Chest Protector Collection

TED WILLIAMS (1918-2002). Theodore Samuel Williams. American baseball player. Batting against the New York Yankees as a member of the Boston Red Sox during a spring training exhibition game in St

A Ball or a Strike - Which? Wood engraving, American, 1888, after Thure de Thulstrup
BASEBALL, 1888. A Ball or a Strike - Which? Wood engraving, American, 1888, after Thure de Thulstrup

African American baseball players from Morris Brown College, Atlanta, Georgia, c
5042898 African American baseball players from Morris Brown College, Atlanta, Georgia, c.1899 (gelatin silver print) by American Photographer

Portrait Oboshi Yuranosuke Yoshio Leader Edo period
Artokoloro

BASEBALL GAME, c1895. A baseball batter with a catcher and umpire behind him. Lithograph poster, c1895

BASEBALL GAME, 1908. Baseball game between the New York Giants and the Pittsburgh Pirates, with Roger Bresnahan catching, 18 September 1908

American baseball player for the New York Giants, photographed 1909
FRED SNODGRASS (1887-1974). American baseball player for the New York Giants, photographed 1909

(1887-1946). American professional baseball player. Getting a hit, c1922
WALTER PERRY JOHNSON (1887-1946). American professional baseball player. Getting a hit, c1922

BASEBALL PLAYER, c1895. A baseball player in front of a catcher and umpire. American lithograph poster, c1895

BASEBALL, 1888. A Ball or a Strike - Which? Wood engraving, American, after Thure de Thulstrup, 1888

CATCHER & BATTER, 1889. Wood engraving, American, 1889

BASEBALL, 1888. A Ball or a Strike - Which? Wood engraving, American, after Thure de Thulstrup, 1888

MAURICE RILEY POWERS (1870-1909). Known as Mike Doc Powers. American catcher for the Philadelphia Athletics. Baseball card, c1909

ROGER BRESNAHAN (1879-1944). American baseball player. Photograph, early 20th century

Laurel and Hardy
LAUREL AND HARDY

BASEBALL: PRINCETON, 1901. Members of the Princeton University baseball team, 1901

SILENT FILM STILL: SPORTS. Wallace Beery in the title role of Casey at the Bat, 1927

SILENT FILM STILL: SPORTS. Wallace Beery in a scene from Casey at the Bat, 1927

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"Protecting the Chest: A Look into Baseball's Safety Gear" In the world of baseball, safety is paramount. From legendary players like Ted Williams and Babe Ruth to African American athletes from Morris Brown College, the game has seen its fair share of iconic moments. But amidst all the excitement and skill displayed on the field, one often overlooked aspect is the chest protector. Dating back to as early as 1888, when wood engravings depicted a ball or strike dilemma, this essential piece of equipment has evolved over time. Its purpose? To safeguard catchers from fastballs hurtling towards them at incredible speeds. Imagine a spring training exhibition game in St. Petersburg, Florida circa 1957 - Ted Williams steps up to bat for his beloved Boston Red Sox while Yankees catcher Elston Howard keeps a watchful eye behind home plate. In that moment, both players rely on their protective gear; Williams wielding his bat with precision and power while Howard dons his trusty chest protector. But it wasn't just major league games that required such protection. Even college teams like those from Morris Brown College in Atlanta recognized its importance during their games in an era where African American baseball players faced numerous challenges. Traveling further back in time to Japan's Edo period brings us face-to-face with Oboshi Yuranosuke Yoshio Leader - a portrait capturing not only his leadership but also showcasing traditional chest protectors used by Japanese baseball players. Fast forward again to late 19th century America - a photograph immortalizes another group of baseball players from Morris Brown College proudly displaying their skills alongside their indispensable chest protectors. As technology advanced and lithograph posters became popularized around 1895, they showcased vivid depictions of batters facing off against catchers and umpires – each player equipped with their respective gear including prominently displayed chest protectors.