Detroit Tigers: You Never Know Who You’re Going to Meet

When you love baseball, especially the Detroit Tigers, it is easy to find something to talk to people about. People who love baseball always have a story to tell about that “one time.”

This time, Detroit Tigers legend, Mike Ilitch was the catalyst for the discussion.

And, the subject was Eddie Mayo of the 1945 World-Series-winning team.

The focus: a missing baseball.

My conversation was with a close relative of Mayo who seemed to enjoy sharing a few stories about the baseball player and the rumor of the last ball caught in the 1945 World Series.

History about Mayo

Mayo, who was known as “Hot Shot” and “Steady Eddie” to his teammates and fans, played for nine years for the New York Giants, the Boston Bees, and Philadelphia Athletics, and the Detroit Tigers. He played between 1936 and 1948, but during 1939 through 1942, he played in the Pacific Coast League for the Los Angeles Angels. He returned to the MLB because of World War II and the fact that so many players left to fight.

In 1945, Mayo had a major impact in the World Series games. In fact, he finished second in the race for the AL MVP, losing to his teammate Hal Newhouser. Mayo had a pair of runs in Game 7 of the World Series and he caught the last ball for an out.

The Curse of the 1945 Season

This might not seem like a very big deal, but keep in mind that the 1945 World Series was when the Detroit Tigers faced the Chicago Cubs. Until 2016, this was the last time that the Cubs were in the World Series. And, the baseball that Mayo caught to end the World Series and begin the Cubs’ drought became an item of interest. The story of the baseball was overshadowed by the Curse of the Billy Goat.

The Mystery of the Last Baseball

According to Mayo’s relative, the whereabouts of the actual baseball is a true mystery. But, the world thinks differently. In an article by Maya Miller with the Chicago Tribune, the last-out ball belongs to the Grant DePorter who owns the Harry Caray restaurant chain. He reportedly paid “$8,962.50 and brought it back to Chicago. Special effects specialist Michael Lantieri created the fireproof chamber where it lies today.”

In the article, DePorter said: “Sports is like a religion in Chicago. I consider the 1945 World Series ‘last-out’ ball among the holiest of relics of that religion.”

But, according to Mayo’s relative, that “last out” ball is most likely not the correct ball.

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• Recalling Each of the Current Detroit Tigers’ First MLB Hits
• Eduardo Rodriguez versus Justin Verlander: Money Well Spent?
• Detroit Tigers retired numbers

According to the story in the Chicago Tribune, Mayo caught the ball, dropped it on the field and Roy Hughes picked it up. He kept the ball and eventually donated to the Ohio Baseball Hall of Fame. When the museum closed, a baseball collector named Seth Swirsky bought it. Then, DePorter bought it.

But, the story from Mayo’s relative is quite different. After Mayo caught the ball, he supposedly put it in his pocket. He, then, gave it to Walter Briggs, Sr., who owned the team at the time. After this, the baseball remained in Briggs’ ownership – or at least that is what Mayo’s relative believes. If this is the case, then DePorter truly did overpay for a random baseball. We talked about the story and how rumors about the missing baseball still being somewhere in the Briggs family still exist. The belief with the Mayo family is that the ball in Chicago is not “the Ball” because it does not fit with the story that Eddie told.

Next: Drew Verhagen Working as a Starter in Spring Training

Mayo died in 2006 and prior to his death, he was the oldest living Detroit Tigers former player. He was 96 years old. After retiring from playing baseball, he managed the Toledo Mud Hens and coached third base for the Boston Red Sox and later for the Philadelphia Phillies.