On August 25, 2025, Dodger Stadium buzzed with anticipation as Gavin Lux, now a Cincinnati Reds infielder, returned to his former home to receive his 2024 World Series championship ring. The pregame ceremony, held before a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, was more than a formality—it was a heartfelt reunion that bridged Lux’s past with the organization that shaped him and his present as a key player for a Reds team chasing a playoff spot. As Lux stepped to the podium, surrounded by former teammates and greeted by a roaring crowd of over 40,000, the moment became a poignant celebration of his contributions to the Dodgers’ eighth World Series title, leaving fans and players alike visibly moved.

Lux, drafted by the Dodgers in the first round in 2016, spent six seasons with the organization, evolving from a top prospect to a World Series champion. His tenure was marked by resilience, including a comeback from a torn ACL that sidelined him for the entire 2023 season. In 2024, Lux played a pivotal role, batting .251 with 10 home runs and 50 RBIs over 139 games. His most memorable contribution came in Game 5 of the World Series against the New York Yankees, where his eighth-inning sacrifice fly tied the game, setting the stage for Mookie Betts’ go-ahead run that clinched the title. Traded to the Reds in January 2025 for minor-league outfielder Mike Sirota and a draft pick, Lux’s return to Dodger Stadium was a homecoming steeped in emotion.

The ceremony, timed impeccably before a Mookie Betts ring giveaway night, saw Lux presented with his diamond-studded championship ring and a special gold Dodgers jersey and cap. A tribute video showcasing his highlights, from his 2019 MLB debut to his clutch postseason moments, played on the stadium’s screens, eliciting cheers from the crowd and smiles from Lux’s former teammates. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who has long praised Lux’s impact, spoke warmly before the game. “Gavin helped us win a championship. I’m always going to be grateful,” Roberts said, noting Lux’s critical role in carrying the team during a challenging post-All-Star break stretch in 2024. The Reds’ dugout, including manager Terry Francona, joined in the applause, with Francona calling Lux “a really good teammate” who had made a strong impression in Cincinnati.

Lux’s reaction was raw and heartfelt. “It was great. I got a little emotional, but you fought it back,” he later shared on the “On Base with Mookie Betts” podcast, highlighting the camaraderie from his former teammates as the ceremony’s standout moment. The Dodgers’ decision to hold the presentation at Dodger Stadium, rather than during an earlier series in Cincinnati, allowed Lux to share the moment with the fans who had cheered him on for years. His performance that night—going 1-for-2 with a double and a walk—showed his focus, even as the Reds fell 7-0 to a Dodgers team powered by Andy Pages’ two home runs.

For the Reds, Lux’s ring ceremony was more than a nostalgic moment; it was a source of inspiration. With 30 games left in the 2025 season and Cincinnati in the hunt for a National League wild-card spot, Lux, the only player on the roster with a World Series ring, became a symbol of what’s possible. “That’s what we’re playing for,” Lux said before the game, emphasizing the grind of the 162-game season and his hope to lead the Reds to a championship. Reds pitcher Nick Martinez echoed this sentiment, noting, “Hopefully, it fires some boys up.” The ceremony, attended by a star-studded crowd that included a ceremonial first pitch from BTS’s V, added to the electric atmosphere, though the Reds struggled to translate the energy into a win.

Lux’s journey reflects the bittersweet nature of baseball. Traded to Cincinnati to make room for Hyeseong Kim, he has embraced a leadership role with the Reds, hitting .277 with a .354 on-base percentage in 2025. His return to Los Angeles was a reminder of his roots and the bonds forged over years of shared triumphs. As he walked back to the visitor’s dugout, ring in hand, the standing ovation from Dodgers fans spoke to his lasting impact. For Lux, the moment was a celebration of past victories and a motivator for future ones, connecting his Dodgers legacy with his new chapter in Cincinnati.