Victor Woodrow (Vic) Wertz

Victor Woodrow (Vic) Wertz

Detroit Tigers Player (1947 – 1952, 1961 - 1963)

Vic Wertz was born in York, Pennsylvania and was signed by the Detroit Tigers in 1942 making his Tigers debut in 1947. Wertz served in World War II. Wertz spent his nine of his seventeen-year MLB career with the Tigers where he batted .286 with 109 home runs and 531 RBI.  Wertz was a four-time All-Star who was known as a power hitter, finishing in the top ten of A.L home run hitters during seven seasons. Wertz was best remembered as the player who hit the long fly ball caught by Willie Mays in the 1954 World Series, known as “The Catch”. Vic Wertz was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1983. He passed away on July 7, 1983 at 58 years of age.