Mid-Summer Classic Auction 2013

This is Bill Russell's 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers World Series Championship trophy presented to the former All-Star shortstop who was by then serving as a coach for Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda. Russell would later serve as Dodger manager in the mid-1990's, capping what would be a 30-year career with the organization that included 18 years as the anchor of a Dodgers infield that ultimately became the longest intact group in MLB history. Produced by Balfour, the player's trophy measures 12 inches in height and features 26 gold-colored pennants (bearing the team name of each major league franchise) displayed around the perimeter of a black Lucite base. At center is a silver metal baseball set within a gold band roughly 5 inches in diameter, atop which rests a crown. Displayed directly in front of this are the 1988 World Series press pins for the Dodgers and A's. A brass band on the base reads, “Los Angeles Dodgers World Championship Trophy Presented by The Commissioner of Baseball October 20, 1988 Bill Russell” in black lettering on the front. This is an important trophy belonging to one of the key figures in club history, commemorating the Dodgers' upset victory in five games over the heavily favored A's. All elements of the trophy appear to be in pristine and essentially as-issued and problem-free condition. LOA from Bill Russell.