He attended San Diego State University, where he became a star closer after dropping 42 pounds in his sophomore year.[2] In 2002, as a junior, Ring went 5-1 with a 1.85 ERA and 17 saves, a mark that stood until Addison Reed recorded 20 in 2009.[3] He was also named a third-team All-American in 2002[4] and first-team All-Mountain West Conference in 2001 and 2002.[5]
He was selected by the Chicago White Sox as the 18th overall pick in the first round of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft.[7] That year, he pitched to a 3.21 ERA with 31 strikeouts and 11 walks in 24 games between the Arizona League and the High-A Carolina League. In 2003, he pitched for the Birmingham Barons in Double-A , compiling a 2.52 ERA, 19 saves, 44 strikeouts, and 14 walks in 35.2 innings.[8]
New York Mets
Ring (left) talks with Nationals pitcher Jon Rauch in 2008
Ring's performance suffered in the 2004 season, and the Mets made it clear he was no longer considered the team's closer of the closer. Instead, he would need to pitch more often and in different situations to be considered for a role in the majors.[13] After posting a 3.63 ERA in 34.2 innings with the Norfolk Tides in Triple-A, he was demoted after the All-Star break. The Mets left him unprotected in the Rule 5 draft that offseason after he gained close to 20 pounds.[14][15]
However, he lost the excess weight and dropped his arm angle for the 2005 season and saw better results.[14] Back in Triple-A, Ring allowed one run in nine innings and was called up to the big leagues.[16] He made his Major League debut on April 29 against the Washington Nationals.[17] Ring posted a disappointing 5.06 ERA with 10 walks in 10.2 innings for the Mets, but went 3–0 with a 3.26 ERA in 33 games for Triple-A Norfolk.[18][19]
Fully embracing his role as a situational left, Ring pitched to a 2.97 ERA in 39.1 innings at Triple-A.[19] He was recalled to the big leagues on August 2, 2006.[20] Three weeks later, he was sent back to Norfolk to make room on the 25-man roster for the newly acquired Shawn Green.[21] He later returned to the big league club as a September call up. Ring was included on the team's playoff roster for the 2006 National League Division Series but never entered a game.[22][23] He was dropped from the roster for the National League Championship Series.[24]
San Diego Padres
On November 15, 2006, Ring was traded along with Heath Bell to the San Diego Padres for outfielder Ben Johnson and reliever Jon Adkins.[25][26] After pitching to a 4.91 ERA in seven games that spring, he was cut from major league camp and began the 2007 season in Triple-A.[27] He was first called up to the Padres on April 30 and pitched in 15 games across two stints with the team.[28]
Atlanta Braves
Ring during batting practice with the Braves in 2008
On July 31, 2007, Ring was traded to the Atlanta Braves for Wilfredo Ledezma and pitching prospect Will Startup, then optioned to the Triple-A Richmond Braves.[29][30] He was called up when the rosters expanded on September 1.[31] In 2008, Ring was included on the Braves opening day roster.[32] After compiling an 8.46 ERA in 22.1 innings, he was designated for assignment on August 2, 2008.[33][34] He cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Richmond. He became a free agent at the end of the season.
St. Louis Cardinals
On January 5, 2009, Ring signed a one-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.[35] However, he was placed on outright waivers on March 25,[36] and accepted a minor league assignment to Triple-A with the Memphis Redbirds.[37]
New York Yankees
On January 12, 2010, Ring signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees, and was invited to spring training.[38] Although he impressed the Yankees in spring training,[39] he was optioned to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.[40] Following the completion of the Triple-A season, the Yankees purchased Ring's contract and promoted him to the major leagues.[41] After the season, he was outrighted off the 40-man roster.[42]
Seattle Mariners
On December 14, 2010, Ring signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners and was invited to spring training.[43] However, he did not make the Mariners out of spring training and was sent to the minors on March 27.[44] He opted out of his contract on July 3 after posting a 6.08 ERA in 27 games.[45]
Boston Red Sox
Ring signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox on July 20, 2011.[46] Ring pitched in just nine games for Pawtucket.
Colorado Rockies
Ring signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies on February 22, 2012.[47]
In May 2014 it was announced that Ring was retiring as a player to become the pitching coach for the Gulf Coast Mets, a rookie level minor league team in the New York Mets organization.[49] In 2016, he was named the pitching coach for the Kingsport Mets of the Appalachian League.[50] Ring became the pitching coach for the Short Season A Brooklyn Cyclones in 2017.[51] He was promoted to the Low-A Columbia Fireflies for 2019[52] and was promoted to the High-A St. Lucie Mets for 2020[53] before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After the MiLB realignment of 2021, Ring was assigned back to the Brooklyn Cyclones, who are now the High-A Affiliate of the New York Mets.[54]
On January 16, 2022, the Lotte Giants of the KBO League hired Ring to serve as the team's pitching coordinator.[55]
