AWorld Series ring is an award given toMajor League Baseball players who win theWorld Series. Since only oneCommissioner's Trophy is awarded to the team, a World Seriesring is an individual award that players and staff of each World Series champion team get to keep for themselves to symbolize the victory. World Series rings are uniquely commissioned by the winning team each year and presented to deserving players and staff early in the next season.[1] The rings have been made by companies that includeJostens,Tiffany & Co.,Dieges & Clust, andL.G. Balfour Company.
The first World Series rings were given to members of theNew York Giants after winning the1922 World Series.[2] By the mid-1920s, each winning team gave their players a ring. Though the ring started off simple, usually containing only onediamond, rings over time have become more elaborate and ornate, with the2003 World Series ring containing over 200 diamonds. In addition to their inherent value, World Series rings also carry additional value assports memorabilia. A World Series ring belonging toCasey Stengel sold for $180,000.Lenny Dykstra's1986 World Series ring sold for over $56,000 during hisbankruptcy proceedings. Other rings sold in auctions have sold for over $10,000 apiece. Replica rings given to fans have sold for as much as $300.
Prior to the1922 World Series, players on the World Series-winning team were given keepsakes, such as a pin orpocketwatch fob.[3] The first World Series ring was given to the members of theNew York Giants following their victory in the 1922 World Series over theNew York Yankees.[2] When the Yankees won the1923 World Series, players were given a commemorative pocket watch. Rings became an annual tradition beginning in 1926 when the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Yankees in the World Series.[4] In past years, players often requested other items in place of rings, includingcufflinks andtie clips.Frankie Crosetti andTommy Henrich requestedshotguns from the Yankees following World Series championships.[5]Grover Cleveland Alexander reportedlypawned his1926 World Series ring.[6]
Members of the1973 World Series championOakland Athletics were upset when team ownerCharlie O. Finley, following salary disputes with his players, presented his team with rings that were identical to the ones received after winning the1972 World Series, except without the one-caratdiamond.Reggie Jackson referred to them as "trash rings".[5][7][8] The first ring to contain more than one diamond was the1977 World Series ring commissioned by the Yankees, which had over a dozen diamonds.[7] Over time, ring designs have become larger and more elaborate, withYogi Berra saying in 2009, "They're so much bigger now, they're like weapons. You can't even wear them."[5] Whereas older rings were 10 carat and between 20 and 25pennyweight, modern rings are typically 14 carat and 50 pennyweight.[5][disputed –discuss] The rings commissioned by theFlorida Marlins after the2003 World Series are believed to be among the most expensive World Series rings ever made; made of 14-carat white gold, the 3.5-ounce (99 g) ring featured 229 diamonds, including one teal diamond, and 13 rubies. The rings cost $20,000 apiece due to the quantity of the purchase, though they retailed at $40,000 each.[7][9][10] After breaking their long championship drought in 2016, theChicago Cubs commissioned rings said to be worth up to $70,000, consisting of 214 diamonds at5+1⁄2 carats, three carats of rubies, and2+1⁄2 carats of sapphires.[11][12]
Teams have also increasingly added distinctive touches to make their rings unique from previous versions. For their2007 World Series rings, the Boston Red Sox commissioned a special version for players who were on both the 2004 and 2007 championship teams, and for 2013, they included theBoston Strong logo on the side.[13][14] TheSt. Louis Cardinals had theRally Squirrel engraved into their2011 World Series championship rings.[15] For their2014 World Series rings, the San Francisco Giants included three diamonds on the top bezel and five on the bottom, representing their three titles in five years, and eight championships overall.[16] The2016 World Series rings for theChicago Cubs each contain 108 diamonds around the bezel, one for each year that the team went without a championship, and also include an image ofa goat on the inner band.[17][12] For their2019 World Series ring, theWashington Nationals added an image ofBaby Shark on the inside of the band of their ring, which was the walk-up song of outfielderGerardo Parra and became an anthem for the team and their fans.[18] Companies that have been commissioned to create World Series rings includeJostens,Tiffany & Co.,Dieges & Clust, and theL.G. Balfour Company.[19][20][21]
Players typically receive their rings inpregame ceremonies early in the next season.[15][19][22][23] Since the rings are commissioned by the team, many non-players affiliated with the team, includingfront office executives,coaches, scouts, broadcasters,[24] locker room staff, and groundskeepers also receive rings at the team's discretion.[25][3][5][26] After the 2004 World Series, the Red Sox ordered over 500 rings;[27] the Cardinals commissioned 400 rings in 2006;[1] and theKansas City Royals distributed about 700 rings after their 2015 title.[28] Players who were only briefly on the team's roster during a championship season and those no longer affiliated with the winning team also often receive rings.[29][30][31]
As both the physical size and number of rings given out has increased, teams have started producing both "A" and "B" versions, and sometimes "C" versions, that are similar in appearance but smaller in size and use cheaper materials.[32] The most expensive "A" rings are typically reserved for full-time players, coaches, and executives, while bit players and other team employees receive the cheaper "B" and "C" rings.[33][28]
I've seen it called "tacky" and it is, but here's the thing about these rings: They're not supposed to be understated. They're always over the top. When they're worn, they're done so obnoxiously. There's nothing humble or particularly beautiful about them. In fact, they're always kind of ugly, no matter the team. They're full of jewels and they're shiny, but it's always too much.
In modern years, the importance of World Series rings to players has increased, whereas decades ago during thereserve clause era, players typically emphasized more the bonus World or League Championship check rather than the ring.[34]Alex Rodriguez said his2009 World Series ring "means the world" to him, and that he would wear it daily.[35]Sergio Romo of the2010 World Series champion San Francisco Giants said of his ring: "In all reality, this is why we play right here."[3]Jon Jay said his2011 World Series ring "...represents last year and all the hard work. Ever since I was a kid I dreamed of something like this."[36] Former player and current Giants broadcasterDuane Kuiper said, "It's not a hug. It's not a handshake. It's not a pat on the back. It's a ring. It's the one thing every professional athlete wants: something they can hold onto, something they can show off."[26] Players' names and uniform numbers are often individually inscribed in their ring.[5] Many players prefer to display their rings as trophies as opposed to wearing them.[5]
World Series rings are considered valuablesports memorabilia. In 2007,Casey Stengel's1951 World Series ring sold for $180,000 (equivalent to $273,000 in 2024).[37] WhenLenny Dykstra went throughbankruptcy in 2009, his1986 World Series ring sold for $56,762.50 throughHeritage Auctions, three times as much as was expected.[38] Others have sold their rings oneBay.Doug Baker of the1984 World Series championDetroit Tigers had a new ring made after his original was stolen, and when he recovered the original ring, he sold it for $12,322.[39] Cucho Rodriguez, a scout for the Red Sox, sold his 2004 World Series ring for over $53,000[40][41] and in 2011, Scott Williamson auctioned off his 2004 ring for $89,000.[29] More recently,Willie Stargell's1979 World Series ring was sold at auction for over $82,000.[42] However, the ring that once belonged to disgraced pitcherBrandon Puffer, when offered for sale on the August 15, 2013, episode ofPawn Stars could not be sold. The shop declined to make an offer, claiming Puffer's off-field problems destroyed the resale value of the ring.[29]
TheNational Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum contains an exhibit on World Series rings.[43] TheNew York Yankees Museum, located inYankee Stadium, has an exhibit with replicas of all Yankees' World Series rings, including the pocket watch given after the 1923 World Series.[44]Yogi Berra won the most World Series rings with 10, as a player.Frankie Crosetti won 17 as a player and as a coach.[6]
The most valuable rings can sell for a million dollars or more, most notably the rings belonging to the1927 Yankees starting lineup. Babe Ruth's ring, after being in the possession of Charlie Sheen for 20 years, sold at auction in 2017 to an unknown buyer for $2.09 million (equivalent to $2.68 million in 2024).[45]
| 1900s |  | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910s | |||
| 1920s | |||
| 1930s | |||
| 1940s | |||
| 1950s | |||
| 1960s | |||
| 1970s | |||
| 1980s | |||
| 1990s | |||
| 2000s | |||
| 2010s | |||
| 2020s | |||
| Lists |
| ||
| Trophies and Awards | |||
| Related | |||
| |||
