World Series Trophy

From SoSH

Major League Baseball awards the World Series Trophy each year to the team winning the World Series. Recent trophy designs consist of 30 flags representing the 30 teams in North America's two top leagues, the National League and the American League.

The commissioner presents the trophy, which is technically known as the Commissioner’s Trophy, to the ownership of the World Series-winning team. Unlike the Stanley Cup, which is passed down, year by year, to the champions of the National Hockey League, a new World Series Trophy is created each year.

The Design

The current trophy, which was redesigned slightly in 1999, is 24 inches tall, excluding the base, and 11 inches around. It weighs approximately 30 pounds and is made of sterling silver. The trophy features 30 gold-plated, hand-furled flags, one for each of the Major League teams, which rise above an arched silver ox baseball with latitude and longitude lines that symbolize the world. The baseball also contains 24-karat vermeil baseball stitches. The baseball itself weighs over 10 pounds. The base contains an inscription and the signature of the commissioner. It was presented for the first time at the conclusion of the 2000 World Series, which was won by the New York Yankees.

Trivia

• The trophy was first awarded in 1967, when the Cardinals defeated the Red Sox in seven games.

• The 2004 trophy, which was won by the Boston Red Sox, was made of brass and pewter, weighs 30 pounds (14 kg) and has an estimated value of $15,000.

• The 2006 trophy, has been awarded to the St. Louis Cardinals of the National League. The front design has been changed slightly from the last modification in 1999, now having two different size bases.

• It is the only "major" American sport in which the championship trophy is not named after someone (contrasting with the Stanley Cup (NHL), Vince Lombardi Trophy (NFL), and Larry O'Brien Trophy (NBA).)

External Links

• History of the World Series Trophy - Hall of Fame Website