In 2003, the Florida Marlins surprised many in the baseball world. After going 91-71 in the regular season, they then defeated the San Francisco Giants in five games in the NLDS, before outlasting the Chicago Cubs in seven games in the NLCS. You may remember the ’03 NLCS. for the Steve Bartman/Moises Alou eighth inning incident in Game 6 which seemed to change the momentum and, ultimately, the outcome of the series. Proceeding to the World Series, they faced the vaunted New York Yankees, a team that had won four World Series titles over the prior seven seasons. But in stunning fashion, the Marlins beat the Bronx Bombers in six games with 23-year-old right-hander Josh Beckett earning MVP honors for the Fish.
This lot features what was at the time, the largest World Series Champions ring ever constructed. Marlins’ owner Jeffrey Loria wanted to commemorate his team’s unlikely title and did so in a big way. This particular ring belonged to scout Orrin Freeman, who was credited with signing Beckett and Mark Kotsay to help make this a championship-caliber team. The most unique and innovative feature of this ring is the diamond-studded button on the top that flips the face open, revealing a functional timepiece with automatic movement and a message of appreciation from team owner Wayne Huizenga. The 14K white gold ring is a size 10.5 and weighs an astonishing 119.8 grams.
Raised lettering on the ring’s face reads "WORLD CHAMPIONS" with the team name “MARLINS” spelled out in small diamonds. The left shank, which sports an entire strip of small diamonds across the top, reads "World Series - 100th Anniversary - 2003" and features the Major League Baseball logo in red and blue. Also displayed on that same shank are the team logos of both the Marlins and their postseason opponents that year, complete with the series’ outcomes in games. The right shank also boasts the same size strip of small diamonds across the top and features a raised World Series Trophy replica and lists the year "2003” and the team's regular season record "91-71” plus the name "FREEMAN." The interior of the band is engraved "Intergold" and "14K," with a second, shallower engraving for a serial number that reads: “FLORIDA MARLINS 4/14.” The ring is showcased inside a massive hinged wood and etched glass display case to complete the unfailing theme of profound luxury.