Early Catcher’s Mask

Auction: December 2005

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Early Catcher’s Mask

Early Catcher’s Mask

Before there were catcher’s masks there were only mouth protectors. Legend has it that the captain of the Harvard baseball team invented the mask in response to his catcher’s threats of quitting because of fear of disfiguring his face. In 1877 professional catchers adopted the mask that fans referred to as a “bird cage” and that sportswriters ridiculed with such diatribes as: “There is a good deal of beastly humbug in contrivances to protect men from things that don’t happen. There is about as much sense in putting a lightning rod on a catcher as a mask.” This mask isn’t that old but it has been around a long time. Totally intact, including the black leather chin guard, the leather piece for the forehead, and the strap to lock it all in place. Overall condition is EX+.

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