Future Auction Fodder?

 Content Originally Published by Sports Collectors Daily on April 14th, 2010.

The New York Yankees passed out their 2009 World Series rings on Tuesday with former greats Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford helping hand them over to the players and coaches.

The two Hall of Famers won some serious bling during their playing days, but the newer ones are more like little trophies.

“They’re so much bigger now, they’re like weapons,” Berra told reporters. “You can’t even wear them.”

The Yankees have commemorated each of their 27 World Series titles dating back to 1923 with championship jewelry.

The team partnered with Balfour for its Series rings and other commemorative jewelry pieces that were passed out to players, coaches, front office executives, family members and other assorted VIPs.

The 2009 World Series Championship ring has what the club calls “a classic and timeless look”.  The ring is hand-crafted from natural-finished white gold. The top features a Yankee blue stone accented by a diamond clustered NY logo rising from a diamond lined baseball path. A rendition of Yankee Stadium adorns the sides along with the words “Tradition” and “Unity,” while the Yankee Stadium Inaugural Season logo can be found etched along the inside of each ring.

“Balfour and the New York Yankees have a long and winning tradition of working together, dating back over 80 years,” said Matt Gase, General Manager of Balfour. “Balfour is both honored and privileged to have been selected again as the company to design and manufacture the World Series Championship jewelry for one of the most respected and recognized franchises in all of sports-the New York Yankees.”

Yankees World Series rings are among the most coveted in sports with authentic examples often selling for  thousands of dollars.

In addition to the 2009 World Championship jewelry, Balfour and the Yankees have embarked on the New York Yankees Championship Exhibit for the New York Yankees Museum in Yankee Stadium. Balfour will produce replicas of all 27 pieces of championship jewelry for the Yankees’ World Series titles from 1923-2009, and accompany each piece with a story about the intricate details and uniqueness of each item. The project is expected to be completed and installed in the museum by Opening Day 2011.