The Nationals will hold a virtual ceremony to unveil their 2019 World Series rings.
Details for the ceremony include players and coaches on a Zoom call ostensibly discussing the importance of the championship. They will receive their rings in the mail shortly thereafter.
Given the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nationals have been unable to celebrate with their fans or raise their championship banner. A virtual ceremony is a nice gesture by the team for their fan base.
The commemoration will also mark the one-year anniversary of the team’s turnaround from a 19-31 start.
The Nationals won their first-ever World Series last fall, beating the Houston Astros on the road in a decisive Game 7. It is the franchise’s first championship.
“This virtual ring ceremony allows us to gather together remotely to share a moment of joy in these uncertain times,” principal owner Mark Lerner said during the team’s announcement. “We’ll be bringing fans up close and personal with the team in a way that wouldn’t be possible in a typical ring ceremony.”
The league and the players’ union are exchanging proposals for an abbreviated season.
With everyone quarantined due to a global pandemic, there won’t be fans cheering players on in person as they try on their new jewelry for the first time. That part of all this is a tough pill for the team and fans to swallow.
“It’s definitely tough. That’s what you look forward to,” Ryan Zimmerman said on not celebrating Opening Day as champions with the home crowd at Nationals Park. “You win a World Series, you win a championship in whatever sport you play, you enjoy the offseason, but then to share the moment with your fan base and open up the next season as the reigning champs. It’s been tough (to not do that.)”
The virtual ceremony will be broadcast on MASN, MLB Network, the team’s YouTube channel, Facebook page, and website.
