Sandoval to get WS ring when Sox visit A's

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants' joyful task of distributing 2014 World Series rings will continue Monday when a delegation of team officials plan to visit a downtown hotel to give former third baseman Pablo Sandoval his valuable keepsake.

"Pablo was a big part of this club in helping us win three championships," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Saturday.

In fact, Sandoval was one of only nine Giants to play for all three World Series winners, joining Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, Buster Posey, Sergio Romo, Santiago Casilla, Jeremy Affeldt and Javier Lopez.

Sandoval left the Giants for the Boston Red Sox as a free agent this past offseason, and the Sox will be in the Bay Area for a series at Oakland. The switch-hitter generated controversy with critical published remarks he made about the Giants during Spring Training. Among his more startling comments was his statement that the only team members he liked and respected were Bochy and right fielder Hunter Pence.

Bochy downplayed Sandoval's comments, saying, "I've been told he didn't mean it the way it came out."

Bochy said that he, general manager Bobby Evans and possibly club president Larry Baer will present Sandoval his ring.