For The Love Of Glove
Reading Stefan Fatsis’ “My Glove: A Biography” got me thinking about my own collection of leather. I own seven baseball gloves – including both a first baseman’s and catcher’s mitt. Of the five “standard” gloves that I own, three of them will always standout to me.
My very first glove:
Model: Wilson A 2620 – “Paul Blair” signature
Estimated Date of Purchase: 1974
Marking on outside thumb: “Nylon Stitched”
Marking on inside pinky: “Craft Built”
Markings inside pocket: “Grip-Tite Pocket” and “Snap Action”
Comments: Yes, I defaced this one with paint, etc. I’m not sure what I was really thinking at the time. Then again, I was only 11-years old back then as well.
The first glove bought with my own money:
Model: Wilson A 2111 – “Chris Speier” signature
Estimated Date of Purchase: 1976
Marking on outside thumb: “Nylon Stitched”
Marking on inside pinky: “Designed for the PROFESSIONAL”
Markings inside pocket: “Grip-Tite Pocket,” “Pro-Model” and “Snap Action”
Comments: I remember begging my mom to drive me down to Fred Muche’s on Castleton Avenue (in Staten Island) to get this one. The glove, at that time, cost an insane amount of money – and I knew “mom” would allow me to spend it (since it was money I earned) whereas “dad” would have given me “that look.” I had no idea who “Chris Speier” was at the time. I used this one for a decade after I got it – and used it a lot.
The glove I want to have buried with me:
Model: Rawlings HFG 12 – “Reggie Jackson” signature
Estimated Date of Purchase: 1985
Marking on outside thumb: “Edge-U-cated Heel”
Marking on inside pinky: “The Finest In The Field!”
Markings inside pocket: “Deep Well Pocket” and “FASTBACK Model”
Comments: Broken in so perfectly that it doesn’t even seem like I’m wearing a glove when I have it on my hand. Broken in so perfectly that I would rather offend someone than allow them to use it (and perhaps ruin its perfection). Broken in so perfect that I would use it, with total trust, to catch a newborn baby in it. Do I have to continue? I think you get it. For me, it’s perfection. Now that I no longer play ball, and that I have other gloves to use if needed, I’m thinking about having this one put in a glass case.
When people talk about love for a glove…I totally get where they’re coming from.
You don’t play ball any more, or you don’t play the field?
I’ve had 3 gloves over the years; I only have two now; a fielders mitt & a 1b mitt. I thought about picking up a catcher’s mitt, for grins, but I found that my 1b mitt will do in a pinch.
I only use my fielders mitt for pitching, my 1b mitt sees action everywhere else, baseball & softball.
The first mitt I got was from Caldors, the last two were from Modells & Baseball Express, respectively.
Being a lefty, I usually don’t have to worry about people borrowing or stealing my glove.
This is my favorite WW post in about forever.
My gloves are long gone.
I agree with Baileywalk.
I still have all of my gloves. They reside in a box in a storage container in Paterson, NJ. My HS baseball days are over but this post inspired me to yank one out of storage and maybe try it on again.
[...] is a follow up on my “Love of Glove” story from three years [...]
Just wanted to say I purchased an unused Wilson A2620 “Paul Blair” glove recently. I’m finding it hard to get any info on it. Apparently unused ones are rare. Any idea what this might be worth? Thanks and nice blog
@ inciteinsight:
No idea. But, maybe one of the posters at this site, below, would know?
http://www.vintagebaseballgloveforum.com/