Winter Auction 2015 closing February 7
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/8/2015
After a 15-year World Series drought, the New York Yankees returned to the Fall Classic in 1996 and began the team’s modern dynasty with the first seven Series appearances and five series championships in the next 13 years.
Rookie of the Year Derek Jeter was just beginning to capture the hearts and imaginations of Yankee fans and all-time saves leader Mariano Rivera was still a set-up man in his second season. The outfield was patrolled by Paul O’Neil, Bernie Williams and Gerald Williams and newly acquired free-agent Tino Martinez was just beginning to earn his place among Yankees legends. Hall of Famer Wade Boggs was in his fourth season in the Bronx at third base and former New York Mets reclamation projects Daryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden looked natural in their Yankees pinstripes; Gooden threw his first and only no-hitter with the Yankees on May 14, 1996. The Yankees cruised to the eastern division title and easily handled the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles in first two rounds of the post season and came back from a two-game deficit to defeat the Atlanta Braves in the World Series.
This size 10.5, 38.7 gram 10K gold Balfour ring was presented to former big league slugger Darrell Evans (414 HRs) who was a hitting coordinator for the NY Yankees in 1995-96. A cluster of approximately 20 diamonds are set in the team’s iconic interlocking NY logoon top of a shiny blue synthetic gemstone encircled by “World Champions 1996” in raised lettering along the perimeter. The right shank displays Evans’ name above an image of the World Series trophy and two engraved banners reading “Courage” and “Heart,” while the left shank contains a miniature Yankee Stadium façade above the team’s bat in hat logo and another banner reading “Tradition”.
The ring remains in pristine condition in its original wooden case with engraved “New York Yankees 1996 World Champions” lettering and the NY logo on the cover and blue velvet interior lining and comes with pair of LOAs signed by Evans and the rings purchaser Scott Wellkowsky.