Head to the SABR Baseball Cards blog for this piece: https://sabrbaseballcards.blog/2019/05/05/there-is-only-one-willie-mays/
Here is a card, like most cards, with a story to it. You might expect it’s a story about Willie Mays. In fact, it’s a story about everyone not Willie Mays.
1959 Topps “Baseball Thrills” #464
At least a few of us remember the play like it was yesterday. The hitter has some power, but the centerfielder chooses to play him shallow. Even before bat meets ball, the fielder knows one of two things is about to happen: extra bases or the greatest catch of his life.
1961 Nu-Card Scoops #427
He quickly turns and by the time the crack of the bat is heard he is in a dead sprint only stealing a quick glance back to ensure the ball’s trajectory matches the path in his head.
1993 Upper Deck “Baseball Heroes” #47
Winning a race of man against ball is not an easy thing—the laws of physics might…
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