Year after year, the MLB crowns a new team as the world champion. The champion team gets to experience many luxuries as a result of their postseason success: a hometown parade, a great deal of mass media recognition, and most importantly a brand new piece of jewelry in the form of a ring. Sports fans everywhere got to witness history last October as the Chicago Cubs overcame all odds in game seven to take the 2015-2016 World Series title after being down three games to one to the Cleveland Indians. This championship ended one of the longest sports droughts to date and even seemed to rejuvenate the streets of Wrigleyville with a sense of life and admiration for the hometown Cubbies. Although thinking of the 15-16’ championship gives many Cubs fans chills, the recent distribution of the famous World Series ring may be seen as the icing on the cake.

First of all, the 15-16’ Chicago Cubs World Series band is a lot more than just a whole bunch of expensive diamonds. It is a ring that features a story and many elements that represent the Cubs’ journey to the top. The organization recently began distribution and is planning to give out nearly 2,000 rings to players, staff, management, and some full-time and part-time employees who all had some part in this recent World Series run. The ring itself features a total of 214 diamonds. Apart from the team logo, the extra diamonds add up to 108. Now one may ask: Why 108? In turn, any Cubs fan could tell you that this recent championship marked the end of the 108-year World Series drought. Until now, the last title won in Chicago came in the year of 1908. The band is also specific to each player. Each member of the team received a ring with his name and number engraved into it. The piece also features the well-known “Fly the W” flag on one side. This flag became a symbol of the Cubs last season as many fans began to raise it after every Cubbie win.

In addition to all of these elements, this World Series ring has some hidden features that may serve as the most significant pieces of the puzzle. One of these features includes the exact date and time of the Cubs’ World Series win: Nov. 3, 2016 at 12:47 a.m. The piece also possesses some game scores from the series against the Dodgers, Pirates, and Indians. Finally, the most significant feature on the entire ring would have to be the billy-goat symbol located on the inside of the band. Yet, why would a World Series ring feature a goat? This famous symbol was once known as the curse of Chicago when it originated in 1945 after a fan with a goat was turned away from a game at Wrigley. However, the curse was put to rest forever when Kris Bryant tossed over the final out to Anthony Rizzo in game seven World Series win.

This masterly crafted ring did indeed capture a story. It is more than just the eye can see and could be one of the most intricate World Series bands to date. However, it is fitting to the history of the Chicago Cubs that dates back to many years of adversity and emotion.