Many people within Major League Baseball spoke out in support of Joyce, offering their sympathies and noting his exceptional reputation.
New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera said, "It happened to the best umpire we have in our game.
The best.
And a perfect gentleman. ...
It's a shame for both of them, for the pitcher and for the umpire.
But I'm telling you he is the best baseball has, and a great guy.
It's just a shame."
Former Chicago Cubs pitcher Milt Pappas said, "I would tell [Galarraga], 'I feel for you.
There have been only 20 perfect games in the history of baseball.
The umpire situation was the same one I had—they blew it.
At least I had the satisfaction of getting the no-hitter.
You don't.
I feel for you.
You pitched a tremendous game.
At least you have the satisfaction of the umpire saying he was sorry.
But that doesn't help your situation as far as a perfect game."
Pappas' own bid for a perfect game on September 2, 1972, was spoiled when umpire Bruce Froemming called a borderline 3-and-2 pitch to 27th-batter Larry Stahl a ball, issuing a walk to the pinch-hitter.
Former Yankees pitcher Don Larsen—who threw the fourth perfect game of the modern era and the only one in World Series history on October 8, 1956—said, "I feel sorry for the umpire, and I just feel real badly for the kid.
He's probably wondering right now whose side God is on."

The incorrect call led many baseball writers to call for the increased use of instant replay in baseball, which was used only to review disputed boundaries on home runs during the 2010 season.
Many journalists also advocated for MLB commissioner Bud Selig to overturn Joyce's call and award a perfect game to Galarraga.
On June 3, Selig announced that Major League Baseball would look at expanded replay and umpiring, but he did not specifically address Joyce's call.
A baseball official familiar with the decision confirmed to The Associated Press that the call was not being reversed.
For his efforts in this game, Galarraga was named the American League Player of the Week on June 7.
Also, first base, a ball used in the game, and Galarraga's spikes were sent to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Less than two weeks after the controversial game, ESPN The Magazine released an anonymous poll of 100 current MLB players that named Joyce as the best umpire in Major League Baseball.
Joyce was named on 53% of ballots, 19 ballots ahead of second-place Tim McClelland.
One player was quoted as saying, "The sad thing about the Galarraga game is, Jim Joyce is seriously one of the best umpires around... He always calls it fair, so players love him.
Everyone makes mistakes, and it's terrible that this happened to him."
Furthermore, the players in this poll overwhelmingly endorsed (86%) Selig's decision not to overturn the call, and were overwhelmingly against (77%) instituting replay for calls on the bases.
Many people within Major League Baseball spoke out in support of Joyce, offering their sympathies and noting his exceptional reputation. New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera said, "It happened to the best umpire we have in our game. The best. And a perfect gentleman. ... It's a shame for both of them, for the pitcher and for the umpire. But I'm telling you he is the best baseball has, and a great guy. It's just a shame." Former Chicago Cubs pitcher Milt Pappas said, "I would tell [Galarraga], 'I feel for you. There have been only 20 perfect games in the history of baseball. The umpire situation was the same one I had—they blew it. At least I had the satisfaction of getting the no-hitter. You don't. I feel for you. You pitched a tremendous game. At least you have the satisfaction of the umpire saying he was sorry. But that doesn't help your situation as far as a perfect game." Pappas' own bid for a perfect game on September 2, 1972, was spoiled when umpire Bruce Froemming called a borderline 3-and-2 pitch to 27th-batter Larry Stahl a ball, issuing a walk to the pinch-hitter. Former Yankees pitcher Don Larsen—who threw the fourth perfect game of the modern era and the only one in World Series history on October 8, 1956—said, "I feel sorry for the umpire, and I just feel real badly for the kid. He's probably wondering right now whose side God is on."
The incorrect call led many baseball writers to call for the increased use of instant replay in baseball, which was used only to review disputed boundaries on home runs during the 2010 season. Many journalists also advocated for MLB commissioner Bud Selig to overturn Joyce's call and award a perfect game to Galarraga. On June 3, Selig announced that Major League Baseball would look at expanded replay and umpiring, but he did not specifically address Joyce's call. A baseball official familiar with the decision confirmed to The Associated Press that the call was not being reversed. For his efforts in this game, Galarraga was named the American League Player of the Week on June 7. Also, first base, a ball used in the game, and Galarraga's spikes were sent to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Less than two weeks after the controversial game, ESPN The Magazine released an anonymous poll of 100 current MLB players that named Joyce as the best umpire in Major League Baseball. Joyce was named on 53% of ballots, 19 ballots ahead of second-place Tim McClelland. One player was quoted as saying, "The sad thing about the Galarraga game is, Jim Joyce is seriously one of the best umpires around... He always calls it fair, so players love him. Everyone makes mistakes, and it's terrible that this happened to him." Furthermore, the players in this poll overwhelmingly endorsed (86%) Selig's decision not to overturn the call, and were overwhelmingly against (77%) instituting replay for calls on the bases.
Armando Galarraga's near-perfect game