Page updated Sunday, May 23, 2004 at 12:00 a.m. Pacific
Evolution of the Glove
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1869, 1877 · First time a glove or mitt was used
Doug Allison, catcher of the Cincinnati Red Stockings, is generally regarded as the first player to wear a mitt in 1869. Respected pitcher and future sporting goods mogul Albert G. Spalding made the use of a glove accepted in 1877.
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1900-10 · Fielder's glove
This full-web fielder's glove was the counterpart to the early mitts (fingerless gloves).
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1908 · Fielder's glove
With a 1908 patent date, this is a good example of a typical glove used from that time through 1920.
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1910 · Catcher's mitt
With a 1910 patent date, similar styles of this heavily padded mitt were used from the late 1800s through the 1920s.
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1920-30s · First baseman's mitt
Over the years gloves and mitts transitioned from laces to buttons to buckles when it came to securing the hand inside. Notice the buckle on the back of this mitt.
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1930s · Fielder's glove
The glove continued its evolution with the creation of a larger webbing area for catching the ball.
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1940s · Ted Williams model
Similar to the 1930s model, except for its button back, this glove was endorsed by Red Sox great Ted Williams. Notice his stamped signature on the last finger.
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1940s · Fielder's glove
The introduction of sewn fingertops was the latest advancement of the glove.
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1950s · Catcher's glove
What once used to look more like a seat cushion, the padded glove became more durable. This "Bill Dickey" model has webbing and a deep pocket.
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1960s and beyond · Fielder's glove
In the late 1950s, gloves started to take on the look of what you might find in use today. The glove on the left is a 1960s model, and the one on the right is from the 1990s.
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| Sources: "A Century of Sports Equipment from 1860-1960" by David Bushing; "Glove Affair" by Noah Liberman. Gloves courtesy Grant Zahajko and Dave Eskenazi |
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