Major League Baseball (MLB) has been around since 1876 and is the oldest professional sport in the United States. Over the years, teams have won championships, and individual players have earned rings to commemorate their success. The team with the most MLB rings is the New York Yankees, who have won 27 championships since 1923. But who has the most MLB rings among individual players?
Most MLB Rings by Player
The player with the most MLB rings is Yogi Berra, who was a catcher for the New York Yankees from 1946-1963. Berra’s Yankees won 10 World Series titles during his 18-year career, earning him 10 championship rings. Berra is followed by Whitey Ford, another Yankee, who won six championships with the team. Ford’s six rings make him the second-most decorated player in MLB history.
Players with 5 or More Rings
In addition to Berra and Ford, there are several other players who have earned at least five championship rings. These include:
- Joe DiMaggio: DiMaggio was the Yankees center fielder from 1936-1951, and won five championships with the team.
- Phil Rizzuto: Rizzuto was a shortstop for the Yankees from 1941-1956, and also won five championships with the team.
- Mickey Mantle: Mantle was a center fielder for the Yankees from 1951-1968, and earned five championship rings with the team.
- Frank Crosetti: Crosetti was the Yankees shortstop from 1932-1948, and earned five championship rings with the team.
- Reggie Jackson: Jackson was an outfielder for the Oakland A’s and New York Yankees, and earned five championship rings with the two teams.
- Billy Martin: Martin was a second baseman for the Yankees from 1950-1957, and earned five championship rings with the team.
Most Rings Among Active Players
Among active players, the most decorated is veteran pitcher CC Sabathia, who has earned five championship rings. Sabathia won his first ring in 2009 with the New York Yankees, and his second in 2011. He then moved to the Milwaukee Brewers in 2014, winning a ring with them in 2018. He returned to the Yankees in 2019, earning two more rings with the team.
Players with 4 or More Rings
In addition to Sabathia, there are several other players who have earned at least four championship rings. These include:
- Jorge Posada: Posada was a catcher for the Yankees from 1995-2011, and won four championships with the team.
- Derek Jeter: Jeter was a shortstop for the Yankees from 1995-2014, and also won four championships with the team.
- Mariano Rivera: Rivera was a relief pitcher for the Yankees from 1995-2013, and earned four championship rings with the team.
- Alex Rodriguez: Rodriguez was a shortstop for the Yankees from 2004-2016, and earned four championship rings with the team.
- David Ortiz: Ortiz was a designated hitter for the Boston Red Sox from 2003-2016, and earned four championship rings with the team.
- Manny Ramirez: Ramirez was an outfielder for the Red Sox from 2001-2008, and earned four championship rings with the team.
Players with 3 or More Rings
In addition to the players listed above, there are several others who have earned at least three championship rings. These include:
- Dustin Pedroia: Pedroia was a second baseman for the Red Sox from 2006-2019, and won three championships with the team.
- Johnny Damon: Damon was an outfielder for the Red Sox from 2002-2005 and for the Yankees from 2006-2009, and earned three championship rings with the two teams.
- Andy Pettitte: Pettitte was a pitcher for the Yankees from 1995-2003 and from 2007-2013, and earned three championship rings with the team.
- Robinson Cano: Cano was a second baseman for the Yankees from 2005-2013, and earned three championship rings with the team.
- Hideki Matsui: Matsui was an outfielder for the Yankees from 2003-2009, and earned three championship rings with the team.
- Bobby Abreu: Abreu was an outfielder for the Yankees from 2006-2008, and earned three championship rings with the team.
Players With 2 or More Rings
In addition to the players listed above, there are several others who have earned at least two championship rings. These include:
- Mariano Duncan: Duncan was a second baseman for the Yankees from 1996-1999, and won two championships with the team.
- Tino Martinez: Martinez was a first baseman for the Yankees from 1996-2001, and also won two championships with the team.
- Jorge Posada: Posada was a catcher for the Yankees from 1995-2011, and earned two championship rings with the team.
- Bernie Williams: Williams was an outfielder for the Yankees from 1991-2006, and earned two championship rings with the team.
- Paul O’Neill: O’Neill was an outfielder for the Yankees from 1993-2001, and earned two championship rings with the team.
- Scott Brosius: Brosius was a third baseman for the Yankees from 1998-2001, and earned two championship rings with the team.
Conclusion
The New York Yankees have won the most championships in MLB history, and the players who have been a part of this success have earned rings to commemorate their victories. Yogi Berra holds the record for most rings, with 10, followed by Whitey Ford with six. There are several other players who have earned five, four, three, or two rings, including current active players CC Sabathia, who has five rings, and Jorge Posada, who has four.
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Baseball_rings
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_MLB_players_with_most_championships
- sportscasting.com/who-has-the-most-mlb-rings-ever/