One of the best all-around players in the history of baseball retired after 22 years yesterday.

Tonight marks the 12th meeting in the championship round between two of the five most storied organizations in the history of American professional sports.

Yet the news today won't be about Ken Griffey Jr. or Lakers vs. Celtics. Nope, everything will center around umpire Jim Joyce taking history away from Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga last night, as Joyce's blown call cost Galarraga the 1st perfect game in Tigers' history. It also made Austin Jackson's running catch, where he made more like Reggie Wayne than Reggie Jackson, "just another catch."

This wasn't an instant where Joyce tried to make himself a part of the game as some umps and referees do at times. His call, on out 27 of 27, where it was clear the Indians Jason Donald was out by at least a step, was simply one of the most egregious blown calls in the history of baseball. Billy the Blind Kid from "Dumb and Dumber," who was sold a dead bird with a broken neck, could see Donald was out; but Joyce, feet away from the play, saw different.

To add insult to ... insult, Joyce is slated to serve as home plate umpire in today's series finale between the Tigers and Indians. With any luck, a number of foul balls will find their way to Joyce's groin.

I'm not upset over his blown call. Joyce, a 22-year veteran who's called games in two World Series, is human. We all make mistakes on our jobs. Sure, his was on a much larger scale, but Joyce is a man. We've been making mistakes since the beginning of time. He should be reprimanded, unless MLB brass believe he punished himself enough with his post-game bleep-filled rant last night. But Joyce shouldn't be fired, shouldn't be thrown from the Belle Isle bridge, and no flaming bags of anything should be left on his porch.

Joyce did what any real man would do. He manned up, talked to reporters and apologized to Galarraga and Tigers' manager Jim Leyland. Galaragga, the picture of class he has shown to be, even hugged a tearful Joyce last night.

But he shouldn't have had to.

And I should've had wall-to-wall NBA Finals coverage, and Tim Kurkjian giddily talking about Jr.'s place in history.

If there is a such thing as justice, Joyce will have forgotten to wear a cup today. And Austin Jackson will foul a pitch right off of his ... nevermind.