A tearful Jim Joyce takes lineup card from Armando Galarraga

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Jim Joyce, whose blown call at first base with two outs in the ninth inning ruined Detroit pitcher’s Armando Galarraga’s perfect game Wednesday, worked Thursday’s Detroit Tigers-Cleveland Indians game as the home-plate umpire.

Galarraga brought out the lineup card and shook hands with Joyce, who was wiping away tears, at the pregame home-plate meeting.

At a news conference before the game, Joyce said that he was touched by the outpouring of support he received after he apologized for missing the call.

‘I cannot believe the outpouring of support I’ve gotten, not only from my fellow umpires but all my friends, my family and, frankly, you guys,’ Joyce said. ‘I can’t thank you enough. I can’t thank the people enough. I’m a big boy. I can handle this. It’s probably the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through in my professional career, without a doubt.’

Tigers Manager Jim Leyland said Thursday that Major League Baseball gave Joyce the option to skip Thursday’s game, but that Joyce refused.

Tigers catcher Gerald Laird, who got into a heated confrontation with Joyce after Wednesday’s game, apologized for his actions too.

‘We probably were a little bit out of line, I’d say,’ Laird said. ‘At the time, I’m sure he thought he made the right call. It’s just more out of frustration and wanting it so bad for your teammate. That’s all it is when some of us get on him.

‘I’ve got all the respect in the world for Jim Joyce. He’s a great umpire. He’s always been. I’ve always had a good relationship with him. I think it’s just more the heat of the moment. That’s why we were getting on him. You just want it so bad, something of that caliber for your teammate.’

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-- Houston Mitchell

The Associated Press contributed to this report.