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Willie Mays "The Catch" Signed 16x20" Photos (8) (JSA)
When one refers to "The Catch" in baseball, most serious followers think of the incredible catch by New York Giants' center fielder, Willie Mays, at the Polo Grounds in the 8th inning of Game 1 of the 1954 World Series on Sept. 29th against the Cleveland Indians. Presented is a group of eight (8) 16x20" black and white identical photos of "The Catch," each signed by Hall of Famer Mays. In the '54 World Series Game 1, the score was 2-2 in the top of the 8th inning when the Indians' Larry Doby, a Hall of Famer and the first African American in the American League, led-off against the Giants' right-handed starter Sal Maglie, and Doby walked. Third baseman Al Rosen sent Doby to second with a single. Leo Durocher, the Giants' Hall of Fame manager, brought in left-hander Don Liddle to face the left-handed power hitter, Vic Wertz. The count went to 2-1 and then Wertz crashed a powerful drive to deep center field. Mays read the drive beautifully and took-off like a shot. Television announcer Jack Brickhouse described what happened: "There's a long drive... way back at center field... way back, back, it is a... Oh, My! Caught by Mays.... Willie Mays just brought the crowd to its feet with a catch that must have been an optical illusion to a lot of people." Not only did Mays make a beautiful over-the-shoulder catch at the warning track about 420 feet from the plate, but he immediately spun completely around to let loose a cannon throw to the infield that held Doby - who had tagged up - at third, instead of allowing Doby to continue home. Rosen remained at first base and right-handed reliever Marv Grissom came in to keep the half-inning scoreless. The Giants won the game in ten innings by a 5-2 score, and with great home run hitting heroics from Dusty Rhodes, won the Series in a 4-game sweep. The offered photo shows Mays, his back completely to the plate and his famous number 24 in plain view. The photo depicts the intense excitement of the bleacher fans, and to the left of Mays is the Giants' clubhouse, with someone seated at a window, possibly Giants' owner Horace Stoneham, as he often watched games from a clubhouse window. Mays signed each of the photos, using a blue Sharpie, and creating a big and bold signature. Every one of the eight photos comes with its own JSA certification and an individual "Say Hey Authentication" sticker. The signed photos are in excellent condition, and each of these signed photos will enhance the excitement of any sports collection.
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Hall of Fame Signed Bat with Mantle & Williams (35”)
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