Steve Sax was a fixture in Los Angeles Dodgers starting lineup during the 1980s, manning second base from 1981 to 1988. The Sacramento native arrived on the scene with the likes of Mike Scioscia, Mike Marshall and Fernando Valenzuela. Together, this talented group bridged the gap between the '81 Championship team of Garvey, Cey and Dusty with the '88 title squad led by Orel Hershiser and Kirk Gibson. "Saxie" debuted in 1981 when "Fernandomania" shook L.A. to its core. The next year, he earned 1982 NL Rookie of the Year honors. The five-time All-Star had another stellar season in 1988, playing in a career-high 160 games and batting .277 with 175 hits, 70 runs and 43 stolen bags. During the '88 postseason, Sax hit safely in 11 of 12 games combined against the Mets in the NLCS and A's in the World Series.
Of course, we all know how Game 1 of the '88 Fall Classic ended. Hobbling on two bad legs, Gibson pinch-hit against Oakland's lights-out closer Dennis Eckersley and somehow barreled a game-winning, two-run shot into the right-field bleachers. Pandemonium ensued at Dodgers Stadium. Vin Scully delivered his timeless call from the booth. It was arguably the greatest post-war moment in baseball or American sports history. Standing in the on-deck circle, with the best seat in the house for that monumental at-bat, was Steve Sax.
Presented here is Steve Sax's 1988 World Series Champion player's ring made of 14-karat gold by Balfour. The face has “1988 WORLD CHAMPION DODGERS” in raised letters surrounding a large .75 carat diamond mounted on a blue stone ringed by 20 approximately .25 carat diamonds. The left shank features the iconic intertwined “LA” logo with “SAX” above and his number “3” below. The opposite shank has the classic Dodgers script logo above the World Series trophy with “LOS ANGELES DDGERS 1988 WORLD CHAMPIONS” engraved on its base. The interior bears the hallmark “1988 © LA DODGER, INC. 14K BALFOUR.” The ring weighs 38 grams and comes in size 12. It shows minimal wear and presents beautifully in near-pristine condition. According to Sax, he never wore it and rarely even took it out of the included Balfour wood presentation box in the past 35 years. A spectacular ring from the most magical World Series in baseball history, awarded to key players most responsible for helping the Dodgers upset the mighty Bash Brothers and win it all. Includes LOA from Sax.
A portion of the auction proceeds from all items sold in the Steve Sax Collection will benefit the foundation named for Steve’s son, John, who was one of five U.S. Marines killed in a training flight accident in June 2022 in the California desert. The Capt. John J. Sax Foundation “serves to support those who choose to further their education, exploration and passion for flight."