Talkin' glove with the M's
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Willie Bloomquist
"I've got four game-ready gloves — first base, middle infield, third base and outfield. A lot of guys use middle-infield gloves at third base. It's a matter of preference, and what's comfortable. I like using a middle-sized glove in the middle infield, and then at third base, I like a little bit longer, a little bit bigger, a little more pocket, because the exchange doesn't have to be quite as quick at third base. An outfielder's glove is just a little longer than that.
"I've been using the same middle-infield glove; this is my fourth year. It's getting some holes in it, and it's getting worn, but I haven't found another glove I like as much. I experiment with other gloves, trying to figure out one that feels as good, and I like as much, where I feel confident I can use in the game. But it's tough finding a good one.
"You get one you like, you'd better hold on to it. I'm more picky with my gloves than I am with my bats. And I'm pretty picky with my bats. That should give you an indication."
Randy Winn
"I'll probably use two gloves a season. I think with the leather I have, it just kind of tends to lose its shape a little faster. I go through gloves a little faster. I know Cammy (Mike Cameron) had his glove forever. A lot of outfielders, and especially infielders, can keep their gloves a long time.
"I'm not too picky. I break them in the way I like. There's a shape I like to have the pocket. But I don't really keep it forever. Now I have two. One's my old one — that's the one I use during BP — and I have the one I use during the game.
"The way I break it in, there's the hydroculator, where they put the heat packs. I set it on top of that, put a towel over it. There's a lot of steam. That kind of heats it up, and makes it easier to mold. It kind of warms the leather and makes it easier to manipulate. I take either a bat, or a heavy ball, and I pound it in there to get the pocket the shape I like. A couple days after that I start playing catch with it. That's basically it. I don't use any glove oil. I know Ichiro has his special oil, and I think he got Cammy using it. But I go natural — let it go."
Scott Spiezio
"My gamer is six, seven years old. Some guys like new ones every year. Some guys like two new ones a year. I like one, and stick with it. I just keep patching it. I've tried breaking in gloves and then not like them. It takes me two, three years to break in a glove. This one is from the minor leagues, the last time I played third. I just kept using it. My backup is from probably Single-A. My first baseman's glove is probably about six years old, too. They're old. They're definitely old.
"I have a different second-base glove. When I moved to second (with Oakland), I had never played second in my life. I ended up stealing one from Rafael Bournigal, one of his old backup ones. I used that for the three years I played second. I still have that. I have an outfielder's glove, too. That's about it. Two first baseman's, two third baseman's, a second baseman and outfield glove. Usually I don't use my gamer in batting practice, but this year, because I haven't played third regularly, I've been using it in BP. Hopefully, halfway through the season I'll start using my backup one."
Rich Aurilia
"I've used the same one — this might be the fifth year. I try to take care of it as best I can. After awhile they start breaking down a little bit. Gloves are like a good comfortable pair of shoes. You get a pair and you like them and they feel good, you just want to keep using them. That's how gloves are. Even though when you get them they all look alike, the same models, they don't all feel the same. You've got to find that one that kind of fits you right and feels good. When you do, you try to keep it as long as you can.
"It's a Rawlings, but I don't even know what the model number is. I've had it for so long. You try to keep it in good shape. I have a Rawlings contract, and they still give me a few gloves every year. I use them for BP, but I've used this for a long time. It just feels right, as compared to other gloves I've had."
Bret Boone
"My bats are much more important to me than my gloves. Hitting is much tougher. It's much harder, for me, to find a good bat than a good glove.
"I get a new glove every year. To break it in for the next year, I use it in batting practice, when I take ground balls, and in spring training. Why don't I keep a glove longer than a year? They get worn out, I think.
"I don't treat them or do anything. Just use them. It's rather boring, actually. They're all the same every year — the same model I've been using all my life, and they're very good at making them the same. I break it in, and play with it."
Jolbert Cabrera
"My dad (Jolbert Sr.), in about 1989, came to spring training with the Mariners. He was a scout/consultant with (former Mariners coach and scout) Marty Martinez. Marty got an invitation for him to go to spring training and hit ground balls, throw batting practice, that kind of stuff.
"My dad met Omar Vizquel, who was just coming up with the Mariners, and asked Omar for a glove for his son, who was back in Colombia. That was me. Omar and I ended up playing together in Cleveland. We're good friends; he's probably my best friend in baseball. We shared lockers next to each other for four years. I told him the story about the glove, and he remembered. We talked about it. It's funny how life works. It's a small world. Someone stole that glove from me the same year."