via espn.com
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball has named its World Series Most Valuable Player Award after Willie Mays. The decision was announced Friday, the 63rd anniversary of Mays’ over-the-shoulder catch in deep center field at the Polo Grounds for the New York Giants against Cleveland’s Vic Wertz in Game 1 of the World Series.
The Giants went on to sweep the Indians. The Series MVP award was given out for the first time the following year, when it was won by Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Johnny Podres.”I’d like to thank Commissioner Rob Manfred and his team at Major League Baseball for honoring me with this recognition,” Mays said in a statement. “Baseball has always taken care of me, and for that I am grateful. I think it’s just a wonderful thing to know that at 86 years of age, I can still give something back to the game. I am proud to lend my name to this important award. What a day this has been!”
Now 86, Mays played in 24 All-Star Games during a 22-year career with the New York and San Francisco Giants and the New York Mets.”Once again, it’s going to remind people of who Willie is and how great a player he was,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.
Mays was also honored the same day in Harlem, where the corner of West 155th Street and Harlem River Drive was renamed Willie Mays Drive.
Source: Major League Baseball names World Series MVP award after Willie Mays
Willie Mays Has World Series MVP Award Named After him by Major League Baseball
Published in Commemorations, News, Sports and U.S.
Ever since I was a very little girl, I have loved Willie Mays. And not just because of his amazing basket catches and his all-around class, but we share the same birthday (though not the same year!). This is great news!
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Reblogged this on Random Ramblings; Myriad Musings and commented:
😎
Willie Mays has always and will always be my dad’s favorite baseball player. He was grumpy about having to go to work this morning, so I told his this news and his eyes lit up and he gave a little chuckle. It’s the little things.
It most certainly is! Ty for sharing!!