In 1986, the New York Mets pulled off a miraculous comeback against the Boston Red Sox in Game 6 of the World Series and went on to capture the Fall Classic that year in seven exciting games. The championship marked only the second title for the Mets in their 25th year of existence, although they did just battle all the way back to the big dance last October only to lose to the upstart Kansas City Royals. But their well-known nickname – “Amazin’ Mets” – was earned for their improbable run back in 1969, which marked the first season of divisional play in Major League Baseball. The Mets were assigned to the newly created National League East division. In their seven previous seasons, the Mets had never finished higher than ninth place in the ten-team National League and had never had a winning season. In fact, they lost at least one hundred games in five of those seasons. However, in 1969, they overcame mid-season difficulties while the division leaders for much of the season, the Chicago Cubs, suffered yet another late-season collapse. The Mets finished with a record of 100–62, eight games ahead of the Cubs. Next, the Mets went on to defeat the National League West champion Atlanta Braves three games to none in the inaugural National League Championship Series (NLCS). But it would be in the World Series where the Mets turned heads across America. They entered the Fall Classic as underdogs against the vaunted AL. Champion Baltimore Orioles, but behind the cool, precise pitching of both Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman, the Mets went on to defeat the O’s in five games.
This lot features the 1969 New York Mets World Series Championship ring issued to the team's Director of Player Development at the time, Bob Scheffing. The baseball lifer worked in pretty much every capacity during his 40+ years in the game, starting in 1935 as a catcher in Chicago Cubs organization. His big-league playing days with the Cubs, Reds and Cardinals ended in 1951, and he turned his attention to coaching. He was the Cubs' manager in the late 50's and then managed the Detroit Tigers in the early 60's before devoting the latter part of his career to scouting. The man responsible for signing the likes of Tom Seaver and Nolan Ryan took over as the Mets General Manager in 1970 after the sudden death of Johnny Murphy and served through the '74 season. Scheffing's 10 karat gold, size 11½ Jostens ring boasts a beautiful central diamond seated on a large blue stone surrounded by raised lettering reading: “1969 NEW YORK METS WORLD CHAMPIONS.” One shank features a mini replica of Shea Stadium with the Eastern Division, National League and World Series flags waving at the top, along with a king’s crown in the foreground and the engraved words “Mets vs. Orioles.” The other shank reads “SCHEFFING” across the top with the Mets logo in the center and an engraved baseball cap at the bottom. The inside band is engraved "Bob Scheffing" in lovely cursive and has Jostens logo. The ring weighs 38 grams and to be in Near Mint condition. It comes complete with its original wooden presentation box adorned with an engraved plaque that reads: “Presented to Robert B. Scheffing by the New York Mets World Champions 1969.” Bob Scheffing died in 1985. This ring and other items in this auction come from his personal estate collection.
Includes Letter of Provenance from Bob Scheffing’s son.