Babe Ruth 100th Anniversary Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/19/2014
Jim Leyritz was a polarizing figure during his New York Yankee career, which included two separate tenures. The second came after the Yankee re-acquired “The King” from the San Diego Padres at the 1999 trading deadline. Leyritz was king when it came to important and game changing postseason home runs. In 62 career postseason at bats, Leyritz only hit .213, but clubbed an astounding eight home runs, driving in 20 runs. Those are Ruthian style numbers. While the biggest home run came off of Mark Wohlers in the 1996 World Series, Jimmy also belted walk off homers, and game changing post season home runs, off Billy Wagner and Randy Johnson.
This is the 2000 ring issued to Leyritz when the Yankees won the 2000 World Series. Despite being traded by the Yankees to the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 20, 2000, he was still a big part of the team. The face of the 14K gold Balfour size 13 ring has the interlocking NY on top of a blue sapphire, and a bed of real diamonds, with the NY also covered with diamonds. Around the perimeter of the face are “2000 WORLD CHAMPIONS” all in raised relief. One shank has the Yankee façade, with the Top Hat logo and the word “PRIDE.” The other shank contains the name “LEYRITZ” with “26th” imposed over an image of the Stadium with the New York skyline in the background. The word “PRIDE” is below. The band has the manufacturer name “BALFOUR 14K” etched inside. The team issued ring is accompanied by the original 7-3/8” x 5-7/8” x 2-5/8” with the top glass window etched with “NEW YORK YANKEES 2000 WORLD CHAMPIONS.” Ring weighs 50.4 grams. The is an original team issued ring, a rare player ring who hit two of the biggest post season home runs in Yankee history. 2000 World Series rings are among the rarest and most sought after for Yankee collectors, and are the one ring that is consistently missing from advanced collections. This is the ONLY player ring to ever come up for public sale. Near Mint condition. Comes with letter of authenticity from Jim Leyritz.