This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
After coming close in 2001, the White Sox finally made the World Series in 2005. Not only did they win the AL pennant with 99 wins, but the cruised through the playoffs with only a single loss and without going to the bullpen. The Sox then steamrolled a shellshocked Houston Astros team to sweep the World Series in four straight. The victory sent Chicago fans ecstatic as it broke the Windy City’s 88 year World Series Championship drought. The Sox must have considered the fare made by the team’s chef, Olegario Soto, an integral part of their Championship season because he was issued the full player version of the World Series ring instead of the smaller front office version. Soto has been Executive Chef at U.S. Cellular Field for many years, overseeing the spread in the team clubhouse.
The Jostens 14K white gold ring features the White Sox logo on the top set with 37 diamonds atop a black Onyx stone. Two tiers of 58 diamonds ring the Onyx. The left shank has the recipient’s name “SOTO” with the club record of 99-63, the MLB logo and “LEVY”. The right shank has “WORLD CHAMPIONS 2005” and their impressive post season record of “11-1”. The ring is size 11 and comes housed in its original 6” by 3.75” by 5” black lacquer box with a chrome White Sox logo on top and “Olegario Soto” on a brass nameplate above a dimensional World Series trophy design. The lacquer box is in turn housed in a protective cloth covered slipcase. The ring is in exquisite condition, as is the lacquer box. The slipcover has scuffing from storage and one side has come loose. A tremendous ring commemorating not only one of the most dominant AL teams of the 21st century, but the first World Series Championship in Chicago since 1917.