Nats getting fitted for rings today, won't see them until April 4

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The note was visible to all at the top of the video board inside the Nationals clubhouse: "Ring fitting Wednesday and Thursday."

Add this to the growing list of developments that remind everyone the Nats' World Series victory really did happen.

Players, coaches, support staff and front office executives all will be fitted for their championship rings over the next two days. The finished products will be presented to everybody prior to the Nationals' second home game of the season: April 4 versus the Mets.

And the look of those finished products will be a surprise to all of the recipients. Nobody outside of a few high-ranking club officials has seen renderings of the rings. Most prefer it stays that way.

"I don't want to know what it looks like," manager Davey Martinez said. "I already told ownership. They keep asking me: 'You want to see it?' I said nope. I want to see it April 4 when I'm presented (with) it. And then I'll have that big smile on my face. But from what I'm hearing, they're spectacular. So I can't wait to see it."

If these rings are anything like the one Martinez received as bench coach of the 2016 champion Cubs, the Nationals are in for a real treat. The Cubs' rings, made by Jostens, cost a reported $70,000 apiece to make. The Red Sox's 2018 championship rings were crafted in 14-karat white gold, with a logo comprised of 21 custom cut rubies surrounded by 22 custom cut blue sapphires and another 14 princess cut diamonds around the edge. All told, the Red Sox's rings included 185 total stones.

"I'm definitely excited for the ring ceremony," right fielder Adam Eaton said. "To be able to hold that, that's something you're going to have the rest of your life and be able to enjoy with your family. I'm excited to put that away and be able to have it and look back on it in 10, 15, 20 years and think it's pretty cool."