OCTOBER 2, 1954
The NY Giants will their final championship in NY as they defeated the Cleveland Indians 4 games to none. The Giants complete the World Series sweep of the Indians when Don Liddle beats Bob Lemon, 7-4. The Tribe, who had not lost four consecutive games this year, completed the regular season with a 111-43 record, establishing an American League mark for victories. (Nationalpastime.com)
SEPTEMBER 29, 1954
Willie Mays makes ‘The Catch’, an amazing over-the-shoulder grab, robbing Vic Wertz of an extra hit. Almost forgotten by fans, other than Giants fans, is later Dusty Rhodes becomes the second player in World Series player to end a game with a homer. The Giants pinch-hitter’s walk-off three-run home run off Bob Lemon beats the Indians 5-2 in Game 1 of the Fall Classic. (Nationalpastime.com)
SEPTEMBER 29, 1957
The Giants play their last ever home game as the NY Giants in the Polo Grounds. They lose to the Pirates before 11,000 hearty fans. Truly the End of an Era in NY Baseball lore.
SEPTEMBER 28, 1919
In the first game of a twin bill on the last day of the season, the Giants need only 51 minutes to defeat the Phillies, 6-1. The Polo Grounds contest is the shortest nine-inning game ever played in the major leagues. (Nationalpastime.com)
SEPTEMBER 27, 1928
At the Polo Grounds, the Giants unveil bronze tablets in memory of two former players Christy Mathewson and Ross Youngs. The future Hall of Famers were much beloved and respected by their manager John McGraw, a tyrant in the dugout who was known to berate his ballplayers.(Nationalpastime.com)
Willie Mays say good-by to America. He retires effective at the end of the season. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh9woGdCYdc…
SEPTEMBER 23, 1908
Fred Merkle’s failure to touch second after an apparent game-winning hit by Bridwell scoring McCormick from third costs the Giants a 2-1 win over the Cubs as the ump calls him out and rules the game a tie. Merkle’s ‘boner’ will eventually cost the Giants the flag. (Nationalpastime.com)
SEPTEMBER 23, 1956
Ozzie Virgil becomes the first Dominican to reach the majors. The 23-year old Monte Cristi native, who will also see his son catch in the big leagues, plays third base for the Giants.(Nationalpastime.com)
SEPTEMBER 20, 1954
The Giants clinch the pennant when they beat the Dodgers at Ebbets Field, 7-1. The National League champs, finishing the season five games ahead of second-place Brooklyn, will go on to sweep Cleveland in the Fall Classic. (Nationalpastime.com)
SEPTEMBER 20, 1955
Willie Mays becomes the seventh player to hit fifty home runs in a season when he connects off Pittsburgh’s Vern Law for the second time in the Giants’ 14-8 victory at the Polo Grounds. The round-tripper is the 24-year old center fielder’s seventh in six consecutive games. (Nationalpastime.com)
A newly restored plaque memorializing Polo Grounds’ unique place in baseball history will soon return to its home.
Unveiled during a ceremony on September 6, the refurbished bronze plaque marks the approximate location of home plate on the old Major League Baseball field in Upper Manhattan. The plaque was originally installed at NYCHA’s Polo Grounds Towers, which sits on the site of the former stadium that hosted the New York Giants, Yankees, and Mets throughout its history. Among the notable events that took place at the field is Willie Mays’ legendary “The Catch” for the Giants in the 1954 World Series.
Following a restoration effort, led by Willie’s son Michael Mays – with support from NYCHA, the New York Giants Preservation Society, and the Office of the NYC Deputy Mayor for Public Safety – the memorial plaque will soon be returned to its rightful place at Polo Grounds Towers.
Mr. Mays displayed the finished piece while attending a local block party event with the NYPD and the Police Athletic League. He highlighted the plaque’s representation of New York baseball history, saying “we were happy” to complete the restoration.
“Keeping our city safe is about more than enforcement, it’s about honoring the history and building pride,” Assistant Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Mona Suazo said. “We worked with our partners to ensure that this plaque and the history it represents will continue to inspire generations to come.”
-NYCHA JOURNAL
SEPTEMBER 15, 1904
Beating the Braves, 3-2, Giant hurler George Wiltse runs his career record to 12-0. ‘Hooks’ dozen consecutive victories establish the record for the most wins at the start of a career for a starter. (Nationalpastime.com)
By Chris Haft
A lot of us little boys and girls around age 65 and older cried together Tuesday night. It didn’t matter that we weren’t joined physically. We were united in our lifelong admiration of Willie Mays, whose death convinced us — maybe stronger than ever — of our faith in his greatness and the power of his very being which made us believe in the wonder of baseball.
The first Mays acolyte I heard from was a buddy from Menlo Park, Calif., where
I spent my formative years. Well into our adulthood, he would remind me, “Willie Mays can do no wrong.” Tuesday, my friend’s cell phone clearly conveyed the sorrow in his voice.
My aunt, who is hastening my recovery from illness, nurtured me with privacy and popcorn, which I nibbled as the notifications from friends poured in. The depth and breadth of people I heard from in such a short time was stunning. Mays’ passing was becoming a bonding experience for us to share.
My ex-girlfriend, who as a native San Franciscan understood Mays’ mastery, was next to text. Then came about 10 texts in rapid succession from college friends. Jeez, you’d think we were cramming for a final exam. In came another trio of texts, these from treasured high school classmates. I also heard from a pair of my best friends dating back a couple of decades to my days in Cincinnati. Celebrating and mourning Willie brought these people together for me. They called from the southwest (Houston) and the northwest (Seattle), just to talk about Willie.
I’ll leave the recitations of Mays’ baseball achievements to my former sportswriting colleagues (I will say that I saw him hit a home run on my 12th birthday in 1971). Instead, I’ll share a few moments I enjoyed with Mays the man, who visited the Giants’ ballpark often during my 14 years of covering the team (2005-18).
“Willie,” I asked him one day during spring training. “how did you stay in such good shape?” He puffed out his chest ever so slightly and replied with a sly grin, “I never got out of shape.”
When I was collaborating with Giants clubhouse boss Mike Murphy on his autobiography, I was hanging out in “Murph’s” office one afternoon with him, Willie and Joe Torre, trying to comprehend my good fortune. Think of all the interviewing I could do! Mays, sitting next to me, sensed my overeagerness. “Let them talk,” Mays whispered, urging me to just let things happen. The all-time great as interview coach.
One interview I DID conduct was with Hall of Famer Billy Williams, who insisted that Mays, not San Francisco’s catcher, called pitches from center field in an effort to win a game and end a Giants slump. I brought this anecdote to Mays, who laughed uproariously before saying, “Naw, naw, naw, naw.” But his laugh said, “Sure. Of course. Yep.”
I should have retained Mays as my agent. Learning of my per diem allowance on the road which one organization allotted me, Mays squealed in his high-pitched voice, “Forty dollars? How are you supposed to survive on forty dollars?”
Yes, this was a saddening day, to say the least. But once we’ve dried the tears that were prompted by the innocence of youth, remember how much fun we had while loving Willie Mays for all these years. Hold onto those memories, and Willie will live onward.
