KANSAS CITY -- It always has been important to Royals general manager Dayton Moore that former Royals get presented with their championship rings in person.
That was the case last year when the Royals issued their American League championship rings.
And it is the case again this season with the Royals' World Series rings. The latest ex-Royal to receive his was second baseman Ben Zobrist, an integral part of the team's championship run last season after being acquired in a trade with Oakland midseason.
Moore actually drove all the way from Pittsburg, Kan., where he had a speaking engagement, to St. Louis (about a five-hour drive) on Monday night so he could present Zobrist the ring in person on Tuesday morning. Zobrist's current team, the Cubs, are in St. Louis for a three-game series that started Monday night.

Moore then drove back to Kansas City on Tuesday as the Royals started a three-game set with the Tigers at Kauffman Stadium.
"He was a tremendous player for us," Moore said. "Even though he was not in Kansas City for more than three months, he was important to our community.
"We're very proud and honored that he was a part of the Royals. Very happy that it worked out the way it did and we won. It was important to sit with him this morning and express our thoughts and our gratitude."
And what was Zobrist's reaction when Moore handed him the ring?
"He was great," Moore said, smiling. "Really good."