He is only the third glove designer in the history of the company, following the father-son team of Harry Latina, who worked from 1922 to 1961, and Rollie Latina, who retired in 1983.Ĭlevenhagen apprenticed with Rollie for a year before settling in to his position 28 years ago. Since 1983, he has designed gloves (and occasionally footballs and helmets and catcher's gear) for the sporting goods firm best known as the Gold Glove Company.

We didn't pull it off the shelf and ship it.”Ĭlevenhagen is known to many as the Michelangelo of the mitt. “It also guarantees the fact I made the glove for you. “Even today, we make his glove with no writing on it,” Clevenhagen says, noting the request is only partly a ballplayer's superstition. Still robbing hitters at age 44 for the Chicago White Sox, the venerable infielder has remained true to his Pro SXSC model. Over a career spanning 23 seasons, he has won 11 Gold Gloves for fielding excellence.

Vizquel opted for unadorned and it’s proved to be a wise choice. Without them, Clevenhagen said, he could have a new glove shipped by the next day.

Clevenhagen, the glove designer for Rawlings Sporting Goods, said he had one ready, but it would take a few days to imprint the ”Heart of the Hide” logos and other markings. At spring training about two decades ago, a young shortstop named Omar Vizquel mentioned to Bob Clevenhagen that he needed a new glove as soon as possible.

Baseball player stan musial