This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/9/2009.
The 1981 Series is sometimes called "The World Series that Never Was." This refers to the fact that the team with the best overall record, the Cincinnati Reds did not make the playoffs due to a modified playoff schedule established by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn because of a midseason strike. One of the greatest post-season rivalries (dating back to 1941) was reset for the second Fall Classic of the 1980s. The 1981 World Series, matching the New York Yankees against the Los Angeles Dodgers, marked their third meeting in the Series in five years. The Yankees had been in the hunt for more World Series Championships than any other team in professional baseball and the Dodgers were their favorite prey. In the ten Series meetings between the two clubs, New York had prevailed as champs on eight occasions (6-1 against the Brooklyn Dodgers and 2-1 against the Los Angeles version). Both teams had last met in 1978 when the Yankees lost the first two outings then rebounded to beat the Dodgers in four consecutive games for the crown. The Dodgers won the Series in six games for their first title since 1965, and their first victory over the Yankees since 1963. This World Series trophy was presented to George Lyons upon the Los Angeles Dodgers' winning the World Series in 1981. 12" tall at the highest flag, the trophy features a gold crown atop an arc centerpiece over a silver baseball, surrounded by 26 gold flags with black lettering on stanchions, one for each Major League team. The two World Series teams' press pins (Yankees and Dodgers) are mounted on small poles on the 7" diameter black base, in front of the silver baseball. The surrounding gold band reads "LA Dodgers World Series Champions 1981 George Martin Lyons." In overall EXMT condition with light wear, Balfour manufacturer's sticker underneath base.