The late Gene “Stick” Michael had a modest playing career that spanned from 1966 to 1975 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers. Michael’s last days of a player were with the Boston Red Sox in 1976, but was never used and released in May of that season. Upon retiring as a player, Michael joined the New York Yankees coaching staff, where he especially excelled as a scout. Reggie Jackson gave credit to Michael’s scouting reports that enabled him to belt three home runs against the Dodgers in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series. Michael would serve as manager of the Yankees from 1981-82 and as general manager from 1980-81 and 1991-1995 where he was responsible for the drafting of and signings of players like Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada that formed the famed “Core Four” group that led the Yankees to four World Series titles in five seasons.

Offered here is Michael’s Balfour 10K gold 1976 New York Yankees American League championship ring that was presented to Gene Michael and comes directly from the Michael family. This is the same style, size and weight given to the players and features the team’s “NY” logo, compromised of 19 diamonds, set on a large dark blue stone. Please note that there is a single diamond not attached on the “N” portion of the setting, but the diamond is still with the ring.   “YANKEES AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS” appears around the bezel setting in relief work. One side shows the year “1976” above an image of the team’s stadium, with the word “TRADITION” at the bottom. A Yankees team logo centers the opposite shank with “MICHAEL” in a banner at the top and the word “PRIDE” down below. “BALFOUR 10K” is marked inside the band of this approximate size 10 ½ ring. This item weighs approximately 29.85 grams and comes with a LOA from the family of the late Gene “Stick” Michael.

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