re: Who breaks in MLBers new gloves?

Contrary to popular belief, most just break them in by playing catch, and that's the best way. Some guys use a glove mallet - essentially the same as playing catch. Doesn't take long to get a glove game ready to use in an MLB game when you throw and catch for a living.

Aso's method uses a little hot water, but no microwave, oven, etc. That ruins the integrity of the leather. Also you can get varying degrees of "broken-in" from the factory. I've gotten them from Wilson with absolutely nothing done to them, and and had them with the more intensive factory break-in, and there is a big difference. There is also a difference in some of the leathers that are used as well - A2K pro-stock gloves are stiffer than A2000 pro-stock, and pro's use both of these. Ball gloves are a hobby of mine, and I have some pro stock gloves and they can definitely be broken simply by playing catch. The Wilson Custom shop A2K is the closest thing you can buy to a real pro issue without actually being a pro or getting a hook-up. Rawlings' customs come from different shops for pro issue vs consumer and there is noticeable difference, though still high-quality stuff.