While numerous players are considered one of the best in their respective positions, their legacies are often downplayed by a lack of championship success. Gary Payton , however, was fortunate to solidify his legacy as one of the greatest two-way guards when he finally won a championship with the Miami Heat in his penultimate season. Interestingly, although this was the sole championship he earned as a player, GP leveraged his substantial career earnings to possess two additional championship rings.
Payton on having MLB Championship rings
During his appearance on ‘Cabbie Presents’ podcast, The Glove revealed his penchant for baseball memorabilia, particularly items associated with legendary players from the ‘70s and ‘80s. His collection included game-worn jerseys from notable figures such as Rickey Henderson and Barry Bonds, among others.
However, GP’s fascination extended beyond collecting mere jerseys. He even exclaimed that he spent $50,000 to acquire the championship ring of an old-school MLB legend.
"I got all the rings of some of the guys, " Paton said . "I have three of them. O ne of Pete Rose's … and Wille Mays. Yeah, Willie Mays. I spent almost $50,000 for it."
While the nine-time All-Star did not disclose the identity of the third championship ring, it is reasonable to presume that it may be his own, acquired during the 2005-06 season.
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GP isn’t alone in having such a craze for MLB stuff
Given that GP collected over $100 million in salary during his professional career, his ability to make such substantial purchases may seem unsurprising. However, the fascination with MLB souvenirs extends beyond Payton.
Consider another example wherein former NFL lineman Evan Mathis secured a significant piece of baseball history. As reported in a 2018 New York Post article , Mathis acquired a 1952 Mickey Mantle card at auction for the sum of $2.88 million. Interestingly, this purchase set two notable records - it represented the highest price ever paid at auction for a post-World War II card and, at the time of the sale, stood as the second-highest amount ever paid for any baseball card. So, it does seem that whenever it comes to MLB, athletes don’t mind spending big.
For many, these memorabilia represent more than just historical items; it is more like a tangible connection to the icons they grew up looking up to.
Related: Gary Payton says Seattle was the original Lob City: "I was doing that in the early 90s before even that boy was even in diapers"
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