VOX POPULI: A near-perfect game rekindles faith in sports

In Japanese, the phrases kiroku ni nokoru (to be recorded) and kioku ni nokoru (to be remembered) sound very similar. Their meaning, however, is clearly different.

Recently, a Major League Baseball game made the headlines because of an umpiring error described as the "misjudgment of the century."

The game will be remembered for years precisely because it did not make it into the record books. The developments surrounding the incident left such a pleasant impression that it felt like a breath of fresh air.

In baseball, a perfect game is one in which a pitcher (or pitchers) wins a game without allowing any opposing player to reach base. For pitchers, it is a spectacular feat. So far, only 20 pitchers have achieved a perfect game throughout Major League history.

In a game against the Cleveland Indians on June 2, the Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga pitched 8 and 2/3 perfect innings with only one more batter to go.

The last batter hit an infield grounder. Everyone watching the game thought it was over until an umpire called "safe." Galarraga lost his perfect game.

A video recording showed that it was clearly the umpire's error. The umpire came under fire but Galarraga defended him, saying, "No one's perfect."

The next day, before the game, the pitcher put his arm around the shoulder of the tearful umpire and the two shook hands.

Apparently, Galarraga understands that even umpires make mistakes. He proved himself worthy as a man.

The story reminded me of the former yokozuna Taiho Koki.

The bout that ended his 45-bout winning streak in 1969 was also called the "misjudgment of the century." The referee declared Taiho's victory but the decision was overturned by the judges.

However, Taiho said: "As yokozuna, I am to blame for wrestling in a way that caused judges to raise objections to the referee's decision." It was a long time ago, but I am sure many readers still remember it.

Although it goes even further back, the comment made by gymnast Keiko Ikeda at the 1960 Rome Olympics is also memorable.

Despite an outstanding performance, she got such low scores that the spectators began to boo the judges. Checking her frustration, Ikeda said calmly: "If only my hips were a little higher."

Words and behavior that show an athlete's sound personality, coupled with a finely trained physique, make them more attractive.

I think this is the beauty of sports and it remains unchanged throughout the ages.

--The Asahi Shimbun, June 8

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.