The Mathew’s catch was impressive. But as Coachric pointed out that’s no 380-400 foot fence Willie is racing toward. Most people see the historic clip without knowing how big that field is.
For my money I always liked Kevin Mitchell’s barehanded catch during the ’89 season. Tough to choose between the two Giants.
The closest thing I can remember to the Matthews catch was Otis Nixon robbing Andy Van Slyke back in 1991, on the dead run, going high above the wall in RCF and actually using his left foot to push off the wall so as to get high enough to make the catch. It was one of the turning points in that breakthrough year for the Braves.
Matthews also dug his cleats into the wall's outer vinyl layer to gain altitude. I give Matthews' the edge as the better catch because he made his with his back to the plate, whereas Nixon faced the ball all the way (his back was to the wall).
Matthews also dug his cleats into the wall's outer vinyl layer to gain altitude. I give Matthews' the edge as the better catch because he made his with his back to the plate, whereas Nixon faced the ball all the way (his back was to the wall).
I agree with TR about Willie Mays' catch of Vic Wertz. Plus it came in a much bigger game.
No one will probably believe me, but Kenny Lofton in his prime used to make those catches routinely. He was an ex-basketball player at Arizona and a fabulous baseball player who could jump higher and run faster than just about anyone.
Another catch that sticks in my mind was Joe Rudi robbing someone in one of the A's three World Series in the early 70's.
No one will probably believe me, but Kenny Lofton in his prime used to make those catches routinely. He was an ex-basketball player at Arizona and a fabulous baseball player who could jump higher and run faster than just about anyone.
Another catch that sticks in my mind was Joe Rudi robbing someone in one of the A's three World Series in the early 70's.
quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
And people want to forget that Mays kept runners from moving up as well on the same play
Bonehead baserunning!
Larry Doby was on second base and actually tagged up and went to third.
The catch was made about 415 feet from home.
Sometimes facts get exagerated by age. Don't take my word for it.
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCI/is_8_64/ai_n15343190
The catch was made about 415 feet from home.
Sometimes facts get exagerated by age. Don't take my word for it.
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCI/is_8_64/ai_n15343190
The Greatest Catch was made by the guy on the team you support in the most important situation.
Mays' catch endures both because of the situation and its aftermath and because clever, athletic catches were not the norm at the time.
Now they are.
Mays' catch endures both because of the situation and its aftermath and because clever, athletic catches were not the norm at the time.
Now they are.
quote:Originally posted by Moc1:
The catch was made about 415 feet from home.
Sometimes facts get exagerated by age. Don't take my word for it.
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCI/is_8_64/ai_n15343190
Yes! Now we can rest easy because we have an internet proof source for the facts. We all know the internet is always correct!
Just having a little fun with you.
I wasn’t disputing the distance of approximately 415 (or maybe a little more 
). My point was that if people don’t know the size of that field they can see the old video and assume it is a 400 foot fence. If that was the case it would be a great play for the middle infielder but no big deal for the outfielder. I’ve seen this happen and I always ask them where they think Mays was positioned at the crack of the bat? It gives them some perspective for the true size of the field. Sometimes time (and a lack of accurate info) can distort the perception and undervalue the feat too.
Line Drive, the internet is definitely not the "Gospel" for sure-please do not use what I've posted as the only reference. The reason I even made reference to the distance is because others have stated his was a great catch because he ran a long way to get to it. And to Larry Doby tagging and moving to third after the catch was because one poster said Mays kept the runners from moving up a base-not true. Stories get better with age 
. IMO a great catch is a GREAT CATCH regardless of the situation. Willie Mays-one of my all time favorite players-made a very good catch at a crucial time in the Series. That being said, G Matthews' catch was the best "pure" catch I've ever seen and I've seen both. As I stated in a previous post I also saw Willie
make a catch that was better than the Series catch-also just my opinion.
. IMO a great catch is a GREAT CATCH regardless of the situation. Willie Mays-one of my all time favorite players-made a very good catch at a crucial time in the Series. That being said, G Matthews' catch was the best "pure" catch I've ever seen and I've seen both. As I stated in a previous post I also saw Williemake a catch that was better than the Series catch-also just my opinion.