Batting Gloves Now and Then

Batting Gloves

Batting gloves have been a staple at all levels of baseball for upwards of 60 to 70 years. The reasons behind wearing gloves varies.  Some wear them to keep a firm grip on the bat or to prevent blisters.  In addition, other players wear them for added warmth.  Batting Gloves also offer a reduction of shock to the hands on a mishit ball.

Who used them first?

The origins of the first hitters to use batting gloves isn’t exactly clear. There have been some factoids saying players wore gloves as early as the 1900s. Other reports showing a couple players donning them in the 1930s. Some say  Bobby Thompson was the first to wear batting gloves. Bobby is famous for hitting the “shot heard round the world”. The New York Giants won the pennant in 1951 due to Bobby’s big hit. Some reports show he arrived to spring training in 1949 sporting some golf gloves to protect his hands. Others reminisce of Ted Williams returning from his service in Korea wearing golf gloves in 1953. Ken “Hawk” Harrelson, long time White Sox TV color guy, claims he was the first major leaguer to sport a version of batting gloves in an MLB game.  After golfing 36 holes with teammates before a game against the Yankees he developed some blisters during batting practice.  He remembered he had a red golf glove in his jeans pocked and later used it during the game.

The majority of MLB ballplayers today wear batting gloves. There are other variations we have seen throughout the course of time. Hunter Pence has been known to wear a single glove on his bottom hand. Rod Carew was famous for wearing a single red glove on his top hand. Current player Wil Myers chooses not to wear gloves at all.  These players are few and far between.

PREDATOR II BATTING GLOVE

MaxBat offers some of the best batting gloves available to the everyday player and in the MLB like Baltimore centerfielder Cedric Mullins. The MaxBat Predator 2 batting glove series offers today’s player the ultimate combination of comfort, moisture management, and breathability. Improved designs feature world renowned Pittards leather that has been specifically engineered with an advanced textured pattern to provide ultimate grip and bat control in all weather conditions. Water resistant properties also give enhanced protection against the effect of perspiration to ensure that the MaxBat Predator batting gloves retain their exceptional feel over the course of a demanding season. Gloves sold in pairs and available in both Youth and Adult sizes.

Origins of the Batting Glove from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batting_glove