by Mark Langill
It was easy for the Brooklyn Dodgers to dream about designing elegant championship jewelry when World Series rings first became in vogue a century ago during the 1920s.
Capturing the brass ring, however, was another story.
The Dodgers lost five Fall Classics against the New York Yankees between 1941 and 1953. Mix in previous World Series losses against Boston (1916) and Cleveland (1920) and the Dodgers had an 0–7 World Series record.
When the Dodgers finally broke through in 1955, outlasting the Yankees in seven games, Brooklyn management wasted little time previewing the championship ring that would be distributed on Opening Day 1956 by sending holiday cards with the ring’s design.
Team president Walter O’Malley worked with designer Balfour to create a lightweight ring made from white gold. “BROOKLYN WORLD CHAMPIONS” outlined the top of the ring. One of the sides featured a globe with the Dodgers script and the words “FIRST” and “1955.” The players’ replica signatures were added to the inside of the ring.
Little did anyone realize the championship ring would become the symbol of a bygone era as the Dodgers moved to the West Coast after the 1957 season.
Flash ahead to 2025 and the Dodgers’ ring design was a closely guarded secret until the presentation ceremony on Friday.
And what was inside the treasure box handed to the players before their game against the Detroit Tigers at Dodger Stadium?
Bling!!
The ring honors the team’s historic season and eighth title in franchise history through artistic storytelling and impeccable detail.
Manufactured by Jostens, the ring top features the LA logo drafted from custom-shaped sapphires and surrounded by diamonds.
Encircling the logo is a sunburst shape that represents the sunny climate of Los Angeles. On the left and right sides of the ring top are four large round diamonds, symbolizing the Dodgers’ eight World Championship titles. Adorning the top and bottom of the ring top is the Dodgers 2024 title, WORLD CHAMPIONS, set meticulously with diamonds.
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Using a specialized hinge mechanism, the top of the ring opens to reveal added storytelling details. Upon opening, Dodger Stadium is displayed in incredible detail and features the Commissioner’s Trophy with one diamond, commemorating the 2024 World Series victory. Above, eight diamonds celebrate the eight World Championships in Dodgers history. Included are the year dates 1883 and 2024, paying tribute to 142 seasons of the franchise. The left side of the ring top interior features a piece from the bases used in the World Series with the Dodgers City Connect logo in gold. Encircling the base are 34 sapphires honoring the late Dodgers pitcher, Fernando Valenzuela.
The left side of the ring features the recipient’s name, symbolic of their contribution to the season. Below, a row of princess-cut sapphires sit atop the iconic Dodger Stadium sign, displaying the player jersey number set in diamonds. Two palm trees make up the background, synonymous with Los Angeles. Completing the left side of the ring is the Major League Baseball logo.
The right side of the ring proudly displays the words LOS ANGELES, which pays homage to the home of the Dodgers since 1958. Below, a row of princess-cut sapphires sit atop the championship year date, 2024, set with diamonds. The Dodgers logo is situated among palm trees to complete the right side.
The interior of the ring features the LA logo between the championship year date. Below are the logos and series results of the opponents defeated by the Dodgers on their roadmap to become World Series Champions. As a personal touch, players receive their unique signature on the interior palm of the ring. Completing the outer palm is a row of five diamonds, representing the five runs the Dodgers overcame in Game 5 to win the World Series.
Los Angeles Dodgers fans can now own a piece of history with a personalized 2024 Los Angeles Dodgers World Series Championship Ring during an online auction benefitting the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation’s 2025 programs, initiatives, and fire recovery efforts.
The auction is hosted on Dodgers.com/Auctions and is now open, ending on April 2, 2025.
The Dodgers’ 2024 World Series ring continues the “can you top this?” innovation and creativity among sports teams celebrating a title.
To get an idea of the evolution of rings, adjacent to the Vin Scully Press Box at Dodger Stadium a display of Scully’s various World Series and All-Star Game reveals a similar pattern and style, including the die-stamped versions between the 1950s and 1980s. The Hall of Fame broadcaster, who passed away at age 94 in 2022, received a 2020 championship ring. A photo of Scully shows why he preferred his smaller 1988 World Series ring because it wasn’t as heavy.
Scully’s ring collection wasn’t as extensive early in his career. The Fordham University graduate joined Brooklyn’s broadcasting team in 1950 and was behind the microphone when the Dodgers won the 1955 World Series.
But the Dodgers issued World Series rings to “uniformed personnel,” which meant Scully was out of luck. So was Hall of Fame manager and former Dodger player Tommy Lasorda, who pitched in four games in 1955 (four innings), but wasn’t a member of the World Series roster. During that era, not every player who appeared in a game automatically received a ring.
Scully and Lasorda finally received their 1955 World Series rings in 1995 when Lasorda’s wife Jo met a man at church who knew where to locate the mold used to cast the 1955 rings. Team president Peter O’Malley commissioned two rings for Scully and Lasorda, who spent a combined 138 years with the organization.
Big bling still has a familiar ring was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.