2019 October Legends Closing October 19
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2019
The 1996 New York Yankees beat the Atlanta Braves in the World Series 4 games to 2, which began a run where the Joe Torre-led Bombers won four World Series titles in five seasons. But this 1996 World Series title was their first, winning a title for George Steinbrenner for the first time in 18 seasons. And this wasn’t any ordinary championship. The Yankees were down in the Game One of the ALCS to the Baltimore Orioles, when Derek Jeter homered to tie the game in the infamous Jeffrey Maier incident. Then they were down to Mike Mussina late in Game 3 before coming back to win that game, and the American League pennant.
The Yankees comeback continued in that 1996 World Series, as they were down 2-0 in games facing four straight contests against Cy Young award winners. Down in Atlanta, the Yankees proceeded to take three straight games from the Braves, culminated by the great 1-0 victory over John Smoltz in Game Five. They returned New York and beat Greg Maddux 3-2 to win the title and thus began their tremendous World Series run.
Presented is an actual Yankees championship Commissioner's trophy presented to Yankee third base coach Willie Randolph, which was awarded to the former Yankee second baseman following the 1996 Fall Classic. The oversized prize is set upon a 7 ¼ -inch diameter base, which contains a gold band reading, "WILLIE RANDOLPH 1996 WORLD SERIES - NEW YORK YANKEES vs ATLANTA BRAVES." This trophy contains a gold-colored band, has a gold-colored baseball at its base and a crown at the top. The front of the display includes original press pins of the two World Series teams, Balfour made for the Yankees and Josten's for the Braves. Surrounding the base are 28 gold-colored flags representing the names of each Major League team. Left to right these flags begin with Baltimore and finish with Atlanta on the right. This amazing piece of hardware weighs approximately 20 pounds and measures 12 inches tall at its peak. This is an amazing trophy, one which was special ordered and presented to the great Willie Randolph, former Yankee All-Star second baseman and a member of that dynasty’s coaching staff. This item comes with a signed LOA from Willie Randolph.