Stand Up Guy

Jim Joyce is a stand up guy
Listen to me and I’ll tell you why
He made a mistake, it made him cry
And he didn’t go fishing for an alibi

The pitcher was throwing a perfect game
Got the first two outs of the final frame
The ball was hit, he won the race
He caught the throw with his foot on the base

Joyce called the batter safe at first
A putrid call, the all time worst
A travesty, the guy was out
The replay showed beyond a doubt

With half a smile to mask his grief
The pitcher stood in disbelief
He never lost his dignity
His eyes though said, “You’re kidding me!”

There still was one more out to get
The game it wasn’t over yet
It should’ve been, he caught the throw
In plenty of time but there you go

In the locker room Joyce watched the tape
It left him all bent out of shape
He sat a while alone, distressed
Outside the door the bloodthirsty press

“I cost that kid a perfect game”
He stood up sobbing and took the blame
“I was convinced of what I saw…
I just missed the bleeping call”

Jim Joyce, he’s a stand up guy
He called for the pitcher to please come by
He face to face apologized
Jim Joyce’s tears were Texas-sized

“Nobody’s perfect” the pitcher would say
In an interview the very next day
“He’s only human, he made a mistake
I hope everybody will cut him a break”

The ump had an imperfect game
It happens sometimes and it was a shame
All you can do is stand up tall
Say you’re sorry you blew the call

Jim Joyce is a stand up guy
That’s something nobody can deny
He made a mistake, it made him cry
And he didn’t go fishing for an alibi