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Tommy John Rings, Charms and Press Pins
5 Lots
 Lot 51. Tommy John’s Chicago White Sox 2005 World Series Ring. From 1965-71, John pitched for the White Sox. When they won their first World Championship in 88 years, a friend obtained a copy of the team’s World Series ring from Jostens. John then had it encased in acrylic so that it could be displayed as a paperweight. The same type of ring was given to members of the ChiSox staff. The face has a ring of 60 comparatively large cubic zirconia surrounding “Sox” that sits atop a black ellipse. The letters are studded with very small man-made diamonds. One side of the ring says “World Champions 2005, 11-1.” The other has the MLB logo and says “Premium Seating 99-63 Sox.” A confirming letter “From the Desk of Tommy John” accompanies this impressive ring.
Winning Bid $862.
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 Lot 52. Tommy John All-Star Game Press Pins or Charms for 1968, 1998 and 1999. A four-time All-Star, John pitched 2/3 innings of relief for the A.L. as a representative of the White Sox in the 1968 All-Star Game at Houston. He gave up one hit and struck out one batter. The John collection includes a charm from the game. The most difficult to find among the 1966-70 press pins or charms, it is ex to ex-m. The two other examples are pins, for 1998 at Colorado and 1999 at Boston; they are mint and nm-m, respectively, in their original boxes. This group comes with a letter of authenticity from John.
Winning Bid $75.
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 Lot 53. Tommy John All-Star Game Press Pins or Charms for 1980, 1999 and 2008. The John All-Star Game collection includes a nm-m charm from the 1980 game, a nm+ pin from 1999 and a mint, unopened pin from 2008. John took the loss in the 1980 game in Los Angeles. Otherwise, the season, which included 22 victories, was one of his best in the majors. He received the more recent pins at All-Star events. The 2008 pin for the game at Yankee Stadium is especially interesting. It commemorates the final season of the historic ballpark by containing dirt collected from the field. These pins come with a Tommy John letter of authenticity.
Winning Bid $75.
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 Lot 54. Tommy John World Series Press Pin and Charm Collection Including Phantoms. This collection consists of two charms and four pins spanning 1967-81. The earliest pins are phantoms, for the 1967 White Sox (no post; otherwise ex) and the 1971 A’s (nm-m in the original box). The 1977 series is represented by a Dodgers’ press charm (light surface scratches, no box). From the 1978 series, there is a Yankees’ press pin, and from 1981, a Dodgers’ press pin and a Yankees’ charm. John pitched for the Dodgers in 1977 and 1978, and the Yankees in 1981. The 1978 and 1981 pins and charms are mint; the pins are in their original boxes. Balfour manufactured these pins and charms. They come with a letter of authenticity from Tommy John.
Winning Bid $100.
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