Louisville native Will Smith chasing third World Series ring with Dodgers

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — He grew up playing baseball on Louisville fields. Now, Dodgers catcher Will Smith is back on the game’s biggest stage, chasing his third World Series ring.

Smith, a former standout at the University of Louisville, has become one of Major League Baseball’s top catchers since being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round in 2016. He’s already a two-time World Series champion and a three-time MLB All-Star.

At UofL, Smith left a lasting impression on head coach Dan McDonnell, who keeps a sign of Smith holding a World Series trophy on his desk.

“It’s not often you have a local kid that plays at your university and is one of the best players in the game,” McDonnell said. “In the time that he was here, we might have won more games in that three-year stretch than any other.”

McDonnell said watching Smith win it all last year was a proud moment. “Growing up a lifelong Yankee fan, I had to remind my brother we couldn’t root for the Yankees that night, Will Smith got us tickets,” he said with a smile.

Before the bright lights, Smith was already standing out at Kentucky Country Day. His former coach, Joe Maione, remembers spotting his potential when Smith was just in second grade.

“He just had kind of an electric arm,” Maione said. “He could really throw the ball.”

By middle school, Smith was starting on the varsity team. “Tremendous work ethic, tremendous human being, and a lot of talent to go with it,” Maione said.

When Smith reached the big leagues, he sent Maione a signed jersey that still hangs in the coach’s office. “Thank you for all you’ve done to help me — wouldn’t have been able to be here without you,” Maione read from what Smith wrote.

Both of his former coaches agree, Smith’s calm and steady nature has been key to his success.

“He’s never gonna get too high,” McDonnell said.
“Never too low, just always that calm demeanor,” Maione added.

Now, the banner hanging over Jim Patterson Stadium calls him a “Hometown Hero.” If the Dodgers win again, Will Smith could soon add a third championship ring to his collection.

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