Spring 2016 - Item detail
2005 Willie Harris Chicago White Sox World Series Ring
- Sold For:
- $21,600
- Year:
- 2005
- Auction:
- 2016 Spring
- Lot #:
- 1478
- Category:
- Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia
2005 Chicago White Sox World Series ring, manufactured by Jostens, issued to infielder/outfielder Willie Harris. The front of the 14K gold ring features the "Sox" logo, which is embellished by numerous tiny diamonds, set upon a black onyx stone. Encircling the bezel are two separate rows of small diamonds. One shank features the recipient's name ("Harris"), the team's record that season ("99-63"), the Major League Baseball logo, and Harris' uniform number ("1"). The opposite shank reads "World Champions/2005/11-1" (the "11-1" denotes the club's postseason record). "Jostens 14K" is engraved on the interior band. Our consignor obtained this ring directly from Willie Harris in 2014 and it is accompanied by a notarized letter of provenance from our consignor detailing the purchase as well as a copy of the check to Harris. This is only the second 2005 Chicago White Sox player ring we have seen at auction and the first we have ever handled. According to a 2006 article posted online at MLB.com (a copy of the article accompanies the ring), the 2005 Chicago White Sox World Series rings were designed by Martly Reinsdorf, wife of team owner Jerry Reinsdorf. The article further notes that each ring contains "14-karat yellow gold with a 14-karat white gold insert and a White Sox logo crest on a black onyx stone. There are 95 brilliant diamonds of various sizes, equaling over two karats."
The 2005 Chicago White Sox won the American League Central Division with a league-high 99 wins. They continued their dominance in the postseason, sweeping Boston in the Division Series and defeating Los Angeles in five games in the Championship Series. A four-game sweep of the Houston Astros in the World Series brought the White Sox their first World Championship since 1917. Their 11-1 postseason record also tied the 1999 Yankees for best mark all time. Willie Harris appeared in fifty-six games with the White Sox in 2005, primarily at second base. He finished the year with 1 home run, 8 RBI, and a .256 average. The ring remains in Excellent to Mint condition and is accompanied by a Jostens presentation box for optimal display. (Please Note: this is not the original presentation box. The original box was lost by the player. This is a newer style replacement box issued by Josten's.) The wooden box (8 x 4.75 x 2.75 inches) has a glass lid that features the player's name, the White Sox logo, a "2005 Sox World Series Champions" design, and the words "2005 World Champions, all in frosted white lettering. Near Mint condition. Size: approximately 11. Weight: approximately 45 grams. Reserve $5,000. Estimate (open).
The 2005 Chicago White Sox won the American League Central Division with a league-high 99 wins. They continued their dominance in the postseason, sweeping Boston in the Division Series and defeating Los Angeles in five games in the Championship Series. A four-game sweep of the Houston Astros in the World Series brought the White Sox their first World Championship since 1917. Their 11-1 postseason record also tied the 1999 Yankees for best mark all time. Willie Harris appeared in fifty-six games with the White Sox in 2005, primarily at second base. He finished the year with 1 home run, 8 RBI, and a .256 average. The ring remains in Excellent to Mint condition and is accompanied by a Jostens presentation box for optimal display. (Please Note: this is not the original presentation box. The original box was lost by the player. This is a newer style replacement box issued by Josten's.) The wooden box (8 x 4.75 x 2.75 inches) has a glass lid that features the player's name, the White Sox logo, a "2005 Sox World Series Champions" design, and the words "2005 World Champions, all in frosted white lettering. Near Mint condition. Size: approximately 11. Weight: approximately 45 grams. Reserve $5,000. Estimate (open).