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In 2017, the Houston Astros won the World Series over the Los Angeles Dodgers. That’s what the record books say and despite calls for MLB commissioner Rob Manfred to vacate the franchise’s only World Series win in the wake of the cheating scandal, it’s almost assuredly going to stay that way.
A handful of players from the 2017 Houston Astros’ championship winning team have gone on record, expressing remorse and even offering to return the rings they received for winning the title (none that are on the current roster though), but no one has actually physically parted with their ring.
Former Astros pitcher Collin McHugh said about the sign-stealing scandal, “I think a lot of the guys on that team, including myself, are looking back now and wishing we had been as brave in the moment as we thought we were beforehand.”
Ken Giles, another pitcher who was on the 2017 Astros roster said he would return his ring if asked. “Whatever they ask, I would oblige. Because what was going on at the time was not okay,” he expressed.
Whistlebower Mike Fiers also made a similar statement.
However, no one associated with the Astros has actually gotten rid of their World Series ring. Until now.
https://twitter.com/Starting9/status/1249708471278329862
Former Astros area scout David Brito, owner of one of the 1,332 rings the organization gave out to players, coaches, and staff, has put his 2017 World Seris ring up for sale on Goldin Auctions.
Of note, during the investigation into the Astros’ cheating, an email was leaked in which an Astros’ executive asked scouts for help with stealing signs, using cameras in 2017.
Below is the listing…
Jose Altuve (.346 batting average, 112 runs scored, 32 stolen bases) led a very balanced attack as the Houston Astros posted a record of 101-61 in 2017, winning the AL West. George Springer hit 34 home runs, while Marwin Gonzalez batted .303 with a team-high 90 runs batted in, one of six Astros players to record at least 75 RBIs. Dallas Keuchel led the pitching staff, going 14-5 with a 2.90 earned run average, while closer Ken Giles saved 34 games to go along with a 2.30 ERA. In the postseason, the Astros got by the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees before defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers, in seven games, to win the World Series.
Presented here is a Jostens 10K gold 2017 Houston Astros World Series ring, featuring an intricately-designed face which displays a team logo: the “H” created from diamonds, the star outlined in yellow gold set with custom-cut orange sapphires, and surrounded by blue sapphires. Additional diamonds surround the logo and adorn the top. One side of the ring is centered by the Commissioner’s Trophy, in yellow gold, set with one diamond in the center. The trophy is rising from an image of Minute Maid Park. “HOUSTON STRONG” appears at the very top, just above the year 2017, which is set with diamonds. The Roman numeral LVI appears to the right. A Houston city skyline highlights the other side, under the name “BRITO”. A stadium façade and outline of the state of Texas appear below. “EARNED HISTORY” appears on the back of the band. Houston’s postseason opponents and series results are marked inside the band, along with “JOSTENS©10K”. This ring is an approximate size 12 and weighs approximately 73.7 grams. Included is the original presentation box which reads “HOUSTON ASTROS 2017 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS” and also displays both team and Houston Strong logos.
Isn’t it illegal to sell stolen property?
— Keith Attlesey (@AttleseyStorm) April 13, 2020
So far there have been three bids with the current high bid for the ring sitting at $7,000 and bidding will be open through May 16th.