Al Holland was the man responsible for extinguishing rallies. Beginning in 1976, Rolaids sponsored its Fireman of the Year Award, annually given to the best closer in each league. In the '80s a save might be a three inning affair. Rarely were three outs required, it was usually nine.
Holland enjoyed his greatest season in 1983 when he won the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award and the TSN Fireman of the Year Award.
This very glove accompanied Holland to the mound when he was playing for the Yankees during his last two years in the major leagues in 1986-87 or, according to Holland himself, he wore this glove with the Phillies in 1983. Authentication is secured with a letter signed by Holland which unequivocally states "This glove was used by me, Al Holland, during the 1983 season with the Philadelphia Phillies. I also used the glove during the 1983 World Series in which the Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Orioles were competing for the championship. Enjoy your memorabilia!". This does not coincide with the letter from Denny Eskin of PSA who states that the glove is from the 1986-89 era which makes it a Yankees glove and not one used by him with the Phillies. Given a choice of going with a players memory or an expert in the field on dating gloves, I will side with the expert as I have found that players memories are often off a bit in their dating and recollection.
The Mizuno model GPT-5 glove has a Lite Flex web. Outstanding use is shown on the inside. We are safe in assuming this was Holland's number one glove that remarkable season. Holland signed the index finger in black felt tip.
A Getty Image (81391909), which shows the Phillies clinching the pennant, has Holland wearing this style of glove. This could be an earlier model of a Mizuno that would look very similar. A World Series image (78449006) also shows Holland with a similar glove. Notice the Mizuno label on the wrist strap. Both photos are referenced in the listing. In either case, it is a game used glove that according to Holland was used in Philly and a PSA letter that it was used in New York.
01108
(JSA Auction Letter)