Commissioner's Trophy (MLB)

The current design, as seen in the 2007 World Series.

The Commissioner's Trophy is presented each year by the Commissioner of Baseball to the Major League Baseball team that wins the World Series. Recent trophy designs contain flags representing each team in North America's top two leagues, the National League and the American League.[1][2] The two participating teams in that year's World Series were previously represented by two press pins set on the base of the trophy. It is the only championship trophy of the four major sports in North America that is not named after a particular person[3] (contrasting with the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup,[4] the National Football League's Vince Lombardi Trophy,[5] and the National Basketball Association's Larry O'Brien Trophy).[6]

History

Although it was named in 1985, the trophy was first awarded in 1967, when the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Boston Red Sox.[7]

The trophy was not without precedent in Major League baseball: the Dauvray Cup (named after actress Helen Dauvray) was awarded to the winner of the World Series between the National League and the American Association from 1887 to 1890, and from 1891 to 1893, when a solitary major league remained, to the winner of the National League pennant. The Dauvray Cup was to be held by the victorious team, and was to be relinquished the following year when (and if) a new champion team emerged.[8] The Dauvray Cup mysteriously vanished following the 1893 series and has never been located. From 1894 to 1897, the Temple Cup was awarded to the winner of a postseason contest between the two top National League clubs.[9]

A new Commissioner's Trophy is created each year, much like the Lombardi Trophy and the O'Brien Trophy. In contrast, hockey's Stanley Cup is passed from champion to champion.[10] Before 1997, the trophy was presented in the winners locker room. Since then the presentation occurs on the field if the champion clinches the title in their home stadium.[11] Since its inception, the only year that the Commissioner's Trophy has not been awarded was 1994, when the players' strike ended the season on August 11, resulting in the cancellation of the entire post-season.[12] The New York Yankees have won the most Commissioner's Trophies, winning seven World Series since 1967.[13] The St. Louis Cardinals have won four trophies, a National League record.[13]

Design

The trophy is 24 inches (61 cm) tall, excluding the base, and has a diameter of 11 inches (28 cm).[1] It weighs approximately 30 pounds (14 kg)[14] and is composed of sterling silver. The trophy features 30 gold-plated flags, one for each Major League team. The flags rise above a silver baseball which is covered with latitude and longitude lines, symbolizing the world.[10], and which features 24-karat vermeil stitching.[1] The base contains an inscription copy of the signature of the commissioner[1] and the words "Presented by the Commissioner of Baseball".[14]

The original 1967 trophy was designed by Balfour Jewelers of Attleboro, Massachusetts, and cost $2,500.[15] The trophy was redesigned by Tiffany & Co. in 1999 and first presented at the conclusion of the 2000 World Series, won by the New York Yankees against their crosstown rivals New York Mets.[13]

Trophy designs

By franchise

Team Trophies Seasons
New York Yankees 7 1977, 1978, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2009
Oakland Athletics 4 1972, 1973, 1974, 1989
St. Louis Cardinals 4 1967, 1982, 2006, 2011
Boston Red Sox 3 2004, 2007, 2013
Cincinnati Reds 3 1975, 1976, 1990
San Francisco Giants 3 2010, 2012, 2014
Baltimore Orioles 2 1970, 1983
Detroit Tigers 2 1968, 1984
Kansas City Royals 2 1985, 2015
Los Angeles Dodgers 2 1981, 1988
Miami Marlins 2 1997, 2003
Minnesota Twins 2 1987, 1991
New York Mets 2 1969, 1986
Philadelphia Phillies 2 1980, 2008
Pittsburgh Pirates 2 1971, 1979
Toronto Blue Jays 2 1992, 1993
Arizona Diamondbacks 1 2001
Atlanta Braves 1 1995
Chicago Cubs 1 2016
Chicago White Sox 1 2005
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 1 2002

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Phillies Announce World Series Trophy Tour Presented by Teva Pharmaceuticals and Comcast SportsNet". PR Newswire Association. January 9, 2009. Retrieved May 18, 2009.
  2. ↑ "Tiffany & Co. Sports Trophies". Tiffany & Co. September 30, 2015. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  3. ↑ Terwilliger, Wayne; Peterson, Nancy and Boehm, Peter (2006). Terwilliger Bunts One. Globe Pequot. p. 233. ISBN 0-7627-4310-7.
  4. ↑ Shea, Kevin (August 22, 2004). "Stanley Cup Journal". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  5. ↑ Vander Velde, Jessica (January 24, 2009). "Vince Lombardi Trophy for Super Bowl winner on display at NFL Experience". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  6. ↑ "December 2004: Picture This". National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved October 17, 2008.
  7. ↑ Rhodes, Greg; Castellini, Robert (2007). Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame Highlights. Clerisy Press. p. 81. ISBN 1-57860-300-5. Retrieved May 18, 2009.
  8. ↑ Thorn, John, "Baseball’s Lost Chalice, Part 2", at MLB.com, November 3, 2011
  9. ↑ Thorn, John, "Baseball’s Lost Chalice, Part 3", at MLB.com, November 4, 2011
  10. 1 2 Scheiber, Dave (October 22, 2008). "Rays shots". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved May 18, 2009.
  11. ↑ "5 Things You Didn't Know About The World Series Trophy". WBZ-TV. October 31, 2013. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  12. ↑ Zirin, David (August 18, 2004). "The MLB Strike - 25 Years in the Making". Buzzle editorials. Retrieved May 2, 2008.
  13. 1 2 3 "Playoff and World Series Stats and Results". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 19, 2009.
  14. 1 2 "World Series trophy profile". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. December 5, 2008. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Majors Award Series Trophy," The Portland Oregonian, October 10, 1967, sports section page 3, wire service report attributed to The New York News.
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