Former Louisville catcher Will Smith captures another World Series with the Dodgers

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Former Louisville baseball star and current Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith is a world champion again.

Facing the New York Yankees in the 2024 World Series, Smith’s Dodgers took the best-of-seven series four games to one and officially clinched the Fall Classic with a 7-6 win on Wednesday night.

It is the second championship for Smith, who became the first former Cardinal to win a World Series with the Dodgers in 2020. Smith is also the first Louisville alumni to win multiple championships and only one of two to win a World Series after Adam Duvall did so with the Atlanta Braves in 2021.

The Louisville native went just 2-18 during the World Series, but recorded two RBI, hit a double in Game 2 and hit a solo home run in Game 4. He finished the 2024 postseason going 8-for-56 (.143) with three home runs, eight RBI, one double and eight walks.

During the regular season, the Kentucky Country Day graduate was one of the majors’ top catchers and earned his second consecutive All-Star Game nomination. In 128 games, Smith hit .248/.327/.433 with 20 home runs, 75 RBI, 24 doubles and 51 walks. Additionally, he led the National League in caught steals with a 33.3 percent rate.

Smith has spent his entire professional career in the Dodgers organization after being selected in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft by Los Angeles. Since being drafted in 2019, he has amassed 111 home runs with 381 RBI while posting a slash line of .258/.350/.472 in 612 total games.

The Derby City native and Kentucky Country Day graduate was part of the star-studded Louisville baseball team in 2016 and was one of its brightest stars. This junior season, he hit .382/.480/.567, leading the team in all three categories, while also hitting seven home runs and recording 43 RBI. For his efforts, he was named a Third-Team All-ACC selection in 2016.

(Photo by Will Smith: Brad Penner – Imagn Images)

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