Many early 20th-century players preferred Spalding gloves because they were long-lasting, soft, and well-made. Their superior grip and control of the ball was made possible by a webbed pocket located between the thumb and index finger. The palm and fingers were also cushioned for added protection and comfort. Depending on the player’s role and personal preference, spalding gloves come in a wide range of sizes, forms, and colors.

From 1914 until 1919, Ruth wore a Spalding glove with the Red Sox. He was a winning pitcher who finished with 89 victories and a 2.19 ERA. In 1919, he hit 29 home runs and drove in 114 runs, and his hitting skills was on full display. In this article, we will explore “What Brand of Glove Did Babe Ruth Use?”

The Early Years: Spalding

Spalding is one of the oldest and most respected American sports equipment manufacturers, and Babe Ruth used a glove they produced when he first entered the major leagues in 1914 as a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. Albert Spalding, a former baseball player and manager, founded Spalding in 1876 with the intention of producing high-quality equipment for the sport. Until 1976, Spalding was the Major League Baseball’s official provider of baseballs as well as gloves, bats, uniforms, and other accoutrements.

Spalding gloves were widely used in the early 20th century because they were long-lasting, soft, and well-made. To improve grip and control, they added a webbed pocket between the thumb and index finger. In addition, they were cushioned and protected the hand thanks to padding on the palm and fingers. Spalding gloves come in a wide range of sizes, styles, and colors to accommodate players of all skill levels and roles.

From 1914 to 1919, when he left the Red Sox, Ruth utilized a Spalding glove. He had a stellar career on the mound, where he won 89 games and posted a 2.19 ERA. His hitting abilities also began to emerge about this time, most notably in 1919 when he belted 29 home runs and drove in 114. After that season, he was moved in one of baseball’s most contentious trades to the New York Yankees.

The Peak Years: D&M

Upon joining the Yankees in 1920, Ruth was mostly known for his pitching. Another prominent sporting goods producer at the time, D&M (Draper & Maynard), won his business over from Spalding, and he switched to their gloves. In 1882, Jason Draper and John Maynard, two leatherworkers, founded D&M and began making baseball gloves in Maynard’s basement. D&M’s “Lucky Dog” logo, which featured a dog holding a glove in its mouth, soon became an iconic representation of the company’s pursuit of innovation and quality.

Outfielders in the 1920s and 1930s favored D&M gloves because they were superior in size, weight, and flexibility than the competition. The spacious inside made it easier to catch fly balls. In addition, a narrow leather strap over the back of the hand, from thumb to little finger, kept them in place. D&M gloves have colorful designs and patterns on the backs.

Ruth used a D&M glove from 1920 until his 1934 retirement as a Yankee. He had a career slugging percentage of.690, hit 714 home runs, drove in 2,213 runs, had an on-base plus slugging percentage of 1.164, and led the league in home runs 12 times. In addition, he helped the Yankees win the World Series in 1923, 1927, 1928, and 1922. In addition to “Sultan of Swat,” “The Bambino,” “The Colossus of Clout,” and “The Great Bambino,” he was known by numerous more nicknames.

The Final Year: Rawlings

In 1935, Ruth finished his career with the Boston Braves of Major League Baseball. At age 40, he had already passed his prime and was plagued by injuries and subpar play. He also made his final glove move, from D&M to Rawlings. George Rawlings, the proprietor of a sporting goods shop, saw a need for and thus established Rawlings in 1887. Soon after its founding, Rawlings grew to become a preeminent provider of baseball gloves and other accessories.

The name Rawlings was synonymous with quality, innovation, and durability in the glove industry. They pioneered improvements including lacing between the fingers, which added support and strength, double-layered leather on the palm and fingers, which boosted protection and comfort, and adjustable straps on the wrist, which allowed for personalization and a snug fit. Rawlings gloves had a sleek and polished design that was also attractive to the eye.

Ruth hit six home runs and batted.181 in his final 28 games with the Braves while using a Rawlings glove. After hitting three home runs in his final game at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh on May 30, 1935, he announced his retirement from baseball. In 1936, he was included in the first group of players to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1948, at the age of 53, he succumbed to cancer.

Conclusion

Throughout his career, Babe Ruth utilized a wide variety of glove manufacturers, switching between them based on team, position, and personal taste. He began at Spalding, moved on to D&M, and finished off at Rawlings. Ruth found that the unique qualities and benefits of each brand met her preferences and requirements well. Ruth’s reputation in baseball and American society will endure regardless of the type of glove he wore on his hand. He will go down in history as baseball’s all-time best.