On September 29, 1954, Willie Mays made the most famous catch in the history of baseball. It was Game 1 of the World Series. With two runners on base, Cleveland Indians star Vic Wertz sent a towering fly ball over the head of the young outfielder. Turning his back on the ball, Mays sprinted toward the outfield fence, 450 feet from home plate. He made an incredible no-look catch over his shoulder while in an all-out sprint toward the fence. Then, he spun around and threw the ball back to the infield, keeping both baserunners from scoring. This allowed the Giants to go on to win the game in ten innings.
Here’s the funny part of the story.
The Giants had just brought in a little-known relief pitcher by the name of Donald Eugene Liddle. Vic Wertz would be the only batter he would face. Manager Leo Durocher immediately pulled Liddle from the game after he gave up the massive fly ball. On his way into the dugout, he quipped to a teammate, “Well, I got my guy!”
Clearly, Don Liddle wasn’t the best player on the field that day. But he played a role in baseball lore.
We all have a role to play. Each of us can do something to contribute to the team. Never take lightly the smallest task. As the prophet warned, “Do not despise the day of small things” (Zechariah 4:10).
Recovery Step: Identify your position on the team. Then get into the game.
