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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The SW79-L is a 33.5 inch glove in Right Handed Thrower Only available in Bordeaux and black or Red and black.

The SW1979-L is a 33 inch Catcher’s Mitt available in Black or Black with Blonde.

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 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.

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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. Some of what we are known for are still present with this glove, our exclusive thumb and pinky loops, our sturdy stays in fingers in the thumb and pinky reinforce the rigidity of the glove, allowing years of use without getting floppy.

Check out Vincipro.com where you can add comments, ratings and reviews on the JV21-L and others gloves!

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It is the professional athlete who first draws us to any sport. Pro-athletes focus our attention, magnify our excitement and serve as models for our aspirations.

Like any of our customers, pro-athletes only use Vinci for the right reasons — because our gloves meet or exceed the most demanding athletic requirements. They use Vinci because the quality of construction and aesthetic beauty can withstand the rigors of intense competition and inspire athletes of all levels to “make the play”. Considering the number of outstanding gloves currently on the market, it is flattering that many of the world’s top players prefer to use Vinci.

Players Who Wear Vinci is our way of acknowledging and thanking the growing legion of MLB players who choose Vinci gloves.

Elmer Dessens (Team: New York Mets. Glove: Vinci MV30 in Burgundy)

Elmer Dessens is the very definition of a professional journeyman. Signed as an amateur free agent in 1993 by the Pittsburgh Pirates, this right-handed finesse pitcher from Hermosillo, Mexico made his major league debut in 1996. After several seasons with the Pirates, he went on to pitch for Arizona, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Colorado, Milwaukee and Cincinnati, before returning to his native Mexico to pitch (and win) the Mexican League Championship with Diablos Rojos del México in 2008.

Against the odds, the 37-year-old pitcher once again caught the attention of MLB and, in August, he signed with Atlanta. After 4 games as a relief pitcher for the Braves, Dessens inked a deal with the New York Mets. His Mets debut came that June against St. Louis relieving Liván Hernández with 2 innings of no-hit ball.

In 2009, the average player in Major League Baseball was 27 years old, and at 38, Elmer Dessens began to consider retiring from the sport he’d played his entire life. “I told my wife I was going to retire,” Dessens said. “But then I pitched winter ball, and I felt pretty good, so I decided to take one more chance.”

After a very successful spring training, Dessens spent the early part of 2010 pitching as the closer for the AAA Buffalo Bisons. He was called up on May 21, when the Mets put John Maine on the disabled list.

Dessens was moved into an important spot as setup pitcher against the Yankees about an hour after he arrived at Citi Field and the reviews have been glowing ever since. The New York Daily News said, “Out of nowhere (Dessens) has emerged as a savior for the Mets’ bullpen crisis.” Mets manager Jerry Manuel praised Dessens’ poise under pressure. “When you can throw a 3-2 slider and not flinch, that’s huge.” Said Manuel, “When you can throw strikes behind in the count, that’s a huge plus in this ballpark.”

At 39, Dessens may be the oldest player on the New York Mets roster, but a wise man once said, “With age comes experience.” And Elmer’s “experience” is now paying huge dividends to the New York Mets bullpen.

Dessens has used many baseball gloves throughout his 16+ years as a pro-athlete. We at Vinci were extreme ly proud to discover that in 2009, Elmer began incorporating our gloves into his game. When he recorded his first MLB win of the season on May 30, 2010, Elmer Dessens was wearing his burgundy Vinci MV30.

Congratulations to Elmer for an amazing career and a limitless future.

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The RCV-L is a new addition to the Vinci Limited Series. This 12.5 inch fielder’s glove is constructed with our 5OZ kip leather and is available in 4 colors, Black, Bordeaux, Blue and Red. Features include a triple tombo web and a flex-closed back.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 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. Some of what we are known for are still present with this glove, our exclusive thumb and pinky loops, our sturdy stays in fingers in the thumb and pinky reinforce the rigidity of the glove, allowing years of use without getting floppy.

Check out the RCV-L in all 4 colors at Vincipro.com where you can leave comments, ratings and reviews on this glove and other models!

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Vinci glove model RV19 61-L is 12.75 inches available now in piercing blue and striking red leather. 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 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. The RV1961-L has dual web and open back, this baseball glove is perfect for outfield positions and any softball position. This mitt embodies all the extensive quality that Vinci gloves are known for,our exclusive thumb and pinkie loops and our sturdy stays in the fingers, the thumb and pinkie that reinforce the rigidity of the glove, allowing years of use without getting floppy.

Check out the NEW RV1961:

• RV1961 Baseball Glove- Blue
• RV1961 Baseball Glove – Red
• RV1961 Baseball Glove – Black

View a 360 Degree Angle of the RV1961-L

Red

Blue

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The Vinci Limited 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

Check out the JC3300-L Red and JC3300-L Blue.

View a 360 Degree Angle of the JC3300-L

Red

Blue

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