AccessMyLibrary provides FREE access to over 30 million articles from top publications available through your library.
Create a link to this page
Copy and paste this link tag into your Web page or blog:
Catching up with Vic Wertz's 1954 World Series Drive: Willie Mays' catch of Cleveland slugger's deep fly was outstanding regardless of how far the ball actually traveled.
FIFTY YEARS AGO LAST FALL occurred the most famous defensive play in World Series history--one so ingrained in the game's history and lore, it is referred to simply as "The Catch." But time and hype have blurred some of the facts.
It happened on September 29, 1954, in Game 1 of that year's Fall Classic. Giants' budding superstar Willie Mays made the catch on a drive hit by Indians' slugger Vic Wertz. The ball was driven anywhere from 450 to 480 feet, depending on which source you believe.
Trust this source: the ball traveled about 415 feet.
The heavily-favored Cleveland Indians--whose .721 winning percentage (111-43) still stands as the American League record--were locked in a 2-2 tie with the New York Giants. The game was played at New York's Polo Grounds, where the wall in dead center field was listed at 483 feet from home plate (in other years, the distance was listed at anywhere from 475 to 505 feet, with no explanation for the changes). In the top of the eighth inning, Cleveland's first two batters, Larry Doby and Al Rosen, reached base, bringing up the hot-hitting Wertz. The Indians' first baseman would finish the day 4-for-5, including a double and a triple. The three-bagger had hit the right field wall and brought home both of Cleveland's runs in the first inning.
This time, Wertz blasted a ball toward deep center field, threatening to break the game wide open. But Mays, the 23-year-old phenom, was off with the crack of the bat. After a long run, Mays hauled the ball in with a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch in front of the fence, then spun and threw the ball back to the infield. Doby tagged and advanced to third (a forgotten fact), but Rosen held at first, and they were stranded there. The Giants went on to win the game in extra innings, then complete a stunning upset by sweeping the demoralized Indians in four games.
Virtually every published source claimed Wertz's drive went at least 450 feet. "The ball had traveled 460 feet," according to The Sporting News, while New ...
- New York Hopes World Series Will Add to Citys Economic Boom.(Knight...
- Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News October 23, 2000 700+ words
...going to showcase New York for the world...will broadcast the World Series, said the network plans to make New York a central theme...flash and style of New York will help turn the...I would say this World Series, because of its...
- Major League Baseball Productions and Shout! Factory Release Official DVD &...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire November 16, 2009 700+ words
...official 2009 World Series Film: Philadelphia...Phillies vs. New York Yankees...REACTIONS 2009 WORLD SERIES FILM : PHILADELPHIA...PHILLIES VS. NEW YORK YANKEES...2009 2009 WORLD SERIES FILM: PHILADELPHIA...PHILLIES VS. NEW YORK YANKEES...
- Cash4Gold Values New York Yankees World Series Hardware at $7,750.
- Press release article from: PR Newswire November 5, 2009 700+ words
...direct from consumers, congratulates the New York Yankees on their 2009 World Series title. The team hoisted the Commissioner...see the Yankees capture their historic 27th World Series championship," said Cash4Gold CEO Jeff Aronson...
- Atlanta, New York Rivalry over World Series Extends to Business.
- Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Fitzgerald, Beth October 27, 1999 700+ words
...games of the 1998 World Series, which pitted...Diego Padres. The World Series also pours millions...the Atlanta and New York City metropolitan...is concerned." New York experienced an...during the 1996 World Series -- when the Yanks...
- Ron Guidry: recalls glory days with the Yankees: left-hander remembers 1978 Cy...
- Magazine article from: Baseball Digest McMurray, John September 1, 2006 700+ words
...California Angels batters, setting a New York Yankees single-game record that still...off of Mike Torrez. In Game 3 of the World Series that fall, Guidry also beat future...came when he lost Game 5 of the 1981 World Series to the Dodgers. Guidry had previously...
- New York Yankees capture World Series in come-from-behind victory over Atlanta...
- Magazine article from: Jet November 11, 1996 700+ words
...straight game to New York, and with it...chance to repeat as World Series champions. Celebrating...the streets of New York, up Broadway and...Player, many credit New York general manager...for the Yankees' World Series win. Watson was...
- New Era Cap and HATWORLD/LIDS Rollout Exclusive National Retail Partnership...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire May 10, 2004 700+ words
...designed, New Era 59FIFTY, Yankees World Series All Over. New Era released only 144...baseballs, representing the Yankees' 26 World Series Wins, it was presented in a specialty...owned company, headquartered in Derby, New York, with divisions in Canada and Europe...
- Unhappy Campers on New York-Area's World Series Ticket Line.
- Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News October 14, 2003 700+ words
...Business News Oct. 14--NEW YORK--The real fans walked...clutching the precious World Series tickets they had slept...buyer doesn't violate New York scalping laws by reselling...see their team in the World Series. "They're not doing...