AUBURN - Baseball has always been a game about fathers and sons -playing catch in the backyard, going to a game, coaching Little League, watching the World Series on television.

For Auburn native Marc DelPiano, baseball has been his life, from his days as an infielder on the 1985 state champion Auburn High School team to playing in the minor leagues.

The constant has been his father Paul, a retired Auburn principal, who coached him as a youth and supported him during and after his playing career. Marc didn't make it to the majors as a player, but he did in the front office, working his way up from scout to director of player development for the Florida Marlins.

A decade of hard work paid off for Marc when the Marlins won the 2003 World Series over the Yankees last fall. Celebrating in the visitors' clubhouse, Marc started to realize the spoils that accompany the victory - a World Series ring - which is something most baseball players and front office people never receive.

After being doused in champagne, Marc rejoined his brother Matt, a Los Angeles-based entertainment agent, in the stands at Yankee Stadium.

"I said Matt, 'Do you believe this, we grew up in Auburn and we're in Yankee Stadium, we just won.' It was incredible," he said. "I went to bed that night and I thought, 'Man, we're going to get rings.'"

Marc knew he would share the achievement.

"In the back of mind, I always knew if I ever won one, I would give it to him," he said. "One, just in appreciation for introducing me to baseball and for just allowing me to chase my dreams no matter what they are."

This wasn't an ordinary ring. Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria spared no expense in creating what has been called one of the most spectacular championship rings in pro sports history.

According to the Marlins Web site, the rings weigh between 110 and 115 grams and feature more than 240 stones, including 229 diamonds.

The Marlins received their World Series rings in April. When Marc came home last month, he presented it to his surprised father.

"I just said, 'Dad, here this is yours, I just want to give this to you and thanks for everything you've ever done.' It was a great feeling being able to do that," Marc said.

Paul had mixed emotions.

"I felt honored and filled with pride that he wanted to give me the ring," the father said. "But I was reluctant to accept the ring because I knew how hard he had worked to help the Marlins be successful in their championship run.

"The reality that my son wanted me to have his ring was a touching expression of a son's love - an appreciation to his father," he said. "I feel real lucky to have such a wonderful son."

Marc played baseball at the University of Tennessee but left to play professional ball before he graduated.

After his first season in the Cleveland Indians organization, it was evident that Marc wasn't going to play in the majors. So when his father picked him up after the season in North Carolina, he planned a little surprise.

Without his knowledge, Paul transferred Marc's credits to SUNY Cortland and enrolled him there so he could earn his degree.

"When we were coming on 81 and I got off and took him right to Cortland, he was a little bit shocked," Paul said. "He said, 'Where are you going?' I said 'I enrolled you here,' and I dropped him off.

"He wasn't too happy at that time because that wasn't what he was planning to do but he went on and got his degree from Cortland," Paul said.

"I knew he was adamant about me finishing my education and was instrumental in me doing that or I probably wouldn't have," he said.

This may not be the only World Series ring Marc earns.The Marlins entered the weekend in first place in the National League East and could repeat as world champions.

So what would he do with the next ring?

"You know what, I don't know who's going to get the next one," Marc said laughing. "I would probably keep it."

Sports editor Chris Sciria can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 258 or

citizensports@lee.net