The 1997 season marked just the fifth season of existence for the Florida Marlins expansion franchise. The squad finished the season at 92-70, posting its first winning season and securing the lone National League Wild Card spot. They swept the San Francisco Giants in the NLDS and took care of the Atlanta Braves in six in the NLCS, setting up a World Series matchup aganst the Cleveland Indians. The series went the distance, with the Marlins winning the championship on a walk-off single by Édgar Rentería in the bottom of the 11th. With the win, the Marlins became the youngest franchise ever to win a World Series, and the first Wild Card team to hoist the Commissioner's trophy.
Offered here is centerfielder Devon White's 1997 Florida Marlins 14-karat gold World Series Champions ring. The two-time All-Star was the American League's quintessential lead-off hitter during his 11-year stretch with the California Angels and Toronto Blue Jays, helping the latter win back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and '93. A switch-hitter with a lot of pop, he hit over 200 homers in his 17-year career, scored over 100 runs three times, and had five seasons of 30+ stolen bases. More importantly, he was a perennial Gold Glover in center, earning seven awards in eight seasons and patroling the outfield better than any other during that span.
The attractive ring features a real diamond-studded face with the initial "F" and the Marlins fish logo. Raised text reading "1997 World Champions" surrounds the perimeter. On the left shank is the inscription "5th SEASON" placed above another Marlins logo. White's surname and jersey No. "22" are denoted above and below the logo, respectively. A miniature World Series trophy design dominates the right shank, with "Marlins, One Heartbeat" set above and below the trophy. Engraved text reading "Center Fielder" and a "14K" stamp appear at interior band. The ring is a size 11.5 and weighs 61 grams. The ring includes its cherry wood display box, which appears to be the original, only it's missing its nameplate. The ring is also accompanied by a letter of provenance from Devon White.