Clemson Outfielder's Game-Saving Catch Drew Willie Mays Comparisons From Fans

Karl Rasmussen | Jun 9, 2024

Clemson Tigers centerfielder Cam Cannarella makes a sensational catch during the NCAA tournament against the Florida Gators. / Screenshot via Clemson Baseball on X

The battle between Clemson and Florida in college baseball's Clemson Super Regional round of the NCAA tournament went to extra innings after Tigers outfielder Cam Cannarella put the team on his back late into the game.

Trailing 9–6 in the top of the ninth inning, Cannarella unleashed a game-tying three-run home run to knot things up and force extra innings.

He once again came to his team's rescue during the bottom of the 10th inning, this time with his glove. After the Gators launched a line drive to deep center field–one which would've won the game if it landed–Cannarella raced back and made a sensational catch, hauling in the ball while leaping in the air with his body facing the wall.

PLAY OF THE YEAR BY @CAMCANNARELLA!!!!! ⚾️🗣️

🖥 https://t.co/ozP6rh44g0 pic.twitter.com/9hvFE4gt3J

— Clemson Baseball (@ClemsonBaseball) June 9, 2024

The catch was reminiscent of "The Catch," the iconic defensive highlight from legendary San Francisco Giants outfielder Willie Mays' during the 1954 World Series. It didn't take long for baseball fans to begin drawing comparison between Mays's catch and the play from Cannarella.

This is the best catch I’ve ever seen, not exaggerating at all. He’s playing shallow and this ball is touched by Ashton Wilson, but he tracks it all the way and makes a leaping Willie Mays catch to save Clemson’s season. DOG!!! pic.twitter.com/MfFblGrfJj

— Peter Flaherty III (@PeterGFlaherty) June 9, 2024

CAM CANNARELLA JUST SAVED #CLEMSON’S SEASON… AGAIN.

ONE OF THE BEST CATCHES YOU WILL EVER SEE FROM #10 SENDS US TO THE 11TH INNING HERE AT DKS.

— Faxon Childress (@FaxOnSports) June 9, 2024

Cam Cannarella with his best Willie Mays impersonation to go to the 11th‼️ 😲😲

He doesn’t catch that. Their season is over

One of the best college baseball plays I’ve EVER seen pic.twitter.com/R75P6jDaPm

— Thumser (@JeffreyThumser) June 9, 2024

Did we really just get Willie Mays’d? That should’ve been ballgame.

— Jake Winderman (@jakewinderman) June 9, 2024

Ashton Wilson just crushed that ball and somehow, Cam Cannerella Willie Mays’d it to keep the Gators from going to Omaha.

Second stupendous play by Cannerella in this series. And he had the tying HR.

What a game.

— Neil W. Blackmon (@nwblackmon) June 9, 2024

Willie Mays, Jim Edmonds, Cam Cannarella.

— Barstool Clemson (@BarstoolClemson) June 9, 2024

Clemson CF just did his best Willie Mays impression. What a freaking play.

— Casey Halpern (@CaseyHalp) June 9, 2024

That grab by the Clemson CF is the new-age Willie Mays catch. That was unreal.

— Scottie Bordelon (@ScottieBordelon) June 9, 2024