Coming off their 2008 World Series title, the 2009 Philadelphia
Phillies won their second straight National League pennant and returned
to the Fall Classic to take on the New York Yankees. The usual suspects
of Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino and Cole
Hamels, along with the addition of left-handed starter Cliff Lee, made
the team seemingly unbeatable, but Charlie Manuel's squad fell to the
Yanks in six. Presented here is a lovely 2009 National League Champions
ring issued to
Phillies strength and conditioning coach, Wladimir Martinez.
The striking 14-karat white gold ring has "2009 National League
Champions" displayed prominently around the face, with two baguette
diamonds in each "0" of the year to signify the team's two World Series
titles and two rubies on each side of "League" their back-to-back N.L.
pennants. The face--consistent with the team's 1983 and 1993 N.L.
Championship rings--reflects a baseball diamond with the base paths done
in rubies and the bases in diamonds, all set on a background bed field
of 33 round brilliant cut diamonds. The Phillies script logo on the face
was used rather than the club's signature Phillies "P.” The right
shank, in addition to the name of the recipient “Martinez,” has a
figural baseball and overlapping flags for their 2008 and 2009 pennants.
The left shank reflects the Warren C. Giles National League
Championship Trophy flanked by the LCS result: "Phillies 4, Dodgers 1."
The Phillies selected Masters of Design, for the design and
manufacturing of the ring, same company that did their 2008 World Series
rings. Inside the band is stamped "MOD-HJ-14K" to denote the white gold
content.
The ring is a size 12 and weighs 52 grams. It shows no visible wear
and presents
majestically. It comes in its original cherry wood presentation box
etched "Philadelphia Phillies 2009 National League Champions" on the
glass top, with recipient's name on a white
label affixed to the included white cardboard box used to ship the ring
from the maker. Also included is an official 2010 appraisal of $4,950
for the precious metal and gemstone value alone as noted by the
appraiser (nothing added for its intrinsic value). An wonderful example
for a Phillies collector
or any baseball aficionado.
LOA from Wladimir Martinez.