The Cubs last night received their World Series rings in a "pitch-perfect pregame ceremony" prior to their game against the Dodgers, according to David Haugh of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Cubs announcer Len Kasper emceed, and the team "produced another memory, incorporating 20 giddy fans in Cubs jerseys with gold numbers to distribute the rings to even giddier players" in front of a crowd of 40,844. Cubs President of Business Operations Theo Epstein "got a rock-star welcome." However, the "loudest roar" came for former C David Ross. Cubs P Jon Lester, who won two World Series with the Red Sox, said, "This blows the other two out of the water." The rings given to players feature the "Cubs bull's-eye with 33 red rubies surrounded by 72 white diamonds, all within a perimeter of 46 blue sapphires." Exactly 108 "white diamonds -- no coincidence -- line the logo." The Game 7 victory's date and time -- November 3, 2016, 12:47am -- also were "etched on the inside" along with the Cubs' mantra "WE NEVER QUIT" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 4/13). In Chicago, Mark Gonzales notes MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred was "in attendance" for the ceremony. The Cubs will "distribute 1,908 rings and pins to players, coaches, ownership, executives, front office and ballpark employees, partners" and HOF alumni. Baseball HOFers set to posthumously receive rings include Ernie Banks and Ron Santo, which will be "saved in the Wrigley Field archives." The 1,908 figure "symbolizes 1908 -- the last season the Cubs won a World Series." The ring "contains 214 diamonds total at 5.5 karats, 3 karats of red rubies and 2.5 karats of blue sapphires." Other details include the players' "names, numbers and 'W' flag on one side and a silhouette of the Wrigley marquee with the words 'Cubs Win' on the other side" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 4/13). ESPN's Mike Greenberg said there was "a lot to like" about the ceremony ("Mike & Mike," ESPN Radio, 4/13).
: The TRIBUNE's Gonzales notes the ceremony had "plenty of pizzazz and history." The Ricketts family, led by Cubs Chair Tom Ricketts, "led the presentation." The rings were "designed and produced by Jostens" (
CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 4/13). Cubs LF Kyle Schwarber said, "It's unbelievable. It exceeded expectations." Cubs P John Lackey said, "I've been fortunate to have a couple more, but this is the next level for sure" (
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 4/13). In L.A., Andy McCullough notes the Cubs "unveiled their spoils with joy." The crowd "cooed at the 108 diamonds glinting in each ring" (
L.A. TIMES, 4/13). In Chicago, Bruce Miles notes select contest-winning fans "presented the rings to the players" (
Chicago DAILY HERALD, 4/13). ESPN.com's Jesse Rogers notes one thing that "stood out was simply the size of the ring; those 214 diamonds need to reside somewhere" (
ESPN.com, 4/13). In Chicago, Paul Sullivan notes the ring ceremony was "nice, and the ring was nicer." Sullivan: "A personal favorite touch was putting an image of a billy goat on the inner band of the ring" (
CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 4/13).
