Who wins World Series rings? Here are some curious facts
The Blue Jays and Dodgers are about to start the World Series and here we give you key data and curiosities about the coveted jewel
Every October, MLB fans wait for their favorite teams to excel in the playoffs and reach the World Series. In 2025, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays arrive on MLB’s biggest stage. Like many other sports leagues, winning the season’s biggest prize comes with a special souvenir: a ring. For more than 100 years, World Series rings have helped winning teams commemorate this milestone in a distinctive way. How has this iconic piece of jewelry evolved over time?
Here we show you the key facts and curiosities about the World Series rings.
When did MLB start giving away World Series rings?
The New York Giants received their first rings in 1922, after defeating the New York Yankees in the World Series. Far from the increasingly flashy designs of recent years, the first World Series ring was a simple gold band engraved with the legend “Giants World Champions 1922”, baseball bats and a scroll with a small diamond in the center.
Before 1922, World Series winning teams received other commemorative items such as medals, pins, and watches from their owners. Throughout the 1920s, the tradition of the World Series ring gained momentum throughout the league. With the victory of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1931, World Series rings became the tradition for all teams thereafter.
Who receives World Series rings?
Best practices around World Series rings vary by team. The owners have the final say on who receives the rings. With rare exceptions, active players and coaches have their rings guaranteed. Former players who participated most of the season but were traded or relocated can also receive rings, in addition to injured players. Head office staff and executives typically receive rings. Support staff, such as trainers and field keepers, may also take rings home, at the owner’s discretion.
Does everyone get the same World Series ring?
Teams can choose to make different versions of rings to distribute among members of the organization according to their preferences.
Rings A: Larger and more expensive; generally reserved for active players, managers, coaches and executives.
Rings B and C: Smaller and more discreet; They can be given to other employees associated with the winning team.
Who designs World Series rings?
Many jewelry companies have contributed their talents to the World Series ring tradition, including:
– Jason of Beverly Hills
– jostens
– Tiffany & Co.
– Balfour
– Dieges & Clust
The jewelry company collaborates with the winning team to incorporate special details that represent their season and the franchise as a whole. Some significant examples of selected rings include:
1979: The Pittsburgh Pirates incorporated their team motto, “We Are Family,” into their ring, a reference to Sister Sledge’s club theme song.
2011: The St. Louis Cardinals incorporated their unofficial mascot, the squirrel, into their ring design.
2014: The San Francisco Giants included three special diamonds in their rings to represent their three titles in five years.
2016: The Chicago Cubs added 108 diamonds to their rings to represent the end of their 108-year World Series drought.
2017: The Houston Astros included a removable ring cover that revealed the team’s motto: “History Won.”
2018: The Boston Red Sox engraved “Damage Done” on the inside of their rings to pay tribute to the team’s season-long rallying cry.
2019: The Washington Nationals included an engraved shark holding the Commissioner’s Trophy in their rings, celebrating the song “Baby Shark” by Gerardo Parra (which became the team’s postseason anthem).
2021: The Atlanta Braves added a ring lid that opened to display a miniature version of their stadium, Truist Park, with 11 rubies embedded in the stadium seats to represent the exact spots where the Braves’ 11 home runs in the World Series landed.
2023: The Texas Rangers ring included an alternate top with 49 rubies (representing 49 players on their roster) and 11 stones in the logo (representing their 11 postseason road wins).
2024: The Los Angeles Dodgers ring included 34 sapphires in honor of legendary Mexican Dodger pitcher Fernando Valenzuela (who wore number 34 in his career).
Who finances the World Series rings?
Each year, Major League Baseball contributes $1,500 per ring for each player, manager, coach and general manager of the winning team. If clubs decide to award rings to additional staff members, they must dip into their own budgets to cover the costs.
Which MLB players have the most World Series rings?
During his legendary time with the New York Yankees, Yogi Berra He took home 10 World Series rings, more honors than any other player in MLB history.
Discover other notable World Series winners below:
Players with the most World Series titles (of all time)
*On the official World Series rosters
10: Yogi Berra
9: Joe DiMaggio
8: Bill Dickey
7: Frankie Crosetti, Lou Gehrig, Hank Bauer, Mickey Mantle, Phil Rizzuto, Babe Ruth
Active players with multiple World Series titles
*On official World Series rosters
3: Mookie Betts
2: Walker Buehler, Max Muncy, Brusdar Graterol, Yuli Gurriel, Will Smith, Charlie Morton, Jorge Soler, Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Ryan Brasier, Freddie Freeman, Aroldis Chapman, Kiké Hernandez, Christian Vázquez, Joc Pederson, José Altuve, Blake Treinen, Nathan Eovaldi, Xander Bogaerts, Corey Seager, Lance McCullers Jr., Austin Barnes, Chris Taylor, Alex Bregman
