From Louisville Cardinals On SI · · 2m
Will Smith gets hometown hero banner in Louisville
The Dodgers catcher and Louisville legend returned home for a tribute honoring his journey from Kentucky Country Day to three World Series rings.
In brief
The Dodgers catcher and Louisville legend returned home for a tribute honoring his journey from Kentucky Country Day to three World Series rings. Will Smith, who hit the game-winning homer in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series, is now immortalized on a downtown Louisville building alongside 30+ other hometown heroes…
Banner honors Louisville's Will Smith
The Dodgers catcher got a Hometown Hero banner on the Grocer Ice Lofts at 609 E. Main Street. He joins 30+ Louisvillians honored with building-side portraits.
Perfect timing for the ceremony
Smith drove down I-71 from Cincinnati, where the Dodgers are playing the Reds. He's returning from a neck injury that sidelined him for two and a half months.
Game 7 hero with a record
Smith hit the game-winning homer in the 11th inning of the 2025 World Series Game 7. He caught all 73 innings of the Fall Classic, a record.
Three rings and counting
The 2025 championship was Smith's third with the Dodgers, adding to titles in 2020 and 2024.
High school phenom at KCD
Smith hit .528 with 11 homers his senior year at Kentucky Country Day. He also pitched, going 7-1 with a 0.87 ERA.
Stayed home for college ball
Smith played three seasons at Louisville from 2014 to 2016. As a freshman, he helped the Cardinals reach the College World Series in Omaha.
Junior year breakout season
In 2016, Smith hit .382 with seven homers and 43 RBI. He earned All-ACC Third Team honors and helped Louisville secure the No. 2 overall seed.
Dodgers drafted him 32nd overall
Los Angeles selected Smith in 2016 and he's spent his entire pro career in their organization. He debuted in 2019 and made three straight All-Star teams from 2023 to 2025.
Giving back to both cities
Smith and his wife Cara have two daughters and run the Catching Hope Foundation. It helps underprivileged children in Los Angeles and Louisville.
The bottom line
Will Smith, who hit the game-winning homer in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series, is now immortalized on a downtown Louisville building alongside 30+ other hometown heroes.
