Cubs championship rings include image of infamous billy goat

The Chicago Cubs championship celebration continued before Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. After a rain-soaked but memorable banner-raising ceremony on Monday, the Cubs were ready to show off their bling in the form of World Series championship rings. And the rings had one notable symbol of the team’s 108-year journey to another World Series title.

The ring ceremony represented the first-ever in Cubs franchise history. The Cubs had done a great job keeping the look of the rings under wraps, limiting our initial looks to mere teases. But they were definitely worth the wait.

World Champions.

Has a nice ring to it. pic.twitter.com/zH3wuh8qgy
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 12, 2017

Each ring includes 108 diamonds, which signify the 108-year drought between Cubs championships. But that wasn’t the only acknowledgement of the team’s less than memorable history. The rings also included an image of William Sianis’ infamous billy goat, which some have long argued cursed them during the 1945 World Series.

The Cubs ring includes 108 diamonds but, most interestingly, an image of the infamous goat representing the supposed curse on inner band.

— David Haugh (@DavidHaugh) April 12, 2017

Other remarkable details were included in the team’s press release:

The Chicago Cubs World Series Championship Ring, designed and produced by Jostens, is made from 14-karat white gold. Its top features the traditional Cubs bullseye logo, masterfully crafted from 33 custom-cut genuine red rubies that are surrounded by 72 round white diamonds, all within a circular perimeter made up of 46 custom-cut, genuine blue sapphires. The bezel is surrounded by 108 round white diamonds lifting the Cubs logo to victory and signifying the end of a historic 108-year championship drought. Overall, the ring contains 214 diamonds at 5.5 karats, 3 karats of genuine red rubies and 2.5 karats of genuine sapphires.

One side features the player’s name set atop the iconic W Flag, which is created from 31 round white diamonds and a fire blue corundum understone that forms the “W.” Silhouette images of Wrigley Field’s bricks and ivy surround the flag and the player’s number, which sits below the flag.

The other side features the year 2016 above the iconic Wrigley Field façade and Marquee, displaying the message “CUBS WIN!” A silhouette of the World Series Trophy sits below the Marquee with a large round white diamond set in the center, signifying the 2016 World Series victory. Two princess-cut diamonds flank the trophy, representing the team’s two previous World Series titles. Wrigley Field’s bricks complete the background.

The final design was a collaborative effort. President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein, Chairman Tom Ricketts, and star players such as Anthony Rizzo and Jon Lester were said to have input on the ring, with Josten’s putting together the final product.

There were several memorable moments during the ceremony, which included commissioner Rob Manfred presenting owner Tom Ricketts with his ring. As the Cubs promised, fans were selected to take part in the ceremony as well, helping to hand out rings. David Ross was on hand too after missing the banner-raising ceremony to continue his journey on “Dancing With The Stars.” In typical David Ross fashion, he found a way to stand out.

For an event that was 108 years in the making, the Cubs pulled out all the stops to make it a ceremony that lived up to the considerable hype. But it’s all about that bling, which will forever be the symbol of the hope that always existed, and the mission that was accomplished.