Call Kurtis: That's My 1949 World Series Ring!

CAMERON PARK (CBS13) – Not too many people can say they personally knew a World Series champion from 1949, and even fewer can say they own a World Series ring. But John Tomasello of Cameron Park can.

Watching old clips of the 1949 World Series brings nostalgia and a smile to John's face because one of the players, Yankee's pitcher Ralph Buxton, was a close friend.

"He was part of that 1949 Yankees team that won the whole thing," said John.

Months before Ralph died in 1988, John says his friend personally gave him his prized 1949 World Series ring.

"He did get teary eyed when he handed it to me," said John.

The ring Ralph always wore on his left hand along with the original leather box. John recounts the conversation he had with Ralph, "He said 'I'm not getting any younger. I have no family, no loved ones. Before I go, before anyone comes in to take control of my house, I want you to have this.'"

"At first I was like no, I can't do that." John said. "He said 'no, I'm not going to have any use for it, where I'm going … So I want somebody I care about to have it, cherish it.'"

"It just meant the world, it was probably the most valuable thing that was ever given to me," said John.

However, nearly three decades later came a surprise: John and his wife Deanna found someone auctioning off what they claimed might be Ralph Buxton's 1949 World Series ring.

The couple was afraid the other ring floating out there claiming to be Ralph's might in some way affect the value or their ring.

"I freaked out, shocked," said John. "I immediately went to the safe to make sure I had the ring."

After John confirmed that the ring was still in the safe, both Deanna and John were relieved.

"We were like, thank God the ring is there," said Deanna.

Posted on the auction site was a letter from 1998, stating the ring is "100% authentic."

"It is unclear as to whom the ring was originally awarded to," but goes on to say, "We found only one player that might fit these facts – Ralph Buxton."

"I could understand if it's a player that could possibly fit these facts. When he says 'it's the only player,' it kind of makes it seem like it could be nobody but Ralph," said John.

The rings look similar but John's ring has Ralph's name inscribed inside. "This one has no inscription," he said.

Deanna got on the phone with the auction company.

"Even though you have the word might, it still seems as you're trying to say it's Ralph's ring, and we know it's not because we have Ralph's ring," said Deanna.

Deanna said the conversation with the man at the auction house turned and they ended up questioning her.

"He said, 'how do I know you're telling the truth?'" said Deanna.

After her call, the ring sold at auction for $10,710 dollars.

"I assume the person who bought it thinks it's Ralph Buxton's ring," said Deanna.

We brought the case to sports memorabilia expert TJ Kaye.

"It's just an awesome ring to have especially with the original presentation box," said TJ.

Authenticating sports trophies and rings for three decades, TJ knows how to spot a fake. Although TJ cannot speak to the ring sold at auction, he believes John's ring is authentic – and possibly worth up to $25,000.

TJ does not understand why the authentication letter would say the one sold at auction might be Ralph Buxton's ring. "I would not have written that," he said.

We reached out to the person named on that authentication letter – Joshua Leland Evans, a well-known sports memorabilia expert. His spokesperson told us he did not want to comment and does not recall authenticating the ring back in 1998.

John feared that his ring has lost value since the auction.

"I'd like the owner to know it's not Ralph's ring," he said.

We reached out to the seller Goldin Auctions, which insisted the ring they sold is authentic –although they admit the company did not have it independently authenticated before putting it up for auction.

We asked if they would tell the buyer it's not Ralph Buxton's ring and were told, "we can accurately state the winning bidder will not be offering the ring for sale at any point in the future as a Ralph Buxton World Series ring."

It's a relief to John, who felt someone was trying to de-value his treasure – a treasure he plans to protect. A precious piece of history, John has only one plan for Ralph's ring, "pass it down to my kids."

Expert TJ does not think the ring sold at auction will lower the value of John's ring, but could lower the value of the ring sold at auction. TJ added that World Series rings created during that time typically had names inscribed inside. In addition, the one that sold at auction could be real, too, but may no longer include an inscription if it was resized or modified in some way.