Controversial Calls in Sports

Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga covers first base as Cleveland Indians Jason Donald hits the bag and first base umpire Jim Joyce looks on in the ninth inning in Detroit on Wednesday, June 2, 2010. Joyce called Donald safe and Galarraga lost his bid for a perfect game with two outs in the ninth inning on the disputed call at first base. Detroit won 3-0.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) loses the ball after being brought down by Oakland Raiders' Charles Woodson, right, while Greg Biekert (54) moves to recover the ball in the fourth quarter of their AFC Division Playoff game in Foxboro, Mass. Saturday night, Jan. 19, 2002. The play was appealed, and the Patriots retained possession. The Patriots went on to win, 16-13, in overtime.

The Los Angeles Angels' Mike Napoli tags the New York Yankees' Robinson Cano, left and Jorge Posada during the fifth inning of Game 4 of the American League Championship baseball series Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, in Anaheim, Calif. Posada was called out and Cano remained on third as a fielder's choice.

Baltimore Orioles right fielder Tony Tarasco stretches for the ball as New York Yankees' fan Jeff Maier reaches out to grab it during Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees in New York, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 1996. The hit was ruled a home run tying the ballgame 4-4 in the eighth inning.

Boston catcher Carlton Fisk (27) claimed interference when he fielded Ed Armbristers bunt then collided with him before throwing to second in an attempt to nail Cesar Geronimo, Oct. 15, 1975, Cincinnati. The throw sailed over the head of second baseman Denny Doyle, setting up the winning run for Cincinnati and giving them a 2-1 lead in the World Series. Home plate umpire Larry Barnett did not make the expected interference call on Armbrister, a decision which was harshly criticized after the Reds won the game 4-3 and World Series.

Serena Williams, right, argues with chair umpire Mariana Alves, left, during her match with Jennifer Capriati at the U.S. Open in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004. Williams came up on the losing end when Alves overruled the line judge in the opening game of the third set. Capriati went on to win 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 and moved on to the semifinals.

AP Photo/Rockland Journal News, Robert F. Rodriguez

New York Yankee manager Billy Martin, second from left, watches as umpire Tim McClelland uses home plate to measure pine tar on the bat handle used by Kansas City Royals' George Brett at Yankee Stadium in New York, July 24, 1983. Brett hit a home run in the ninth inning, giving the Royals an apparent victory, but the bat was declared illegal and the home run was ruled an out. Brett says he's surprised that people still make a big deal out of his 1983 "pine tar" home run at Yankee Stadium.

Russia's Alexander Belov leaps high to hit an extra chance basket and give Russia a 51-50 controversial win over the U.S. team in the last seconds of the Olympic basketball finals in Munich, Germany, Sept. 10,1972. The U.S. filed an immediate protest following the game and the International Amateur Basketball Federation went into secret session and delayed awarding the gold medal.

image3317628[2].jpg — AP Photo/Will Powers

San Diego Padres catcher Michael Barrett, right, tries to put a tag on Colorado Rockies' Matt Holliday as Holliday scores the winning run in their baseball game in Denver, Monday, Oct. 1, 2007. The Rockies defeated the Padres 9-8 in 13 innings. Home plate umpire Tim McClelland called Holliday safe, but replays suggested the runner never actually touched the plate.

Chicago White Sox's A.J. Pierzynski swings at a pitch from Los Angeles Angels pitcher Kelvim Escobar as catcher Josh Paul reaches to the ground for the ball during the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 2 of the ALCS at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2005. Umpire Doug Eddings allowed Pierzynski to reach base despite the apparent strikeout. The White Sox went on to win the series.