When the World Series drama unfolds, most fans zero in on the stars swinging the bats or the ace on the mound. Yet a quiet subplot is brewing that could see two players – José Ureña and Buddy Kennedy – pocketing a championship ring even if they never step onto the field in the final showdown.
The oddball journey of two journeymen
Both men spent 2025 hopping between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays, but they never stuck around long enough to be on a playoff roster. Still, the way MLB hands out rings means they’re in line for a piece of hardware regardless of the series outcome.
Buddy Kennedy: From the Phillies farm to a two‑team whirlwind
Buddy Kennedy began the season in the Philadelphia Phillies organization, grinding out a respectable .265 average across Double‑A and Triple‑A. In early July, Toronto called, offering him a chance to join a contending club. After a brief stint in Triple‑A Buffalo, the Blue Jays promoted him to the big‑league squad. He logged two pinch‑hit appearances before the club designated him for assignment (DFA) on July 28.
Just a day later, Los Angeles claimed him off waivers. The Dodgers gave him seven game appearances – mostly as a late‑inning defensive replacement – before he, too, was DFA’d in early August. Kennedy opted for free agency, re‑signed with Toronto on a minor‑league deal, and spent the rest of the season in the Jays’ Triple‑A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons.
José Ureña: Veteran reliever on a carousel
José Ureña, a right‑handed reliever with a decade of big‑league experience, signed a modest contract with Toronto in early May. He appeared in six games, posting a 4.20 ERA, before the Jays cut him loose at the end of the month.
Within days, the Dodgers scooped him up. He threw two scoreless innings for Los Angeles, but on June 10 the club also DFA’d him. After clearing waivers, Ureña returned to the minors and finished the year out of the majors.
Why they could still get rings
MLB’s tradition is generous when it comes to championship memorabilia. The league typically awards rings to anyone who was on the 40‑man roster at any point during the season, as well as to coaches, scouts, and front‑office staff. The idea is to recognize that a championship is the culmination of a year‑long effort, not just the final six games.
Because both Kennedy and Ureña were on the active 25‑man roster for each club at different times, they qualify under the standard “season‑long contributor” clause. If the Dodgers clinch, Kennedy’s brief Dodgers stint and Ureña’s two‑out appearance will be enough. If Toronto lifts the trophy, the reverse applies. In either case, the ring‑makers will likely include their names on the list of eligible recipients.
How common is this?
It’s not unheard of. In 2016, the Chicago Cubs awarded rings to a handful of players who’d been on the roster early in the year but were gone by October. The practice acknowledges that every win – whether it’s a June doubleheader or a September pennant race – builds the foundation for a championship run.
What makes 2025 unique is that both the Dodgers and Blue Jays have a deep pool of talent, and the two clubs exchanged a handful of fringe players as they shuffled their rosters. The result is a pair of guys who, despite limited playing time, are now part of the ring‑distribution conversation.
Stat sheet snapshot
- Buddy Kennedy: 2 MLB games for Toronto (0‑0, 1 walk, 1 strikeout), 7 games for Los Angeles (0‑0, 2 hits, 1 RBI, 1 error).
- José Ureña: 6 games for Toronto (0‑0, 4.20 ERA, 7 K, 5 BB), 2 games for Los Angeles (0‑0, 0.00 ERA, 2 K, 1 BB).
Numbers don’t jump off the page, but they’re enough to earn a spot in the official roster logs, and that’s all the league needs.
What the rings look like
Both clubs have unveiled their 2025 championship designs. The Dodgers’ ring features a blue‑black diamond‑cut band with a stylized “LA” logo, set with 20 carats of white gold and a handful of diamonds. Toronto’s version showcases a maple leaf crafted from rose gold, accented by a single blue sapphire to represent the “Blue” in Blue Jays.
Even if Kennedy and Ureña never see a World Series game, they’ll still get to wear a piece of that sparkle – a tangible reminder that they were part of a title‑contending season.
Fans’ reactions
Social media has been buzzing. A popular tweet read, “If you’re a Jays fan, you’ll be seeing a lot of extra rings this year – thanks to the waiver wire!” Meanwhile, Dodgers forums joked, “We’re basically giving out rings like candy.” The sentiment is good‑natured; most fans appreciate the inclusivity of the tradition.
What this says about roster management
The back‑and‑forth movement of fringe players highlights how modern clubs treat the roster as a fluid asset. With the expanded 26‑man roster, multiple options, and the DFA process, teams can shuffle depth pieces to address injuries or matchup needs without a long‑term commitment.
For players like Kennedy and Ureña, that flexibility can be a double‑edged sword: they get chances to showcase their skills, but they also risk being bounced around. Yet the ring‑eligibility rule turns that volatility into a silver lining.
Looking ahead
As Game 6 looms, the spotlight will be on the big names – Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Mookie Betts, and Shohei Ohtani. But somewhere in the locker rooms, a modest pitcher and a utility infielder will be polishing their future rings, already imagining the moment they slip them onto their fingers.
Whether the Dodgers clinch in Los Angeles or the Blue Jays do it in Toronto, the story of José Ureña and Buddy Kennedy serves as a reminder that baseball’s championship narrative stretches far beyond the heroes on the field. It’s a season‑long saga, and every player who wore a uniform at any point gets a slice of the glory.
