Looking back through our own history, we are amazed at how many important Vinci milestones occurred in the month of July and we wanted to take some time to reflect and share some of the highlights with you.

July 26th, 1942: Benjamin Vinci is awarded the Purple Heart.

Benjamin Vinci receives the Purple Heart.

Anyone familiar with our story knows that every Vinci glove features the signature of Benjamin Vinci, a true American hero. Benjamin was gravely wounded on the morning of December 7, 1941 in the infamous attacks on Pearl Harbor. After nearly 6 months of treatment (and with a 50 caliber bullet permanently lodged near his heart) Benjamin did what any patriot would do, he returned to active duty. On July 26^th, he was awarded the Purple Heart for his valor on the battlefield.  Almost sixty years later on July 27, 2001, US Senators Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton (from Benjamin’s Home State of New York) led the US Senate in honoring his bravery. It was with a promise to Benjamin Vinci that “One day he would see his name in the big leagues” that Vinci (the glove) was born.

July 13th, 2008: Wilkin Ramirez Plays in the MLB Futures Game

Ramirez hits a homer on his first MLB at bat!

On July 11^th of this year, those who tuned in to watch the US take on the World at the MLB Futures Game were treated to a closing camera shot of a pair of Vinci Sport Sunglasses in the dugout of the World Team. Those glasses belonged to outfielder Wilkin Ramirez, and 2010 marked his second trip to the future. In 2008, Wilkin was a member of the World Team that won in a 3 -0 shut out over the US. We were very proud that Wilkin chose to wear a PJV16 Fielder’s glove and he logged a base hit with his #5 Vinci Batting Gloves and Vinci Baseball Bat (you can purchase the signed bat here). It was a great moment for Vinci to celebrate the future of a valued friend as well as our own future in the big leagues. Wilkin would go on to play for the Detroit Tigers where (while wearing his #5 Vinci Batting Gloves) he would become the first Tiger since Reggie Sanders in 1974 to hit a homerun on his first at bat.

July, 19th 2008: Vladimir Nunez, the first player to wear Vinci in the Majors

Vladimir Nunez, the first player to wear Vinci in the majors.

Just 6 days after Ramirez hinted at Vinci’s big league future, the future arrived. On July 19^th, Vladimir Nunez, a right-handed relief pitcher was called up to the Atlanta Braves. Based in Richmond, Virginia, Vinci had developed a friendship with Nunez earlier that year. In April he began wearing Vinci gloves for the minor league AAA Braves affiliate team, the Richmond Braves. When Nunez was called up that July, he took his Vinci MV3 glove with him. It was a magical evening for us at Vinci as we watched Vladimir kiss his glove for luck when he stepped to the mound.

July 22nd, 2009: Carlos Torres makes his Major League Debut

Carlos Torres make his MLB debut.

Vinci had officially broken the major league barrier in July 2008. There were several other Vinci sightings in the year that followed, but no list of Vinci milestones would be complete without mentioning one of our favorite players, the 2-time Minor League All Star and only the 9^th player ever to be named Minor League Pitcher of the week 3 times in a single season. Carlos Torres, the 26-year-old right-handed relief pitcher brought his Vinci MV30 along when he was called up to the Chicago White Sox. He made his debut July 22^nd against the Tampa Bay Rays where he pitched six strong innings to record a quality start.

July 14, 2010: Carlos Torres named starting Pitcher for MiLB All Stars

One year later, Torres continues to have one of the most decorated careers in AAA Charlotte Knights history and on July 14^th, he was again named the starting pitcher for the International League All-Stars. He pitched 2 innings of the nationally televised game while wearing his Vinci MV30.

July, 2010: Elmer Dessens lights up the NY Mets Bullpen

Dessens and his glove earn compliments from Keith Hernandez.

And finally, we thought we’d tell one of our favorite current stories. Elmer Dessens has been called a lot of things in his 17-year professional baseball career. But recently he’s been bucking the odds by being called the “savior” of the New York Mets bullpen crisis. At 40 years old, this veteran of 9 major league franchises landed in New York (the place where it all started for Vinci).  And he has been racking up the wins ever since.

En route to a recent win (alright this one officially happened on the last day of June, but we’ve been talking about it a lot this July) Elmer Dessens’ Vinci MV30 glove caught the attention of New York baseball legend (and Mets analyst) Keith Hernandez. You might remember Hernandez from his World Series winning career with the Mets and the Cardinals, from his 3 best-selling books, or from his many guest appearances on Seinfeld.  But for those of us at Vinci, Hernandez will now be remembered as the New York legend that chose a nationally televised game to plug our glove. During the fifth inning, Hernandez saw Elmer’s glove and asked the viewing audience, “What’s that label on his Glove? Vinci? Like Leonardo Da Vinci? I’ve heard of that glove company.”

To hear a New York baseball legend talk about a glove that bears the signature of a New York war hero just 2 short years after Vinci gloves broke into the Big Leagues was surreal to say the least. And it’s just another reason that, here at Vinci, July will always be among our favorite times of year.

Do you have any favorite July baseball stories? If so, drop us a line, we’d love to hear them!

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Classic Series RV 1957 12″ Baseball Glove

The Vinci Classic Series 5 oz. leather baseball gloves. Vinci exclusive comfort feel genuine leather, for the best feel and comfort in the industry. Our Comfort feel genuine leather is pre-treated at the factory allowing for a much shorter break in time. Our high quality leather allows our gloves to be durable, yet playable and retain their shape longer. Classic Series gloves have a pro-tech palm guard sewn into the palm for better palm protection. Vinci baseball glove exclusive deep pocket design allows for better control and less spin. They also come with heavy-duty thumb and pinky loops, along with thumb and pinky supports which help retain the glove shape. Our pittards leather finger linings offer the feel and durability of a major league baseball glove, without the major league price tag.

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View the the article where Carlos won the MiLBY.

This only shows his minor league performance. Don’t you think we should highlight his major league performance, as well? The video below is of his first major league win. Way to go Bulldog!!

Carlos Torres' first major league win.

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Classic Series model JC 1919 11.5″ Baseball Glove

The Vinci Classic Series baseball gloves utilize 5 oz. Vinci exclusive Comfort Feel genuine leather, for the best feel and comfort in the industry. Our Comfort Feel genuine leather is pre-treated at the factory allowing for a much shorter break in time. Our high quality leather allows our gloves to remain durable and enduring while maintaining their playability as well as retain their shape longer.

Classic Series gloves have a pro-tech palm guard sewn into the palm for better palm protection. Vinci exclusive deep pocket design allows for better control and less spin. They also come with heavy-duty thumb and pinky loops, along with thumb and pinky supports which help retain the glove shape. Our pittards leather finger linings offer the feel and durability of a major league baseball glove, without the major league price tag.

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• Vinci Video: Classic Series Model RV 1957 : 12 inch Baseball Glove with H Web
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• Vinci Video: JV20 Navy and White Baseball Glove

This 12.5 inch double laced basket web glove is gorgeous! Vinci Limited Series is just that a limited addition that has been added to the line for a short amount of time. We searched all over to find a high end Kip leather that met our standards, but was closer to the feel of our original gloves. Well we found it and made the Limited line with it. These gloves have a very similar feel to our original model gloves, with higher quality materials. We utilized Sheepskin finger linings which are found on the top of the line gloves, put a solid palm pad in thee for beefed up protection where you need it most. We pre-treated the leather to allow for quicker break in time, and with all of that still have a glove that is one of the lightest on the market today.

View more Vinci Videos on YouTube.  There are over 50 videos for you to see, including our multi-lens sunglasses.

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JV20 11.5″ Navy and White CP Series Baseball Glove

11.5 ” Baseball glove Model JV20 Navy and White is the perfect glove for the middle infielder with style, or the avid collector. It is one of our most popular gloves. The tanning process for our Navy leather produces a flawless finish that cannot be replicated. Pictures do not do this product justice. Wait till you see it in person.   The pocket is designed for the shortstops and second baseman allowing easy transition from the glove to the throwing hand. You better be fast if you want to beat this glove to first base.

View more Vinci Videos on YouTubeThere are over 50 videos for you to see, including our multi-lens sunglasses.

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