Louisville celebrated one of its own on Tuesday when three‑time World Series champion Will Smith, a former Kentucky Country Day and University of Louisville baseball star, saw his Hometown Heroes banner raised on the Grocers Ice Loft building at 609 E. Main Street in the NuLu district.
Local pride meets national success
Smith, who grew up in the city, said the banner means more than his professional accolades. “These are the people that helped raise me – the teachers, the coaches when I was a kid – and that’s why this is special,” he told the crowd gathered for the ceremony.
He added that the honor reminds him of the simple joy that first drew him to the game. “I still feel like an eight‑year‑old kid sometimes, going out there and playing baseball and winning games and winning World Series. It’s really cool,” Smith said.
From Louisville to the majors
After starring for the Cardinals from 2014‑2016, Smith was selected in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Since joining the Dodgers, he has become a three‑time NL All‑Star (2023‑2025) and helped the team capture three World Series titles (2020, 2024, 2025). In the 2025 championship, Smith set a World Series record by catching every inning of the series – 73 innings total – and delivered the winning home run in the 11th inning of Game 7.
Message to the next generation
Speaking to aspiring athletes, Smith urged them to dream big and trust in their abilities. “Dream big, do what you love, give it your fullest potential and believe in yourself,” he said. “That’s the biggest thing – believe in yourself and good things can happen.”
The banner, part of the city’s Hometown Heroes program, highlights Louisville’s commitment to honoring local figures who have achieved national distinction while staying connected to their roots. The Grocers Ice Loft building, a renovated historic space in the vibrant NuLu neighborhood, now displays the banner as a reminder that great talent can emerge from the city’s neighborhoods and return to inspire future generations.
Community impact
Local leaders and business owners praised the event as a boost for the NuLu area, noting that the ceremony brings attention to the district’s growing arts and culinary scene. “Having a hometown hero like Will Smith recognized here underscores the value of investing in our neighborhoods and supporting the dreams of our youth,” said a NuLu business association representative.
Smith’s visit also included a brief meet‑and‑greet with local youth baseball teams, reinforcing the message that hard work, faith, and family support can lead to extraordinary achievements.
Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.
