Major League Baseball

Fellow ump goat Denkinger calls for replay

Published Jun. 3, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

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Retired umpire Don Denkinger knows exactly how Jim Joyce feels -- and Wednesday night called for expanding instant replay so other umpires do not have to live with making a crucial blown call.

Denkinger blew a call at first base in Game 6 of the 1985 World Series that Cardinals fans believe cost them the series. He called the Royals' Jorge Orta safe. The Royals, who were trailing by one, went on to win that game and Game 7.

"There are so many areas you can use instant replay," Denkinger, now living in Waterloo, Iowa, told The Post Wednesday night.

"Maybe instant replay can clean things up. If a play is missed, it can be corrected. I didn't feel that way in '85, but I feel that way now.

"We want everything to be called correctly. Unfortunately it isn't, because we're just human beings."

Denkinger used to have Joyce on his umpiring crew.

"He's a very good umpire," Denkinger said. "I feel badly for the situation."

For those who think the Joyce call gets Denkinger off the hook, Denkinger laughed and said, "It's not like it's getting me off the hook. I had 30 great years ... and I had one call that's all anybody ever wants to talk about. It's not right. But it's the way the game's played, and that's what happens."

Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga hurled a near-perfect game Wednesday night but lost his bid with two out in the ninth inning, when first-base umpire Jim Joyce ruled incorrectly that Cleveland Indians' batter Jason Donald was safe at first after hitting a ground ball to the right side.

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