(LOT 40)
Original 1969 New York Mets World Championship Ring by JOSTENS - Presented to HOF Renowned Sportswriter Tommy Holmes – Full PSA LOA
The unfathomable story of the 1969 "Miracle Mets" will forever live in infamy, with this 1962 expansion club literally turning the baseball world upside down when they captured an unprecedented World Championship only 7 years after their inaugural MLB game. The Metropolitan's sudden rise to the pinnacle level of sports success shocked an adoring Nation, with one of the foremost collectibles from this "godly-like" achievement a 1969 World Series ring. That said, offered here just happens to be one of those magnificent keepsakes; the actual 1969 ring presented to the late and legendary N.Y. sportswriter Tommy Holmes who sadly passed away in March 1975 at the age of 71.

To truly understand the significance of this momentous offering, we feel it necessary to fully grasp the iconic stature achieved by Tommy Holmes throughout his illustrious career. A fine ballplayer who grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y. with the hopes of pursuing a possible professional baseball career, Holmes dreams of fulfilling that goal were crushed when a freak accident resulted in his left arm being partially amputated above his elbow. His unwavering passion for sports, especially baseball, pushed him to a "secondary" sports writing career, and he ultimately landed a job for the distinguished Brooklyn Eagle newspaper. Feverishly covering New York's three prominent home teams (Yankees, Dodgers and Giants), Holmes established himself as one of the premier sports writers not only in New York, but in the country.

Unfortunately, the Eagle would close in early 1955, and it would be a year before Holmes found a new position with the likewise prestigious New York Herald Tribune, working there through 1966 when the Tribune likewise shut down their legendary operation. At that juncture, he would continue writing in a "free-lance" mode and wrote several books including his outstanding publication titled 'The Dodgers". Holmes' 10-year tenure at the Tribune included extensive coverage of the New York teams including a myriad of trips to the west coast to cover the Giants and Dodgers after their departure from New York following the 1957 season. The addition of the expansion N.Y. Mets in 1962 provided Holmes with a new reporting angle in the big city, and he immediately embarked on building an incredible relationship with the Mets' organization.

Indeed, this beloved Tribune employee became one of the Mets' most cherished sports writers, substantiating why the Mets' front office chose to give Holmes an original World championship ring after they bested the Orioles in the 1969 World Series. As an unbridled testament to Tommy Holmes' popularity and recognition among his peers, after his untimely passing, the immortal N.Y. Times Red Smith wrote Holmes' obituary that so eloquently stated: "On Tuesday morning (March 25, 1975), New York lost Tommy Holmes, the best sports writer of his time, possibly the best of all time, certainly one of the finest all-around reporters and writers in sports."

Baseball's Hall of Fame echoed that sentiment when in 1980 Holmes was inducted into Cooperstown as a recipient of a special award for outstanding and notable sports writers. Indeed, his unequivocal legacy is "timeless", with this esteemed 1969 Mets ring eventually passed along to his son who has now chosen to provide a passionate collector a golden opportunity to treasure it in the same manner as the Holmes family cherished it for a half-century.

This sensational 1969 N.Y. Mets ring would not even exist had it not been for the world-class achievements of manager Gill Hodges; star pitchers Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Gary Gentry and Nolan Ryan; and the slugging exploits of Cleon Jones, Tommy Agee and Don Clendenon. Remarkably, the 1969 Mets won 100 games to claim the N.L. Eastern Division title, after posting a dismal 73-89 record the previous season that earned them a ninth-place finish. The Metropolitans would sweep the Atlanta Braves in three straight games to move onto the Fall Classic where they would match up against the mighty Baltimore Orioles who had virtually decimated the American League.

The "miracle" had only just begun, for in a brief 5-game series, the N.Y. Mets would best the Orioles and claim their inaugural World Championship. In the eyes of avid baseball enthusiasts, not even putting a "man on the moon" (Neil Armstrong & Buzz Aldrin on July 20, 1969) could match the Mets' "miraculous" feat that created sheer hysteria throughout the baseball community. As an aftermath, collectibles relating to this awe-inspiring moment stand as some of the most highly coveted artifacts in the hobby, with only a handful of them possibly matching the stature, value and desirability of an original 1969 New York Mets World Series ring.

Regarding the ring's critical characteristics, the accompanying Full PSA LOA indicates its 35.8 grams weight, approximate 9 size, diamond stone pedigree, Jostens manufacturer, 10K gold stature and "Holmes" name engraved on the inside band. The brilliant round center diamond measures some 5.6mm and is approximately 65ct. (VS clarity; I/J color), affixed to a rectangular blue synthetic stone. Encompassing the stone is the following raised verbiage: "NEW YORK METS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - 1969" with the right-side shank depicting three banners at the top that read: "EASTERN DIVISION – NATIONAL LEAGUE - WORLD SERIES", as well as an image of the by-gone Shea Stadium. Beneath the Stadium illustration is a three-prong crown that reveals the following caption: "Mets vs. Orioles".

The left shank includes the critical "HOLMES" name, the classic Mets logo with crossed bats, and a baseball cap beneath the Mets insignia. As a final exclamation point, the inner band includes the "©JOSTENS10K" manufacturer stamp as well as an additional engraved "Holmes". A few peripheral stray scratches/dings do not impede the breathtaking NM+ aesthetics with this offering obviously well preserved for the past 50 years. An absolutely outstanding heirloom from the distinguished Holmes family, its stands as a bona-fide testament for Tommy Holmes' esteemed sports writing career as well as the 1969 "Miracle Mets", who arguably achieved the most unfathomable triumph in our National Pastime's glorious history!

In 2017, Ed Kranepools 1969 World Series Ring sold for $62,475..

MIN BID $2,500
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