The 1984 Detroit Tigers dominated the American League, going 104-58 under Hall of Fame skipper Sparky Anderson, before sweeping the Royals in the ALCS and taking out the NL Champion San Diego Padres in five games for their fourth World Series title. But the hard-luck franchise has not won another since, so it comes as no surprise that the ’84 squad is especially beloved in Motown. With four All-Stars up the middle – catcher Lance Parish, shortstop Alan Trammell (HOF), “Sweet” Lou Whitaker at 2B and Chet Lemon in center (all but the latter earning Gold Gloves that season) plus Kirk Gibson in right, the Tigers also featured a balanced starting staff led by 19-game winner Jack Morris (HOF).

It was two Latino stars in the bullpen, though, who delivered the key knockout punches all season long. Closer Willie Hernández from Puerto Rico went 9-3 in 80 appearances with a 1.92 ERA, 112 strikeouts and 32 saves to win the AL Cy Young and MVP awards. His set-up man from Mexico, Aurelio López, went 10-1 in 71 appearances with a 2.94 ERA, 94 K’s, and 14 saves, becoming a fan favorite and earning the nickname “Señor Smoke” from the Tiger faithful. Prior to his MLB career and seven-year tenure in Detroit (1979-85), López was a dominant pitcher in the Mexican Leagues (1968-77), known as the “Vulture of Tecamachalco” (Buitre de Tecamachalco), who inspired the likes of Fernando Valenzuela, Vinny Castilla, and other future Mexican stars.

Presented here is the 1984 Detroit Tigers World Series championship ring awarded to the late Aurelio López (his one and only) after that memorable campaign. Made of 14-karat yellow gold, it features a blue stone face designed with a large inlaid diamond surrounded by four smaller diamonds in the shape of an actual baseball diamond. Around the top perimeter is "DETROIT TIGERS WORLD CHAMPIONS" in raised lettering. On the right shank is "LOPEZ" with the Detroit Tigers’ stylized ‘D’ logo. On the left shank is "1984" with the team’s Tiger image logo. "Balfour 14K" is hallmarked inside the band along with a finely etched engraving of “AURELIO A. LOPEZ.” The size 9.75 ring weighs 30 grams and comes in excellent overall condition, the only blemish being a tiny crack on the blue stone with a sad story behind it.

In 1992, just eight years after receiving this ring, Lopéz was killed in a car accident in Mexico the day after his 44th birthday. This ring was on Aurelio’s finger when he was thrown from the vehicle. His wife was also in the car, but luckily, she survived the crash. Now, the ring has been consigned by Señor Smoke's son, who has signed an included letter of provenance.