After posting the best record in all of minor league baseball in 2008, it was obvious that the Augusta GreenJackets knew how to win.
They also know how to celebrate.
The GreenJackets, winners of the South Atlantic League Championship, will receive the largest championship rings in minor league baseball history, according to Jostens representative Jim Dougher.
"I've been doing these rings for 24 years, and it is indeed the most ostentatious minor league ring I've ever seen," Dougher said. "It's an absolutely gorgeous ring."
GreenJackets manager Andy Skeels designed the ring. Dougher said the original design was based off the 2005 World Series ring worn by the Chicago White Sox but changed into a unique design.
The top of the ring boasts a GreenJackets logo spelled out in mostly 1 and 1.5 carat diamonds or cubic zirconia. Another 64 stones, each 2.5 carats, circle the outer edge of the ring.
One side of the ring displays the team's minor league-best 93-50 record. The other side features the individual player's name and position along with the San Francisco Giants logo.
GreenJackets general manager Nick Brown said the Giants were instrumental in the creation of the ring design in two ways. First, the Giants supplied Augusta with many of its top minor league prospects including pitching ace Madison Bumgarner and teenage sluggers Angel Villalona and Nick Noonan to make the season a success.
The Giants also helped out with the cost of the rings. Dougher said a 10-carat gold ring designed entirely with cubic zirconia would put the value of a single ring around $800.
"If you turn the cubic zirconia into genuine diamonds, I'm just guessing here, but I think it would go over a couple thousand dollars," Dougher said.
Traditionally, the GreenJackets would be responsible for the entire cost.
"We're lucky in the sense that the Giants are covering half the cost," Brown said. "I was very impressed when I first saw it. I knew it would be elaborate, but they earned it. This was a special team."
Dougher said the rings could be ready for the players and staff within the next six weeks.
Reach Billy Byler at (706) 823-3216 or billy.byler@augustachronicle.com.
WHAT A GEM
The Augusta GreenJackets' reward for winning the South Atlantic League title is the largest championship ring in minor league baseball history. The players and staff are expected to receive the rings, designed by manager Andy Skeels, within six weeks.
- 10-carat gold
- GreenJackets logo spelled out in 1 and 1.5 carat diamonds or cubic zirconia
- 64 stones circle the outer edge of the ring
- One side displays player's name and position along with the San Francisco Giants logo. The other side sports the team's minor league-best 93-50 record
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Can we talk Cal Ripken into buying the Lynx? Congrats to the GreenJackets!
Wish he would. But hockey can't work in Augusta. Let them fold i say.
The only professional sports team in Augusta. They deserve the rings! Go Jackets!
I enjoy watching the Greenjackets more than any other professional sports event in town.
Ripken has nothing to do with how the team performs. Its the Giants that send the players.
Hey Geek, nobody said Cal had anything to do with them winning.