Summer Premium and Catalog Auction July 31 & Aug 8
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/31/2015
Prior to their Cinderella season, the Rays were officially known as the Devil Rays and they had a devil of a time finding any success. Perennial cellar dwellers from 1998 to 2007, their only glimmer of hope came in '04 with a 4th-place finish and a 70-91 record. But '08 brought a reversal of fortunate as Manager Joe Maddon memorably led his rag-tag bunch to the World Series with dramatic ALDS and ALCS wins over the White Sox and Red Sox.
Dominican-born pitcher Juan Salas had arrived in Tampa in 2006—the same year as Maddon—and witnessed the team's turnaround first-hand. He took the mound in 47 games and recorded 42 strikeouts over those three years, and then soon after tasting AL championship glory he was traded to the Cleveland Indians. Manufactured by Intergold, Salas' 14K-gold, size 9 ring rates Near Mint and features a beautiful enameled "RAYS" logo amid 60 points' worth of diamonds. Engraved inside the band is Maddon's team mantra, "9=8," which meant that if 9 players worked hard together for 9 innings then they could be one of 8 teams to reach the playoffs. Accompanied by the original wooden presentation box (7-3/4" x 6-1/4" x 3", EX) with a frosted Plexiglas lid ("TAMPA BAY RAYS / 2008 AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS") and a "Juan Salas" plaque. A 2009 purchase LOA is also included.