Vinci Baseball and Softball Sports Blog » fielders gloves

As American as Baseball and Apple Pie!

Vinci — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:15:12 +0000

The month of July will forever be linked with the game of baseball. The classic saying, “as American as baseball and apple pie” comes to mind as families across the United States flock to stadiums to watch firework spectaculars on our nation’s birthday. July offers baseball fans All Star games, the MLB Futures Game, short season league baseball and many other reasons to spend a warm summer night cheering on our favorite teams and players.

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!

New Limited Series: Vinci BMB-L Fielder Glove

Vinci — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:29:33 +0000

The Vinci BMB-L is one of our latest additions to the Limited Series. This 13 inch glove is constructed with our 5 oz. Kip leather, has a dual post web, and a flex-closed back. Designed for outfield baseball positions and any softball position. The BMB-L is available in either Right or Left Handed Thrower in 4 bold colors, Red, Black, Blue or Bordeaux. The interior leather-lined finger stalls are made with high-quality Deer Tanned Cowhide which is specially treated for a more comfortable feel.The BMB-L also features our signature Vinci exclusive deep pocket design to allow for better control and less spin. Like all Vinci Gloves, they are individually handcrafted by Master Craftsman with years of experience and training to produce the finest handcrafted gloves on the market.

Check out the NEW Vinci BMB-L in your choice of Red, Black, Blue or Bordeaux at Vincipro.com where you can leave comments, ratings and reviews on this glove and other models.

Debuting the NEW Vinci Glove Model AB1974-L

Vinci — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:15:58 +0000

Vinci glove model AB1974-L is 12.75 inches available in a beautiful piercing blue and in striking red leather. Vinci’s 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 mitts. Well we found it and made the Limited line with it. These gloves have a very similar feel to our original model fielders gloves, with higher quality materials.This baseball mitt features a solid palm pad for beefed up protection where you need it most. Now available in 5oz Kip leather this glove is exquisite in design and demeanor featured in two eye catching colors. The AB1974-L has a reinforced Net-T web with an open back. This baseball glove is perfect for outfield positions and for any softball position. This mitt embodies all the extensive quality that Vinci gloves are known for,our exclusive thumb and pinky loops and our sturdy stays in the fingers, the thumb and pinky that reinforce the rigidity of the glove, allowing years of use without getting floppy.

View the Blue AB1974

View the Red AB1974

Vinci Video: Vinci PC2443 Kip Fielder Glove

Vinci — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:52:00 +0000

Check out Vinci videos! These are rotational views of many of our baseball and softball gloves. See what a ball looks like in the pocket. There are over 25 videos for you to see including the number 5 batting gloves holding a bat.

This is the Vinci Model PC2443 in burgundy and black. Vinci CP Series utilizes 6.0 oz. US Steer hide and ‘Pro Pads’ that are strategically placed and sewn inside the lining for better palm protection. Our signature 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. The high-quality Deer Tanned Cowhide interior leather lining finger stalls are specially treated for a more comfortable feel.

Check out our other product videos on the Vinci YouTube Channel.

Introducing The New Vinci PJV1972 Fielder Glove

Vinci — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 01:57:57 +0000

PJV1972 CP2 Fielder's Glove 13.25"

Vinci is proud to introduce a brand new addition to our CP2 line, the PJV1972 model. This glove is good for both baseball and softball players. The 5.0 oz professional quality leather is slightly treated to speed up the break in process. Some of you familiar with the Vinci line will find this glove very much resembles a popular model we made in the past, the PJV55. As we are always striving to improve our gloves. We added extra stays in the thumb and pinkie to make the glove hold its form longer. We also beefed up the laces and improved upon the fur lining in the wrist strap, making it even more comfortable on your hand. It has an extra thick palm pad to cushion the impact of the ball. You’re bound to like the trapeze web on a glove in 13.25 inches. The nice deep pocket makes this glove great for playing any softball position. This glove is quickly becoming a popular seller.

View the PJV1972.

Chicago White Sox Prospects Wearing Vinci Gloves

Vinci — Sun, 17 May 2009 23:05:58 +0000

Vinci gloves have been seen on two of the Charlotte Knights pitching staff (Triple A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox). Derek Rodriguez is pitching with a 0.96 ERA in 6 appearances since being called up. For those of you who do not know Derek was taken last winter in the Rule 5 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays where he spent most of Spring training in Big League camp… He was later returned to Chicago where he is making waves in the bullpen. He had a 0.00 ERA in 7 appearances with Double A Birmingham prior to getting his call up, where he has continued to baffle batters in the International League.. We at Vinci are very proud to have Derek on our team he is not only a great baseball pitcher with a ton of potential, but is a great person… He uses a Vinci MV30 Kip Leather Fielders Glove.

A fellow teammate of Derek Carlos Torres is also having a stellar season, he has an ERA of 1.91 and a record of 3-1 with Triple A Charlotte. Carlos is another fine person working hard to reach his dream…

We wish both players great luck on this season and are so proud of the efforts they have put forth!

Vinci Baseball and Softball Sports Blog » fielders gloves

As American as Baseball and Apple Pie!

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