Willie Mays basket catch explained: How MLB legend made iconic play famous

When it comes to imitating baseball players, there are plenty of professionals that young children look to as role models.

Most of the time it’s about imitating the pitchers’ batting motions or hitting positions. There were iconic moves from the mound, like Dontrelle Willis’ high kick or Tim Lincecum’s whipping motion. In the batter’s box, the kids loved imitating Kevin Youkilis’ awkward stance or Jeff Bagwell’s squat.

When it comes to defensive plays, there are fewer examples that young ballplayers can take advantage of. Ground balls are all about making the jump shot like Derek Jeter.

However, when it comes to catching fly balls, there is really only one way to catch a pop fly that stands out from all the others: Willie Mays’ basket catch.

The Giants legend was known for his casual way of catching the ball out of the air, dropping his glove to his hip to make the play. Whether he did this strategically to catch the ball or just to put on a show for the fans, it lives on in baseball history and baseball movies alike.

Mays passed away on June 18, 2024, but his legacy as one of the greatest players to ever grace a diamond will live on forever. One way is by keeping his infamous basket catch alive.

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Willie Mays basket catch, explained

Mays was known for his excellent defense in the outfield. His quickness allowed him to track down balls that seemed far out of his reach, but his vision was unmatched as he showed an excellent ability to read balls in the air.

He made plays that should have been difficult look incredibly easy. Well, maybe they were easy for Mays.

With his glove on his hip, the Giants star was notorious for catching balls on his belt. Instead of putting both hands in the air, as every Little Leaguer is taught to do, Mays flouted the norm and let the ball come to him instead of jumping up and snatching it out of the air.

When he came to the MLB, catching a basket was routine for Mays, but it took years for him to perfect it.

While at Fort Eustis in the U.S. Army, Mays learned his signature defensive move. Fellow Fort Eustis outfielder Al Fortunato showed him the catch, and Mays worked on it until he mastered it. It took him two years to master the maneuver on a regular basis, and he carried the technique into his professional career.

“When I got out of the Army, Leo (Durocher) said, ‘You could do it, but don’t miss the damn ball,'” Mays said in the book “24: Life Stories and Lessons from the Say Hey Kid.” “I missed two. Ten years apart.”

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“The Catch” by Willie Mays

Although Mays has made many catches throughout his MLB career, one in particular stands out: “The Catch.”

During the 1954 World Series between the Giants and the Indians, Mays made a game-winning catch on a long fly ball in the eighth inning. With the score tied 2-2, Cleveland’s Vic Wertz sent down a ball from San Francisco’s Don Liddle that seemed destined to fall. That is, until Mays ran to the falling ball, put his glove on his hip and hauled it in for the out, maintaining possession as it fell to the ground.

“When I was young, I always played flat,” Mays said. “I thought nobody could hit a ball over my head. That’s how I felt when I played center field. When Vic hit the ball, I always thought I was going to catch the ball.”

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He immediately jumped up, turned around and threw the ball into the infield, preventing the runner from first base from advancing and getting into scoring position. No runs were scored in that inning, and the Giants won in extra innings.

To the average fan – and even the average baseball player – it was an incredible play that seemed almost impossible. To Mays, it was just another day at work.

“Everyone said, ‘That was a tough catch,'” Mays said. “I said, ‘Nah, that was an easy catch.'”

Since that day, Mays’ unique style of hitting a fly ball has been synonymous with him. From Little League players to budding pro stars, everyone has tried to emulate the over-the-shoulder play. But there’s a reason only the best of the best can pull it off consistently.

“If you want to try to catch a basket now, that’s your choice,” Mays wrote in “24.” “But if you get hit in the head, remember that I warned you.”