Major Mike | Today in History 09/29 (The Catch)

Willie Mays' famous catch in the 1954 World Series between the New York Giants and the Cleveland Indians (© Frank Hurley/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)

(1954) The miraculous Mays makes an incredible catch

It’s Game 1 of baseball’s World Series and Cleveland Indians’ batter Vic Wertz hits a fly ball 450 feet into centerfield where the New York Giants’ Willie Mays is there to catch it. Over his shoulder. And with his back to home plate. ‘The Catch’ will live on in baseball lore.

The Catch refers to a defensive play made by New York Giants center fielder Willie Mays on a ball hit by Cleveland Indians batter Vic Wertz on September 29, 1954, during Game 1 of the 1954 World Series at the Polo Grounds in Upper Manhattan, New York City.

The Catch: Willie Mays hauls in Vic Wertz’s drive at the warning track in the 1954 World Series.
wiki/The_Catch_(baseball)

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(1954) The miraculous Mays makes an incredible catch.
Also on this day,

1918 | ‘The Great War’ nears its end as German defense is smashed as Hindenburg Line broken

Fourteen Allied divisions assault the Hindenburg Line, a series of heavily defended positions protecting a German army in semi-retreat. With help from a new weapon, the armored tank, the 30th Infantry breaks through at the Battle of St. Quentin Canal, dealing a decisive blow to the Germans.

1954 | ‘A Star Is Born’ premieres in Los Angeles

Judy Garland and James Mason star in a musical remake of a 1937 film. ‘A Star Is Born’ will be remade again in 1976 with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson, and a third time for a planned 2018 release starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.

1955 | ‘A View from the Bridge’ debuts in New York

Arthur Miller’s drama ‘A View from the Bridge’ is performed at New York’s Coronet Theatre. It will later be adapted for film, TV, and radio, and be revived several times on Broadway and London’s West End.

Today in History ^09/29/17

A British tank breaking through wire on the Hindenburg Line in Cambrai, France, during World War I (© The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images)

(1918) 'The Great War' nears its end as German defense is smashed

Fourteen Allied divisions assault the Hindenburg Line, a series of heavily defended positions protecting a German army in semi-retreat. With help from a new weapon, the armored tank, the 30th Infantry breaks through at the Battle of St. Quentin Canal, dealing a decisive blow to the Germans.

The Battle of St Quentin Canal was a pivotal battle of World War I that began on 29 September 1918 and involved British, Australian and American forces operating as part of British Fourth Army under the overall command of General Sir Henry Rawlinson, 1st Baron Rawlinson. Further north part of the British Third Army also supported the attack, whilst to the south of the twelve-mile Fourth Army front the First French Army launched a coordinated attack on a six-mile front. The objective was to break through one of the most heavily defended stretches of the German Siegfriedstellung, which in this sector utilised the St Quentin Canal as part of its defences. The assault achieved its objectives, resulting in the first full breach of the Hindenburg Line, in the face of heavy German resistance. In concert with other attacks of the Great Offensive along the length of the line, Allied success convinced the German high command that there was little hope of an ultimate German victory.

Start date: Sep 29, 1918
End date: Oct 10, 1918

Map showing the operations of U.S. 27th and 30th Divisions affiliated to Australian Corps as part of British Fourth Army during the Battle of St Quentin Canal, 29 September 1918. The advance shown was actually made by combined American and Australian forces.