Commissioner's Trophy (MLB)
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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] Before then the World Series champion did not receive an official trophy.[8]
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.[9] 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.[8] 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.[10] The New York Yankees have won the most Commissioner's Trophies, winning seven World Series wins since 1967.[11] The St. Louis Cardinals have won four trophies, a National League record.[11]
Design
The current trophy was redesigned by Tiffany & Co. in 1999 and first presented in the 2000 World Series. The original trophy was designed by Lawrence Voegele, of Owatonna, Minnesota.[9] 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)[12] and is made of sterling silver. The trophy features 30 gold-plated flags, one for each of the Major League teams. The flags rise above a silver baseball which is covered with latitude and longitude lines, symbolizing the world.[9] The baseball also contains 24-karat vermeil stitching.[1] The base contains an inscription copy of the signature of the commissioner,[1] as well as the words "Presented by the Commissioner of Baseball".[12] The new design was presented at the conclusion of the 2000 World Series, won by the New York Yankees.[11]
Trophy designs
- The trophy from the 1983 World Series; this side-angle view shows the inscriptions on the team flags.
- Note the pins in the base below the baseball signifying the two participating teams on the 1984 World Series Trophy.
- The current design of the Commissioner's Trophy, won by the Boston Red Sox in the 2007 World Series
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 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.
- ↑ "Tiffany & Co. Sports Trophies". Tiffany & Co. September 30, 2015. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- ↑ Terwilliger, Wayne; Peterson, Nancy and Boehm, Peter (2006). Terwilliger Bunts One. Globe Pequot. p. 233. ISBN 0-7627-4310-7.
- ↑ Shea, Kevin (August 22, 2004). "Stanley Cup Journal". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "December 2004: Picture This". National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved October 17, 2008.
- ↑ Rhodes, Greg; Castellini, Robert (2007). Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame Highlights. Clerisy Press. p. 81. ISBN 1-57860-300-5. Retrieved May 18, 2009.
- 1 2 "5 Things You Didn't Know About The World Series Trophy". WBZ-TV. October 31, 2013. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
- 1 2 3 Scheiber, Dave (October 22, 2008). "Rays shots". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved May 18, 2009.
- ↑ Zirin, David (August 18, 2004). "The MLB Strike - 25 Years in the Making". Buzzle editorials. Retrieved May 2, 2008.
- 1 2 3 "Playoff and World Series Stats and Results". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 19, 2009.
- 1 2 "World Series trophy profile". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. December 5, 2008. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
External links
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