Shohei Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw on Friday joined their Los Angeles Dodgers teammates in sticking their fists out to show off their glittering World Series rings at a ceremony.
“There’s just a lot of excitement, probably more than I can ever recall with the Dodger fan base and our players,” manager Dave Roberts said before Los Angeles rallied to beat the Detroit Tigers 8-5 in 10 innings.
“What a way to cap off the first two days of celebrations,” Roberts said afterward. “By far the best opening week I’ve ever experienced. I just couldn’t have scripted it any better.”
Photo: AFP
A choir in the left field pavilion sang We are the Champions to open the ceremony, which was hosted by actor Anthony Anderson.
“Nobody was like us last year and I have a feeling that nobody will be like us this year,” said Anderson, a Dodgers fan.
Ohtani, World Series Most Valuable Player Freddie Freeman and Roberts received some of the loudest cheers walking a blue carpet to a circular stage between home plate and the mound.
Photo: AP
Ohtani waved to the fans. They chanted “Freddie, Freddie” when it was Freeman’s turn.
They were greeted with hugs from owner Mark Walter, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, president and CEO Stan Kasten and general manager Brandon Gomes, who presented the coaching staff and players with blue boxes.
An injured Kershaw did not pitch in the post-season last year, which culminated in the Dodgers’ five-game victory over the rival New York Yankees in the MLB World Series.
Photo: AP
Ohtani’s Japanese countryman, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and catcher Austin Barnes were busy warming up in the bullpen and had a clubhouse manager accept their rings.
The Dodgers unveiled their World Series championship flag in center field and a championship emblem on the right field suite level before a 5-4 win over the Tigers in Thursday’s home opener.
“This is the final piece,” Roberts said. “Just to kind of have the fans here to kind of enjoy this with us and close the book on 2024.”
The hand-crafted rings by Jostens contain 14-karat yellow gold, diamonds and sapphires.
Inside the box’s lid, a video plays highlights of the World Series.
Using a specialized hinge mechanism, the top of the ring opens to reveal Dodger Stadium displayed in detail and features the Commissioner’s Trophy with one diamond to mark the victory. Eight diamonds represent each of the team’s World Series titles and the years 1883 and 2024 mark the franchise’s 142 seasons.
The left side of the ring top interior includes a piece from the bases used in the World Series. Encircling the base are 34 sapphires honoring Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, who died days before the World Series began.
In a personal touch, players’ signatures are on the interior palm of the ring.
“The ring is incredible,” third baseman Max Muncy said.
Former Dodger Jack Flaherty started for the Tigers on Friday, so he was to receive his ring today.
“We can go beat him up today and give him the ring tomorrow,” Roberts joked.
Elsewhere on Friday, it was:
‧ Astros 1, Mets 3
‧ Blue Jays 8, Orioles 2
‧ Diamondbacks 8, Cubs 1
‧ Mariners 0, Athletics 7
‧ Marlins 3, Pirates 4
‧ Padres 4, Braves 3
‧ Rangers 4, Red Sox 1
‧ Rays 3, Rockies 2
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