Remembering Willie Mays' 'The Catch' from 1954 World Series, the greatest catch ever
Baseball legend Willie Mays died Tuesday at age 93. The 12-time Golden Glove winner who made 24 All-Star Game appearances is one of the greatest players the MLB has ever seen.
The Westfield, Alabama, native spent decades in the major leagues and left a legacy as an elite hitter and one of the best center fielders of all time.
One play in particular stands out: "The Catch" in 1954.
The 1954 World Series pitted Mays' New York Giants against the Cleveland Indians. Tied 2-2 in the eighth inning of Game 1, Indians batter Vic Wertz hit a fly ball deep to center field. But Mays sprinted to the edge of the Polo Grounds - known for its unusually deep center field - and made an over-the-shoulder catch. He robbed Wertz of a home run before throwing back to the infield to keep the runners on base from advancing.
The greatest catch in baseball history.
Rest In Peace Willie Mays pic.twitter.com/mjeygZXJ1B— Baseball Quotes (@BaseballQuotes1) June 19, 2024
“I remember him busting for the ball and tapping his glove, which means he’s got it,” said Joe Amalfitano - a rookie catcher at the time - per records at the Society for American Baseball Research. “Then he started to slow down. I knew he had the ball tracked.”
The significance of Willie Mays' Catch
It was another landmark moment of an iconic career. For Mays, it was never in doubt.
"I had it all the way,” he said at the time.
Mays' throw back to the infield went to second and kept runners stuck on third and first. Instead of a three-run homer, the Indians ended the inning without a run.
"The throw is the key to that play," Mays added, noting its importance in addition to the catch itself.
The world remembers The Catch
"The Catch" powered the Giants to victory in Game 1 and a sweep of the Indians in the 1954 World Series. It remained the franchise's last World Series title until 2010. Decades later, it's still considered one of the best defensive plays in MLB history. Many fans took to social media to appreciate one of baseball's most iconic plays.
For the people who think catches like the Edmonds one is better, dead center was 483 feet, more than 75 feet further than current Yankee Stadium.
— Gerry (@GerryDales) June 19, 2024
To launch it back with momentum against him in just 3 1/2 stutter steps is almost as amazing as the catch itself.
— Soso tom (@shimmyallda) June 19, 2024
Best catch ever! RIP.
— Free Fantasy League Info (@Fanleaguesinfo) June 19, 2024
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Watch: Willie Mays' iconic World Series catch
