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Rainiers broadcaster Pay talks historic role on MiLB podcast

March 14, 2025

Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other

Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other podcast-listening apps. This episode can also be found on Minor League Baseball's official YouTube page. Send questions or feedback to podcast@milb.com, and follow hosts Sam Dykstra (@samdykstramilb.bsky.social) and Tyler Maun (@tylermaun.bsky.social) on Bluesky and Benjamin Hill (@bensbiz) on X.

Intro/Ben's Biz Banter (0:00)

Ben and Tyler open this week's podcast by looking at the newest batch of alternate identities, including Binghamton's Southern Tier Spicy Meatballs and St. Paul's Crooks Haven Ghostly Gangsters.

Rylee Pay interview (28:33)

Tacoma broadcaster Rylee Pay will be the first female broadcaster at the Triple-A level when she takes over the mic for the Rainiers this season. She chats with Ben and Tyler about her road to Tacoma, the historic nature of her new role and her excitement for it.

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Spring Breakout discussion (50:35)

Sam checks in from Florida to recap Thursday's Spring Breakout opener between the Rays and Red Sox and preview what's still to come from the prospect showcase.

Ghosts of the Minors/Wrapping up (1:11:45)

Josh emerges with another segment Ghosts of the Minors, and Ben and Tyler close out the podcast.

IOWA SWEEPS TOLEDO IN DOUBLEHEADER

April 12, 2025

The Iowa Cubs (7-5) swept the Toledo Mud Hens (4-10) in a doubleheader by scores of by a 3-1 and 4-2. Iowa is 3-1 in doubleheaders this season. In game one Toledo scored their lone run in third inning, but the I-Cubs responded in the fourth with three runs on

IOWA FALLS IN TOLEDO

April 11, 2025

TOLEDO, OH – The Iowa Cubs (5-5) fell to the Toledo Mud Hens (4-8) by a 7-3 score tonight despite mustering 12 hits. The Mud Hens got on the board first in the second inning as Jack Dunn tripled with the bases loaded giving the home team a 3-0 lead.

Iowa Blanked by Toledo in 1-0 Loss

April 10, 2025

TOLEDO, OH – The Iowa Cubs were shut out by the Toledo Mud Hens with a 1-0 loss on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Fifth Third Field. In game two of the series, the Mud Hens got on the board first for a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the

Tonight's Game Has Been Postponed

April 9, 2025

TOLEDO, OH. - Today’s game between the Iowa Cubs and the Toledo Mud Hens at Victory has been postponed due to weather conditions. The two teams will make up the game with a split doubleheader on Saturday, April 12 as game one is slated to start at 3:05 p.m. CDT/4:05

Four Home Runs for Iowa Crush Mud Hens 14-1

April 8, 2025

TOLEDO, OHIO – The Iowa Cubs crushed the Toledo Mud Hens 14-1 in game one of the six-game set at Fifth Third Field. The I-Cubs bats got off to a hot start in the opening frame as they grew the lead to 5-0. Christian Franklin led off the inning with

Cooper DeJean All-Star Charity Softball Game Announced Comes To Principal Park

April 7, 2025

Octane Sports presents star-studded event as part of a double-header with the Iowa Cubs on June 1 Professional football star, and Odebolt, Iowa native, Cooper DeJean has teamed up with Octane Sports to host an All-Star Charity Softball Game at Principal Park on Sunday, June 1. First pitch for the

I-Cubs Claim Series Over Indianapolis With 4-1 Win

April 6, 2025

INDIANAPOLIS, IN. - The Iowa Cubs won the five-game shortened series three games to two over the Indianapolis Indians with a 4-1 win today at Victory Field. Both teams had wrapped up Friday’s suspended game earlier this morning as Indy won 5-4 in the 10th inning, In the regular scheduled

APRIL 5 GAME CANCELED

April 5, 2025

Tonight’s game between the Iowa Cubs and the Indianapolis Indians has been canceled due to inclement weather. Friday night’s suspended game will resume in the top of the 10th inning at 11:15 a.m. CT on Sunday with Sunday’s regularly scheduled game beginning approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion of the

Tonight's Game Has Been Suspended

April 4, 2025

INDIANAPOLIS, IN. - Tonight's game between the Iowa Cubs and Indianapolis Indians has been suspended due to heavy rain in the area. Play will resume at 4:00 p.m. CDT/5:00 p.m. EDT as the game is tied 3-3 heading into the top of the 10th inning. Game five will be slated

Caissie, Long lead Iowa to Split Doubleheader Against Indy

April 3, 2025

INDIANAPOLIS, IN. - The Iowa Cubs split today’s doubleheader against the Indianapolis Indians as the home team took the first game 7-6, but Iowa followed with a dominant game two victory 6-1 as the series leans towards Iowa two games to one. GAME 1: FINAL/8 - INDIANAPOLIS 7, IOWA 6

APRIL 2 GAME POSTPONED

April 2, 2025

Tonight’s game between the Iowa Cubs and Indianapolis Indians at Victory Field has been postponed due to forecasted severe weather this evening. The two teams will make up the game with a split doubleheader tomorrow with game one scheduled for 11:30 a.m. CST and game two scheduled for 5:35 p.m.

Two-Run Ninth Leads Iowa Past Indy 2-1

April 1, 2025

INDIANAPOLIS, IN. - The Iowa Cubs answered late in the ninth inning in the first game of the six-game set and beat the Indianapolis Indians 2-1 at Victory Field. Indianapolis scored in the bottom of the third inning off Chris Flexen for a 1-0 lead. The I-Cubs were held scoreless

Fall Out Boy And More Hit A Grand Slam With Official League's MiLB Local Legends Capsule Collection

March 31, 2025

Exclusive Apparel Collections Pair Iconic Artists with Their Local MiLB Teams including Iowa Cubs, Las Vegas Aviators, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, Jersey Shore BlueClaws, & Brooklyn Cyclones . LOS ANGELES – Official League and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) are proud to announce their Local Legends series—an electrifying, first-of-its-kind collaboration fusing music,

MARCH 30 GAME POSTPONED

March 30, 2025

Today’s game between the Iowa Cubs and Omaha Storm Chasers at Principal Park has been postponed due to weather conditions. The two teams will make up the game during the June 3-8 series at Omaha. Tickets for the game can be exchanged for a ticket to any of our remaining

Iowa Squanders Lead in Late Innings with 12-7 Loss Against Omaha

March 29, 2025

DES MOINES, IA. - The Iowa Cubs dropped the second game of the three-game set against the Omaha Storm Chasers 12-7 as the I-Cubs bullpen gave up 10 runs in the last four innings. After the Chasers scored in the top of the second to make it a 1-0 lead,

I-Cubs Win Opening Night Against 2024 IL Champions Omaha Storm Chasers 6-3

March 29, 2025

DES MOINES, IA.- The Iowa Cubs welcomed the Omaha Storm Chasers for the first contest of the 2025 season on Opening Night. Iowa ended up winning 6-3 as the bullpen closed out Omaha in the late innings. Iowa got Opening Night started in the bottom of the second inning and

IOWA CUBS ANNOUNCE 2025 OPENING DAY ROSTER

March 28, 2025

The Iowa Cubs, in conjunction with the Chicago Cubs, today announced their 2025 Opening Day roster. The roster features 17 players with Major League service time and 18 players who have past suited up for Iowa. The roster also features nine players on the Cubs’ Top 30 Prospects List according

Four I-Cubs From 2024 Made First Career Opening Day Roster for Chicago

March 19, 2025

The Chicago Cubs took on the Los Angeles Dodgers in a two-game set that took place in Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday, March 18 and today, Wednesday, March 19. Both teams showcased Japanese-born talent as both rosters combine for a total of five Japanese players. Tuesday’s game featured multiple Cubs making

IOWA CUBS ANNOUNCE JASON KEMPF AS BROADCASTER

February 24, 2025

DES MOINES, IA - The Iowa Cubs today announced Jason Kempf as the new Director of Broadcasting. Kempf brings 10 years of minor league broadcast experience to the I-Cubs, including stops in St. Paul, Wichita, Dayton, Quad Cities and Charleston, where he spent the last four seasons with the RiverDogs.

IOWA CUBS ANNOUNCE 2025 FIELD STAFF

February 18, 2025

DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Cubs, in conjunction with the Chicago Cubs, announced their field staff for the 2025 season. Marty Pevey returns as manager for the I-Cubs for the 13th-consecutive season, extending his franchise-record tenure. Pevey’s 748 wins are a franchise record and his 1,392 victories are sixth-most

IOWA CUBS RELEASE 2025 PROMOTION SCHEDULE

February 14, 2025

DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Cubs today unveiled the 2025 season promotional schedule, which includes 13 Friday night fireworks, specialty nights, decade nights and more. Single-game tickets are officially on sale at IowaCubs.com/tickets with the home opener set for Friday, March 28 vs. Omaha. Iowa’s opening weekend features Friday

IOWA CUBS IMPRESSING IN WINTER BALL

January 13, 2025

Following Moises Ballesteros’ impressive stint in the Arizona Fall League, a couple other players from the Iowa Cubs 2024 roster have been making some noise this winter. Also announced this offseason, former Cub and Iowa Cub Quintin Berry will join the Chicago Cubs to be their new third-base coach. Berry

SHAW, BALLESTEROS EXCELLING IN FALL BALL

November 12, 2024

Top Chicago Cubs prospects Matt Shaw and Moises Ballesteros are turning some heads in their respective fall ball seasons after stellar summers which included stints with the Iowa Cubs. Shaw is representing Team USA in the Premier12 Tournament and through three games, the Cubs No. 1 prospect is batting .727

BALLESTEROS SHINING IN ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE

October 30, 2024

Chicago Cubs No. 4 prospect and baseball’s No. 44 prospect (MLB.com) Moises Ballesteros has continued his excellent summer into the fall with the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League. The backstop is slashing .373/.404/.725 (19-for-51) with five home runs and 14 RBI in 11 games with Mesa, including

BALLESTEROS AND BIRDSELL NAMED CUBS MINOR LEAGUE PLAYER AND PITCHER OF THE YEAR

October 23, 2024

The Chicago Cubs announced today that catcher Moises Ballesteros was named the Buck O’Neil Cubs Minor League Player of the Year and Brandon Birdsell the Vedie Himsl Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year. It marks the second time Ballesteros has won the award after having done so in 2023.