Those of us who follow baseball closely know better than to take Gold Glove Awards seriously. Although they are supposed to be given strictly based on fielding merits, Derek Jeter has proven multiple times that it isn’t that simple. If your batting average is less than .250, don’t expect to win a Gold Glove. Rawlings, the official sponsor of the Gold Glove Award, does not think they should be taken lightly. In fact, Rawlings does not want any other sporting goods companies manufacturing gloves with any type of gold on them.
According to Courthouse News Service (via Deadspin), Rawlings is suing rival sporting goods manufacturer Wilson over the glove they made for Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips, which they say has “metallic gold-colored webbing, stitching and lettering.” These details, Rawlings says, were not included on the glove before he won the 2011 Rawlings Gold Glove Award.
Mr. Phillips is one of Wilson’s paid endorsers and is also a three-time recipient of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award. Prior to winning the 2011 Rawlings Gold Glove Award, Wilson manufactured and supplied Mr. Phillips with a Wilson branded baseball glove that did not include metallic gold indicia.
Not only is Mr. Phillips using the Infringing Wilson Glove in the field during games, warm-ups, and practices, but Defendant and Mr. Phillips also have promoted the very existence of the glove (and its connection to Wilson) through various channels and media.
For those who feel the need to read more, the full lawsuit is available over at Deadspin. As we mentioned before, ridiculous lawsuits have become an epidemic in our country. Over the past month or so, that has been particularly true in the world of sports. Whether it be a woman suing a 13-year-old over an errant throw or a guitarist suing an NBA player over a nickname, it seems there’s always something laughable in the works.
Photo credit: Frank Victores-US PRESSWIRE
