Mid 2000's Mets Relief Pitcher: Royce Ring (2005-2006)

Roger Royce Ring was born on December 21, 1980 in La Mesa, California. The six foot left hander was the star closer for San Diego State University getting signed by the White Sox in the first round (18th pick overall) of the 2002 draft.

Ring was considered a top prospect and a future big league closer; when came to the New York Mets with Edwin Almonte in the Roberto Alomar trade of 2003. He soon fell out of grace with the ballclub, starting with his nonchalant attitude about working out. He then appeared in Spring Training a bit out of shape with a few extra pounds on him, which also angered management.

But he had a good spring Training in 2005 & made the staff as a reliever. He made his debut against the Washington Nationals on April 29th in DC, pitching a third of an inning. After three games he was back to AAA Norfolk but returned a month later to fill a roster spot. Ring got credit for three holds but earned two losses as well.

On June 15th he allowed a ninth inning leadoff walk in Oakland & was relieved by Roberto Hernandez who allowed that runner to score, giving him his first career loss. He was back to the minors after going 0-2 with a 5.02 ERA allowing ten walks, ten hits and six earned runs in 10.2 innings pitched.

In 2006 he was 2-2 with 11 saves & a 2.97 ERA at AAA Norfolk, getting brought up to the Mets in early August. But was sent back down two weeks later to open a roster spot when the Mets acquired Shawn Green. He returned in September and posted a 2.13 ERA with two holds over 13 games that season. He did not appear in the post season.

That November in a horrible deal, he was traded along with Heath Bell to the San Diego Padres for Ben Johnson. After 15 games (0-1) he was traded to the Atlanta Braves playing there for two seasons as a mid reliever.

He signed with the St. Louis Cardinals going 5-2 at their AAA club in 2009 then was granted free agency. He spent five games pitching for the A.L. New York club in 2010 but after posting an ERA of 15.43 he was granted free agency.

Ring was back in the minors at AAA Pawtucket in 2011 with the Red Sox organization & then signed with Colorado in 2012 but did not make it back to the big leagues.

In his five year MLB career he is 3-3 with a 5.29 ERA, 55 strike outs & 42 walks in 99 games.

In May of 2013 he was signed as a left handed specialist for the Long Island Ducks. He appeared in just four games, taking a loss posting an ERA over eight.

Family: His cousin is former Chicago White Sox pitcher: Bill Simas (1995-2000). In his six year career Simas was 18-19 with 23 saves, posting a 3.83 ERA in 308 appearances, all in relief.

Retirement: In 2014 Ring retired from playing the game & became the pitching coach for the Rookie ball level Gulf Coast Mets.