Jim Joyce: Conspiracy Theory

How can one of MLB's most respected umps make such a bone-headed call? Easy - IT WASN'T HIM!

In fact, Mr. Joyce's call ranks up there with another royal screwing by an officiator: The (semi) famous Hebner Twin referee match which resulted in the Hulkster losing his belt to the Other White Andre.

Referee Earl Hebner's twin brother Dave Hebner was the assigned official, but unbeknownst to Hogan, André the Giant's manager Ted DiBiase had bribed an unknown to get plastic surgery (in actuality, Dave's twin brother, Earl). Earl then counted André's pin against Hogan, even though Hogan's shoulders were clearly off the mat.

As André and DiBiase were celebrating (with André quickly "selling" his title to an overjoyed DiBiase), Dave (whom DiBiase had locked in a closet prior to the match) ran to the ring and confronted Earl.

Somewhere, the real Jim Joyce is locked in a utility closet while evil Jim Joyce continues his reign of terror.

I'll admit - my theory might sound Oliver Stone-level crazy. But it makes more sense than Joyce missing that call, and the 21st perfect game joining Robin Ventura's Grand Slam turned single as nothing more than an asterisk in the annuls of history.