Varejao Turning Down Championship Ring Before It's Offered
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – It's a sports rarity – a player who can pick up a treasured championship ring no matter which team in a finals or series matchup wins.
Former Major Leaguer Bengie Molina faced such a choice back in 2010 when the San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers squared off in the World Series.
Molina had started the season with the Giants, playing 61 games. He then joined the Rangers and played 57 games with Texas.
When the Giants prevailed, Molina gladly picked up the championship ring and has said it's one of his most cherished possessions.
He is one of eight baseball players who have faced such a situation including Lonnie Smith in the 1985 Series when the Kansas City Royals squared off against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Which brings us to Golden State Warriors center Anderson Varejao, who played most of his career in Cleveland before he was traded to Portland last season.
He was cut by Portland and ended up with the Golden State Warriors. Technically, Varejao could receive a championship ring from Cleveland after the Cavs beat Golden State in the NBA Finals.
But the Cavs players would have to vote to give him one. That hasn't happened.
Still Varejao has apparently told others he will not accept a ring if it is offered.
Varejao eligible to receive a championship ring from time with #Cavs, but told he has no plans to accept after finishing with #Warriors.
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) July 17, 2016