This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2011
Red Auerbach’s impact cannot be measured merely by his multitude of professional championships or his laundry list of individual achievements. What he has meant to the game of basketball cannot be gleaned from statistics. Auerbach was a trail blazer whose success was not born from a thriving sports league, but rather the opposite. "Red Auerbach was the consummate teacher, leader, and a true pioneer of the sport of basketball," said NBA Commissioner David Stern. "The NBA wouldn't be what it is today without him." When the Basketball Hall of Fame opened its doors in 1968 to a new class of inductees, Red Auerbach took his rightful place among the greatest figures the game has known. Upon his induction he receive this beautiful 14k gold Balfour ring. The ring features a CZ set atop a red back stone surrounded by the words “Basketball Hall of Fame”. On one side is “Auerbach” above the figures of two players in relief. The opposite side features the year “1968” above the Hall of Fame logo. The fact that this ring was received decades before Red finished helping the Boston Celtics win numerous Championships in his roles as President and General manager provides astonishing perspective of the magnitude of his cumulative success. Several photos found amidst Auerbach’s personal archives provide evidence that he proudly wore this ring with regularity though it shows only minor traces of wear. It would be difficult to overstate this ring’s significance. It is a supremely important piece of basketball memorabilia symbolizing one of the games most prolific figures. Size: 10-1/2. Includes a letter from the Auerbach estate.