Presented is an important piece of Dick Hoblitzell game worn baseball equipment - especially crucial to Hoblitzell - his protective cup. Hoblitzell was a first baseman who played in the Major Leagues for 11 seasons: Cincinnati Reds (1908-14), Boston Red Sox (1914-18), and the cup was worn during part of his Major League career, although the exact year(s) of use are not clear. An especially intelligent player, Hoblitzell studied dentistry in the offseasons. Known as "Doc" to his teammates, Hoblitzell played during the Dead Ball Era and he batted a career .278 with 27 home runs. Hoblitzell was a 2-time World Champion with the Red Sox. Because Hoblitzell was steady and exhibited gentlemanly behavior, the Red Sox frequently roomed him on the road with the uninhibited Babe Ruth, hoping that Hoblitzell would be a good influence on Ruth. It was a good idea, but it didn't seem to have slowed the Bambino much. Hoblitzell and Ruth got along well, and they sometimes went on offseason hunting excursions, together with other Red Sox players. An interesting fact is that the first time that Ruth played a position other than pitcher, in 1918, he took over first base from Hoblitzell, who was injured. Hoblitzell served in the U.S. Army as a lieutenant in the Army Dental Corps starting in 1918 during World War I, and his military service effectively ended his Major League playing days. Hoblitzell later served as a minor league manager and as a minor league umpire. The offered protective cup was especially important more than a century ago, when Hoblitzell played, since as a first baseman he had to field wicked grounders taking bad hops off the infields of his time - with many more pebbles and stones than today.

The cup has a width of 6" and a height of approx. 6". Made of metal, it has foam-like padding around the edges. It appears as if it has a repair at the top, in the center. It weighs 3.8 ounces. The cup exhibits great use. It shows a few small dents, surface wear, and scratches, plus minor rust and sweat stains. The cup seems to have protected Hoblitzell well: He had two children after his Major League career. By adding a jock strap (not included), the cup could actually still be be used, but a better use of it would be as an off-beat remembrance of a man who could do almost anything well, except to control the wild behavior of Ruth. Well, no one else was able to control the Babe either, and Hoblitzell and Ruth remained friends. This cup comes directly from Hoblitzell's family, and it is a truly unique offering that will enhance interest in any sports collection.