Hawk Harrelson Invented the Batting Glove

Thanks to the running series MLB.com is doing on batting gloves, here's a little story you may not have known about: Ken "Hawk" Harrelson, he of odd catchphrases in the White Sox announcing booth, is credited as the inventor of the batting glove.

The story goes he was out playing golf before a game one day in 1963 and upon seeing a blister forming on his left hand, threw on the golf glove he had in his back pocket from the 27 holes of golf he had just played.

"In those days, the minimum salary was $6,000, and I was making more playing golf and pool than I was making playing baseball," Harrelson said. "When you are making $6,000 and spending $30,000, you have to supplement your income."

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"From that day on, I never hit again without one," Harrelson said. "That [glove] goes well with a blister, better than skin on bat, and then everyone started using them."

Harrleson claims he hit two home runs off Whitey Ford the day he first donned the glove. However, as South Side Sox points out, that isn't quite the case. But details such as that are pretty trivial. So let us raise our glasses and propose a toast for the Hawk.

I'd say this invention ranks right up there with the sandwich. Or the toaster. Or the pizza. Did I mention I was hungry?