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GREATEST MOMENTS

Willie Mays’ Catch

Dodger manager Chuck Dressen could have had Branca walk Thomson with first base open to set up a double play and a force out at every base. Next up for the Giants that day, however, was soon to be Rookie of the Year center fielder Willie Mays. Mays had a fearsome bat, but the most famous play of his career came courtesy of his glove. In game one of the 1954 World Series, the Giants were tied 2–2 with Cleveland in the eighth inning. Cleveland had two runners on with Vic Wertz at the plate. Wertz belted a 2-1 pitch to deep center field. Mays quickly turned and ran full speed with his back to the plate. It looked like the ball would sail over his head, but he reached up and caught it in full stride without looking back. Mays saved the go-ahead run, and the Giants went on to win the game and sweep the series.

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