
The Show Before the Show
560 episodes — Page 5 of 12
#353: The Amazing Tyler
Tyler Scheuer joins the podcast to talk about the balancing act he takes to Minor League Baseball parks across the country. Also, Tyler and Sam discuss opening prospect assignments, and Ben looks at Daytona’s place in the Jackie Robinson story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 352#352: Opening Day podcast-a-palooza
Tyler, Sam, Josh and Kelsie gather to make their annual predictions for top prospects in this opening week of Minor League Baseball, while Ben selects what he’ll be following in the first slew of games in 2022. Also, Josh holds office hours in Ghosts of the Minors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#351: Triple-A, Copa preview
Tyler, Sam and Ben look ahead to Triple-A Opening Day next Tuesday and choose their favorite identities from the 2022 Copa clubs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 350#350: Rules changes, Top 100 talk
Tyler, Sam and Ben break down rules changes sweeping across the Minors in 2022 and take a look at the High-A promotional calendars for the season ahead. Tyler and Sam also go over MLB Pipeline's Top 100 prospect ranking following its release. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#349: League names are back!
Tyler and Ben celebrate the return of historic league names (from the International League to the California League) to the Minor League landscape, while Sam checks in from his Spring Training trip to Florida. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#348: AZ ST, Triple-A promos
Tyler, Sam and Ben discuss an international draft and upcoming Triple-A promotions. Kelsie Heneghan brings stories from a trip to Arizona. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#347: Rumblings in Binghamton
Binghamton director of entertainment and sales Eddie Saunders discusses the Mets affiliates' past, present and future amid recent changes. Also, Tyler, Sam and Ben talk about Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium following its place in baseball news this week, and Josh goes Dutch in Ghosts of the Minors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#346: Frisco and the Dallas Black Giants
Frisco president/GM Victor Rojas talks about the RoughRiders' plans to honor a local Negro Leagues team from the last century. Also, Tyler, Sam discuss prospects in early spring, Ben tells the tale of Bud Fowler and Josh has a spicy edition of Ghosts of the Minors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#345: MiLB Mailbag & Akron JoJos
Tyler, Sam, Ben and Josh answer listener questions about everything from their backgrounds to the best Triple-A teams for the 2022 season. Also, Akron GM/COO GM/COO Jim Pfander stops by to discuss his club's upcoming food-related JoJos identity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#344: Greenville Black Spinners
Drive general manager Eric Jarinko joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to discuss his club’s 2022 celebration of the Greenville Black Spinners, a local organized Black team from the city’s history. Also, Tyler, Sam and Ben look at two new food-based club identities in Peoria and Akron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#343: An NIL deal with the Stockton Ports
Lots to cover on this week’s episode of The Show Before the Show. Tyler, Sam and Ben discuss Minor League Baseball’s The Nine initiative, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys rebrand and the expanded Triple-A schedule. Also, Stockton Ports president Pat Filippone and Pacific guard Pierre Crockrell II discuss the benefits of an NIL deal signed by the two, and Josh rinses off another edition of Ghost of the Minors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#342: Pitching promotions for 2022
Tyler, Sam and Ben take turns pitching Minor League promotion ideas to Myrtle Beach director of fan engagement Hunter Horenstein. Also, Josh takes his rightful throne in the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#341: Lookouts' Jarrah Vella-Wright
Jarrah Vella-Wright discusses his journey from Australia to Chattanooga's front office. Author Michael Lortz joins Ben's Bookshelf to review his novel Curveball at the Crossroads. Finally, Josh hops back to it with another rousing edition of Ghosts of the Minors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#340: Balkovec, Katz & a MiLB Hat Draft
Tyler, Sam and Ben discuss Rachel Balkovec's historic hire as manager of the Low-A Tampa Tarpons, and the trio of co-hosts also hold a Minor League Hat Draft in celebration of National Hat Day. Meanwhile, John Katz talks about his move from the Columbia front office to Woking FC in England, and Josh brings another shocking edition of Ghost of the Minors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#339: A $urprise in Iowa
Outgoing Iowa owner Michael Gartner surprised employees with a sizable check on his way out. Scott Sailor and Brent Conkel have details. Also, Tyler, Sam and Ben bring some New Year’s resolutions for the 2022 season ahead, and Josh peels back some historical layers in Ghosts of the Minors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Special: Ghosts of the Minors
Josh Jackson, MiLB writer and the creative visionary behind our weekly “Ghosts of the Minors” segment, stops by and talks to Tyler about the podcast’s fun addition in 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#338: 2021 MiLB season in review
Tyler and Sam look back on all that happened in Minor League Baseball in 2021. Kelsie Heneghan interviews Spokane senior VP Otto Klein after the club was named Organization of the Year at the Winter Meetings Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#337: Bowling Green tornado relief
Bowling Green GM Eric C. Leach talks bout what the club is doing to help residents of the community after tornados devastated the area. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#336: 2021 Winter Meetings
The Minor League Winter Meetings are still on, and this week’s episode focuses on the annual event that returned for 2021. Kelsie Heneghan talks with Ben and Tyler about this year’s experience in Orlando, and Eugene's Kennedy Schull joins the show after winning MiLB’s Future Star Award. Also, Josh takes everyone for a ride through history in Ghosts of the Minors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 335#335: Number Tamer David Kronheim & 2021 MiLB attendance
David Kronheim, a.k.a. the Number Tamer, talks to Ben and Sam about his breakdown of 2021 Minor League attendance figures. Tyler, Sam and Ben also review more ballpark guides from San Jose and Las Vegas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#334: Beloit Sky Carp rebrand
Beloit VP of entertainment Maria Valentyn details the club's new Sky Carp identity. Tyler and Sam talk housing policy changes for 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#333: Albuquerque’s Dinner Impossible
Albuquerque Isotopes GM John Traub talks about the Food Network’s visit to the ballpark. Also, Tyler and Sam preview the Fall Stars Game, and Josh goes back to the dog days in Ghosts of the Minors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 332#332: Arizona Fall League Draft
Tyler and Sam draft their own 2021 Arizona Fall League squads. Also, Ben previews Logovember, and Josh spins another Ghosts of the Minors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#331: Mixing baseball, hockey in Toledo
Toledo's Mike Keedy talks about how the front office works year-round for MiLB and ECHL teams. Also, Tyler and Sam go over early AFL storylines, and Ben and Tyler discuss their recent Ballpark Guides on Myrtle Beach and Lynchburg. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#330: Fresno's Taco Truck Throwdown 10
Ray Ortiz and Jonathan Bravo celebrate Fresno's 10th Taco Truck Throwdown, coming this Saturday, by going into the history of the event and the importance of the taco in California’s Central Valley. Also, Tyler and Sam review the early days of the Arizona Fall League, and Josh adds a dash of old-timey humor in Ghosts of the Minors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#329: The MiLBYs are back!
The MiLBY Awards – the annual celebration of the best in Minor League Baseball – have returned for 2021. Tyler and Sam review all eight categories and give their picks among the nominees. The pair of hosts also look at the new MiLB-Marvel partnership and discuss the early days of the Arizona Fall League. Later, Ben brings stories from the Fredericksburg Nationals, and Josh has a colorful edition of Ghosts of the Minors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 328#328: Gwinnett GM Erin McCormick
Erin McCormick, Gwinnett's newest GM, talks about the Final Stretch and her new role. Tyler, Sam review the 2021 MiLB champions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 327#327: Wrapping up in Wichita
Wichita exec Bob Moullette reviews the first season of the Wind Surge. Tyler, Sam and Ben examine the MiLB playoffs from multiple angles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#326: Stalk-ton Aspara-guys
Stockton president Pat Filippone discusses the club's celebration of the Asparagus Capital of the World. Also, Ben brings stories about the return of baseball to Double-A Somerset following serious storm damage, Tyler and Sam present MiLB.TV picks that fans can watch for free and Josh gets down right sartorial for the latest Ghosts of the Minors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#325: That Thing Erie Did!
Double-A Erie president Greg Coleman discusses the club’s Wonders Night promotion, an event celebrating the film That Thing You Do! about a fictional band from the area. Also, Tyler and Sam recall the impacts the Minor Leagues had on the Hall of Fame Class of 2020/2021, Ben brings details of Hickory’s young but experienced mascot Baby Conrad and Josh cobbles together another edition of Ghosts of the Minors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#324: The woman with the RiverDogs tattoo
Bowling Green's Leslie Martin discusses a Charleston tattoo she got in a los bet between the two Rays affiliates. Also, Tyler and Sam review prospects finishing strong, Ben gets into the history of Worcester baseball and Josh gets salty in the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#323: Visit from the ZOOperstars!
Dominic and Brennan Latkovski join the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk about the origins and recent history of the ZOOperstars!, a group of entertainers known across the Minor League landscape. Also, Tyler and Sam break down farm system rankings, Ben previews his trip to Somerset and Josh features a familiar-sounding team in Ghosts of the Minors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#322: Dishing on Worcester food; Top 100 talk
Worcester VP of hospitality Cody Malone discusses setting up a new culinary scene at Polar Park. Also, Ben recaps his own trip to Worcester from last week, and Tyler Sam break down MLB Pipeline’s updated Top 100 prospects ranking. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#321: Pensacola’s Crabzilla uniforms
Pensacola Blue Wahoos president Jonathan Griffith and executive chef Travis Wilson join the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk about the origins of the Crabzilla dish and the “ugly” uniforms it inspired this week. Also, Tyler, Sam and Ben wonder where a MiLB version of the Field of Dreams game could be played. Tyler and Sam discuss Adley Rutschman’s promotion to Triple-A as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#320: Duel of the Dishes for Rochester, Syracuse
Syracuse and Rochester GMs discuss their food-based rivalry, Ben reviews Fredericksburg's new park and Tyler and Sam talk trade additions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#319: Tulsa’s elusive Jack White bobblehead, Trade Deadline
Tulsa Drillers VP of marketing Justin Gorski joins the show to talk about the club’s popular, yet elusive Jack White bobblehead that has drawn fans from all over to ONEOK Field. Also, Ben tells the story of a NASA honoree now working for the Tennessee Smokies, Tyler and Sam break down big Trade Deadline deals and Josh presents a star-studded edition of Ghosts of the Minors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 319#318: Rocket City clubbie Bubba Hearn
Rocket City clubhouse manager Bubba Hearn tells tales of the early days of the Trash Pandas, including ones about how he tracked down some of the firsts in the club’s history. Also, Ben returns with more stories from the road, Tyler and Sam preview the Trade Deadline and Josh gets all medical for Ghosts of the Minors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 318#317: Back on the road with Benjamin Hill
Benjamin Hill calls in from the road for the first time since 2019 with tales of his trips to Chattanooga, Rocket City, Tennessee and Hickory. Also, Tyler and Sam recap the All-Star Futures Game and 2021 MLB Draft and preview what fans should watch for free on MiLB.TV as part of MiLB Major Fun Weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 317#316: Big Fourth weekend for Fresno, MiLB
Fresno president Derek Franks joins the podcast to describe the Grizzlies’ Reopening Weekend celebrations and the relief that came with massive sellouts around the Fourth of July. Also, Ben looks ahead to his first road trip of the 2021 season, and Tyler and Sam preview the MLB Draft and the All-Star Futures Game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 316#315: Welcoming new Americans in Iowa
Triple-A Iowa’s Scott Sailor details one of the great traditions of the Minors – the Cubs’ Naturalization Ceremony that sees Des Moines-area immigrants honored on the field before they are sworn in as American citizens. Also, Ben provides details of his first road trip since 2019, Tyler and Sam break down Futures Game rosters and Josh brings a rosy disposition to Ghosts of the Minors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 315WanderCast: Franco debuts in MLB
Tyler and Sam gather for an emergency podcast, all about the Major League arrival of top overall prospect Wander Franco. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 314#314: Art of MiLB broadcasting
Lansing broadcaster Jesse Goldberg-Strassler talks about the #DemoCritiqueDay initiative. Tyler and Sam predict the next hyped MLB debut Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 313#313: Family affair in Reading
Tom Hunsicker and his sons Scott and Todd talk about their familial connections in Reading. Tyler and Sam discuss Prospect Moving Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 312#312: Bowling Green’s Karen Night
Ben and Sam talk to Bowling Green GM Eric Leach (and a special guest) about the Hot Rods’ Karen Night promotion from last week. Also, Tyler and Sam break down popup prospects, and Josh really ties the podcast together with more Ghosts of the Minors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 311#311: A Wisconsin Udder Tuggers weekend
Ben and Sam talk to High-A Wisconsin broadcaster Chris Mehring about the club’s weekend-long Udder Tuggers promotion, Tyler breaks down prospect standouts at the Olympic qualifiers in Florida and Josh returns with a rock-solid edition of Ghosts of the Minors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 310#310: Honoring a brother in Beloit
Tyler, Sam and Ben talk to Jim Drnec, whose family honored his recently passed brother Harry with the one-day naming rights to the Minor League ballpark in Beloit. Also, Tyler and Sam discuss which prospects are already showing signs of a breakout in 2021, and Ben details how Minor League broadcasters are calling road games from home this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 309#309: Beer bats in Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach president/GM Ryan Moore talks to the Minor League Baseball podcast about how his club’s beer bats went viral and how the Pelicans are now selling the ballpark items through his personal Venmo. (Hint: It involves a lot of beer.) Also, Ben discusses how Hudson Valley found a fun solution to a high-tech problem with its videoboard over the weekend, Tyler and Sam recap storylines from Week 2 of the Minor League season and Josh Jackson returns with his throwback “Ghosts of the Minors” game-show segment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 308#308: First week in review
Tyler and Sam review the first week of Minor League Baseball action, including early prospect standouts and Jarred Kelenic’s promotion to Seattle. The cohosts also look back at Sam’s Opening Day visit to Triple-A Worcester. Ben recaps some of the Minors’ funniest early promotions, and Josh Jackson introduces a new game-show segment. Tune in next week to find out the answer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 307#307: 2021 Opening Day Megacast (MiLB is back!)
The Minor League Baseball regular season has returned at last. Tyler and Sam are joined by colleagues Josh Jackson and Kelsie Heneghan as they make predictions for the 2021 campaign. Also, Tyler talks to Triple-A Albuquerque’s Josh Suchon to look back at the shutdown through the lens of a broadcaster and to preview what’s ahead for the Isotopes, and Ben sneaks a peek at the promotions he’s most excited for in the year to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 306#306: Kannapolis general manager Matt Millward
Kannapolis general manager Matt Millward talks to the Minor League Baseball podcast about finally opening up a new stadium for baseball next week, after much anticipation. Also, Tyler and Sam preview Minor League rosters ahead of announcements coming in the next few days, and Ben gives one final breakdown of the ballpark, logo and name changes coming to the MiLB landscape in 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices