Nashville’s Mookie Betts is ready to slide into another World Series. | Photo by All-Pro Reels via Wikimedia Commons
Nashville native and Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts returns to baseball’s biggest stage Friday night for his third World Series appearance, this time facing the New York Yankees.
However, before winning championships with the Boston Red Sox in 2018 and the Dodgers in 2020, Betts made his mark as a three-sport athlete at Nashville’s John Overton High School, excelling in baseball, basketball, and bowling. He graduated in 2011 and rescinded his commitment to the University of Tennessee after signing with the Red Sox. He made his MLB debut in 2014.
Since then, Betts has collected a string of accolades: He’s an eight-time All-Star, six-time Silver Slugger and Gold Glove winner, and the 2018 American League MVP. This year, he hit the first home run of the MLB season and finished regular season play with 19 homers. He also had the team’s second-highest batting average after Shohei Ohtani, all while missing 45 games due to a fractured left hand.
As Betts prepares for the World Series, there are a few more Nashville connections to know.
Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler played at Vanderbilt and was part of their 2014 College World Series win. The Dodgers selected him 24th overall in the 2015 MLB Draft.
Yankees pitcher Jake Cousins and catcher Jose Trevino, along with Dodgers infielder Max Muncy, all had stints with the Nashville Sounds.
Franklin native Casey Dykes is in his third season as a Yankees assistant hitting coach.
Yankees outfielder Juan Soto secured the team’s World Series spot with a three-run homer in Game 5 against the Guardians. So what’s his connection to Music City? Well, the trade that brought Soto from San Diego to New York was finalized in Nashville during the MLB’s winter meetings held at Gaylord Opryland last December. You’re welcome, Yankees fans.
Vanderbilt University Orchestra: Tales of Dance | Tuesday, Oct. 22 | 8-9:30 p.m. | Vanderbilt University’s Ingram Hall | Free+ | The Blair School of Music presents the program with guest soloist Carolyn Huebl on violin.
Wednesday, Oct. 23
Noble Park x the Gumbo Bros | Wednesday, Oct. 23 | 6:45 p.m. | Noble Park | Free | Watch “Hocus Pocus” while snacking on free po’ boys and cookies while supplies last.
Design Your Own Ramen | Wednesday, Oct. 23 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Marble Fox Brewing | $55 | This hands-on cooking class focuses on the use of bok choy, chicken, and green onions.
Thursday, Oct. 24
Curator’s Perspective: Journey Through Japan | Thursday, Oct. 24 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Frist Art Museum | Free | The lecture explores how landscapes and popular tales have influenced and inspired art, technology, and design in Japan.
Friday, Oct. 25
Sturgill Simpson | Friday, Oct. 25 | 8 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena | $72+ | Hear tunes from his latest album, “Passage Du Desir,” which was released under the alias Johnny Blue Skies.
Saturday, Oct. 26
Southern Festival of Books | Saturday, Oct. 26-Sunday, Oct. 27 | Times vary | Locations vary | Free+ | Over 175 authors head to Nashville for panels, signings, book sales, live performances, and more.
Jelly Roll added a hometown show at Bridgestone Arena to his “Beautifully Broken” tour — Tuesday, Nov. 26 with special guests ERNEST and Alexandra Kay. With his previous Nashville arena show selling out in 2022, fans should act quickly when tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 25.
Development
A ~700-acre luxury community named Firefly is planned for Spring Hill. The project, which is in the permitting phase, plans to offer 407 homes, two golf courses, a bowling alley, multiple pools, a racquet club, and more. Check out renderings + the property map. (Nashville Business Journal)
Open
Saffire reopens today, Oct. 22 at The Factory at Franklin. The restaurant known for its elevated Southern comfort food previously closed in 2017 after 16 years in business. Check out some of the new and returning dishes before making a reservation. (Williamson Herald)
Announced
Due to a scheduling conflict, Luke Combs will no longer be a part of this year’s Music City Walk of Fame induction class. “Stay tuned for a later date,” he said in a statement. The Wednesday, Oct. 30 ceremony will carry on with the other inductees.
Festival
Things are heating up in Nashville. The 2nd annual TN Hot Sauce Expo is coming to East Park this weekend, Oct. 26-27. Sample hot sauces, sip on craft beer, and watch “extreme eating challenges” on the Stage of Doom. Tickets start at $10.
Read
A little bird told us there’s a new kid-friendly Little Free Library in 12 South. The free book exchange box coined “Songbird Books” was painted by local artist Aaron Grayum and can be found on Halcyon Avenue near 10th Avenue South.
Travel
For a limited time, save up to 50% on a AAA Membership — and add an additional driver for free or at a discounted rate. Members access AAA Roadside Assistance 24/7/365, plus savings on flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, and more with AAA Travel. Join AAA before this deal ends.*
Finance
It’s time to take a break from your high-interest debt. For one of the longest no-interest periods on a balance transfer card experts have seen in a while,check this out.*
Lockeland Strings performing at a past ECHO event. | Photo via Centennial Park Conservancy
The Parthenon’s chamber music series returns for its fifth season this winter, bringing together composers and ensembles to perform works arranged for the acoustics of the Parthenon Naos. All this takes place beneath the watchful gaze of the 42-ft-tall Athena statue.
Save the dates:
Nashville in Harmony | Sunday, Dec. 8 | Expect holiday tunes and select pieces from the group’s 20 years as a musical arts organization.
SONUS Choir | Sunday, Dec. 15 | The modern a capella choir’s “All is Calm” holiday show will feature music performed in many languages.
SistaStrings | Sunday, Jan. 26 | This sister duo has performed alongside artists such as Joni Mitchell, Allison Russell, and Ed Sheeran.
Lockeland Strings | Sunday, Feb. 23 | The music collective showcases local artists accompanied by a string quartet.
Fisk Jubilee Singers | Sunday, March 30 | The season concludes with the a cappella ensemble’s ECHO debut.
General admission tickets ($25) and patron tickets ($58) are on sale now. Think: Reserved seating and two complimentary beverages.
The Buy
The Buy
This 4-in-1 car charger. It plugs into your car’s auxiliary power outlet and includes retractable USB-C and Lightning cables as well as USB-C and USB-A ports so you can charge up to four devices at once.
Have you had a chance to check out the wider sidewalks on 2nd Avenue? If you find yourself in the area, I recommend picking up coffee and a sweet treat from Mike’s Ice Cream and Leon’s Candy.
