Ramos channels Mays with incredible catch in Giants’ victory over Cubs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – It has been a memorable week for Heliot Ramos.
Last Thursday, when the Giants played a historic game at Rickwood Field in honor of Willie Mays, Ramos criticized a huge three run home run that made people remember Say Hey Kid.
The celebration for Mays and Ramos continued on Monday.
With everyone on the Giants wearing the number 24 to commemorate the best 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 that gave the Giants a 5-4 comeback about the Chicago Cubs.
As if that weren’t enough, Ramos thrilled the Oracle Park crowd when he made an over-the-shoulder catch that was eerily reminiscent of the historic catch made by Mays in the 1954 World Series.
The issue caused many people to invoke Mays’ name, but Ramos sheepishly refused to include himself in the same conversation.
“Every time I look at highlights and everything, I dream about making a catch like that,” Ramos said. “I don’t think she was even close to what she did.”
Still, it was a fitting way to honor Mays.
More importantly, Ramos’ all-around performance was key to the Giants ending their five-game losing streak.
“Willie has inspired him a lot,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said. “And to be able to play center field and do what he’s doing and to be able to wear No. 24 tonight, I think it was kind of fitting that he made a play like that.”
Ramos has made all kinds of plays, both with the bat and the glove. He entered Monday’s game leading the National League in runs batted in (35) and was tied for fifth in home runs (10) since he was called up from the minors on May 8.
He added to that resume on Monday with his 18th multi-hit game since joining the major league team and has a hard-hit rate that is among the best in baseball.
Ramos, however, was in a bit of a slump (1 for 22) over the last week; his only hit was his home run at Rickwood.
On Monday, he flipped the script and went back to doing what Giants fans are getting used to seeing. He finished the day with a .301 batting average, the only San Francisco regular batting above .300 so far.
“After going through a rough patch, all you try to do is fight at the plate, try to get on base, try to get good at-bats,” Ramos said. “For me, confidence is the most important part, just trying to stay confident and stay on my game.”
Ramos didn’t miss what everything Monday meant, from the pregame ceremony to his spectacular catch and three hits.
“It’s an honor, a privilege,” Ramos said. “We all know who he is. I really loved that we did that for him today. “It sure is a super special day.”