61 years ago, Willie Mays made 'The Catch'

Here's Willie Mays with 'The Catch'

By Matt Monagan

September 29, 2015

It's always nice to do a great thing and be compared to someone who did a similarly great thing in the past. Although, it's probably even better to be that person who produced that original great thing in the first place.

Willie Mays, imitated just this year by the likes of Aaron Hicks, Juan Lagares and others, produced his original, tremendous moment 61 years ago today -- simply known as, "The Catch."

Besides running full-sprint to dead-center field and making an over-the-shoulder grab with his back to home plate, the catch (and throw) also came during Game 1 of the World Series -- keeping the Indians from taking the lead in the 10th inning. The Giants would win the game and go on to sweep the '54 Series. Afterward, a humble Mays told reporters:

"I had the ball all the way," he said. "There was nothing too hard about that one. Did that save the game? Well, maybe it did. But what about my hitting? I wasn't any help up there at the plate."

Nope, sorry, Willie. We're still talking about the catch.