Yuli Gurriel Receives World Series Ring in Miami

August 16, 2023

Cuban baseball player Yuliesky Gurriel, first baseman for the Miami Marlins in Major League Baseball (MLB), received on August 15th, during the Houston Astros' visit to the LoanDepot Park stadium in Little Havana, the World Series ring that certifies him as champion of the 2022 baseball season.

According to press reports, before the start of the game between the Astros and the Marlins in Miami, a brief ceremony took place, where the first baseman, from Sancti Spíritus, received his ring: a piece of gold, silver and precious stones, which confirms him as champion of North American baseball.

At the presentation ceremony, Gurriel received hugs and praise from his former colleagues on the Astros: José Altuve, Alex Bregman, Martín Maldonado, Justin Verlander, Yordan Álvarez and manager Dusty Baker.

"Yuli brings professionalism, good attitude, very coherent conduct (…) I've never seen him throw a helmet or a bat or anything like that. That's important for young players to emulate. When I was with the Braves, Hank Aaron grabbed me by the neck because I threw helmets and bats. Hank told me it wasn't the bat's or the helmet's fault. Save that emotion and think that you're going to hit," commented the Astros manager, Baker.

Yuli Gurriel already has his championship ring. ?? pic.twitter.com/MMHKKofMXa
— LasMayores (@LasMayores) August 15, 2023

Gurriel was part of the Houston Astros' World Series titles in 2017 and 2022, therefore, this is his second ring. The infielder from Espíritus spent the first seven seasons of his MLB career in Houston before signing a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins in March of this year.

Prior to the award presentation, Gurriel assured that it would be exciting to "catch up with some of my teammates."

"It will also be a great and exciting series, mainly because of the competition. Both of us are competing for something important," he added.

With the Astros, Gurriel compiled 94 home runs in 801 regular season games for them. After winning a batting title and a Gold Glove in 2021, he suffered an offensive decline in 2022 batting .242 with an OPS of .647. But he batted .347 in the postseason, when Houston won its second title in six years.

Currently, with the Miami "fish," the veteran Cuban player is not the regular starter at first base, although he combines that position with designated hitter duties on many occasions.