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KSR Today: Kentucky Baseball Welcomes the Sports Doldrums

Nick-Roush-headshotby:Nick Roush05/24/23

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Photo by Addison Jarecki | UK Athletics

The Kentucky baseball team giveth, and it taketh away. Nick Mingione’s squad had a chance to give the Big Blue Nation some exciting sports action leading into Memorial Day Weekend. Instead, the Wildcats were one and done in the SEC Tournament in Hoover.

The Cats’ bats were cold out of a rain delay, but exceptional pitching kept Kentucky in the game through six innings. In the bottom of the seventh the Wildcats sent the tying run to the plate with two on and two outs. Alabama got the strikeout, erasing Kentucky’s best chance at a late comeback.

The Crimson Tide won 4-0, eliminating Kentucky in the first round of the SEC Tournament. Entering the event, the Wildcats were already projected to host a Regional. A deep run could have put them in contention to host a Super Regional. Even so, the stakes in this tournament are not high. An early exit is probably for the best, allowing arms to rest ahead of a grueling postseason.

Nevertheless, this Kentucky fan wishes he could enjoy some Kentucky sports on a Hump Day. Instead, we’re stuck in a dead time in the sports calendar, still waiting for more news on the Kentucky basketball front while the rest of the basketball world collectively holds its breath ahead of a long pause before the NBA Finals.

Eastern Conference Finals are Still Ongoing

It’s not a complete sports desert out there, thanks to the Boston Celtics. They showed a little life Tuesday night, winning game four 116-99 to keep the Eastern Conference Finals alive for at least one more game. The Heat can clinch a spot in the NBA Finals Thursday night in Boston.

Will Levis had himself a DAY

We let you know a few days ago that Will Levis had a pretty interesting rendezvous in L.A. with Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin, Travis Scott and Tom Brady. The event looked so much cooler than we even knew. The former Wildcat quarterback shared images and videos from his trip to the West Coast and he returned with a few souvenirs, including a signed jersey from his childhood hero.

KSR Text Alerts are BACK

Remember those fun Ryan Lemond sound effects that used to be available through the KSR app? We may not have figured out the sound effects, but we can send you breaking news via text message starting today. It’s simple. All you have to do is Text ‘KSR’ to 41372 and you will receive the Wah-nee-nah-nah! as news breaks across the Big Blue Nation. (Technically, your phone will not ring “Wah-nee-nah-nah, but you will know what’s happening as soon as it happens.)

While you’re at it, go ahead and double down by signing up for the KSR Newsletter.

Hump Day History Lesson: Ever heard of the Louisville Southern Exposition?

I hadn’t either until Tuesday morning. Since then I’ve fully immersed myself into the topic, learning everything I can about the 19th century event that spurred development in my hometown.

In 1883 President Chester A. Arthur came to Louisville to open the Louisville Southern Exposition. The purpose was to inspire people from around the world to invest in the South during reconstruction struggles. Like most World’s Fairs at the time, it had modern machinery on display, along with art exhibits and even agricultural demonstrations.

That was a boring synopsis. What made this event unlike any other is it took place at night. The enormous wooden building that served as the centerpiece of the 46-acre event was constructed on top of current day Central Park and illuminated by 4,600 lamps, the largest display of Thomas Edison’s new invention, the incandescent light bulb. Edison lived in Louisville for a time while he developed the revolutionary invention.

A shorter synopsis: when you visit the St. James Court Art Fair, you’re walking on the same ground where 150 years ago Americans were entertained at night under lightbulbs for the first time. Pretty neat. Shout out to the Filson Historical Society for all of the old artifacts and photos from the revolutionary exposition.

KSR is Cooking up a Big Guest for 11 Personnel

You may have noticed most of my work on the site happening at night over the last week. My parents are taking a trip of a lifetime to Europe, which has put me on Dad Duty during the day. That doesn’t mean less work for this enthusiastic sports blogger. A lineup of summer guests started with Tom Leach, then the Dingle Brothers and it continues with another notable name Thursday evening. Stay tuned.

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2025-01-27