With Milwaukee Brewers win, ex-Astros star Lance McCullers Jr. likely gets another World Series ring

Lance McCullers Jr. spent just 10 days with the Milwaukee Brewers, making two appearances, but he was part of a World Series champion. (Kylie Bridenhagen/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Lance McCullers Jr., is one of just five players to win World Series rings with both the 2017 and 2022 Houston Astros. Now, the curveball-throwing righty has something on his former teammates Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Yuli Gurriel and Justin Verlander: Likely another World Series ring to add to his collection.

The Milwaukee Brewers finished off the Tampa Bay Rays with a 4-1 win in Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday to win the first championship in franchise history. That’s where McCullers’ 10 days with the Brewers should really pay off. McCullers appeared in just two games for the Brewers after the Astros traded him to Milwaukee in July, but standard practice is that any player who appeared with the team at any point during the season gets a World Series ring, although discretion is left completely up to the owner.

The way he was heralded by the team after he was let go, should leave McCullers’ ring in little doubt.

"What a remarkable person in the little time that he was here," Brewers manager Pat Murphy told Fox Sports Radio Wisconsin after McCullers was released on July 26. "I think he really helped some guys. I know that may be crazy, but that was clear that his intent was to give to others. I respect him a great deal."

There aren’t many examples of players, no matter how minor the role they played, ever getting denied a ring, although the Boston Red Sox threatened it when first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, who was traded to the team that July, tried to keep the baseball from the final out of the 2004 World Series.

There are many more examples of players being given World Series rings after minimal contributions during the regular season. Astros outfielder Taylor Trammell has a 2024 World Series ring from the Los Angeles Dodgers, despite playing just five games for the team and going 0-for-6 at the plate. Coincidentally, Trammell also played five games for the New York Yankees that season, guaranteeing himself a ring when the Dodgers and Yankees squared off in that year’s Fall Classic.

Surely, Astros fans remember the 2022 contributions of first baseman Taylor Jones. He pinch-hit for Martín Maldonado in an Aug. 1 game against the Red Sox. Jones grounded out and was sent back to the minors after just one big-league plate appearance that season. He never returned to the majors but has that World Series ring to show for his appearance.

McCullers’ time with the Brewers lasted slightly longer. He was traded to Milwaukee along with pitcher Colton Gordon for outfield prospect Jadyn Fielder on July 15. McCullers made two appearances with the Brewers, allowing five runs – two earned – in 4 ⅔ innings, but was released after his second time out of the bullpen. The 33-year-old spent the rest of the year away from the game and hasn’t made an announcement about his future plans.

Gordon also is expected to get a ring, despite making just one appearance for the Brewers. He gave up two earned runs in five innings of relief, but spent the rest of the year in the minors. Braden Shewmake is another Astros player who should reap the rewards of the Brewers win. The Astros traded the utility player to the Brewers for cash considerations on July 12. Shewmake went 2-for-7 in four appearances for the Brewers before he was designated for assignment and re-signed by the Astros.

Joel Kuhnel, who was a reliever for the Astros in 2023 and 2024, made 10 relief appearances for the Brewers this season before being designated for assignment in September.

Jason Lane, who was the Astros’ starting right fielder on the 2005 World Series team, has been part of the Brewers coaching staff since 2016, working as the team’s offense and strategy coordinator this season.

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This article originally published at With Milwaukee Brewers win, ex-Astros star Lance McCullers Jr. likely gets another World Series ring.

Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.