay, it's clear the runner was out and the perfect game preserved. Joyce describes in the book how positioning is a key part in his job and he felt confident, given the play that he initially had it right - that is until he himself saw the replay and quickly knew he "kicked it" (blew it). His devastation in realizing the immense scope of his error was saddening, but it was the sympathetic and forgiving reaction of Gallaraga - along with moral support from members of the Tiger management and front office and from Joyce's umpiring crew show that class, dignity, support, kindness, humility, and most of all forgiveness is the theme of the story here. in the end, once the media frenzy subsided Gallaraga went out of his way to track down Joyce after the game in the umpire's dressing room to shake his hand and tell him he was not angry; Joyce, emotional and despondent, broke down thinking that he denied Gallaraga his moment of professional glory; as it turned out, it was both men who in an unusual manner of sport, proved to be a part of a grand moment of sportsmanship.
June 13, 2020
All baseball fans have seen the ending of Armando Galarraga’s almost-perfect game - almost-perfect because of the botched call at first base by acclaimed umpire Jim Joyce. We were fascinated by how everyone in the ballpark saw the play as an out - as verified by instant reply - aside from one person, whose opinion is the only one that mattered. And in the middle of all this heartbreak and mayhem stood this young kid from Venezuela and his unexplainable smile. I was hooked into purchasing and reading this book based on the plethora of good reviews, but it turns out that the story that concerned the fateful call on June 2, 2010 didn’t have too much more ground to cover. The saving grace of this book, as with most sporting biographies, is the coverage of the featured character’s journeys up the professional ladder. I appreciate learning the complete story of which should have been the 21st perfect game in professional baseball, but it should be acknowledged as simply a solid afternoon read rather than an all-time favorite.
February 7, 2022
Great human story about forgiveness and humility. So close, it would have been crushing to both miss that milestone (Galarraga) and kick the call (Joyce).
Some highlights:
1. p. 245: "He [Joyce] came to the realization that this one 'imperfect' game had attached itself to the whole of his career, and there was nothing he could do about it. He told wife, Kay, there were worse ways to be remembered than for standing up and owning your mistakes."
2. p. 239 (note from 11yo kid with spina bifida, supporting the ump after the game) "I know Mr Joyce doesn't feel that way now, as I didn't then, but eventually things will settle down and it will fall into the spilt milk category. You guys have a tough job and you all do it well...better than anybody else that is why you are in the big leagues."
3. p. 228 (Galarraga and Joyce after the game):
G-It is all right. Mr Joyce, this stuff, it just happens.
J-No, no, no. This stuff does not just happen. No.
G-Nobody's perfect.
J-No Armando. That's not true. Tonight, you were perfect. I feel like hell I screwed that up for you.
Some highlights:
1. p. 245: "He [Joyce] came to the realization that this one 'imperfect' game had attached itself to the whole of his career, and there was nothing he could do about it. He told wife, Kay, there were worse ways to be remembered than for standing up and owning your mistakes."
2. p. 239 (note from 11yo kid with spina bifida, supporting the ump after the game) "I know Mr Joyce doesn't feel that way now, as I didn't then, but eventually things will settle down and it will fall into the spilt milk category. You guys have a tough job and you all do it well...better than anybody else that is why you are in the big leagues."
3. p. 228 (Galarraga and Joyce after the game):
G-It is all right. Mr Joyce, this stuff, it just happens.
J-No, no, no. This stuff does not just happen. No.
G-Nobody's perfect.
J-No Armando. That's not true. Tonight, you were perfect. I feel like hell I screwed that up for you.
August 28, 2024
I feel like this book has a great lesson, how do we react when the stakes are high? How do we behave when we are at fault and have really taken something away from someone. How do we behave when we have been wronged and how do we come to a place of apology rather than entrenchment. I don't really remember this game, I think if I had, I may have enjoyed some of the backstory and prose a bit more. I feel like you really get both Galarraga and Joyce's voices really clearly.
July 11, 2023
I liked this book a lot…I am just not a big enough baseball fan to enjoy the extra 200 pages.
February 20, 2015
After retiring twenty-six batters in a row, Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga is one pitch away from achieving a perfect game, one of the rarest feats in all of professional sports. Then Indians shortstop Jason Donald smacks a 1-1 pitch toward the right side of the infield and takes off full bore to first base. Galarraga runs over to cover first base, and the throw from first baseman Miguel Cabrera is on the mark just ahead of Donald’s foot. Perfect game.
And then veteran umpire Jim Joyce raises his arms and calls “Safe!”
Immediately after the game Joyce watched the replay and knew right away he not only made a mistake, but he also robbed Armando Galarraga of his place in baseball history. Sure, it’s just a game, but sometimes the game reveals important things about humans, and what happened next was extraordinary.
Jim Joyce admitted his mistake in front of reporters and apologized face to face to Armando Galarraga. Joyce invited Commissioner Bud Selig to fine or suspend him. He accepted full responsibility for his mistake and invited the consequences of his error. And Galarraga did something extraordinary too. He immediately forgave Jim Joyce and then went home to walk his dog and take his wife out for midnight cheeseburgers at Sonic.
I clearly remember the media coverage of this incident and how impressed I was by the grace displayed by both men. There is no shortage of stories of professional athletes behaving despicably, but this story featured two professionals behaving, not quite heroically maybe, but certainly admirably.
In Nobody’s Perfect, Daniel Paisner strains a bit to make a book out of one split-second botched call, but I enjoyed reading about Galarraga’s path to professional baseball from his middle-class upbringing in Caracas, Venezuela and Joyce’s journey to professional umpiring. Paisner expertly captures the voices of Galarraga and Joyce, presenting them in alternating chapters leading up to the moment that forever links them in baseball history.
And then veteran umpire Jim Joyce raises his arms and calls “Safe!”
Immediately after the game Joyce watched the replay and knew right away he not only made a mistake, but he also robbed Armando Galarraga of his place in baseball history. Sure, it’s just a game, but sometimes the game reveals important things about humans, and what happened next was extraordinary.
Jim Joyce admitted his mistake in front of reporters and apologized face to face to Armando Galarraga. Joyce invited Commissioner Bud Selig to fine or suspend him. He accepted full responsibility for his mistake and invited the consequences of his error. And Galarraga did something extraordinary too. He immediately forgave Jim Joyce and then went home to walk his dog and take his wife out for midnight cheeseburgers at Sonic.
I clearly remember the media coverage of this incident and how impressed I was by the grace displayed by both men. There is no shortage of stories of professional athletes behaving despicably, but this story featured two professionals behaving, not quite heroically maybe, but certainly admirably.
In Nobody’s Perfect, Daniel Paisner strains a bit to make a book out of one split-second botched call, but I enjoyed reading about Galarraga’s path to professional baseball from his middle-class upbringing in Caracas, Venezuela and Joyce’s journey to professional umpiring. Paisner expertly captures the voices of Galarraga and Joyce, presenting them in alternating chapters leading up to the moment that forever links them in baseball history.
January 18, 2015
Nobody's Perfect is the non-fictional account of major league pitcher Armando Galarraga's perfect game....only it was never officially recorded as a perfect game, because umpire Jim Joyce botched what should have been the last call of the game and called a runner safe who was clearly out.
I am a baseball fan, and as such, I enjoyed this book. I think even those readers who are not baseball fans would enjoy this book for its human interest elements. Galarraga handles his disappointment with a great deal of grace and forgiveness toward Joyce, who openly shares with the reader the strong emotions he felt after the call.
The book also contains many chapters about the paths these gentlemen took toward the major leagues. I found the story of Jim Joyce's path to major league umpiring particularly interesting. Most of us have probably heard about the path a variety of pro athletes have taken, but never before had I heard the behind-the-scenes information about the path of an umpire.
The book is fast moving. Some of the writing is a bit choppy, as I believe the writer, Daniel Paisner, tried to be faithful to the words of Galarrage and Joyce. It did not distract from my enjoyment of the book, however.
A satisfying read!
I am a baseball fan, and as such, I enjoyed this book. I think even those readers who are not baseball fans would enjoy this book for its human interest elements. Galarraga handles his disappointment with a great deal of grace and forgiveness toward Joyce, who openly shares with the reader the strong emotions he felt after the call.
The book also contains many chapters about the paths these gentlemen took toward the major leagues. I found the story of Jim Joyce's path to major league umpiring particularly interesting. Most of us have probably heard about the path a variety of pro athletes have taken, but never before had I heard the behind-the-scenes information about the path of an umpire.
The book is fast moving. Some of the writing is a bit choppy, as I believe the writer, Daniel Paisner, tried to be faithful to the words of Galarrage and Joyce. It did not distract from my enjoyment of the book, however.
A satisfying read!
August 5, 2011
Good read for any baseball fan but even if you are not a baseball fan this is a great story of how to react in difficult situations. Galarraga made the best of a bad call and did not care his spot in history was taken away from a bad call. The umpire suffered great regret about taking away a spot in history but immediately owned up to his mistake and continued on with his job and trying to do the best he could to own up to his mistake. In a situation where so many would not own up to their mistake or where so many would hold a grudge and not forgive it is refreshing to see how two humans can handle a difficult situation in a way that we all wish we could if we were in similar situations!
November 26, 2012
Overall, I was highly disappointed. Most of the book has nothing to do with the game or the call but with A.G's growth and baseball career from being a teenager. If you want to learn how Venezuelans become Baseball players in America, this book gives you some idea of that.
The Switching between characters was a nice touch but I appreciated the Jim Joyce articles much more simply because they were not written in God Awful English. This book was an obvious marketing ploy just looking for money and the only reason I did not rank it lower was the fact that it contained useful information on Umpiring, playing, and toward the end, the Infamous call.
The Switching between characters was a nice touch but I appreciated the Jim Joyce articles much more simply because they were not written in God Awful English. This book was an obvious marketing ploy just looking for money and the only reason I did not rank it lower was the fact that it contained useful information on Umpiring, playing, and toward the end, the Infamous call.
July 24, 2014
For anyone who saw the call or has heard about the call this is a book worth reading. It goes back and forth between the two men and what they were thinking before and after the call.Both men come off as very humble and respectful of one another. I think in not throwing the perfect game Galarraga could be more famous now. As for Joyce it is hard for him because he is one of the most respected umps in the game and now he has to deal with this. However, he handled it with class admitting his mistake, a good read for any baseball fan.
September 26, 2015
I read this aloud to Joey as a bedtime book - Fun read, although I did have to do some editing "on the fly" in the parts where Jim Joyce is featured. The chapters flip back-and-forth with Armando Gallaraga speaking in first-person in one chapter, then Joyce in the next - I'd do my best Latino voice for Gallarga and gruff, ump-type, old guy voice for Joyce... Joe seemed to like that.
Like I said, the language gets a bit salty, but I really liked seeing how Gallaraga reacted to adversity and how his attitude and actions helped smooth over a very turbulent time.
Like I said, the language gets a bit salty, but I really liked seeing how Gallaraga reacted to adversity and how his attitude and actions helped smooth over a very turbulent time.
August 8, 2011
This may be the finest sports book ever written.
It helps that its plot was already an astonishing tale of hard work and success, crushing and humiliating failure, and forgiveness and redemption of the highest order, but it's well told and the "author" captured the voices of the involved parties pretty admirably.
As a Tigers fan, it's a must read. As a baseball fan, it's worth your time. As a human being, it's a pretty good tale.
It helps that its plot was already an astonishing tale of hard work and success, crushing and humiliating failure, and forgiveness and redemption of the highest order, but it's well told and the "author" captured the voices of the involved parties pretty admirably.
As a Tigers fan, it's a must read. As a baseball fan, it's worth your time. As a human being, it's a pretty good tale.
September 22, 2020
A lesson in sportsmanship
Not a difficult read, but a fun read about a night when a bad umpire’s call cost a young pitcher a perfect game. But instead of it becoming a point of dispute, the pitcher, the umpire, the manager and the team turned it into a shining example of sportsmanship. Would that we all could follow their example. The book provides interesting detail about the careers of Armando Galarraga and Jim Joyce, and the call that changed history, and their lives.
Not a difficult read, but a fun read about a night when a bad umpire’s call cost a young pitcher a perfect game. But instead of it becoming a point of dispute, the pitcher, the umpire, the manager and the team turned it into a shining example of sportsmanship. Would that we all could follow their example. The book provides interesting detail about the careers of Armando Galarraga and Jim Joyce, and the call that changed history, and their lives.
June 9, 2011
I should start with, I love baseball. So a book about baseball... I'm not a tough critic. This one was in part a look at the big game, but also a bit of a biography of both Joyce and Galarraga which was nice. Not a must-read, but a good one to read a quick chapter here and there. I especially appreciated the ghost writer kept the voice of Galarraga authentic and didn't smooth it out too much!
October 16, 2011
library book.
The story of the "almost perfect" game and the class or two individuals who were most impacted by the events of the evening. Using two voices, Daniel Paisner retells the lives, events and stories that make the headlines of one bad call. Well written and concise to the events of the play and the personalities of the individuals involved.
A quick read, but worth the time.
The story of the "almost perfect" game and the class or two individuals who were most impacted by the events of the evening. Using two voices, Daniel Paisner retells the lives, events and stories that make the headlines of one bad call. Well written and concise to the events of the play and the personalities of the individuals involved.
A quick read, but worth the time.
October 22, 2014
Yes. yes. I read a book about baseball. I'm not really a baseball fan, but I saw it at the library and remember my Dad telling me about this incident in baseball history. I didn't like that the book kind of jumped around. But I DID really like the story of human imperfection, goodness, and forgiveness.
January 30, 2013
I just finished this book. What a great example of forgiveness, humility, grace and mercy. Every athlete should read this book. I am honored to say I was able to spend some time with Armando in 2005 where I was able to share the good news of Jesus Christ with him during Spring Training camp in Florida.
August 9, 2014
Great book....better than what I expected. I know that is beyond my first impression but glad I mulled it over before writing the review as it made think more about how the two men are really similar.
Link to full review:
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
Link to full review:
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
January 28, 2023
It's a quick read in a down-to-earth tone. It makes sense to recommend it to baseball fans who might be curious about the play-by-play of one of the most unusual nights in the history of the sport. I'd go a step further and suggest it for general audiences open to a reflection on humility and grace. It is a very human and relatable tale, with heavy emotions at the end.
June 4, 2011
Everyone knows the story of "The Game" but to read the stories of the two main men involved was very worthwhile and adds to the greatness of the game.
This is a perfect book on sportsmanship and humility. This isn't a heavy read, but a fun quick one.
This is a perfect book on sportsmanship and humility. This isn't a heavy read, but a fun quick one.
March 19, 2012
I liked getting to know Armando Galarraga and Jim Joyce, the two men of the title, and I definitely was interested in what actually happened that day. It just wasn't well written; I also felt it was a little long for the topic.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book.
October 18, 2011
The short chapters in this book made it easy for me to read in pieces (which is good with an infant in the house!). I really enjoyed reading both stories and from the writing it does seem like they each wrote their chapters.
November 8, 2016
Different view on things.
The story of them is the best part. Two great individuals that handled a situation very well. Reading armandos part read was hard at times but not too much. Definitely recommend. Took me two days after I got going.
The story of them is the best part. Two great individuals that handled a situation very well. Reading armandos part read was hard at times but not too much. Definitely recommend. Took me two days after I got going.
May 29, 2011
"Nick and Norah's..." for baseball fans.
October 9, 2011
The life of both the principals in this story, as told in their own (barely edited) words.
March 27, 2012
A good luck at an event that I remember following. It was interesting to learn the life story of two men who crossed paths that interesting night.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews