This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/29/2020
The 1965 season was one to remember for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Although they had won the World Series in 1963, a rash of injuries and poor play saw them fall to sixth in the National League standings a year later. Still, L.A. was expected to contend in ‘65 thanks to their dynamic starting rotation and the consummate leadership of their calm and steady skipper, Walt Alston. The NL pennant race turned out to be a thriller with six different teams in contention. After the Giants won 14-straight to take a 4.5-game lead with two weeks left in the season, the Dodgers went on a 13-game winning streak of their own to take the pennant by two games over their archrivals up the coast. Led by shortstop Maury Wills (94 stolen bases), Koufax (26-8, 2.04 ERA and a then-record 382 K’s) and Drysdale (23-12, 2.77 ERA), the Dodgers finished 99-63 and went on to beat the Minnesota Twins in the Fall Classic.
Offered here is the 14-karat gold ring awarded to Dodgers manager Walter Alston following L.A.’s seven-game triumph. It marked Alston's fourth and final championship with the team. The face features a large real diamond at center (added later by Alston) set in a baseball diamond motif surrounded by eight smaller diamonds and "Los Angeles World Champions" on top. One shank reads "1965" above the team logo, while the other features ball and bats imagery with Alston's signature engraved on the baseball's sweet spot. The band's interior is hallmarked "Balfour 14K.” The size 11 ring (36 g) remains in outstanding overall shape with light wear and comes in its original blue Balfour presentation box. Includes LOA from the Alston family.