"In your face!"
Which may just be where some of these guys do keep them.
The Yankees are playing their home opener as I type this. Prior to the game, the 2009 World Champions received their booty in the form of Series rings.
In his article in today’s New York Times, Harvey Araton writes about Andy Pettitte, for whom this is becoming old hat.
He will feel the joy of achievement that comes with ceremonial ritual. He will take a moment to admire the jewelry. Then the ring will go back in the box on its way to enshrinement at his family home in Houston.
“A few years ago, I built a little display case in my den for the rings,” Pettitte said. “I’ve never actually worn them.”
He says that now, but I wonder if he’ll change his mind in another 20 years. I’ve run across retired players who have been fortunate enough to be on Series-winning teams and they proudly wear theirs. I’m not about to get into the psychology behind trophies, rings, and other commemoratives and ego, the need to hold onto to remnants of youth. I’m sure there are others who have written on this topic. (By the way, my softball team won the division title last year; where are our rings/jackets/trophies?)
By the way, George Steinbrenner, who has been in declining health over the last couple of years, received a ring as well.
Speaking of rings and books, one of the best pieces of baseball fiction is Eric Rolfe Greenberg’s The Celebrant in which one of the main characters is a Jewish master jeweler whose pride and joy is creating championship rings for the new York Giants of Christy Mathewson.
is available on Amazon.com,
Comments on this entry are closed.