You probably know of Kelly Nash as the Tampa Rays reporter who was nearly drilled with a ball while taking a selfie on top of the Green Monster. Nash, a veteran television reporter for the Florida sports scene, has two master’s degrees and a new job as the co-host of MLB Network’s Rundown highlight show. She was also once dubbed “The Next Erin Andrews” by this site. Kelly has finally made it to the national broadcast scene and has every intention to take your attention away from Baseball Tonight.
What should we expect from the new Rundown show? Is this just another highlights show? Why should viewers watch the Rundown vs. SportsCenter or FS1?
Expect fun, wit, banter, and exclusive insight leading up to that night’s slate of baseball action. You want baseball? You get baseball. You want to talk the second (or third, or fourth) coming of Tim Tebow? Not us. (Although I wouldn’t mind seeing him get another crack at an NFL roster. Just being honest.)
In an interview with the Tampa Bay Times, you said this new job with MLB Network made your parents so proud. Are they big baseball fans? Besides your work with the Rays, what is your history with the sport?
My parents bought me a television for my bedroom growing up because they were exhausted of watching Marlins baseball night after night after night (after night). They are proud their 13″ investment (with a VHS player attached) paid off. Oh, and that I reached a goal that I set for myself yearssss ago. Can’t forget that.
I’ve read that you had Jordan and Cal Ripken posters in your room as a child. What was it about these two that led you to posterizing your room with them vs. say the Backstreet Boys?
I played shortstop growing up like Cal. (Not third though, third terrified me). Watching highlights of him were some of my first baseball memories. Michael Jordan’s mystique to me was that he was an underdog growing up. He transcended hoops after people doubted him. Whaaaaat. I remember trying to hoop with the boys in elementary school and we would argue about who got to be Jordan. My impersonation was pretty pathetic, I’m sure. Sidenote: I also had Derek Jeter on the ol wall, but my Boston-born extended family wouldn’t love me revealing that now would they…. Whoops.
You’re now known as the selfie reporter who was nearly hit with a ball. Has that been good for your career or is it just one of those viral moments that has faded away?
Well, it got me in Time Magazine last year. That was a little surreal. Definitely can’t hurt a career. Until Time got behind it, some people were skeptical. It is what is it. (And it is VERY authentic.)
Throw: Lefty or righty?
Righty (I got that righty on righty wipeout slider. Gets em every time.)
Bat: Lefty or righty?
Just righty (How vanilla of me)
So you’re calling me a power hitter, huh? I’ll take it! (Gotta take it when I can get it, right?) I want Rickey “Leadoff Legend” Henderson batting first. Followed by Jeter, and Miggy. How filthy would that be. (Minus me cleaning it up after them. Oppo filthy. Too clean.)
