Reds Will Get Series Rings in Private

Players from the Cincinnati Reds’ 1990 world championship season will receive their World Series rings at a private ceremony before the ballclub’s April 8 season opener.

Reds owner Marge Schott said she favors the private presentation, rather than one done before fans at the season opener, because Cincinnati’s opener already is crowded with pomp and circumstance as the National League’s traditional first game of the season. The Reds play the league’s first game each season as the league’s oldest team.

“Our opening day is so different and so special, with so many things going on anyway, that I don’t want to add a ring ceremony on top of everything else,” said Schott, who is also the Reds’ president.

Players on the Reds’ four other championship teams received their rings at Riverfront Stadium on opening day of the following season. The last five World Series winners also have presented championship rings during the next season’s opener.

Norm Charlton, a pitcher who is the Reds’ player representative, said he doesn’t think Schott’s proposal will upset the players. “It would be nice to have it before the fans, but it’s Marge’s baby and I’m not against the idea of a private, special get-together just for the people who did it,” Charlton said.