Vintage Baseball Glove Forum

Hi guys,

I have a mid-'70s Wilson A2000 XLO, which has a fairly weak thumb. What can be done to strengthen the thumb? I have been trying to come up with ideas about what to put in there, and I began to wonder if you guys have any favorites.

I thought about buying some flat rawhide strips, the kind you would buy your dog to chew on. It's light-weight, but, honestly, it stinks awful. I thought that I could steam one and trim it to shape, and, bingo, there would be a perfect thumb insert, but again, the smell almost makes me gag.

Any other ideas?

Thanks,

John

The glove is useless, John. I will be happy to take it off your hands.

<just kidding>

Here are my suggestions:

1. Make your own plastic insert. Take apart another a2000 that has a thumb insert and use that insert to make a pattern/jig and then find another suitable piece of plastic with the right weight/ pliability characteristics.

2. Send it to Earl Malone and give his services a try. Earl is mentioned on the A2000 thread. I think that thread is in the General Discussion category.

GloveGypsy wrote:1. Make your own plastic insert. Take apart another a2000 that has a thumb insert and use that insert to make a pattern/jig and then find another suitable piece of plastic with the right weight/ pliability characteristics.

I have used plastic from milk jugs, usually 2 layers works well, to reinforce the thumb of a first base mitt. Just cut the plastic to fit in the thumb slot, glue the pieces together with contact cement, and jam it up in the thumb as far as it will go (assuming you have the glove open). You will have to poke new holes in the plastic and then it will be secured with the new thumb lace. Plastic from a bleach bottle ought to also work and it seems a little stiffer, but I have never tried it.

I hope this is helpful.

I remember reading an article about Brooks Robinson in Baseball Digest in the early 60's. He mentioned that he put a tongue depressor in the thumb of his favorite glove to keep the thumb staight.

Hey guys,

Thanks! I'll start looking for some suitable plastic. I wonder what's in the recycle bin.

I read about Brooks Robinson and the tongue depressors, too. That could be worth a shot. I could soak the rawhide in bleach to kill the stink. Anyhow, it is going to be fun trying.

Thanks again.

John

Another way to do it....

I have used the plastic from an old garbage can to do the same job. I was able to use it not for the thumb only, but also for the scoop on a first baseman's glove.

Another way to skin a cat.

dwags4him wrote:Another way to skin a cat.

I am reminded of a favorite quote for Jullian Steward, a famous anthropologist who devoted a lifetime to studying the Great Basin Shoeshone. "there are many ways to skin a cat, but if your only tool is a bamboo splinter there are not many". Always wanted to share that quote with someone. You're a great group of folks and I know you would appreciate the wisdom in his observation and experience.

That reminds me of a favorite old quote.

"You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. But if you really want to catch some flies, first get yourself a dead squirrel..."

Which probably doesn't have anything to do with the subject at hand, but I just love repeating that!

If you put a dead squirrel in a weak thumb hole, put the glove in a freezer bag with coffee grounds does the smell go away?