1971 Pittsburgh Pirates World Series Ring - Player
This is the real thing — a player-issued 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates World Series ring in 14k gold with diamonds, made by the legendary Jostens, and belonging to Jose Pagan, one of the unsung heroes of one of baseball's greatest championship runs. Roberto Clemente's ring from the same World Series recently sold for over $380,000 and there have been no other known public sales of this class of rings.
The hit that won the World Series
In the eighth inning of Game 7 of the 1971 World Series, with Pittsburgh clinging to a 1–0 lead against Baltimore, Jose Pagan stepped to the plate against Mike Cuellar and roped a double to left field — scoring Willie Stargell and pushing the lead to 2–0. The Pirates won 2–1. That run was the margin of victory. Pagan drove in the World Series-winning run.
Player-issued rings are the gold standard of sports memorabilia collecting. This ring was worn by the man who delivered the biggest hit of the 1971 postseason — not a supporting player, not a staff member, but the infielder who put the Pirates in front for good on the biggest stage in baseball.
Crafted by Jostens — one of the most respected names in championship ring manufacturing — in 14k gold set with diamonds, this is a piece of championship jewelry made to the exact standards of its era. An extraordinary addition to any serious collection.
| Year | 1971 |
| Material | 14k Gold with diamonds |
| Manufacturer | Jostens |
| Type | Player-issued |
| Original owner | Jose Pagan |
| Series result | Pirates win, 4–3 |
Jose Pagan — Career highlights
- Drove in the Series-winning run with a Game 7 double off Mike Cuellar — the most important hit of the 1971 postseason
- 15-year MLB career (1959–1973) with the Giants, Pirates, and Phillies — appearing in 1,326 major league games
- Played in two World Series — 1962 with San Francisco and 1971 with Pittsburgh — bookending a decorated career
- A versatile infielder who played every position on the diamond, including a stint at catcher; valued by every team he joined for his baseball IQ and bilingual leadership
- Won three consecutive NL East division titles with Pittsburgh (1970–1972)
- Inducted into both the Puerto Rico Sports Hall of Fame and the Caguas Sports Hall of Fame
- Went on to coach for the Pirates (1974–1978) after his playing career — held in such esteem by the organization that a moment of silence was observed at PNC Park upon his passing in 2011