LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP RINGS: 2001-2006

by Richie Rich, Home Run Derby

So two weeks ago, we took a stroll into the jewelers and looked at some rings. World Series Championship rings, to be exact. The Ultimate in Baseball Bling.

But I’m kinda cheap. I don’t have the scratch for a World Series Ring. So I asked if there was anything … uh … a little less expensive. You know, maybe some Cubic Zirconia or some Diamonoids or something?

Turns out there is … League Championship Rings! Because for some reason, players get a ring if they lose the World Series.

In reverse order …

2006 - Detroit Tigers


Whoa. That’s pretty sharp.

White Gold with a huge “D” made of Blue Sapphire set on a field of plenty of Diamonds. This piece of bling could easily pass for a World Series Ring.

I think I like this ring more than the Cardinals 2006 World Series Ring. Then again, the Cardinals’ ring says “World Series Champion” on it. This one doesn’t.

2005 - Houston Astros


The designs is similar to the Tigers ring, but this has Minimal diamonds on a stone setting.

I think this ring looks more like what the loser of the World Series should get. Especially if they got swept - like the Astros did.

Something which says, “nice try, but try harder next year.”

2004 - St. Louis Cardinals


There’s a definite drop in quality when you compare this ring to the Boston Red Sox Championship Ring from the same year.

As there should be.

The Ruby Cardinal is cool, but it’s a little cartoonish compared to the Cardinals’ 2006 World Series Ring with the interlocking STL.

2003 - New York Yankees


Yuck. That thing is hideous. And not in a good way like the Marlins’ monstrous WS Ring from the same year.

I would have thought the Yankees knew how to make a decent looking ring … but after 39 opportunities to make a ring (26 World Series Championships and 13 AL Championships) maybe they were out of ideas or something.

Then again, maybe the Boss wanted to commemorate the Yankees’ second World Series loss to an expansion team in three years with that piece of garbage.

2002 - San Francisco Giants


Simple.

This is what a loser’s ring should be. Simple.

Even so, the interlocking diamond “SF” looks sharp contrasted against the black onyx base. It’s the only ring Barry Bonds ever received in his six playoff appearances. It’s the only one he ever will.

2001 - New York Yankees



Okay, so I couldn’t find a picture of the ring anywhere. So you’ll have to settle for the box it came in. My guess is that it was less than awe-inspiring, considering the look of the 2003 Yankees’ ALC Ring and the fact that the Yankees probably don’t commemorate World Series losses with something you’d be proud to wear. Which is the way it should be.

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(Originally published 9/19)