This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2001.
Cuban-born outfielder Tony Gonzalez was able to hone his skills playing in the minors in his own country, with the Havana Sugar Kings, a farm team of the Cincinnati Reds. This ring presented to Gonzalez in 1959 when the Sugar Kings won the International League title. The ring has further significance as an historical footnote, as this was the last year that American baseball had ties with Cuba, which fell under the web of Fidel Castro's revolution months later and severed all dealings with the U.S. The silver ring has a dark blue stone inset with a figure wearing an "G" surrounded by "Campeones Mundiales Ligas Menores 1959" in gold. There are engravings of a glove and crossed bats on either shank and Gonzalez' name in scripted letters on the underside. The ring is in excellent condition with mild tarnishing and comes with a letter of authenticity from ex-major leaguer Gonzalez.