HOUSTON – A longtime ballpark supervisor at Minute Maid Park is relieved after he was reunited with an important keepsake given to him by the Houston Astros.
Reynaldo Munoz, who has worked for Minute Maid Park for 23 years, got a World Championship ring from the team for his time working there.
“It was given to us by the owner for everybody that’s been there and when it was given to us, it was the best feeling ever,” Munoz said.
On Father’s Day, he went to the bathroom, took off the ring and washed his hands but forgot to put it back on.
“By the time I realized it, I went back and it was no longer there. It was the worst feeling ever, like someone ripped my heart out,” Munoz said.
Neymar Davalos, 8, reportedly found the keepsake and took it to his dad.
“After the game, he goes to the restroom and comes out with the ring and says, ‘Happy Father’s Day’ and like I said, I didn’t think much of it,” Rey Davalos said.
Rey said he thought it was a replica ring until a family friend of Munoz took to social media in an effort to find it. He saw the post after it was shared several times.
“Today while at the Father’s Day game at Minute Maid Park my friend’s dad took off his ring to wash his hands,” a Facebook post written by Janie Arredondo said. “He was working and got a call for assistance and about 20 minutes later he realized it was missing. He went back to look and it was gone. His Father’s Day was ruined.”
Arredondo continued, saying that the ring is personalized to every employee.
“We hope whoever has it will return it. It is one of his joys from working there for many years,” she said.
After several shares, Arredondo updated the post with a happy update.
“HOUSTON IS AMAZING! Because of the shares someone has come forward!” she said.
Munoz gifted Neymar a jersey, two replica rings, a bobblehead and two complimentary tickets to a game at Minute Maid Park.
“It feels good because I saw where it was sentimental to Mr. Munoz,” Davalos said.
Watch the KPRC 2+ livestream player below at 6 p.m. for more on this heartwarming story: