With a Giants logo on his chest, Alex Wood was presented with the 2020 World Series ring he earned while wearing Dodger blue.
Ahead of Friday’s game in Los Angeles, Wood and fellow Giants lefty Jake McGee, who was a key member of the Dodgers’ bullpen last year, slipped on the most coveted piece of jewelry in baseball and beamed from ear to ear.
“It’s something you dream about as a kid and you don’t really ever think about it actually being a reality,” Wood said. “For (the ring) to finally be there, it’s super cool.”
Champs.
Congratulations @Awood45 and Jake McGee on your World Series rings! pic.twitter.com/e92I3E60nJ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 29, 2021
The 2020 World Series marked Wood’s third trip to the Fall Classic as a member of the Dodgers as he started two games in the 2017 World Series against Houston before pitching in three games out of the bullpen against Boston in the 2018 World Series.
After coming up just shy on the game’s biggest stage twice, Wood was traded to Cincinnati ahead of the 2019 season. The left-hander only made seven starts with the Reds due to injury, but he still received plenty of interest in the offseason.
The two top suitors ahead of the 2020 season were the Giants and Dodgers, but Wood chose to return to Los Angeles because he felt he had “unfinished business,” with the organization, he said this January. His year didn’t go according to plan as a shoulder injury pushed him into a bullpen role, but Wood made important contributions in the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays as he pitched four scoreless innings across two games.
“To go into the postseason, keep grinding and throw some really big innings and help us there down the stretch, I can’t put into words what that meant to me,” Wood said. “To have an impact like that on a team like we had last year and contribute like I did, it’s just awesome. It was the best feeling in the world.”
Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said the innings Wood threw in the World Series helped convince the front office to pursue Wood again this offseason. With that unfinished business now complete, the Giants landed the lefty on a one-year, $3 million deal and have watched him emerge as one of their most reliable starters.
In his first visit to Dodger Stadium on the other side of the rivalry on Thursday, Wood surrendered three home runs and took the loss in a 4-3 defeat. The next day, he crossed enemy lines and took possession of a ring he’d spent his whole career working toward.
“It’s not awkward to me,” Wood said of receiving his World Series ring while playing for the Giants. “At the end of the day, all of my teammates now, they’ve been asking about when I’m getting my ring and wanting to see it. It’s a really special thing and being with anybody on any team that’s been in the big leagues, a lot of guys have never been to the postseason, much less win a World Series ring.”
After a pair of close calls in October, Wood’s experience finally winning a title gave him an even greater appreciation for what a few of his veteran teammates in San Francisco have accomplished during their careers.
“It’s insane, Buster having three rings, Craw and Belt having two,” Wood said. “It’s hard to really comprehend what goes into winning a ring, much less winning three. It’s just a charmed life, for sure. I’m fortunate to be able to call myself a champion now and some of those guys, it’s hard to fathom thinking about Buster having three and those guys having multiple rings.”
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SF Giants starter Alex Wood gets his Dodgers World Series ring, marvels at Posey’s three - Vacaville Reporter
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