Shohei Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw joined their Los Angeles Dodgers teammates in showcasing their sparkling World Series rings during a ceremony on Friday night.
Manager Dave Roberts shared his excitement, saying, “There’s just so much energy—probably more than I’ve ever seen from the Dodger fan base and our players.” Following the celebration, the Dodgers made a thrilling comeback to defeat the Detroit Tigers 8-5 in 10 innings.
Reflecting on the special event, Roberts added, “What an incredible way to wrap up the first two days of celebrations. This has been the best opening week I’ve ever had—I couldn’t have asked for a better script.”
The ceremony kicked off with a choir in the left-field pavilion performing “We Are the Champions,” with actor Anthony Anderson serving as the host.
Anderson, a passionate Dodgers fan, remarked, “Nobody was like us last year, and I have a feeling nobody will be like us this year.”
Ohtani, World Series MVP Freddie Freeman, and Roberts received some of the loudest cheers as they walked down a blue carpet to a circular stage set between home plate and the mound.
Ohtani waved to the crowd, while fans erupted in chants of “Freddie! Freddie!” when it was Freeman’s turn to be recognized.
Both were warmly welcomed with hugs from owner Mark Walter, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, president and CEO Stan Kasten, and general manager Brandon Gomes. They presented blue boxes to the coaching staff and players as part of the celebration.
Injured last year, Kershaw didn’t pitch during the postseason, which ended with the Dodgers’ five-game triumph over the New York Yankees in the World Series. Ohtani’s fellow Japanese star, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, along with catcher Austin Barnes, were busy warming up in the bullpen and had a clubhouse manager accept their championship rings on their behalf.
During Thursday’s home opener, the Dodgers proudly raised their World Series championship flag in center field and displayed a championship emblem on the right-field suite level before securing a 5-4 victory over the Tigers.
“This is the final piece,” Roberts said. “It’s special to have the fans here sharing this moment with us and officially closing the book on 2024.”
Roberts hadn’t seen the championship ring before the ceremony. “It’s a symbol for me,” he said, noting that while he doesn’t wear rings, he does wear a wedding band.
He keeps his World Series rings from 2004 (as a player with Boston) and 2020 (as manager with the Dodgers) safely stored in a home safe.
Mookie Betts received his third championship ring, adding to his 2018 title with Boston and his two titles with LA. “This is my favorite one so far,” he said. “Hopefully, I can get more, and then we’ll have some fun comparing them.”
The custom-made rings feature 14-karat yellow gold, diamonds, and genuine sapphires.
Inside the lid of the ring box, a video plays highlights from the World Series. A specialized hinge mechanism allows the top of the ring to open, revealing a detailed depiction of Dodger Stadium, along with the Commissioner’s Trophy, featuring a single diamond to mark the victory. Eight diamonds represent the team’s World Series titles, while the years 1883 and 2024 honor the franchise’s 142 seasons.
The left side of the ring’s interior includes a piece from the bases used in the World Series, surrounded by 34 sapphires in tribute to Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, who passed away just days before the World Series began.
Adding a personal touch, each player’s signature is etched on the inside palm of their championship ring.
“The ring is incredible,” said third baseman Max Muncy.
Former Dodger Jack Flaherty, who started for the Tigers on Friday night, will receive his ring on Saturday.
Roberts joked, “We can go beat him up today and give him the ring tomorrow.”
Flaherty, a native of Burbank, California, started Game 1 of both the National League Championship Series and the World Series, with both games held at Dodger Stadium where he grew up watching games as a kid. He joined the Dodgers at last year’s trade deadline, providing much-needed stability to a starting rotation hit hard by injuries.
“He was the right person at the right time for our club,” Roberts said. “He delivered.”
Utilityman Kiké Hernández, who had been feeling under the weather and missed the home opener the day before, made a special effort to attend the ceremony.
“He’s feeling much better,” Roberts said.
The team gathered behind the mound, waiting for everyone to walk across the stage before posing for photos, smiling and showing off the shiny rings on their fingers. A brass band kicked off a lively rendition of “They Not Like Us.”
“I hope it fits,” Roberts said with a laugh. “If it ends up on my pinkie, we’re going to have a problem.”
