Sports

Congratulations John McDonald, World Series Champion!

After a long and decorated career, this local boy finally got his ring!

Wednesday night's World Series victory by the Boston Red Sox meant a lot of things to a lot of people.

Redemption. Unbridled joy. Dynasty. Revulsion (that's for you, Yankees fans!). 

But for 39-year-old East Lyme native John McDonald, it also meant he finally got his ring. And that's no small satisfaction for the 14-year veteran who is one of the most respected defensive players of his generation.

And it all started at East Lyme High School, with brief stops at UConn-Avery Point, Providence College, the minor leagues and seven teams — including five just this season — in his 19 years in the league.

McDonald talked about the experience of being in the World Series earlier in the series in a radio interview with WEEI's Mut and Merloni show. 

"To come here and wear this uniform … It's almost like baseball gave my wife this present at the end of my career," McDonald, who lives in Scituate, MA, with his wife and two children, told the Hartford Courant earlier in the playoffs. "Get to come home for a month, live at home, drive to the ballpark every day and play here. It's a gift."

Leave your congratulations in the comments for Johnny Mac!


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