Matheny to find a place for this ring: on his finger

ST. LOUIS -- Manager Mike Matheny has long displayed his 2004 National League champions ring, but rarely has he worn it. He plans, however, to make his 2013 edition much more visible.

Matheny, members of his staff, the organization's Hall of Famers and players from the Cardinals' 2013 pennant-winning club were presented with those league championship rings during a pregame ceremony on Tuesday. Each ring is 14-karat white gold and features 43 diamonds and 34 rubies, in total weighing 47 grams. The "STL" logo is in center and circled with the words "National League Champions Cardinals."

It marked the second time in two years that the Cardinals have had a ring ceremony during their opening homestand. Thirteen of the players to receive a ring on Tuesday, though, were getting their first with the Cardinals. This was also the first ring won by Matheny, the manager.

His other big league bling came from being a member of the 2004 Cardinals, who also lost to the Red Sox in the World Series.

"I'm going to be wearing this one," Matheny said. "My fingers have been busted up pretty bad, so they don't hold rings very well. But I'm going to make sure that this one stays on me."

He was asked why he would display this differently than the first.

"I think as a player, it was something that I put in a special place so people could see it," Matheny said. "I don't know why exactly. I think a lot of it was I wanted to be motivated about getting that next one. And I think that's kind of why I'm going to wear this one. It's something special. When you see that banner get raised, it's a big deal. I want these guys to realize it's a big deal and was a big deal to me what we were able to accomplish last year. It's also a good reminder, too, that we had one step left. It's something I'm real proud of. I'm proud of what this group was able to do last year."