Home Run Derby

This afternoon, for the first time since 1981, the Philadelphia Phillies presented their players and staff with some Bling.

Specifically, World Series Championship Bling. 

And there it is.  That puppy is loaded with diamonds.  Holy crap.

A World Series Ring is what every player dreams of (or should be dreaming of) – even moreso than hot girlfriends, tricked out car stereos, and gobs of money.

… so let’s take a look back at the last eight World Series Championship Rings. 

2007 – Boston Red Sox

For their seventh World Championship, the Red Sox immortalized their hosiery, with a pair of ruby Sox. 

Once again, I have to hand it to the jeweler who designed the red Sox’ bling, because the red on blue is just cool.

Jostens did the honors again, with 42 diamonds for a total weight of 2.33 carats and four special-cut rubies with a weight of 2.14 carats.  That bad boy appraised for about $20,000 when it was handed out in April 2008.

2006 – St. Louis Cardinals

A return to the square ring. The Cardinals players had the choice of small, medium or large – and naturally they went with large.

The lack of shadowing around the words “St. Louis Cardinals” and “World Champions” looks a bit odd, but it’s more than made up for by the beautiful artistry in the middle.

InterGold did the honors for the Cardinals with a base of 14-Karat Gold with fifty round diamonds while rubies comprise the interlocking STL.

2005- Chicago White Sox

This ring stands out a bit from the rest.  First off, it’s not squared off like seemingly every other ring out there – so big points right off the bat.  And the Old English “Sox” works really well.

Not a lot of words on here, but just enough to get the point across. On one side, the Sox’ 99-63 record, the person’s name and position, and the MLB logo.  On the other, “World Champions 2005″ and the Sox’ 11-1 postseason record.

Crafted by Jostens of 14-karat gold with a black onyx stone base and 95 diamonds of varying size, weighing more than two carats.

2004 – Boston Red Sox

This is sharp. It looks like a Championship ring right off the bat. And the contrast of the Red B on the diamond is striking against the White Gold ring.

I like how the Red Sox added a little thumb to the nose of the Yankees with the words “The Greatest Comeback in History” etched onto the side of the ring.

Made by Jostens with 18K white gold, encrusted with 1.89 carats of small diamonds and two carats of small rubies in the B.

2003 – Florida Marlins

This 3 1/2 ounce monstrosity is just hideous, but I bet players and coaches who have it absolutely love it.

It’s more than twice the size of the Angels’ rings and the it’s largest and most expensive World Series ring … ever. It’s so big it has the name, number and position of the player as well as the team’s regular season record, the results of all three postseason series, and the likeness of the World Series Trophy on the side.

Designed by owner Jeff Luria and crafted by InterGold of 14-K White Gold with 18-K Gold inserts, 13 rubies, and 229 diamonds. One of those diamonds is a rare teal diamond which serves as the Marlin’s eye.

2002 – California Angels

For years, the Angels have played baseball in the “Big A” of Anaheim Stadium – so when they finally brought home the championship bling … what else would be on their rings than a Big A?

InterGold Ltd. did the Angels proud with this 14-Karat Gold specimen. With nearly 100 diamonds and rubies, it puts the D-Backs 2001 ring to shame.

2001 – Arizona Diamondbacks

The D-Backs made sure everyone knew they were the fastest expansion team to ever win a World Series by emblazoning it on the side of their 2001 hardware.  

Compared to some of the other rings on this page, this one’s a little bland.  Looks a lot more like a class ring than a Championship Ring.

I also find it odd that the NY of the Yankees is so prominent on the side.

Then again, if you beat the Yankees in a World Series, you’re allowed to let them know about it … forever.

2000 – New York Yankees

Ostentatious?  Yes.
Gaudy?  Yes.
Awesome? Yes.

But I bet that ring sparkles like no other.  The raised NY made of diamonds is simply cool. 

And I bet it leaves a sweet mark in someone’s cheek if you punch them in the face while wearing it.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 8th, 2009 at 9:30 am and is filed under Angels, Baseball Bling, Diamondbacks, Marlins, Phillies, Red Sox, White Sox, Yankees. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.