Former Tiffin resident earns championship ring

As a child of the cable TV superstation era, Matthew Gower became a fan of the Atlanta Braves as a youngster growing up in Tiffin.He jumped at the chance to work in the organization four years ago. And with a bit of serendipity, he's now the owner of a World Series ring, courtesy of the Braves' World Series victory over the Houston Astros last fall. Gower, 47, carries the title of sales manager but actually wears many hats while working at the organization's spring training site in North Port, Florida, near Sarasota. And after the Braves wrapped up the series in six games, the spoils of victory became widespread. "At the end of the day, the Atlanta Braves are a world-class organization," Gower said in a recent phone interview. "They take care of their family. We received notification from our vice president of operations here that we were going to be receiving World Series rings -- that being the front office here, the ops team. There are around 20 of us here at the spring training facility year-round. They gave rings out to a lot of people -- very generous. Everyone who works in Atlanta, the affiliates, their trainers, conditioning and all of us. The part that's really awesome is we have part-time staff that works seasonally, during spring training, and I don't know at what threshold they cut it off, but our part-time people are even getting World Series rings." Gower noted that the organization distributed "tiers" of extravagance in the rings, with the players having received top-level beauties that carry 755 diamonds -- reflective of the number of career home runs hit by the legendary Hank Aaron -- and open at the top to reveal a miniature model of Truist Park with micro LED lights inside. The total gem carat weight of the players' ring is 13.3 carats. "My ring is different than the players'," Gower said. "But, at the end of the day, it's a World Series ring from the Atlanta Braves. So, it's priceless. You know what I mean?" The championship was the Braves' first since they undoubtedly disappointed many northwest Ohio residents by defeating the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians), 4-2, in the 1995 World Series. While many of his friends likely pulled for the offense-heavy Indians, whose lineup included sluggers such as Albert Belle and Jim Thome, Gower, a 1993 Columbian High School graduate who went on to attend Eastern Michigan University, cheered for the pitching brilliance displayed by the likes of series Most Valuable Player Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and Greg Maddux. "I remember it like it was yesterday," Gower said. After college, Gower headed to Florida "to start my life over." He was working for the Sarasota Area Chamber of Commerce when the Braves called to become a member as they prepared to move into their under-development spring training complex in North Port. Gower would later not only register them as a member but would inquire about working for the organization.Gower's title involves him handling corporate partnerships in areas such as advertising and marketing, but he also oversees ushers and the fan assistance and street teams during spring training. The 90-acre CoolToday Park complex includes seven full baseball fields and two half-fields. After the Braves break camp, prospects remain for extended spring training and the developmental ball then takes place during the summer. In addition to having their games groomed, players from other countries receive training in areas such as speaking English and becoming acclimated to American culture. When the Braves' players reached the World Series, so did the entire organization. Gower and the training-camp staff attended the third, fourth and fifth games of the series. "The Braves flew us up (to Atlanta), put us up in a four- or five-star hotel and gave us tickets for all of the games," Gower said. "We didn't pay $1 out of pocket. Every day at 3 o'clock, there was an open bar and buffet and everyone would just hang out. We got to meet everyone from the other affiliates, from the minor leagues and Atlanta, and then we went to the games. They actually shuttled all of us to the games and then watch the World Series." All told, it's a good gig Gower's found. "I'm from Tiffin, Ohio," he said. "And here I am, sitting in North Port, Florida, a World Series champ," he said. "It doesn't get any better -- just the irony of being a Braves fan and growing up a Braves fan, to end up being where I am. When I put that World Series ring on -- I kid you not, it is just so massive. It is just in another world." "It all comes full circle for me, I guess" he continued. "When I put on that ring, everything comes full circle because my mind just floods itself with childhood memories, adult memories, the work and the dedication I've put into the place for the last four years. It all comes together for me. "And this is the last job I want to have. I don't want to work for another organization. I want to retire an Atlanta Brave. That is my goal. That is what I want to do." Gower said he's looking forward to bringing his World Series ring with him on his next visit back to Tiffin. While the ring is certainly valuable to him, it's not under full-time lock and key. "I'm coming home in three to four weeks," he said. "My niece is graduating from Tiffin Columbian and my family's all asked to see it, so I'm going to bring it home with me. I've shown it to family down here, my wife's family, friends. The country club I'm a member at -- I've taken it there and shown it." "I try to think if it this way: It's not very often that you get to see a World Series ring" he continued. "And I'm not just going around and, quote, unquote, pimping it out, but I want people to see it. I'm proud of it, you know? I'm proud to say I'm part of this organization and we're World Series champs. You don't get to say that very much in your life. So, when you do, you take advantage of it."