Ring ceremony culmination of Royals' crown
KANSAS CITY -- This was the ceremony the Royals truly couldn't wait for -- the handing out of their 2015 World Series championship rings.
The ceremony started about 40 minutes prior to Tuesday afternoon's series finale against the Mets, a 2-0 Kansas City loss, and one by one, from owner David Glass to general manager Dayton Moore to manager Ned Yost and the players, all received their rings to tremendous ovations.
"Mission accomplished," Glass told the crowd. "I told Dayton and Ned and the players that I had so much fun, we should do it all again this year."
Every player who was on the 25-man roster for at least one day in 2015 received a ring.
That list included several players who are no longer Royals but were invited to the ceremony.
Free agents Greg Holland, Jason Frasor and Alex Rios were invited. All three attended.
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Right-hander Jeremy Guthrie was also invited but recently signed a Minor League deal with the Padres.
"It's kind of awkward," Holland said before the ceremony, "but I'm ready to see the ring."
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Even left-hander Brian Flynn received a ring -- in a technical move, he was put on the 25-man roster briefly before being placed on the 60-day disabled list early last season.
The loudest cheers seemed to be saved for Glass, Moore, Yost, reliever Wade Davis, catcher Salvador Perez, starter Edinson Volquez, Holland and, of course, outfielder Alex Gordon, the face of the franchise.
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Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred was also in attendance and issued Glass his ring.
"I'm excited and pleased to be in Kansas City to present the rings," Manfred said.