How much is the World Series ring worth?
Players who win the Major League Baseball World Series are awarded a championship ring as a symbol of their contribution to the team’s victory.
Every year the winner of the World Series is given a ring that signifies that player’s unique contribution to his team in winning that year’s competition. The rings are commissioned by the winning team, not the league, and distributed to players and staff.
Companies like Jostens, Tiffany & Co., and Dieges & Clus have made these rings. Each year’s design is unique and is inspired by the team that wins the competition.
World Series rings were first given out in 1922, and the first team to begin this tradition was the New York Giants. However, it was only in 1930 that each team started to commission rings for their staff and players.
But how much is a World Series ring?
According to several reports, a World Series champion ring is worth around $20k. The rings vary in cost, however, depending on the team that designs them.
The 2003 Florida Marlins rings, for instance, are one of the most expensive in the league’s history. They were made of 14-carat white gold. The 3.5-ounce (99 g) ring featured 229 diamonds, including one teal diamond and 13 rubies. The cost of the ring was $20,000 18 years ago, but it has sold in retail for as much as $40,000.
For their 2016 World Series win, the Chicago Cubs commissioned a ring worth around $70,000, consisting of 214 diamonds at 5.5 carats, 3 carats of rubies, and 2.5 carats of sapphires. This is the year they cut a 100-year drought.
Ring distribution
As the tradition has grown, teams have made rings for players, coaches, executives, groundskeepers, scouts, and front-office staff. A team can commission up to 400 to 700 rings. In addition, many teams have started to make various versions of the ring, usually A, B, sometimes C. Usually, A’s is for players, coaches and executives. Additionally, B and C consist of cheaper materials and are for staff members.
The rings are given during a ceremony after the season, and teams distribute them first to their players and later to the staff. Staff members generally get their rings after the ceremony.