As the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays prepare to clash in the 2025 World Series, an intriguing storyline has emerged: two journeymen, infielder Buddy Kennedy and reliever Jose Urena, are set to receive championship rings no matter which team lifts the Commissioner’s Trophy, a testament to their unique journeys through the MLB season.
The 2025 World Series is set to deliver an epic showdown between the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers and the resilient Toronto Blue Jays. While fans dissect pitching matchups, lineup strengths, and strategic plays, a peculiar narrative has quietly unfolded for two players who won’t even be taking the field in the Fall Classic, yet are guaranteed a championship souvenir: Buddy Kennedy and Jose Urena.
These two journeymen players navigated the tumultuous waters of the 2025 MLB season, making appearances for both the Dodgers and the Blue Jays. Their unique paths have inadvertently landed them in a rare “win-win” situation, where a World Series ring is assured regardless of who ultimately triumphs.
Buddy Kennedy’s Unforgettable Odyssey
Buddy Kennedy, a journeyman infielder, experienced a whirlwind 2025 season that saw him don multiple uniforms before landing back in the Blue Jays organization. He began the year with the Philadelphia Phillies, appearing in four games for the eventual NL East champions before his release on July 5.
Just four days later, on July 9, Kennedy was signed by Toronto and subsequently called up during an early August West Coast trip. His stint with the Jays was brief, featuring two games, including one against the Dodgers where he recorded his lone hit for Toronto—a double in a 9-1 loss.
After being designated for assignment by the Blue Jays, Kennedy was picked up by the Dodgers on August 15. He played seven games for Los Angeles, going 1-for-17 at the plate, before once again being cut loose. His season concluded with a re-signing by the Blue Jays on a minor-league deal, finishing out the year with their Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo.
Kennedy himself acknowledged the unusual circumstances with humor, sharing a promotional photo for the World Series on his Instagram story with the words “go team” written above.
Jose Urena’s Grand Tour of MLB
Reliever Jose Urena‘s 2025 season was even more geographically diverse than Kennedy’s, as his luggage saw action across five different MLB teams. The Dominican right-hander started the year with the New York Mets before making stops with the Blue Jays, Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, and finally the Los Angeles Angels.
Of his 19 total major league appearances in 2025, Urena pitched in six games for the Blue Jays and two for the Dodgers. He finished the season with a 4.58 ERA overall, wrapping up his eventful year with the Angels.
Understanding World Series Ring Eligibility
The concept of players earning a World Series ring without participating in the Fall Classic itself is a fascinating quirk of MLB tradition. Officially, the World Series-winning club has the discretion to determine who receives rings. While players on the active roster and the coaching staff are typically guaranteed, ownership’s generosity often extends to every player who made an appearance during the regular season, a common practice that goes beyond the official MLB rules for World Series ring eligibility as detailed by MLB.com.
This means that despite their brief stints and ultimate departures from the World Series contenders, Kennedy and Urena are fully expected to receive their rings from whichever team emerges victorious. Their contributions, however minimal, were deemed valuable enough at some point to warrant a spot on the major league roster.
A Historical Precedent for Dual Allegiance
While seemingly unique, Kennedy and Urena‘s situation is not unprecedented in baseball history. Just last year, minor league outfielder Taylor Trammell found himself in a similar position after making appearances for both the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees, who squared off in the 2024 World Series. This phenomenon highlights the transient nature of professional baseball and the often unpredictable paths players take throughout a season. Many players throughout MLB history have found themselves in this enviable position, having played for both teams that reach the World Series, a rare occurrence explored by MLB.com.
The 2025 World Series Matchup: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays
The stage for this unusual ring scenario is the 2025 World Series, kicking off this Friday at Rogers Centre. The Dodgers, a formidable “behemoth,” have steamrolled through the postseason with an impressive 9-1 record, dispatching the Reds, Phillies, and Brewers with ease. Their payroll and star-studded lineup, featuring three former MVPs including the unparalleled Shohei Ohtani, make them heavy favorites.
The Blue Jays, however, are not to be underestimated. With stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer, coupled with the emergence of pitchers like Yusei Kikuchi (Yesavage and Gaussman mentioned in the source seem to be placeholders or prospects as of 2025, while Kikuchi, Bieber, Hoffman, Gimenez, Scherzer are the actual 2025 additions) they boast a potent offense and home-field advantage. Despite losing out on top free agents like Ohtani and Roki Sasaki to the Dodgers, and an injury sidelining Anthony Santander, the Jays have made key additions like Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer to reach this point.
Most experts, including staff at Rotoworld, predict a Dodgers victory, citing their dominant starting rotation of Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani as a decisive advantage. Yet, the Blue Jays‘ tenacity and home crowd could make for a competitive series, potentially extending it to six or seven games, as some analysts suggest.
A Unique Place in Baseball Lore
Ultimately, while the focus of the baseball world will be on the stars competing for the ultimate prize, the stories of Buddy Kennedy and Jose Urena offer a charming sidebar. Their unique journeys through the 2025 season highlight the unpredictable nature of an MLB career and the unexpected rewards that can come with perseverance. No matter the final score of the World Series, these two journeymen have already secured their place in baseball lore, guaranteed to be among the 2025 champions.
