Few modern baseball gloves can compete with the offered example in terms of both rarity and historical significance. This is one of the very first catchers mitts employed by the beloved Yankee Captain Thurman Munson at the dawn of his Yankees career. Munson was one of the finest all-around catchers of his era and a successor in a long line of legendary Yankees backstops. He was the 1970 American League Rookie of the Year a six-time All-Star and League MVP who helped lead the Yankees to three pennants and two World Championships during his brief career. In complement to his remarkable offensive achievements (including three consecutive seasons of batting over .300 with 100 or more RBI) Munson was awarded three Gold Glove Awards in recognition of his defensive skills. In 1976 he received possibly his highest honor when he was named the teams first captain since Lou Gehrig. Like Gehrig Munson led by example and was modest by nature happy to deflect the spotlight away from himself and onto his teammates. His tragic death in 1979 remains one of the darkest days in Yankees history.

This treasure from the modern Yankees dynasty is the finest of few know Munson game used gloves. Its source provenance is ideal originating from pitching coach Art Fowler to whom Munson gifted it. The tan Rawlings RL "Hart of the Hide for the Professional Player" model catcher's mitt manufactured in 1968 bears the original label. It is a traditional model NU-GRIP STREAMLINED mitt with conventional back extended palm and deep well pocket. "T. MUNSON 15" is written in faded marker in the webbing and could be in Munson's own hand. On the back of the thumb is "15" in faded marker. On the back of the pinky finger is "15 MUNTZ" written in black marker. There is terrific use evident throughout much of which is attributed to his rookie season of 1969. There is a slight tear in the pocket and evidence of pine tar. On the back of the glove there is a 2-and-a-half" notch cut from the leather near the back middle fingers believed to be a customization by Munson himself for enhanced grip. Munson gave this glove directly to his pitching coach former major league player Art Fowler.

The glove comes with an LOA from the Fowler family and additional separate LOAs from Denny Eskin and John Taube of PSA/DNA. The finest Thurman Munson game worn glove known to exist this treasure has been on display at the Yankee Stadium Museum for the last several years along with Munsons original locker and in the company of some of the finest Yankees memorabilia in the world.