NEW YORK — Jacoby Ellsbury and Matt Thornton will receive some new jewelry this weekend at Yankee Stadium.
Ellsbury and Thornton — each of whom played for the Red Sox last season, obviously — will receive their 2013 World Series rings before Friday’s Red Sox-Yankees game in the Bronx. Red Sox manager John Farrell and general manager Ben Cherington will present the rings.
It should be an interesting moment, especially for Ellsbury, who spent seven seasons with Boston before signing a seven-year, $153 million contract with New York over the offseason. It’s also rather interesting since the Yankees make frequent stops at Fenway Park.
Ellsbury’s ring is his second, as he also played a role in Boston’s 2007 World Series title. The 30-year-old said before Thursday’s series opener at Yankee Stadium he hasn’t thought too much about the reception he’ll receive upon returning to Fenway for the first time April 22.
“I think that’s the reason I love this rivalry — the passion that the fans have,” Ellsbury said. “I haven’t thought about (the reception) too much because whatever reception I receive will be out of my hands. But, as I’ve mentioned numerous times, I gave the organization everything I had.”
Ellsbury hit .298 with nine homers, 53 RBIs, 52 stolen bases and a .355 on-base percentage in his final season in Boston. His best season with the Red Sox came in 2011, when Ellsbury hit .321 with 32 homers, 105 RBIs and 39 steals.
Thornton, a left-handed reliever, joined the Red Sox last year in a July trade from the Chicago White Sox. He appeared in 20 games for Boston, posting an 0-1 record with a 3.52 ERA, but didn’t pitch in the postseason.
