White House: Baseball should reverse ump's mistake

WASHINGTON (AP) -- First the umpire blew the call.

Now, in the view of the White House, so did Major League Baseball.

Presidential spokesman Robert Gibbs weighed in Thursday on the story that had the nation talking: umpire Jim Joyce's muffed call that cost Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game. Galarraga on Wednesday night almost had the rare feat secured -- 27 up, 27 down -- except Joyce incorrectly called a runner safe on what would have been the final play of the game against the Cleveland Indians.

Said Gibbs: "I hope that baseball awards a perfect game to that pitcher."

Too late.

By the time Gibbs made that statement in his press briefing, the news broke that Commissioner Bud Selig will not reverse Joyce's call.