Willie Mays and Bobby Avila Holding Baseball Bats

(Original Caption) For the first time since 1931, and the third time in World Series history, the batting champions of the two leagues will be participants. This year they are Bobby Avila, (L), American League Batting Champion, and Wilie Mays, leading hitter of the National League, shown comparing their mighty bats at the Polo Grounds on the eve of the big day. Avila, the Cleveland Indians second baseman won the championship in his league easily with an average of .341. Mays, the Giant's centerfielder, in his first year out of the Army, nosed into the championship with three hits in the final day of the season, beating Don Mueller, a teammate and Duke Snider of the Dodgers, with an average of .345.