Johnny Bench catcher's mitt

Datecirca 1980-1981

DescriptionBrown leather left-handed catcher's mitt with metal grommets and leather laces lining the outer perimeter edge. Main stall is connected to the thumb stall by a piece of leather and laces. Palm side has several stamps, including "For The Professional Player / 'Deep Well' Pocket / Heart of the Hide / Rawlings / Made in USA." Back side of the mitt has a hand-shaped piece with three finger stalls and a thumb stall sewn on the top. There is an opening at the base of the finger stalls with a wrist strap fastened with leather laces looped through metal grommets. "Wing Tip" is stamped above the opening on the back side. There is a red, white and black "Rawlings" manufacturer label on the back side base of the thumb stall. "5" is handwritten on the top of the back side of the webbing.

Bio/Historical NoteCatcher's mitt used by Johnny Bench of the Cincinnati Reds near the end of his 17-year major league career.

Object numberB-1982-0239

Artist, Creator, or Manufacturer Rawlings Sporting Goods Company

Subject Bench, Johnny, 1947-

Subject Cincinnati Reds (Baseball team)

Subject Major League Baseball (Organization)

Subject National League of Professional Baseball Clubs

Attributes

Classificationssports and athletic equipment

Dimensions11.5 x 9.5 x 5.5 in.

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