1903 Boston Pilgrims (Red Sox) First World Series Championship Medallion

In an effort to end a bitter two year rivalry and promote unity in baseball, the veteran National League and newly established American League decided to bury the hatchet and come together for a new kind of season finale. Nine years earlier, the two top teams in the National League competed in an experimental post-season championship in which Boston beat Pittsburgh five games to three. In 1903, both teams (now in separate leagues) found themselves competing against one another in the first official "World Series". Echoing the 1894 proposal of owner William C. Temple, Pittsburgh's Barney Dreyfuss and Boston's Henry Killilea agreed that their ballclubs, who were both pennant winners, should meet in a best-of-nine playoff series for the "World Championship." The spectacle would represent the first step towards a mutual reconciliation for years of open hostilities and blatant player raids. The Pirates, who had just won their third consecutive pennant, were the perfect representatives for the veteran Nationals. Their rivals, the Boston team (known alternately as the Americans or the Pilgrims), had won their flag by 14½ games and represented the fledgling Americans who were still trying to establish themselves as a worthy competitor. The Series began October 1 at Boston's Huntington Avenue Base Ball Grounds. Because the Bucs had Honus Wagner, few gave the champs of the upstart league a chance, but Boston had Cy Young, and after losing game one, Young went on to win 2 games while Bill Dineen won 3. Led by the heroic efforts of these two pitching aces Boston toppled Pittsburgh in 8 games (5 games to 3 in a best-of-9). In reward of their championship effort the Boston players each received a winner’s share of $1,182 per player. In addition each player was presented with special medals, courtesy of the Boston Globe.



This solid gold medal was awarded to Boston outfielder John F. "Buck" Freeman, the team's best slugger (having racked up an AL-best 13 home runs and 104 RBIs that season). It survives as one of only two known examples (the other awarded to Fred Parent resides in Cooperstown). The equivalent to the first World Series ring, the crest-style medal is 1 1/4" at its widest top corners and 1 1/4" tall from its pointed bottom to the globe that sits atop the piece. Its front is engraved "Boston American League Team" and "Worlds Champions, 1903" above and below a period catcher's mask in relief, and crossed bats flanked by a "B" on the left and an "A" on the right. Engraved on the back is, "Presented to J.F. Freeman, R.F., Boston American League Team, By the Boston Globe, 1903," surrounded by laurel leaves. The medal comes with a period satin lined case, the top of which has separated from the bottom. It’s condition is remarkable, with only the slightest evidence of wear warranting an approximate grade of near mint.