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Exhibition Baseball Americana

Baseball Americana

Padded Gloves

George Sisler’s (1893–1973) Rawlings leather mitt. (9.5"), 1920. Courtesy of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum (002.00.00)
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George Sisler’s (1893–1973) Rawlings leather mitt. (9.5"), 1920. Courtesy of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum (002.00.00)
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Padded Gloves

Catchers and first basemen traditionally used the largest mitts, and their specialized evolution was under way in the early twentieth century. During the 1920 season, Hall of Famer George Sisler of the St. Louis Browns wore this thickly padded first baseman’s mitt. An outstanding defensive player and elite hitter who twice batted over .400, Sisler went on to coach future stars Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente.