Ramos channels Mays with incredible catch in Giants’ win over Cubs originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – It was a memorable week for Heliot Ramos.
Last Thursday, when the Giants played a historic game at Rickwood Field in honor of Willie Mays, Ramos exploded a big three-run home run it made people reminisce about Say Hey Kid.
On Monday, Mays and Ramos’ celebration continued.
With everyone on the Giants wearing the number 24 to honor the greatest player in baseball history, Ramos had one of his best games of the season – three hits followed by an intentional walk in the ninth inning that set the stage for Wilmer Flores’ walk-off walk that gave the Giants a 5-4 comeback victory about the Chicago Cubs.
As if that wasn’t enough, Ramos left the Oracle Park crowd quite emotional by making an over-the-shoulder catch that was eerily reminiscent of Mays’ historic catch in the 1954 World Series.
The prank caused many people to invoke Mays’ name, but Ramos coyly refused to include himself in the same conversation.
“Every time I watch the highlights and everything, I dream about making a catch like that,” Ramos said. “I don’t think it was even close to what he did.”
Still, it was a fitting way to honor Mays.
Most importantly, Ramos’ overall performance was instrumental in the Giants ending their five-game losing streak.
“He was really inspired by Willie,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said. “And to be able to play center field and do what he’s doing and wear number 24 tonight, I think it was kind of appropriate that he made a play like that.”
Ramos made all kinds of plays, both with his bat and his glove. He entered Monday’s game leading the NL in RBI (35) and was tied for fifth in home runs (10) since being called up from the minors on May 8.
He added to that resume on Monday with his 18th multi-hit game since joining the big league team and has a strikeout rate that is among the best in baseball.
Ramos, however, was in a minor funk (1-for-22) last week — the only hit was his home run off Rickwood.
On Monday, he flipped the script and went back to doing what Giants fans are used to seeing. He finished the day with a .301 batting average, the only San Francisco regular batting above .300 thus far.
“Once you go through a rough patch, all you try to do is fight at the plate, trying to get on base, trying to get good hits,” Ramos said. “For me, confidence is the most important part, just trying to stay confident and just trying to stay on my game.”
Not lost for Ramos is what it all meant on Monday, from the pregame ceremony to his spectacular reception and his three hits.
“It’s an honor, a privilege,” said Ramos. “We all know who he is. I really loved that we did this for him today. It’s a super special day, for sure.”
