A Kentucky player who launched into a Pete Rose-esque slide during the College World Series gained some acknowledgement from Rose himself over the play.
Nolan McCarthy made a great play during the Wildcats’ Super Regional game against Oregon State, catching the Beaver defense sleeping after a dropped third strike. With the game tied in the seventh inning, McCarthy took off from second on the play, then kept going when Oregon State’s pitcher did not bother to cover home plate. In order to beat the catcher to the plate, McCarthy launched into a Superman-style slide, and he ultimately scored what proved to be the winning run.
KPP AFTER DARK RAHHHHHHHHHH
CATS LEAD!
💻https://t.co/HR1RSLRUaB (@ESPNU)#WeAreUK x #RoadToOmaha | @NolanMcCarthy9 pic.twitter.com/107bxuwygP
— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) June 10, 2024
One of Rose’s former teammates was paying attention to the play. Kentucky alum Doug Flynn, who won two championships with Rose as part of the Cincinnati Reds, reached out to Rose and sent a picture of the slide. Through Flynn, Rose sent along a response.
A legendary message for a legendary play🌹#WeAreUK x #MCWS pic.twitter.com/6vOOL8TLmV
— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) June 13, 2024
“After you did your Pete Rose slide the other night, I texted Pete,” Flynn told McCarthy. “He texted back to you: ‘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. 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 a moment McCarthy will certainly never forget. His coaches will probably appreciate that Rose kept it G-rated, too.
McCarthy and the Wildcats wound up advancing to Omaha, where they open up against NC State on Saturday.
