Extremely Rare 1919 World Series Ring Goes to Auction

There was only one man to get a World Series ring following the infamous scandal-rocked postseason of 1919, and now that ring is being auctioned off.

Big League Stew's Mike Oz reports on a unique baseball treasure from one of the most well-known World Series controversies in history.

The auction is being run by Lelands, and its page for this particular lot tells a fanciful tale while also delivering some stunning pictures of a legendary piece of championship hardware.

You see, there were some differences between the World Series as we know it today and the championship the likes of "Shoeless" Joe Jackson had to play.

Back then, players were paid a paltry sum for their services, especially considering how stars today are compensated, and World Series champions received pins instead of rings.

As has been well documented throughout the years, eight players from the Chicago White Sox, including the legendary Jackson, were banned for life from baseball for allegedly throwing the series against the Cincinnati Reds.  They became known as the 'Black Sox' after their bans were enforced.

With that, the ring holds historic significance, but it seems that this particular piece of jewelry is the only known ring from the 1919 World Series.

As I mentioned, players and coaches were given pins for their effort, but Reds manager Pat Moran was able to procure a ring for his triumph.

From there, an already captivating story takes another bizarre turn, via Lelands:

"

[The ring] came from family member John Moran, who gave it to his milkman in the town where Pat Moran was born: West Fitchburg, Massachusetts. It has been in the possession of the "milkman's" son, who has had it for 50 years. NRMT condition with original diamond. It has never previously sold and fresh to the market.

"

As of this writing, the highest bid for the ring that went from a 1919 MLB manager to a lucky milkman is now $33,275.  It's gotten four bids so far.

That is a hefty sum for any collector, but you get a one-of-a-kind piece of baseball history. Not only that, but the ring comes with one remarkable story.

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