Nice 1950's-60's Hal Smith Wilson A2575 catchers mitt glove RH USA Cardinals

Description: Here is lightly used vintage 1950's - 1960's Wilson Hal Smith endorsed model A2575 baseball catchers mitt made in USA for a Right-Hand thrower and thus fits on the left hand. There were two Hal Smith's playing in the Majors from the mid 1950's to mid 1960's. The mitt fits my adult hand but probably was made for a teenager or such and measures 11" long through the pocket 11" straight across and measures a big 33" around the exterior. I couldn't find this exact model number in the Wilson catalog info I have, but other Hal Smith Wilson catchers mitts were made between 1957-1964 and usually sold for around $20 when the top line Wilson mitt sold for $40-$47. So its a mid line mitt. Stamped on the front of the mitt is Wilson, Made in U.S.A., A2575, Grip-Tite Pocket, Hal Smith (facsimile signature) Autograph Model and Twin Action. On the back is stamped Made in USA (in a circle logo), Streamlined Fingers, Pat. No. 2231204 and Canada - 198340-1941. There is also a nice shiny black and gold cloth Wilson patch. Nice looking vintage catchers mitt that shows light use and looks great. There is no owner's ink on the mitt. Nice soft and smooth leather on the exterior and interior. No chafing on the interior leather. The leather lacing and welting is nice. The piping on the backstrap is leather, but the darker piping around the mitt is the soft vinyl over cloth material. Mitt has a shiny black and gold Wilson cloth patch. The back of the mitt looks fantastic, but the catching side shows more use with darkened pocket from oiling and use.There are two Hal Smith’s, who both played at the same time and also were both mainly catchers. Hal R. Smith played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1956-1961. Smith was a standout catcher for the Cardinals during his six years with them. He was the club's regular receiver from 1956 until his forced retirement. He was selected as a NL All-Star in 1957 and 1959 (mid-season and at season end). Smith led NL catchers in throwing out would-be base-stealers in both 1959 and 1960, and in caught stealing percentage in 1960. On June 10, 1961, after starting 42 of the Cardinals' first 48 games—and shortly after he celebrated his 30th birthday—Smith complained of chest and upper abdominal pains. He was diagnosed with a "coronary artery condition." Smith was forced to immediately retire from playing baseball and was the Cardinals' bullpen coach in 1962. His disability eventually cleared the way for Tim McCarver to become the Cardinals' new regular catcher. Four years after his illness forced him to the sidelines, Smith was able to appear in four games in July 1965 for the Pirates as a player-coach on an emergency basis, when the 3 regular catchers were injured. Smith started one game (July 1 against the Cardinals) and was a defensive replacement in his three remaining appearances, catching for 12 total. He then returned to the coaching ranks on Harry Walker's staff.The 2nd Hal Smith catcher was Hal W. Smith played from 1955-1964, at times played other positions and played for numerous teams. He played for the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City A’s, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Colt 45’s and the Cincinnati Reds. He is best known for catching in 3 games of the 1960 World Series for the winning Pittsburgh Pirates and getting 3 hits, with one being a home run and tallying 3 big RBI’s.I have other gloves and mitts on eBay now as auctions and/or Buy it Now, and I like to combine shipping whenever possible. If you win more than one glove on an auction, I'll send you an auction for the combined shipping amount. If you win Buy it Now items which require immediate payment, you'll have to pay the total shown and then when I now the total combined shipping cost, I'll refund you the difference back on the price through eBay.

Price: 39.99 USD

Location: Beatrice, Nebraska

End Time: 2025-02-04T02:54:31.000Z

Shipping Cost: 12.5 USD