Cubs Ring Bearer: What's The Tradition?

The Chicago Cubs launched the Championship Ring Bearer Fan Contest to select 20 fans to present a Cubs player with their World Series ring during a ceremony at Wrigley Field. To enter, fans had to record and submit a video nominating their favourite candidate via Twitter using the #CubsRingBearer hashtag. The Cubs were looking for their most loyal and dedicated fans, with judges selecting winners based on their passion and enthusiasm for the team. The winners of the contest not only received two tickets to the game but also had the opportunity to participate in the on-field ring ceremony, making their dreams come true.

The Chicago Cubs' Championship Ring Bearer Fan Contest

The Chicago Cubs Championship Ring Bearer Fan Contest is a competition that allows fans to present a Cubs player with their World Series ring. The contest was launched to celebrate the team's first World Series win in 108 years.

The competition was announced in December 2016, with the winners being selected to take part in an on-field ring ceremony at Wrigley Field in April 2017. To enter, fans had to record and submit a video nominating their favourite candidate. The video had to be 60 seconds or less and include the nominee's full name, hometown, and age. The entrants had to be 18 or older, and nominees had to be at least 13 years old. The Cubs encouraged fans to be creative and authentic in their videos, showcasing their passion for the team.

The team received over 1,500 entries, and a panel of judges selected 20 winners. These winners were given the opportunity to present a player or coach with their 2016 World Series championship ring during the ceremony. The winners also received two tickets to the game against the Dodgers at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs Ring Bearer Fan Contest was a way for the team to thank their loyal fans and give them a memorable experience. It was a chance for fans to showcase their dedication and creativity while celebrating the Cubs' historic World Series victory.

The selection process for the ring bearers

To enter the contest, participants must record and submit a video that is 60 seconds or less in length. The video must include the full name, hometown, and age of the nominee, with submitters being 18 or older and nominees at least 13 years old. The video must be uploaded to Twitter with the #CubsRingBearer hashtag. The Cubs launched the contest on their website and social media platforms, with a deadline for submissions.

In the case of the 2016 World Series championship ring ceremony, more than 1,500 videos were submitted, and 20 winners were chosen. The winners received two tickets to the game against the Dodgers at Wrigley Field and the opportunity to participate in the on-field ring ceremony. The ring bearers ranged in age from 13 to 90 and included fans with diverse backgrounds and stories, such as a woman with spina bifida who played baseball for the Miracle League Cubs and a cancer survivor.

The selection process for the Cubs ring bearers is a way for the team to engage and give back to their loyal fans, creating memorable experiences and honouring their dedication to the team. It is a chance for fans to showcase their creativity, passion, and personal connection to the Cubs, with the winners being chosen based on the authenticity and enthusiasm displayed in their nomination videos.

The ring bearers' stories

The Ring Bearers Stories

Bob O'Hara, a die-hard Cubs fan, was one of the lucky winners of the Cubs Ring Bearer Fan Contest. Over 1,500 videos were sent in to the Cubs, explaining why the participants should be ring bearers. Bob's video featured his four children explaining why their father should be presenting one of the rings. Bob's wife, Nikki, said that the video took them two hours to film. Bob said that he was surprised and delighted to find out that he was a winner.

Amy Liss, a 34-year-old Cubs fan from Downers Grove, was another winner of the contest. Amy has cerebral palsy and can't live independently. She works as a motivational speaker and mentors children. She loves the Cubs and has a room in her house dedicated to the team, filled with memorabilia. Amy was diagnosed with spastic quadriplegia, a type of cerebral palsy that impairs her mobility and causes her muscles to tighten when she gets excited. She has a positive outlook on life and is grateful for the support of her family and friends, who she calls her "team".

David Morimoto, a 55-year-old ophthalmologist from Joliet, was also selected as a ring bearer. His coworkers helped him create a video entry that stood out, with surgical tech Paula Schorp delivering a rap parody of Sir Mix-a-Lot's "Baby Got Back". David's receptionist, Samantha Arce, had the idea to nominate him, and optometrist Jeff Harris helped create the video. David was thrilled to be chosen as a ring bearer and said that it was one of the greatest things in the world, apart from Game 7 of the World Series. He took his 86-year-old father, who had worked as a Cubs physician in the late 1950s, to a World Series game at Wrigley.

Lauren Klein, a 13-year-old girl from Peru, Illinois, was another young winner of the contest. Her father filmed her without her knowing why, and she was thrilled to find out that she had won. Her mother, Jill, looked for a unique way to showcase Lauren's devotion to the Cubs, so she gathered all of Lauren's schoolwork and projects, which were filled with references to the team. Lauren has worn Cubs gear on the first day of school and even on picture day, choosing to represent her favourite team during important moments. She also enjoys talking about the team with her classmates and getting into friendly rivalries.

The ring ceremony at Wrigley Field

The Cubs' World Series rings are made from 14-karat white gold and feature the traditional Cubs logo with 33 red rubies, 72 round white diamonds, and 46 blue sapphires. The design includes 108 symbolic round white diamonds and an image of a goat representing a supposed franchise curse. The rings are distributed to everyone from front-office associates to ballpark staff, sponsors, and Cooperstown alumni, with posthumous rings for Ernie Banks and Ron Santo saved in the Wrigley Field archives.

The impact of the contest on fans

The Chicago Cubs' "Championship Ring Bearer Fan Contest" had a profound impact on the team's fans. The contest, launched in January 2017, sought to honour the most loyal and dedicated Cubs supporters by offering them a chance to present a player or coach with their 2016 World Series championship ring. This gesture was a way for the Cubs to express their gratitude towards their fans, who had passionately supported them throughout their 108-year journey to their first World Series victory.

The contest invited participants to submit 60-second videos nominating their favourite candidates via Twitter, using the #CubsRingBearer hashtag. The response was overwhelming, with over 1,500 entries pouring in from across the country. Cubs fans eagerly seized this opportunity to showcase their creativity, passion, and unwavering dedication to the team.

The winners of the contest, selected by a panel of judges, were given the honour of participating in the on-field ring ceremony at Wrigley Field. This experience not only fulfilled the dreams of the die-hard fans but also created lasting memories for them and their loved ones. The contest served as a testament to the power of fan communities and the special bond they share with their beloved team.

The "Championship Ring Bearer Fan Contest" left a lasting impression on Cubs fans, fostering a deeper sense of connection, pride, and gratitude. It celebrated the fans' dedication and loyalty, recognising that their support is integral to the team's success and legacy. The contest not only honoured the past but also strengthened the bond between the Cubs and their fans for the future.

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