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Catcher’s Corner: Carlos Ruiz Back from DL, R.A. Dickey’s Rawlings “Sparks” Glove

Josh Thole

Josh Thole is back up with the big league club in Toronto which leads us to a change in gloves. He went from a All Star Pro CM3000 glove to a black Mizuno GMP200 mitt. If you want to read more on Josh Thole read my previous post. He also has to use the Rawlings Pro Sparks knuckleball mitt when he catches R.A. Dickey. Many other catchers have used that glove before, such as Mike Nickeas or J.P. Arencibia. A mitt named after former knuckleball pitcher Steve Sparks who helped design it.  Here’s a front shot of Thole here.

SourceThole and Dickey with the Mets

 

Source R.A. Dickey’s catchers mitt
Source

Carlos Ruiz in his rehab start with the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs wearing a First Generation Nike protector with grey outlines. Ruiz has worn this protector in the big’s this year and has also worn a red with white piping protector as well. He also wears a Wilson A2000 1790 glove, seen here.

Source

Henry Blanco has been signed by the Seattle Mariners and is using the gear he has used all of his career except for a minor change. Blanco has worn a Mizuno G2 Pro Chest Protector and a set of Mizuno Pro G2 Shin Guards regularly in the past few years. He also wears a Mizuno Pro GMP200 mitt.

When Blanco was with the Blue Jays earlier this year, he slipped a Nike titanium mask, (good luck finding one on EBay) in between his Mizuno labeled pads in favor of the heavier steel mask he has used in the past. A trick many other catchers use, and Blanco has also used this with the Diamondbacks and the Mets.  Now Blanco wears the Mizuno 380185 steel mask. A small change. May just be what was hanging around the clubhouse, may just be a change. we’ll see if he gets the more expensive and lighter titanium mask.

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