Meet the most interesting name in high school baseball, Independence's Cash Money
MT. JULIET − In this day and age, branding is everything.
And what better way to showcase your brand than with a name no one will forget.
Independence baseball sophomore Cash Money has the perfect name recognition entering the TSSAA state tournament. It's memorable. It's unique and, yes, it's his given name.
"It's the only name I have," Cash said Thursday night, after a 5-2 win over Mt. Juliet in a 4A state sectional game. "It's the only name I know, and I love it."
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Cash, a catcher for the Eagles (32-10), has never questioned why his family gave him the name, but it's always been a topic of conversation from the time he was born. By age 7, he was signing autographs in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, during older brother Blake's run with Tennessee's Little League World Series team in 2014. Word spread about Cash's name and kids flocked to get Cash to print his name.
"That was weird because I really didn't have a clue what was going on," Cash said. "My parents were just telling me to sign my name on these pieces of paper."
The name came organically during Jennifer Money's pregnancy.
"His older sister, Morgan, named him," Jennifer said. "A lot was put into all of their names. We wanted good solid names and each of the kids weren't named until after they were born. Morgan was first. Blake was the second. Logan was third and his took the longest to name."
Morgan and Blake were watching an episode of the Richie Rich cartoon when they heard cash money. Morgan approached Jennifer, kissed her belly and said, "Good morning, Cash." That greeting became a everyday ritual for Morgan, and for Blake, who would go on to play high school baseball at Summit and is now a junior pitcher at LSU.
"Me and my husband (Keith) just kind of rolled with it," Jennifer said. We agreed to let the kids have free reign on this name. If it was a girl, we were going to name her Maida Money. If it was a boy, it was going to be Cash.
"If Cash ever decides he hates it, he's always got his middle name, Gavin."
Some have addressed Cash as Gavin, not realizing Cash is his real name. Others not aware of their son's first name, but knowing the Money last name, have joked with Cash's parents.
"They say 'Wouldn't it be funny if someone in your family was named Cash?' " Jennifer said. "I say, 'Well, actually, there is.' In fact, all of our kids have nicknames. Morgan is Mo Money. Blake is B Money and Logan is Lo Money."
Jennifer and Keith were in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for the graduation of Morgan, who attended LSU. She graduated with a double-major in Mass Communications and Sports Administration/Sports Commerce. The family watched Blake's Tigers face SEC rival Georgia on Friday, while staying updated with Cash and Logan, a junior on Independence's team, during Friday's Game 2 of the 4A sectional.
Independence won 5-0 to reach the TSSAA state tournament.
"It's the perfect name for him," said Independence coach Michael McLaury. "It fits Cash to a tee. He wears it well and is proud of it and the Money last name, there's a lot of good baseball in that name. From Blake to Logan and Cash."
Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TSSAA baseball: Independence's Cash Money at ease with unorthodox name
