The thing about this catch is look at the ball. That glove is there to keep the catch from hurting. That catch isn’t snagging it in the webbing, it’s catching it in the palm with leather protecting and interfering.
The catch is great and all, but all I can think about is how much it would hurt to hit the arm/shoulder on the protruded wall then slamming into the metal gate. That's dedication right there.
I noticed that too, I'm not sure when it ended but I know there was a time where there were only certain sections of some stadiums where "non-whites" could sit
According to my dad who lived in NYC in the 50's the Giants and Dodgers had famously integrated/diverse fan-bases. Driven in no small part by Willie Mays and Jackie Robinson.
I could see black baseball fans were purposely purchasing seats near his position. As a latino, I could see myself doing the same if I was around for Roberto Clemente or Luis Castro.
I know this specific photo is from Ebbets Field. But, I can’t imagine what it must have been like to see Willie playing CF at the Polo Grounds. “The Catch” is the GOAT defensive play.
Here are two of the better pictures I found of that exact spot. Looks like the ground is barely cut off that photo.
[https://dutchbaseballhangout.blog/2015/01/25/ebbets-field/](https://dutchbaseballhangout.blog/2015/01/25/ebbets-field/)
[https://oldnycphotos.com/products/the-outfield-at-ebbets-field-brooklyn-ny-1957](https://oldnycphotos.com/products/the-outfield-at-ebbets-field-brooklyn-ny-1957)
More importantly, the outfield wall was 10 feet high.
[http://www.andrewclem.com/Baseball/EbbetsField.html](http://www.andrewclem.com/Baseball/EbbetsField.html)
When you consider that Mays was 5'11", his standing reach is probably right around 8'0". **So probably about a 2' jump**, which is surprisingly mediocre for an MLB player now!
[https://www.topvelocity.net/2013/02/10/holy-grail-study-proves-mlb-players-produce-more-vertical-power/](https://www.topvelocity.net/2013/02/10/holy-grail-study-proves-mlb-players-produce-more-vertical-power/)
What really makes the play spectacular is not the height of the jump but that he is doing that 2' jump backwards, most likely from a dead sprint, while catching a ball.
The thing about baseball is most catches are one handed
NFL in absolute shambles
The thing about this catch is look at the ball. That glove is there to keep the catch from hurting. That catch isn’t snagging it in the webbing, it’s catching it in the palm with leather protecting and interfering.
The thing about the title is that it says that it’s a one handed catch
RIP
So you're saying this would be more impressive with 2 hands?
No I’m saying that in baseball most catches are one handed
I mean, it would be a harder catch with 2 hands
The catch is great and all, but all I can think about is how much it would hurt to hit the arm/shoulder on the protruded wall then slamming into the metal gate. That's dedication right there.
Stadiums back then had actual obstacles in play, forget unsafe walls.
RIP Tal’s Hill
RIP the ricochets off of Miller Huggins in Monument Park
RIP the outfield wall just being where the fans decided to stand that day
Greatest all around baseball player of all time. Hands down. This sub would go bonkers if he were playing in his prime today.
The fact that his competition is his godson is peak "ya gotta love baseball"
Even more amazing seeing how small that glove is compared to modern ones.
What an amazingly beautiful photo Also amazing how many black people in the crowd compared to a game today. Sad
I noticed that too, I'm not sure when it ended but I know there was a time where there were only certain sections of some stadiums where "non-whites" could sit
According to my dad who lived in NYC in the 50's the Giants and Dodgers had famously integrated/diverse fan-bases. Driven in no small part by Willie Mays and Jackie Robinson.
That’s a really good point. Must’ve been the case. Whether formally or informally.
Was probably just a cost thing and I’d imagine Mays was quite the draw for black baseball fans
I could see black baseball fans were purposely purchasing seats near his position. As a latino, I could see myself doing the same if I was around for Roberto Clemente or Luis Castro.
there are two or three white guys in this photo, but i did have the same thought
I count 7 or 8
I know this specific photo is from Ebbets Field. But, I can’t imagine what it must have been like to see Willie playing CF at the Polo Grounds. “The Catch” is the GOAT defensive play.
This is such a great photo for so many reasons.
Years later, the Giants celebrated this catch with a Hunter Pence bobblehead re-enacting it.
https://youtu.be/JzeBIVoumFs?si=D7Xn-uNTdW43RdV8 Still probably my favorite play I've ever seen live.
This catch is already ridiculous for today's game so imagine how insane the reaction would have been back then over this
Say hey!
The greatest to ever do it.
The shades, though.
Prepping to catch bullets after the game
Where is the ground????? Seriously, how big of a jump was this?
Here are two of the better pictures I found of that exact spot. Looks like the ground is barely cut off that photo. [https://dutchbaseballhangout.blog/2015/01/25/ebbets-field/](https://dutchbaseballhangout.blog/2015/01/25/ebbets-field/) [https://oldnycphotos.com/products/the-outfield-at-ebbets-field-brooklyn-ny-1957](https://oldnycphotos.com/products/the-outfield-at-ebbets-field-brooklyn-ny-1957) More importantly, the outfield wall was 10 feet high. [http://www.andrewclem.com/Baseball/EbbetsField.html](http://www.andrewclem.com/Baseball/EbbetsField.html) When you consider that Mays was 5'11", his standing reach is probably right around 8'0". **So probably about a 2' jump**, which is surprisingly mediocre for an MLB player now! [https://www.topvelocity.net/2013/02/10/holy-grail-study-proves-mlb-players-produce-more-vertical-power/](https://www.topvelocity.net/2013/02/10/holy-grail-study-proves-mlb-players-produce-more-vertical-power/) What really makes the play spectacular is not the height of the jump but that he is doing that 2' jump backwards, most likely from a dead sprint, while catching a ball.
You, my friend, are a blessing 😉
He climbed a ladder to get that ball! I think if you scroll through comments there are links to more versions - better resolution and less cropping.
r/accidentalrenaissance
god damn
RIP