Summer Premium and Catalog Auction July 31 & Aug 8
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/31/2015
Three years after exorcising the 86-year “Curse of the Bambino” in 2004, the Boston Red Sox won the World Series again in 2007, led by almost the same band of merry “idiots” including team-captain catcher Jason Varitek, first baseman Kevin Youklis, second baseman Dustin Pedroia, outfielder Manny Ramirez and “Big Papi” first baseman David Ortiz. The Sox edged the New York Yankees for the AL East division flag, made quick work of the Anaheim Angels in the ALDS, defeated the Cleveland Indians in a hard fought seven-game ALCS and swept the upstart Colorado Rockies in the World Series.
According to past auction records, this is the first 2007 Red Sox player ring that has ever been made publicly available. What's more, it belonged to none other than 17-year major-league veteran Royce Clayton, who amassed almost 2,000 career hits and was voted to the All-Star team in 1997. (Incidentally, Clayton has gone on to make a few cameo appearances in Hollywood, including his portrayal of Miguel Tejada in the 2011 film Moneyball.)
His visually stunning, size-11, 18K-white-gold ring from the 2007 World Series features the Red Sox logo crafted in red gem stones over a baseball-diamond-shaped bed of 10 diamonds on top of a blue stone backdrop with 28 smaller diamonds circling the crown. “World Champions” is engraved at the top and bottom of the face. Clayton’s name is in relief on the right shank above the Red Sox “B” logo and a World Series trophy with “11 / 2007” in relief below. Left shank contains “7th World Series Championship” in relief above a sculpted image of Fenway Park with “4-0 Sweep” beneath. “Boston Red Sox ’10-28-07’” and “©Jostens 18K” are engraved on the band’s interior. Near Mint condition. Accompanied by the original wooden presentation box (4” x 6 ½” x 7 ½”, NM) featuring a “2007 WORLD CHAMPIONS" plexiglas window; an inlaid pewter 2007 World Series logo; a "Royce Clayton / 2007" plaque; and, on the box's underside, Clayton's signature and inscription, "My 'Original WS Ring.'" Signed LOA from Royce Clayton confirming it is his original and only ring.