On March 24, Rawlings, the number one baseball brand worldwide, the official glove of Major League Baseball and the creator of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, will release of the book ‘The Finest in the Field: A History of Baseball Through 50 Iconic Gloves‘, authored by award-winning writer and filmmaker Ed Wheatley, with a foreword by Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench.
Published by Rizzoli, the oversized hardcover book brings baseball history to life through fifty gloves drawn from Rawlings’ product portfolio and worn by some of the greatest MLB players to play the game.
“This book reflects Rawlings’ deep connection to the history of the game and celebrates the gloves that have epitomized defensive excellence through the years,” said Mike Thompson, chief marketing officer for Rawlings. “Rawlings is grateful to play a role in each of these special stories and to share them for the first time with baseball enthusiasts spanning multiple generations.”
Baseball gloves are the focal point of an illustrated collection of stories that highlights iconic moments in the game, from famous plays and the defensive greats that have defined America’s pastime. Each glove is presented through detailed photography and paired with immersive essays that place it in its historical context. Imagery, period advertisements and additional memorabilia highlight the era each glove represents.
“Within each glove is a unique story — some more dramatic and some where the glove’s role is more subtle, always remaining by each player’s side,” said Johnny Bench, Hall of Fame catcher. “As baseball looks forward to the next 150 years, the glove will remain a tool upon which many more memories will be built.”
Images courtesy Los Angeles Dodgers/Rawlings
