Phillies Honor Scott Rolen with Baseball Glove Artwork
Rolen Presented with Painted Glove at Citizens Bank Park Ceremony
Scott Rolen Baseball Glove Art
The Philadelphia Phillies honored Rolen during a pre-game ceremony on September 22 at Citizens Bank Park, presenting him with this one-of-a-kind painting as recognition of his Phillies career and induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2023.
Above: Click to play video of Scott Rolen receiving Glove Art. Photo credit: Phillies.com/used with Permission.
Scott Rolen receiving Painted Glove from Phillies owner John Middleton. Photo credit: Phillies.com/used with Permission.
Rolen won NL Rookie of the Year honors in 1997 and was a 4-time Gold Glove winner during his seven years with the Phillies. Photo credit: Phillies.com/used with Permission.
Scott’s other highlights with Philadelphia are referenced on the glove art, too, including his 2002 All-Star appearance and Silver Slugger award.
For this painting commission, I used a Mizuno Pro (ミズノプロ) model baseball glove similar to the one Scott used during his first few years on the Phillies. Rolen used a tan model instead of black.
Creating the Rolen Glove Artwork
The painting was created with acrylic paints and on an Mizuno Pro infielders glove. The design included hand-lettering of text, Phillies logo and portrait painting.
Before painting, I decided to change the black laces to tan as a way to reference the original tan of Scott’s gloves when he played for the Phillies. Plus I liked how the tan contrasted with the black leather. Brandon at 905 Gloves did an amazing job converting the laces for me.
To help give the glove structure, to help keep its shape – and to discourage people from putting their hand in it! – I build in some hardware.
And then I hide all all the structural hardware with fabric chosen to compliment the object.
After reviewing photos provided by the Phillies, I select an image to base the portrait on. It was a natural choice to depict Rolen in the field, where he shined with a total of 8 career Gold Glove awards.
Here is the portrait painting in-progress, done after first completing all the hand-lettering of logos, awards, etc.
One final look at the finished glove in my studio before sending it off to Philadelphia!
Baseball Artwork for the Philadelphia Phillies
Scott Rolen and his Painted Glove. Photo credit: Phillies.com/used with Permission.
This is my 7th painting for the Phillies. Previously I painted catcher "Chooch" Ruiz, a glove for Ryan Howard, which was also presented in an on-field ceremony at Citizens Bank Park, Shane Victorino, and painted base for Jim Thome, as well as baseball art for Jimmy Rollins (also on a Mizuno glove) and Chase Utley.
Scott Rolen painted glove, Phillies owner John Middleton and Wall of Fame members at Citizens Bank Park. Photo credit: Phillies.com/used with Permission.
Big thanks to the Phillies for entrusting me to create this special gift and here's to Scott enjoying this keepsake artwork for years to come.
Interested in a custom baseball glove painting? Just Let Me Know.
Sean Kane's painted baseball glove art is in the collection of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, has been exhibited at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art, Tulsa, and has been the subject of a solo gallery show in New York City, and is in private collections across the U.S.
His glove paintings have been featured on ESPN.com, NBC Sports.com, and MLB Network Radio. Glove art has helped fundraising efforts of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and the Milwaukee Brewers Fantasy Camp.
Sean has been a professional artist for 25 years and a baseball fan since he was old enough to wear his dad's old mitt. More info >