For the first eighteen years of the New York Mets' existence, one man held down first base duties at Shea. The man was fan favorite Ed Kranepool, and this is the glove that he wore as an eighteen-year old kid during that tumultuous first season. His authenticating inscription finds a home on the outside of the middle finger in perfect black sharpie: "My 1st Pro Met Glove, 1962, Ed Kranepool, #21." The "Spalding Whitey Ford Pro Model" glove shows splendid use, and must certainly have been used for more than a single season. The faded vintage number "21" in marker on the back is not tough to find. But a better Mets collectible definitely is.