The Show Before the Show
In "The Show Before the Show," MiLB.com writers Tyler Maun and Sam Dykstra break down Minor League Baseball's biggest storylines with guests from around the Minors including players, managers and player development experts. They'll also have a weekly look at what's going on outside the lines with business of the Minors expert Benjamin Hill.
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#432: Logo designer Dan Simon on Rome’s rebrand
Veteran design artist Dan Simon discusses his work on the Rome Emperors rebrand, and much more. Ben runs down other new looks and dishes on concessions from his Southern ballpark trip, and Josh looks back at a particularly slick team for Ghosts of the Minors
59 min
52
#431: New Greensboro logos, Evan Carter
Greensboro general manager Tim Vangel discusses the club’s updated logo set for the 2024 season. Also, the gang reairs an interview with Rangers rookie and World Series champion Evan Carter, and Josh looks back at a legend of consistency in Ghosts of the Minors.
66 min
53
#430: Columbia broadcaster John Kocsis Jr.
Columbia broadcaster John Kocsis Jr. discusses his book “Play-by-Play from the Minors: Profiles of Baseball Broadcasters from Scranton to Yakima,” Tyler and Ben look at the end of title droughts and Josh spreads his wings in another Ghosts of the Minors
50 min
54
#429: Red Sox prospect Corey Rosier
Red Sox prospect Corey Rosier talks to Sam from the Arizona Fall League about his two trades and his progress in 2023. Also, Ben shares stories from a recent trip to Triple-A Columbus, the gang looks at the MLB postseason and Josh is in the tank for another edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
63 min
55
#428: Padres prospect Graham Pauley
No. 11 Padres prospect Graham Pauley chats with Sam about his early time in the Arizona Fall League and his breakout 2023 season in the San Diego system. Also, Ben talks about his Indianapolis visit, the group discusses the MLB postseason and Josh lays gloomy stonework in Ghosts of the Minors
78 min
56
#427: 2023 Arizona Fall League Draft
Sam and Tyler draft teams made of Arizona Fall League starts from the 2023 season, taking one player from each position, a right-handed pitcher, a left-handed pitcher and a DH. Also, Ben looks back at his visit to Louisville and discusses this year’s winning alternate identity from the MiLB Awards Show
82 min
57
#426: MiLB Awards Show preview
Ben, Sam and Tyler preview the first-ever MiLB Awards Show, coming to MLB Network on Monday, Oct. 2. The guys also chat about the new Minor League Baseball logo coming for 2024 and the remaining Minor League postseason series. Later, Josh delivers another colorful edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
44 min
58
#425: Veeck, Guerrero, playoffs
Ben chats about a Mike Veeck documentary, Tyler and Sam look at new champions and Biloxi manager Mike Guerrero speaks about a loaded roster.
52 min
59
#424: Andrew Seymour on Jupiter-Palm Beach rivalry
Palm Beach GM Andrew Seymour chats about his club's intrastadium Florida State League postseason series with Jupiter. Also, Sam and Tyler look at top High-A and Single-A performers, Ben recaps visits to Bowling Green and Louisville and Josh starts a discourse in Ghosts of the Minors.
69 min
60
#423: Ben in Nashville, Bowling Green
Ben is on the road for his final road trip of 2023 with early stops in Nashvile and Bowling Green, and he interviews Hot Rods assistant general manager Ashlee Wilson on this week’s episode. Also, Tyler and Sam talk September callups, and Josh makes a household name out of a Minor Leaguer of yore.
67 min
61
#422: Nationals prospect Dylan Crews
Nationals top prospect Dylan Crews chats about his insane 2023 calendar year, the national title game with LSU and the start of his career in the Washington system. Also, Ben shares stories from Montgomery and Lehigh Valley, and Josh drinks in another edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
49 min
62
#421: Brooklyn's Seinfeld Night
Brooklyn Cyclones assistant general Billy Harner shares details of the club's incredibly famous Seinfeld Night promotion, which took place last Saturday in Coney Island.
72 min
63
#420: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre broadcaster Adam Marco
RailRiders voice Adam Marco talks to Ben about being a Minor League Kerouac, and Tyler reviews Home Run Derby X in Hartford.
50 min
64
#419: Lake County's Allan Wylie, Cole Liggett
Lake County blind broadcaster Allan Wylie and Captains director of broadcasting Cole Liggett join the podcast to discuss Allan’s time in the booth. Also, Ben recaps his recent road trip through New York and Pennsylvania, and Sam breaks down the new MLB Pipeline Top 100 prospects ranking.
57 min
65
#418: Trade Deadline, Defenders of the Diamond
Marvel director of themed entertainment Brian Crosby talks about this year’s Defenders of the Diamond designs. Also, Tyler and Sam chat about the Trade Deadline, Ben checks in from the road in Binghamton and Josh brings the buzz in Ghosts of the Minors
76 min
66
#417: Nashville, The Other Boys of Summer
Sam and Kelsie bring interviews from the MLB Pipeline Game of the Month in Nashville, including one on the art of the callup with Sounds manager Rick Sweet. Also, The Other Boys of Summer director Lauren Meyer talks to the show about her Negro Leagues documentary, and Josh presents a seasoned edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
93 min
67
#416: Buffalo honoring superfan Mark Aichinger
Buffalo GM Anthony Sprague joins the podcast to talk about the Bisons’ upcoming bobblehead of superfan Mark Aichinger. Also, Sam and Tyler preview the Trade Deadline, Ben details the odyssey of Kaleb Bowman and Josh spins a colorful yarn in Ghosts of the Minors.
89 min
68
#415: Rochester’s Intentional Walk, Draft talk
Rochester GM Dan Mason talks to the podcast about the Red Wings’ Intentional Walk fundraiser. Also, Ben recaps his trip to Biloxi, Tyler and Sam break down the 2023 Draft and Josh ascends to the peak of Ghosts of the Minors.
56 min
69
#414: Birmingham's Curt Bloom, Futures Game Draft
Ben chats with Birmingham broadcasting legend Curt Bloom, and Sam and Tyler draft Futures Game rosters ahead of Saturday's showcase.
70 min
70
#413: USA Baseball's Michael Cuddyer
USA Baseball 18U National Team manager Michael Cuddyer talks to Sam from PDP League play, and Ben reviews the first half of the MiLB season.
52 min
71
#412: Negro Southern League Museum’s Frank Adam...
Negro Southern League Museum deputy director Frank Adams Jr. talks to Ben during his trip to Birmingham, Tyler and Sam preview the updated MLB Pipeline Top 100 prospect ranking and Josh proves his mettle in Ghosts of the Minors
58 min
72
#411: MiLB broadcasters’ favorite calls
Ten Minor League broadcasters share their favorite calls from over the years and take listeners behind the scenes. Also, Ben previews his trip to the South, and Josh is up to his usual antics in Ghosts of the Minors.
75 min
73
#410: Elly De La Cruz exploding on MLB scene
Ben presents an interview from the Eugene Exploding Whales, and Sam and Tyler look at Elly De La Cruz's loud arrival in the Major Leagues.
47 min
74
#409: Fort Wayne Daisies
TinCaps VP of marketing Michael Limmer talks about the club's upcoming night honoring local AAGPBL club, the Fort Wayne Daisies.
57 min
75
#408: Louisville, Tacoma tales
Ben tells the story of Tacoma journeyman Mike Ford, and Sam shares what he learned from his trip to Louisville. Also the gang revisits an interview on Cider Donuts ahead of Ben’s return to Hudson Valley, and Josh strikes out on his own in Ghosts of the Minors.
61 min