Results tagged “Willie Mays” from The Southpaw

Of course, everyone remembers the out.
Vic Wertz did everything he could to beat the Giants that September day. Nobody remembers that he had four hits and drove in each of his team's 3-2 runs in Game 1 of the 1954 World Series.
Nobody remembers any of that.
When baseball fans hear the name Vic Wertz the thought they develop is not that he absolutely clobbered the ball all day, but that his furthest hit was chased down with a beautiful, over-the-shoulder catch by Willie Mays.
It was the center fielder's signature moment and has been immortalized with statues, pictures and the video of him spinning like a top, his arm unfurling at the right moment as he launches the ball toward the infield to keep the runners from scoring.
When the play is over and being described as an "optical illusion" Mays looks like he's screwed himself into the ground.
Wertz of course is nowhere in the picture.
Like the other York and Adams countians who've made it to baseball's biggest stage, he never shines in the spotlight. Sometimes it wasn't a lack of effort or even production that kept the local boys from being the star. Sometimes there's a connection to a teammate or opponent's glory. Usually, though, their playoff experience is lost to the dusty shelves and box scores of history.
And Wertz is the prime example.
Come to think of it, nobody seems to remember that Wertz had one of the most dominant performances in series history that year. He batted a robust .500. That's right, with a "5." Not .400 or .300.
He also hit a home run, a triple and two doubles.
But he's remembered for the out.
The problem for Wertz is that his teammates never seemed to get on base in that series. So he only drove in three runs.
Again, the circumstances just weren't right.
Which seems to be the theme for area players who've made appearances in the playoffs.

Roma Downey and Clarence are headed to the playoffs.
It's time to hit the panic button.

The Hammer whacks another. Hank Aaron holds so many spots in the record book, but his impact in the game has never been truly respected.

Editor's note: This is the first in a series of posts on the 10 most underrated players in Major League Baseball history. Some might are players who never stood in the spotlight of stardom. Others are players whose whole careers were never fully appreciated because of one achievement or controversy.
He walked toward the batter's box, swinging two heavy sticks with his strong his right arm.
The wooden bats didn't just cut rhythmically through the thick Atlanta night. They swung back behind his head and through racial hatred that continued to sting a southern city and state, then whip in front of him beating back Jim Crow's dying grip on a region. And, finally, the bats reach the top of their arc and ran across the scars of a country that is moving in the right direction.
His left hand holds his protective batting helmet near his Braves blue belt that not only fit him, but the time, 1974. He twists to spit at the ground. It lands in an area that was once toiled on by slaves.
He takes his final steps toward the plate, through the fog created from so many memories and accomplishments amassed over a long career. To be sure, this is not the Hank Aaron of 1955. That was a lean young man with a ferocious swing that attacked the ball with the force of a howitzer.
This was also not the Hank Aaron of 1964, whose seasoned eye, quick stroke and sharp mind caused teammate Ernie Johnson to marvel, "Hank Aaron is simply smarter than all pitchers. ... (h)e puts all pitchers to sleep."
This is the Hank Aaron of 1974. With the end of the 1973 campaign, he'd had his last great season. His talents are waning.
This is the Hank Aaron with the slight paunch.
Yes that's right. Gods can have a pot belly.
And, yes, they can be underrated.

Which holds the record for most extra-inning home runs?
A. Cal Ripken Jr.
B. Willie Mays
C. Babe Ruth
D. Willie Stargell

The All-Star game has given us many memorable moments. Pete Rose barreling over Ray Fosse, Pete Rose getting ambushed by Jim Grey in the 1999 All-Star game. OK, not every memory surrounds Charlie Hustle.
Reggie Jackson hammered a ball out of Tiger Stadium. Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio shared the outfield. As did Aaron and Mays.
So with all that history, what are the greatest performances in All-Star history?
Well, The Southpaw's done some work and here they are.

The Southpaw is sick and tired of King Felix. He's barely a duke. Barely.
The Phillies opened up a can Monday.
And yes, we actually defend Derek Jeter.

Brian Roberts scores the go-ahead run in an insane, ridiculous and historic rally against the Boston Red Sox.
All we can say is wow.
Wow for the Orioles.
Wow for the Rays.
Wow for Albert the Great.

The Pirates still can't beat the Brewers.
Oh yeah, we have more A-Rod juicing stories. We're so unbelievably excited.
And are the Nats about to draft a cornerstone prospect.

Which of these players never led the league in runs driven in?
a. Willie Mays
b. Willie McCovey
c. Dave Winfield
d. Preston Wilson