I used the 1974 “signature” team card template to give it a little pizzazz, since the 1974 standard template was a bit bland, hence the red border.
Anyway, while football may have their own “Catch”, I think the Mays catch can be considered the most famous one in baseballs long history.
For those who need a refresher: On September 29th, 1954, with the score tied at 2 in the top of the 8th inning, Indians slugger Vic Wertz SLAMMED a Don Liddle pitch approximately 420-feet to dead center.
Now in most parks, that would be a home run and have the Indians leading 5-2 since there were two men on base.
But as history recalls, Willie Mays, who was playing shallow, took off at the crack of the bat and sprinted towards the warning track at full speed.
What would happen next is baseball lore: not only did he make an amazing over-the-shoulder catch, but he also had the presence of mind to spin around and throw the ball back to the infield, preventing Larry Doby from trying to tag up from second base, thus keeping the game tied.
The New York Giants would go on to win the game, and eventually the series, sweeping the 111-win Indians 4 games to none.
Mays would also end up taking home his first Most Valuable Player Award that season, building on what would become a legendary career.
“The Catch”, possibly the first brick laid in the monumental career of the “Say Hey Kid”.
