Deseret News archives: Baseball fans still talk about ‘The Catch’ Willie Mays made in ‘54 World Series

A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.
It’s almost World Series time. The MLB regular season ends Sunday — unless you are Braves or Mets fans who have two more games on Monday — with this year’s playoffs set to start on Tuesday.
And it’s the perfect moment to remember one of the best baseball plays ever made by perhaps the greatest ballplayer of his era, perhaps all time.
On Sept. 29, 1954, Willie Mays of the New York Giants made a running, over-the-shoulder catch of a ball hit by Vic Wertz of the Cleveland Indians in Game 1 of the 1954 World Series; “The Catch” would become one of the most famous plays in baseball history.
The Indians were heavily favored in the World Series, having won 111 games during the season. The Giants had not won a title since 1933. The Deseret News covered the games and the Series extensively.
Mays, nicknamed the “Say Hey” kid, was perhaps the best all-around ballplayer in history. A baseball icon. He was Barry Bonds’ godfather, and a popular ambassador of the sport. The Hall of Famer was a two-time league MVP and 20-time All-Star, won numerous Gold Glove awards and hit 660 home runs.
In the World Series opener, with the scored tied 2-2 in the eighth inning, Cleveland Indians batter Vic Wertz hit a deep fly ball to center field that had the runners on base poised to score.
Mays made an over-the-shoulder catch while on the run to record the out, and his throw back to the infield prevented one of the runners from advancing. The Giants won the game 5–2 in extra innings, and eventually the World Series.
Mays later played a couple of exhibition games in Utah after the Giants moved to the West Coast.
In 1954, “Say Hey” was recorded by the Treniers, with Mays singing background and Quincy Jones directing the orchestra.
Mays died June 18 at 93.
Here are numerous articles from Deseret News archives about “The Catch” and Mays’ career:
“The Catch: Willie Mays’ over-the-shoulder grab in the 1954 World Series ‘wasn’t no lucky catch’”
“Former baseball greats agree: Mays was the best”
“Remembering the times the late, great Willie Mays played in Utah”
“America’s pastime has rich Beehive State history”
“Willie Mays talks to students at Polo Grounds site”
“Say Hey Kid plays on in memories”
“Bonds belts HR No. 660 to tie Mays”
“Spectacular Willie Mays finally hits 60 (years, not home runs)”
“Say Hey! Willie Mays celebrates 80th birthday”
“Mays autobiography is as wholesome as his first love, baseball”
“San Francisco’s Candlestick Park hosts final event”