To sign or not to sign...that's the question.

[Musashi]

I'm getting married in a few weeks, and I thought that giving each of my 4 groomsmen a unique gift would be a good idea. One of them is huge baseball fan, and I thought he might appreicate an Akadema/Hoboken Gehrig replica for a gift. I actually ordered one a few days ago, and it's supposed to arrive Monday - I can't wait to get a look at it!

Anyway, my plan was to buy a nice replica mitt, and have me and my fiance personalize it by signing it in gold marker....but after telling my fiance about the idea, she looked at me and said "why would you ruin something that cool by writing all over it?" So, it got me to thinking - is this blasphemy, or would you (as fellow glovers) appreciate it? I mean, it's not like I'm ruining a genuine Ken-Wel (of course, I'd NEVER do that, hence the replica), but I certainly don't want to ruin the Hoboken by writing on it with gold marker. What do you guys think - what would you guys do?

[jackwhale]

I would:
Sign a ball and put it in the pocket
Have a small brass plaque on a glove stand with both of your names.

I would not sign the glove. She's right (and it won't be the last time she's right....)

[BretMan]

That was my thought (actually my second thought- my first thought was "this girl sounds like a keeper!")

Those Akadema gloves are so beautiful that I would have a hard time putting ink to leather. I thought that you could come up with some kind of plaque or card to add with the gloves, rather than deface one of these vintage masterpieces.

The idea of adding a signed ball is a great one that I hadn't considered!

[ebbets55]

Outstanding responses Jackwhale and Bret. I totally agree. I would rather personalize a $15 Official Ball and put it with the glove as a gift. That is a great groomsman's gift. Any baseball fan would love it. Good luck with the wedding. We all like your financee already.

JD

[Mike_2007]

Since I started collecting gloves I cringe whenever I see anyone putting ink on any gloves... I vote NO!

[Musashi]

Thanks for the input, everyone - and the league ball idea is absolute GENIUS! I'll definitely do that instead of marking up the glove! As luck would have it, the Hoboken came in this afternoon...and after I took it out of it's wrapper, a couple things struck me. First, I couldn't believe how tiny it was compared to a contemporary 1st baseman's mitt (it's a full THIRD smaller than my A2800)! Second, it's absolutely a gorgeous work of art, and after seeing it, there was no way that I could've brought myself to write on it! Hats off to Akadema for making such an exacting, and beautifully-made replica.

However, the whole league ball thing does leave me with another problem. Since I'm NOT going to sign the glove, what should I do with the other 3 items for the other groomsmen? One's getting an old-school New England Patriots helmet, another's getting a 2005 Masters' flag, and the last guy is getting a japanese knife...all of which I was going to sign. I know it's not exactly glove-related, but what would you guys do with these?

[jackwhale]

Do they have 'sign ups' to be a groomsman in your wedding? I'd certainly like a Gibson sunburst Les Paul.

I'm absolutely certain that the groomsmen won't forget where they received the items you've chosen. and has been said before you're getting the best prize in your fiance.

Best of luck to the two of you.

[docglov]

Another option I see a lot is having the factory lazer a bat for them. That looks good also

[swingman]

I say no as well.

[BretMan]

Bet they'd like one of these...

Akadema Engraved Bats

[Musashi]

I thought about getting a signed bat as well, but I think it would've taken too long to get -not only am I giving out the groomsmen's gifts this coming weekend, I'm getting married in Vegas on the 11th - and I can't believe it's coming up so quick...