1954 World Series

The 1954 World Series matched the National League champion New York Giants against the American League champion Cleveland Indians. The Giants swept the Series in 4 games to win their first championship since 1933, defeating the heavily favored Indians, who had won an AL-record 111 games in the regular season. The Series is perhaps best-remembered for the sensational running catch made by Giants center fielder Willie Mays in Game 1, snaring a long drive by Vic Wertz near the outfield wall with his back to the infield. It is also remembered for utility player Dusty Rhodes' clutch hitting in three of the four games. Giants manager Leo Durocher won his only title among the three pennants he captured in his career.

Umpires: Al Barlick (NL), Charlie Berry (AL), Jocko Conlan (NL), Johnny Stevens (AL), Lon Warneke (NL: outfield only), Larry Napp (AL: outfield only) Note: Lon Warneke became the fifth person to appear in the Series both as a player and as an umpire.

Television: NBC (Jack Brickhouse and Russ Hodges announcing)

Game-By-Game Results
Game 1: New York Giants 5, Cleveland Indians 2 (10 innings)

Game 2: New York Giants 3, Cleveland Indians 1

Game 3: New York Giants 6, Cleveland Indians 2

Game 4: New York Giants 7, Cleveland Indians 4

Reference

 * A Day in the Bleachers, by Arnold Hano (who later wrote Mays' biography). The author describes sitting in the left-center field bleachers at the Polo Grounds for Game 1. An entire chapter is devoted to The Catch.