Mid-Summer Classic Auction 2013

This is Rick Dempsey's 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers World Series Championship ring presented to the popular veteran catcher who played 24 seasons in the big leagues and was long regarded as one of the top defensive backstops of his era. Later a coach and broadcaster after his active career ended, he was well known for his unique sense of humor during his playing days, most particularly with his hilarious rain-delay antics that would typically involve sprinting around a soaked tarp before engineering a splashy headfirst slide into home to the delight of the thoroughly drenched hoi polloi in the stands. By 1988 he was primarily in a backup role for the Dodgers, but still managed to sock 7 home runs and knock in 30 in only 38 games. The 14K yellow gold Size 11 Balfour ring has a single diamond inset on a blue back stone encircled by smaller diamonds. "World Champion Dodgers 1988" encircles the bezel. One side displays the "LA" logo with "Dempsey" above and his No. 17 below. The other side has the Dodgers script logo above a rendering of a World Series trophy in relief. It shows minimal wear and is accompanied by its original 4-inch square red wooden presentation box. Important Championship ring from the Series that is best remembered for Kirk Gibson's dramatic pinch-hit, game winning home run in the bottom of the ninth inning off Oakland relief ace Dennis Eckersley in Game 1 at Dodger Stadium. All elements appear to be in essentially as-issued and problem-free condition. Comes with a Letter of Authenticity from Rick Dempsey.