1988 Los Angeles Dodgers World Series Championship Ring — Staff-Issued
"In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened." Vin Scully's call of Kirk Gibson's limping, pinch-hit home run in Game 1 is one of the most famous moments in sports history, contributiong to one of the greatest underdog victories baseball has ever seen. This 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers World Series Championship ring, crafted by Balfour in 14K gold and set with diamonds, was issued to Dodgers staff member David Wright and comes complete with its original presentation box.
Tommy Lasorda's 1988 Dodgers went 94-67 to win the NL West, then outlasted the heavily favored New York Mets in a seven-game NLCS. Waiting in the World Series were the Oakland A's, a 104-win powerhouse led by the Bash Brothers, Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire. Few gave Los Angeles a chance, but the Dodgers stunned Oakland four games to one to capture the franchise's sixth World Series title.
Gibson's home run and Hershiser's historic season
With both legs injured, NL MVP Kirk Gibson was not expected to play in the World Series at all. In Game 1, with the Dodgers trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth, he hobbled to the plate as a pinch hitter against Hall of Fame closer Dennis Eckersley and drove a full-count backdoor slider into the right-field pavilion for a walk-off home run. It was his only at-bat of the Series, and his fist-pumping trip around the bases became one of baseball's most iconic images. On the mound, Orel Hershiser put a dominant finish on one of the greatest seasons ever pitched. He closed the regular season with a record 59 consecutive scoreless innings, won the NL Cy Young Award, and was named MVP of both the NLCS and the World Series, pitching a complete game in the Game 5 clincher.
The 1988 championship holds a special place in Dodgers history, and the team would not win another World Series for 32 years. A staff-issued ring from this legendary club, complete with its presentation box, is a centerpiece for any Dodgers collection or any collector of baseball's most memorable moments.
| Championship | 1988 World Series — Los Angeles Dodgers defeated Oakland A's, 4-1 |
| Type | Staff-issued — David Wright Clubhouse Attendant |
| Material | 14K gold |
| Stones | Diamonds |
| Manufacturer | Balfour |
| Regular Season Record | 94-67 |
1988 Los Angeles Dodgers World Series Ring — Quick Facts
- The Dodgers went 94-67 to win the NL West, then beat the Mets 4-3 in the NLCS.
- They upset the 104-win Oakland A's four games to one in the World Series.
- Kirk Gibson's pinch-hit, walk-off home run off Dennis Eckersley in Game 1 was his only at-bat of the Series.
- Orel Hershiser threw a record 59 consecutive scoreless innings and won the NL Cy Young, NLCS MVP and World Series MVP.
- Kirk Gibson was named 1988 NL MVP.
- The 1988 title was the Dodgers' sixth World Series championship and their last for 32 years.