Missing 1998 National League Championship ring mysteriously returned to sheriff’s station

The large gold ring left at the front counter of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s station in Lakewood early Sunday was one of a kind.

The Major League Baseball National Championship ring belonged to just one person: a member of the 1998 San Diego Padres.

On Tuesday, sheriff’s investigators returned the ring to 44-year-old Christopher Gomez.

Gomez was drafted to the major leagues in 1992 by the Detroit Tigers. In 1998, he played for the San Diego Padres, which became National League champions after beating the Atlanta Braves. The team lost the World Series to the New York Yankees soon after.

The circumstances of how the championship ring was lost and how it landed in the hands of the unknown person who left it at the counter of the Lakewood sheriff’s station remain a mystery.

Los Angeles County sheriff’s investigators said the person walked out of the station before being questioned about the ring.

They said Gomez also is missing a 1987 Lakewood High School baseball championship ring and a 1990 Loyola Marymount College championship ring.

The department is asking anyone with information to call Det. Theo Gekas at (562) 623-3657. Anonymous tipsters may dial (800) 222-8477.

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