US News

SPINNING STRAW INTO GOLD

The 1998 season was filled with emotion for Yankees slugger Darryl Strawberry – but now the trouble-plagued former outfielder’s ring from the Bombers’ World Series win that year has been auctioned off.

Strawberry’s championship ring sold for $55,000 to an anonymous buyer at Sotheby’s yesterday, exceeding pre-auction estimates that it would go for between $20,000 and $30,000.

The 14-karat gold, diamond-studded ring had the Strawman’s name on one side and the team’s record of 125-50 on the other, along with the words “Best Ever.”

The team had dedicated their 1998 series win over the San Diego Padres to Strawberry because he was diagnosed with cancer a few weeks before the World Series began and was unable to play.

The auction house would not say if Strawberry put the ring up for sale, or if he had already sold it to someone else who auctioned it off. Strawberry could not be reached for comment.

He had previously sold his 1986 Mets World Series ring for $10,000, but later bought it back, according to published reports.

The rookie home uniform worn by Yank great Joe DiMaggio also sold yesterday, for $190,000. It bears the number 9, instead of 5, which he later wore and was retired by the Bombers.

samuel.goldsmith@nypost.com