BOSTON -- Under a champagne-stained ceiling, four diamond-encrusted rings gleamed on David Ortiz's leather chair in the Red Sox clubhouse.
He was in the back room after Boston's 6-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday and his 2004, 2007 and 2013 World Series rings, along with a spectacular 2013 World Series MVP ring, were all in a see-through case at his locker.
The defending World Series champion Red Sox received their rings in a pregame ceremony Friday at Fenway Park, and ownership decided to give Ortiz a special ring, which he had no idea he was getting.
"It's special, man," he said. "Appreciation, you know. I'm kind of surprised and honored. They surprised me with an extra ring. It's crazy. It's nice, beautiful ring besides the one we got for the World Series. It's something you're not expecting. Everything went so crazy last year, and I appreciate the fact that they look at myself that way."
Ortiz earned the World Series MVP with a .688 batting average (11-for-16), including two home runs, two doubles, six RBIs and eight walks (four intentional) in six games against the St. Louis Cardinals last October.
After all the players received their rings on Friday, Ortiz was introduced last, with 36,728 fans on their feet. Ortiz waved to the fans as he strolled out to where John Henry, Larry Lucchino, Tom Werner and Ben Cherington were handing out the rings.
Ortiz was handed two cases.
"I thought they were giving me somebody's else ring," he said with a laugh. "I'm like, 'Hey, you're giving me two. I thought we were only getting one.' They said, 'No, that's the MVP one.' I was like, 'Whoa.' Yeah, it was very kind coming from them, and I thanked them very much."
After the ceremony, Ortiz placed all four rings on a thick silver chain he was wearing around his neck.
"It's been a blessing for the organization and for the fans -- everybody," Ortiz said of winning three championships. "It keeps you motivated to keep working hard and trying your best."
Ortiz said he wore his 2004 and 2007 World Series rings on a chain for good luck as he accepted his 2013 ring. On Opening Day in 2008, he wore his '04 ring to accept his '07 ring, and he wanted to continue that tradition on Friday.
"Look at what happened last year, so you never know. We might get another one," Ortiz said.
Asked why he wears all his World Series bling, Ortiz said, "So you can see me in the dark."