Kentucky centerfielder Nolan McCarthy produced the biggest moment in Kentucky baseball history when his aggressive baserunning turned into the game-winning run in the series-clinching win over Oregon State in the Super Regionals to send the Wildcats to their first-ever College World Series berth. That picture of McCarthy diving for home plate will soon be posted everywhere at Kentucky Proud Park and inside Kentucky’s baseball facility.
That slide reminded many of Cincinnati Reds legend Pete Rose. During a practice session at the College World Series, Nolan McCarthy got to hear from the legendary baseball player through Kentucky alum Doug Flynn who was teammates with Rose and won two World Series championships with the Big Red Machine.
Flynn exchanged a text message with Rose where he showed the slide, and the man with over 4,000 career hits wanted Flynn to give a message back to Nolan McCarthy.
“Tell him to keep having fun. However, the only way to have fun is to win. Everybody’s in a better mood when you win. You can’t win every game but you should want to,” Rose texted.” Field, hit, be a good baserunner. Don’t care who you are. Three-for-10 and you’re having a good day. Play some good defense and have fun.”
“I made 10,000 outs so don’t worry about it.”
That is very cool. Nolan McCarthy has a long way to go to reach 4,000 big league hits, but the Michigan native made a play that will never be forgotten in Lexington. The man known as “Charlie Hustle” was impressed with McCarthy willingness to put his body on the line in a high-leverage moment. That aggressiveness has given the Wildcats the opportunity to play for a national championship.
Will Kentucky create another legendary memory in Omaha? We will find out soon.
Follow KSR at the College World Series
KSR the show may not be headed to Omaha this weekend, but the website will be well-represented. KSR baseball beat writer Daniel Hager and videographer Steven Peake hit the road on Friday to capture all the action and excitement for Kentucky’s first College World Series appearance. They’ll be sharing all of their adventures on the site, social media, and special editions of “Bat Cat Beat” and Rapid Reactions on the KSR YouTube Channel, so make sure you’re following and subscribed to keep up with the Cats.
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