APTOPIX World Series Baseball

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers have been a favorite baseball team for many Louisvillians for more than half a century, stretching back to Pee Wee Reese building his Hall of Fame resume with a pair of World Series champions for the franchise.

Now another Louisville native can match Reese's World Series ring total of two — former Card and Kentucky Country Day star Will Smith caught the final out of the Dodgers' 7-6 close-out victory over the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium Wednesday.

In fact, Smith caught strike three thrown by another Kentuckian: Walker Buehler of Lexington whiffed Alex Verdugo for the game's final out.

As the Dodgers celebrated, Smith was chased down by Major League Baseball's authenticator, who applied the appropriate hologram to the ball before giving it back to Smith.

Louisville baseball coach Dan McDonnell was on the scene in The Bronx to celebrate with Smith as well as former Louisville baseball student manager Michael Voltmer.

"It was really cool having these players (have success in the big leagues)," McDonnell said. "But it's also really cool to see what so many of the other guys are doing."

"I feel like a proud parent. Will is a player who we knew always had athleticism and talent but I feel like he's had a perfect path on his career. 

"He was never the guy (in college) who got the most attention or awards. I tell our players sometimes that is a blessing because you never feel as if you've arrived. You keep striving to get better. And now he's recognized as one of the best in the game."

Voltmer has worked for the Dodgers for more than eight years, the last three as the team's director of baseball strategy and information. He was a student manager for McDonnell from 2011-13 who came to Louisville from New Jersey to learn from McDonnell and his staff.

McDonnell said that Voltmer was responsible for the positioning of the Dodgers' defensive players and heavily involved in game-planning with Smith.

Smith is a two-time all-star. The Dodgers drafted him with the 32nd pick in the first round of the 2016 MLB free agent draft. Two of Smith's U of L teammates -- outfield Corey Ray (Brewers) and pitcher Zack Burdi (White Sox) -- were taken ahead of him in that draft. Two catchers from other Atlantic Coast Conference teams were also drafted ahead of Smith.

"Like I said, Will is just a great example of a guy who never played like he though he arrived," McDonnell said. "Sometimes when you have too much success early in your career, this game will kick you in the gut."

Smith advanced to the big leagues in three seasons, establishing himself as the best player from the 2016 draft class as well as one of the best catchers in baseball.

Smith signed a 10-year contract worth $140 million with the Dodgers last March.

Although he managed only two hits (including a home run) in 18 at bats during the World Series, multiple Los Angeles pitchers credited Smith's pitch calling and management of the strike zone for the success of the depleted Dodgers' pitching staff. Smith caught in all 16 post-season games that Los Angeles played.

For Smith, Buehler and Voltman, it was their second World Series victory. The Dodgers defeated Tampa during the strike-shortened 60-game COVID-19 season in 2020.

Smith told MLB.com that he gave the ball for the final pitch to Buehler to add to his trophy case. A product of Henry Clay High School in Lexington, Buehler missed part of the 2022 season and all of last season after dealing with two arm operations.

"I gotta give it to Walker," Smith told David Adler of MLB.com.

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