New Place, New Face for Talmadge LeCroy
South Carolina will have a new look behind the plate this year. With All-American Cole Messina moving on to professional baseball, senior Talmadge LeCroy, who came to South Carolina as a catcher but played third base the last two years, is back behind the dish, and he’s got a new look as well after shaving his signature beard in the offseason.
“Coach (Paul) Mainieri didn’t make me do it, but he kind of hinted that he wanted me to,” LeCroy said with a laugh. “He doesn’t have the rule about shaving the facial hair anymore, but he thought it would be a clean, fresh start for me. I committed to it, and I don’t think I’ll be going back. I feel like I can’t get any uglier. I don’t think I’ve been freshly shaved since my freshman year.”
Self-deprecating humor aside, LeCroy was serious when it came to changing his position again.
“I went up to them (coaches) and mentioned that I wanted to get back behind the plate,” LeCroy said. “I know that’s what I’m best at, and I think I can help the team the most there.
“I’ve enjoyed it a lot. I started off by going up to the Cape Cod League over the summer to get my feet wet behind the plate again, and it helped out a lot. Coach (Mainieri) came up and watched me play summer ball, and I guess he liked what he saw.”

“My dad always told me to work hard, and good things will come. He told me to keep my faith strong and everything will work out.”
Even though he’s been a regular in the lineup the last three years, LeCroy still feels like he has something to prove.
“You’re always trying to earn a position in the lineup,” LeCroy said. “I’ve had to get my body more in shape and spend a little more time in the training room. I’m just ready to get after it. Being behind the plate is a leadership position. I’ve known our returning pitchers, and it’s been an easy transition to gel with the new pitchers who have come in and getting to know what kind of pitches they like, making sure they’re comfortable throwing a ball in the dirt, even with a runner in scoring position, and things like that. I’m just making sure they’re comfortable and that they know I’ve got their back. That’s the main thing as a catcher; getting everybody’s trust.
“I’ve really enjoyed Coach Mainieri. He really pushes you to be the best version of yourself. I think he pulled that out of me in the fall. I think the best is yet to come for me and the entire team.”
Faith, family, and baseball have been three foundations in LeCroy’s life.
“My dad always told me to work hard, and good things will come,” LeCroy said. “He told me to keep my faith strong and everything will work out.”
Whenever baseball is done, LeCroy would like to get into coaching. His father, Jody, is the Athletics Director at his high school and his uncle, Matthew, is a former Major Leaguer who is now a manager for the Triple-A franchise of the Washington Nationals. For now, LeCroy isn’t looking that far ahead as he just wants to enjoy his final year of college baseball, with a great view from behind the plate.
“This is a fresh start for all of our guys,” LeCroy said. “I’m excited to get after it.”