In 1877, Albert Spaulding, pitcher for the Chicago White
Sox, introduced the first fielder's glove. He wore a fingerless
glove on his throwing hand and one with fingers on his
catching hand.
In 1899, the first catcher's mask was introduced. It
was made of thick black enameled wire and featured horsehide
padding.
In 1901, the "1-P" mask was used. It featured a wire
frame, laced padding, and was rust proof. A second, new
catcher's mask was manufactured. It was made with a combination
of goat hair and dog-skin padding.
The first real fielder's mitt was introduced in 1905.
It was manufactured from horsehide and calf leather. It
featured additional padding on the wrist area and around
the edges.
In 1911, Rawlings manufactured the "Sure Catch" glove.
It featured webbed fingers made of a single piece of leather.
The Bill Doak Glove was introduced in 1920. It featured
a specially designed pocket. The forefinger and thumb areas
were attached separately, forming a web-like design.
In the early 1920s, Rawlings manufactured several additional
new pieces of baseball equipment - a chest protector, leg
guards and a body protector. The chest protector was made
of durable khaki cloth sewn around a specifically designed
padded form. The leg guards were constructed of stiff leather
covered by a durable white canvas. The body protector (introduced
in 1923) featured cross-stitched padding covered by durable
leather.
Rawlings introduced the "Doak Model 3F" three-finger
fielder's glove in 1933. Also in this year, the company
came out with the "Jimmie Wilson, No. 25, Catcher's Mask".
It featured heavy carbon steel and soft leather padding
used to manufacture their gloves. This particular catcher's
mask featured a large "spitter" opening that enabled a
catcher to make the most of his peripheral vision.
The baseball glove did not change much until 1941 when
Rawlings introduced both the "RR Red Rolfe Glove" and the
"Rudy York 75 Trapper First Base Mitt". The first glove
featured a newly designed "deep-well" pocket. Its design
was later deemed illegal by the MLB. The Rudy York glove
was designed specifically for first basemen.
1951 was the year that Rawlings first began to manufacture
protective baseball helmets. The "PL3 Protective Baseball
Cap" featured three rubber-padded pieces to help protect
a player's head.
Rawlings was proud to present the "MM Mickey Mantle Glove"
in 1954. This mitt featured extended finger areas and was
the first to feature (for the company) a facsimile autograph
of a famous player.
In 1954, Rawlings introduced new batting helmets to be
worn over the baseball player's cap. They were manufactured
with durable vinyl padding.
Rawlings introduced the "DS Duke Snider Glove" in 1958.
It was the first to feature a laced pocket that attached
to the palm of the glove. Two years later, in 1960, the
"Stan Musial Trapeze TG-12" glove was manufactured. Its
design included a built-in webbed pocket.
In 1968, Rawlings came out with the first professional
glove with an adjustable wrist closure and a basket-like
webbed pocket.
In 1970, the company marketed a new and improved batting
helmet. It featured double ear protectors, jaw pads and
grooved vinyl padding.
Rawlings reached new heights in 1984 when it introduced
its "Signature Series" of gloves. These were endorsed and
worn by some the baseball biggest stars.
In 1989, the company came out with a "Gold Glove Series"
of mitts. These were specifically designed for infielders.
Rawlings also introduced a newly designed first baseman's
glove.
A newly designed batters helmet was introduced in 1993,
the "MPH". It featured greater durability, and lower earflaps.
In 2001, Rawlings introduced newly
designed gloves with finger gel pads, and 100& wool
lining and padding. The company also began to manufacture
state-of-the-art fiberglass protective gear.
