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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 11:02 a.m., Wednesday, April 8, 2009

MLB: Phillies receive World Series rings

By ROB MAADDI
AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies received their World Series championship bling on Wednesday, a 14-carat white gold ring featuring 103 diamonds.

Led by a motorcycle police escort, the rings arrived in a white van that circled around the warning track. Former general manager Pat Gillick, who retired after last season, was the first to receive his ring during a lengthy pregame ceremony.

An emotional Gillick cried after team president David Montgomery handed him his ring. Manager Charlie Manuel came next, and he was greeted by chants of "Charlie! Charlie" by the sellout crowd.

Former Phillies Pat Burrell, Geoff Jenkins and Adam Eaton took part in the ceremony. Burrell got a rousing ovation before heading off to Boston to play a night game for Tampa Bay. Eaton, who was left off the postseason roster, was booed.

"A World Series championship ring is a most prized possession," Montgomery said. "We wanted to present our players and others in the Phillies organization with a meaningful tribute that appropriately commemorates bringing a world championship to Philadelphia. I believe this ring certainly does that."

The top of the ring is crowned with a ruby inlay around a large "P" that's inset with diamonds. "World Champions" is written along the top and bottom outer rum of the ring. The left side features each person's name and number atop and below the Liberty Bell. The right side depicts the World Series trophy rising out of Citizens Bank Park. The 103 diamonds total 3.84 karats. They represent the 92 regular-season wins and 11 postseason victories. The description was a closely guarded secret throughout the offseason. Even the players had no idea what they we were getting.

"It exceeds any expectation I could've had," 46-year-old pitcher Jamie Moyer said, choking up. "I don't think anybody had any inkling what these looked like."