Fits like a glove

Brandon Silenzi understands that a baseball glove is a prized possession. In 2020, he started a side business called 905 Gloves to repair baseball and softball gloves. When he’s not at his full-time job as a mechanical pipe insulator, Silenzi enjoys mending and upgrading gloves in his home workshop. Often, he takes the glove apart completely, then restores the leather, rebuilds the inner padding and meticulously weaves in new laces.

“I use special lacing tools such as needles and awls, as well as leather sewing accessories,” Silenzi explains. “Breaking in or reshaping a glove requires a mallet, a pounding pad and a bit of elbow grease.”

Clients have asked Silenzi to create brand-new custom gloves, swiftly replace broken laces in mid-season and revive beloved vintage gloves. He can also repair other sports equipment, like a hockey goalie’s trapper.”—Kristi York