Sixty years ago, New York Giants Outfielder Willie Mays made "The Catch" during the first game of the 1954 World Series against the Cleveland Indians.
In the top of the eighth inning, the score was tied 2-2 with men on first and second. Giants left handed relief pitcher Don Liddle served up a pitch which Indians batter Vic Wertz drilled into deep center field. In most ballparks, the Wertz 420 foot hit would have been a homer, which would give the Indians 5-2 lead.
However, the 1954 World Series opener was played in the Polo Grounds.
Willie Mays rushed in from short center field and made a spectacular on-the-run, over-the-back basket catch on the warning track. "The Say-Hay" Kid then spun around and tossed the ball to second to check the runner, although the lead runner was able to tag up and take third.
"The Catch" is the stuff of legend, which might make George Will wax poetically on the George Will Sports Machine, if such a show existed.
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