Springfield in Greene County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Catch

Photographed by Jason Voigt, April 5, 2021

1. The Catch Marker

Inscription. West Plains, Missouri's Bill Virdon emerged as the unsung star of the 1960 World Series, boosting the Pittsburgh Pirates to an upset of the New York Yankees. While all remember Bill Mazeroski's Game 7 home run, Virdon's spectacular defense in center field choked off numerous Yankee rallies. He is credited with winning the series opener, as in the fourth inning he robbed future Hall of Famer Yogi Berra of a two-run double at the 407-foot marker of cavernous Forbes Field, and hung on despite colliding with right fielder Roberto Clemente. In the seventh inning of Game 4, Bob Cerv's chance for a two-run double disappeared into the center fielder's glove on one of the most acrobatic catches in World Series History. Defense indeed wins championships, as the Pirates went on to win the series four games to three.

Erected 2017 by Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1960.

Location. 37° 7.243′ N, 93° 13.02′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Missouri, in Greene County. It can be reached from East Stan Musial Drive south of U.S.

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60. Marker is outside the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3861 E Stan Musial Dr, Springfield MO 65809, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Ozarks,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Charles Graham "Charlie" Spoonhour (here, next to this marker); Gary R. Pinkel (here, next to this marker); Gene Verlon Bess (here, next to this marker); Cheryl Burnett (here, next to this marker); William L. (Bill) Rowe (here, next to this marker); Dr. Mary Jo Wynn (a few steps from this marker); Jerry Hughes (a few steps from this marker); Jon Thomas Sundvold (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, April 5, 2021

2. The Catch Marker

Marker is in front of "The Catch" statue, outside the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 304 times since then and 17 times this year. Last updated on January 29, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 20, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.