There was a lot riding on the Reds' 1940 World Series berth. For starters, the franchise's only championship to date had been 1919—hence, it came courtesy of the Black Sox "fix," and so all of Cincinnati sought a legitimate championship to redeem their ballclub's asterisked past. Also, Bill McKechnie's squad had squandered their opportunity in the '39 Fall Classic with an embarrassing sweep at the hands of the Ruth-and-Gehrig-less Yankees. What's more, Cincy was attempting to overcome the tragedy that befell the club in August when Ernie Lombardi's back-up, Willard Hershberger, committed suicide in his hotel room. Interestingly, Hershie's World Series stand-in, 40-year-old Jimmie Wilson, became an unlikely October hero with a .353 average, 6 hits and 2 runs. But it was Reds third baseman Billy Werber who stole the show, batting .370 with 10 hits (including 4 doubles), 5 runs, 2 RBIs and 4 walks. On the mound, Paul Derringer and Bucky Walters combined for Cincy's 4 wins, with Walters giving up just 8 hits and 3 runs. Thus, in a thrilling 7-game series, the Reds tamed the mighty Hank Greenberg-led Tigers for their second championship in history—and their first untainted by scandal.

     Offered here is the 1940 Reds ring garnered by rookie catcher Bill Baker, who played in 27 regular-season games and then contributed a key single and run in the Fall Classic. Baker went on to log parts of 7 big-league campaigns, mostly with Pittsburgh, and later umpired and coached in the NL. His 14K-gold, size-12 ring showcases an authentic 75-point diamond stone and appears to have been donned with pride for many years, giving the nicely worn shanks a a charming vintage appeal. Condition is otherwise EX/MT to NM and there are lovely enameled elements of the "WORLD CHAMPIONS / CINCINNATI REDS" text and the Reds logos. Engraved inside the band is: "Presented by Baseball Commissioner to Wm. P. Baker." A 1995 purchase LOA accompanies.

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