From 1950 to 1959, they earned trips to the World Series an amazing eight times, winning seven. Three of those wins came after they beat the Brooklyn Dodgers. But in 1955, it was the Dodgers who at last bested their archrivals. The 1954 Series was one of the two series not to feature the Yankees. That year, the other New York team, the Giants, pounded the Cleveland Indians four games to none. But the 1954 World Series isn't remembered for that sweep; it's remembered for what is now simply called “the Catch.” The New York Giants had several strong players on their team, but their star player was twenty-three-year-old center fielder Willie “Say Hey Kid” Mays. Powered by his batting and fielding skills, the team won 97 games that year. In game one of the Series, he proved just how good he was. It was the top of the eighth inning. The score was tied 3–3. The Indians had runners at first and second, no outs, when their slugger, Vic Wertz, came to the plate.
