US News reports that Major League Baseball has named its World Series Most Valuable Player award after Willie Mays.
The decision was announced Friday, the 63rd anniversary of Mays’ back-to-the-plate catch in deep center field at the Polo Grounds in Harlem for the New York Giants against Cleveland’s Vic Wertz in the World Series opener. The Giants went on to sweep the Indians.
Here’s the catch:
The Series MVP award began the following year, when it was won by Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Johnny Podres.
Now 86, Mays played in 24 All-Star Games during a 22-year-career with the New York and San Francisco Giants, and the New York Mets.
Photo credit: Jan. 21, 2011, Willie Mays appearance at the San Francisco Giants’ 2010 World Series trophy display tour event at the Arthur Tappan School P.S. 46 in Harlem, NY.
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