This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/8/2016
Ah, the wonders of the World Wide Web. Back in the Stone Age (say, 20 years ago), this ring's origins would have been lost to the sands of time. But now a Google search reveals that the heretofore mystery name "RECESSO" is referenced in a little-read 1998 newspaper article from Schenectady's Daily Gazette. Turns out that Brian Recesso, team director of information services, is the man in question. He's dubbed "the Yankees' computer guru" and credited with "[writing] programs and [developing] electronic forms that help club officials keep track of scouting and medical reports, the amateur draft, free agents and trade prospects." Not too shabby a role during the most successful season in the greatest professional franchise's entire history! Recesso was apparently a Moneyball-type, behind-the-scenes hero as the Bronx Bombers racked up their record 125 total wins. His Balfour 10K-gold, size 12 ring showcases 1-1/2 carats' worth of diamonds and rates EX to EX/MT condition. It's accompanied by a 2000 purchase LOA and the original wooden presentation box (a 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" x 2-1/4") engraved on top, "NEW YORK YANKEES / NY / 1998 WORLD CHAMPIONS."
And here's an inside look from the Daily Gazette article:
Recesso is on call 24 hours a day, helping the scouts with their
computers, helping even the trainers, who compile injury reports. He
also runs the Jumbotron for the Class A Tampa Yankees. Recesso makes
$43,000 a year, the amount some players make for one game, but he loves
the challenge, even the high-intensity atmosphere.
"The thing that people don't understand is that it is a serious job, and
it's more nerve-wracking than working for IBM, because you have a boss
[vice president of player development Mark Newman] that's very
demanding. He's the most demanding person I've ever worked for. And the
hours are incredible. I'll walk in here at 9 o'clock in the morning, and
last week, I didn't get out of here before 11 any night."
But again, there are the perks. Often, Recesso will know about the
team's pursuit of another player before anybody but the top executives.
Last year, for example, the Yanks were looking for infield help during
the season. His mission: "See what you can get on Rey Sanchez," who at
the time was a part-time player with the Cubs. He hit the computer.
"The next day, I read the newspaper, I see we got Rey Sanchez. They're
relying on me to get this stuff. We did the same thing for [outfielder
Chad] Curtis," another mid-season addition last year, he said.
"There's different measures of satisfaction. Some of it comes from
meeting famous people, being in the World Series, and other times it's
hearing scouts say you really helped me out here," he said. "I really
appreciate it."