Major League Baseball

World Series MVP Renteria gets championship ring

Published Jun. 10, 2011 4:00 a.m. ET

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For Edgar Renteria, as well as most Giants fans, his three-run homer off Cliff Lee in the World Series clincher last fall is a moment to be cherished forever.

Renteria now has the ring that will remind him of that night.

Renteria, the 2010 World Series MVP, was given his championship ring before his first game in San Francisco since helping the Giants win it all last fall.

''It's going to be emotional because the fans supported me for two years,'' he said before the game. ''I appreciate all of that. The organization appreciated me too and supported me for two years. It's so great to come back to San Francisco and see the fans and all my teammates.''

Renteria is the second member of the title team to get his ring while playing for an opponent after Los Angeles infielder Juan Uribe got his back in April.

Once again, the Giants did the honors in front the fans who adored those players when they were in San Francisco.

''It's going to be a big moment for Edgar and us,'' Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. ''We'll reflect back a little bit - similar to Juan getting his ring. We'll all be happy for him. Special night for him.''

The Giants players all came out on the field for the ceremony. Renteria was presented his ring by managing partner Bill Neukom, team president Larry Baer, general manager Brian Sabean and Bochy. Renteria then embraced his old teammates as his new ones cheered from the visiting dugout. He then walked off to a standing ovation before a video tribute was played on the scoreboard.

Renteria, who got the game-ending hit for Florida in the 1997 World Series, was looking forward to getting his second championship ring.

''I've seen a picture but it's not the same as when I have it in my hand,'' he said. ''When you play, that's what you work for.''

Renteria left the Giants in the offseason when the team opted to pay a $500,000 buyout instead of a $9.5 million option. He ended up signing a $2.1 million deal with the Reds.

Renteria spent two years with the Giants, with his biggest impact coming in the World Series. He batted .412 against Texas with two homers and six RBIs. His biggest blow was a three-run homer in Game 5 off Lee in a 3-1 win that gave the Giants their first title since 1954.

''That's going to be in my life forever,'' he said. ''It's something that will never go away.''

This was Renteria's first game in San Francisco since Game 2 of the World Series. He broke up a scoreless game with a solo homer off C.J. Wilson in the fifth inning that night and added a two-run single in the eighth to lead the Giants to the 9-0 win.

Renteria had missed the last six games with a sore lower back but manager Dusty Baker made sure to get him in the lineup for this big night. Renteria started at shortstop and batted seventh.

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