The Show Before the Show: Episode 487
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 begins this week's podcast by sharing findings from his latest newsletter, namely which celebrities have Minor League pasts.
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Binghamton Bathtub Donkeys (16:05)
Double-A Binghamton director of marketing and promotions Eddie Saunders stops by to share details of the club's Bathtub Donkeys identity that is already taking the Minor League landscape by storm.
Erie SeaWolves mascot book (30:38)
Ben speaks with Erie president Greg Coleman and his son, Kevin, about the latter's book, A Mascot Tale: The Untold Story of C. Wolf.
Prospects lists (47:29)
It's a big week in the land of MLB Pipeline. Sam and Tyler chat about the Top 10 positional prospect rankings that have been released in the past few days and take an early look at the opening of the international signing period.
Ghosts of the Minors/Wrapping up (1:19:06)
Josh Jackson harvests another edition of Ghosts of the Minors, and the other hosts take a look back at the career of a listener-submitted Minor Leaguer of yore.
Rainiers Name Rylee Pay Team Broadcaster
TACOMA, WA – The Tacoma Rainiers announced today that Rylee Pay will be the new radio broadcaster for the team. Prior to getting hired by Tacoma, Pay was formerly the Play-by-Play Broadcaster and Media Relations Assistant for the Portland Sea Dogs, Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. She also
Tacoma Adds Six Games to 2025 Home Schedule
TACOMA, WA – Today, Major League Baseball announced that the Tacoma Rainiers will add six home games to their original 2025 schedule. Tacoma and Sacramento were originally scheduled to play a six-game series from June 10-15 on the road at Sutter Health Park. That series has since been changed from
John Russell Returns to Manage Tacoma in 2025
TACOMA, WA – Today, the Seattle Mariners announced Tacoma’s 2025 coaching staff, with all four major coaches returning. For the third consecutive season, John Russell will return to manage the Tacoma Rainiers in 2025. The 64-year-old has led Tacoma to a 159-141 record the past two seasons, including a first-place
Tacoma Rainiers Broadcaster Announces Retirement
TACOMA, WA – Long-time radio broadcaster for the Tacoma Rainiers, Mike Curto, has announced he is retiring at the end of the 2024 calendar year. Curto was the voice of the Rainiers for 26 years (25 seasons) after being hired in 1999 and was a minor league broadcaster for 31
Michael Huie Named Triple-A Groundskeeper of the Year
TACOMA, WA – Today, Minor League Baseball named Tacoma Rainiers’ Director of Field Operations Michael Huie the Pacific Coast League and Triple-A Groundskeeper of the Year for the 2024 season. Huie was given the award over nine other PCL teams and 29 other Triple-A teams, bringing home the award for
Jason Vosler Named PCL All-Star
TACOMA, WA – Today, Minor League Baseball announced Triple-A Awards and All-Star teams, with Jason Vosler being named a Pacific Coast League All-Star. He was the lone member of the Tacoma Rainiers to be named a PCL All-Star. Vosler fell short in his bid for PCL Most Valuable Player, as
Tacoma Wins Season Finale
TACOMA, WA – The Tacoma Rainiers (82-68) came back with three runs in the eighth inning to beat the Round Rock Express (71-77) by a score of 6-4 in their final game of the season, Sunday at Cheney Stadium. Tacoma got in front in the first with an RBI single
September 22 Game Notes: Tacoma Rainiers vs. Round Rock Express
TACOMA RAINIERS (81-68) vs. ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (71-76) Sunday, September 22 • 1:35 PM • Cheney Stadium • Tacoma, WA LHP Rob Kaminsky (1-0, 8.14) vs. RHP Adrian Sampson (8-10, 5.71)
Rainiers Set PCL Record in Shutout Win
TACOMA, WA – The Tacoma Rainiers (81-68) stole their 282nd base of the season, setting a new PCL record for most stolen bases in a single season in their 8-0 victory over the Round Rock Express (71-76), Saturday at Cheney Stadium. Samad Taylor scored in the first on a wild
September 21 Game Notes: Tacoma Rainiers vs. Round Rock Express
TACOMA RAINIERS (80-68) vs. ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (71-75) Saturday, September 21 • 6:05 PM • Cheney Stadium • Tacoma, WA RHP Casey Lawrence (10-11, 6.13) vs. LHP Avery Weems (0-1, 11.57)
Express Win in Extras
TACOMA, WA – The Tacoma Rainiers (80-68) lost by a score of 4-3 in extras to the Round Rock Express (71-75), Friday at Cheney Stadium. Round Rock opened the scoring in the second inning on a two-out double from Kellen Strahm, taking a 1-0 lead. They extended their lead to
September 20 Game Notes: Tacoma Rainiers vs. Round Rock Express
TACOMA RAINIERS (80-67) vs. ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (70-75) Friday, September 20 • 7:05 PM • Cheney Stadium • Tacoma, WA RHP Blas Castano (5-4, 5.24) vs. LHP Jacob Latz (0-0, 2.45)
Rainiers Earn 80th Win
TACOMA, WA – The Tacoma Rainiers (80-67) won their 80th game of the season, beating the Round Rock Express (70-75) by a score of 11-4, Thursday at Cheney Stadium. Jason Vosler gave Tacoma a 2-0 lead in the first inning with his 29th home run of the year. The Rainiers
September 19 Game Notes: Tacoma Rainiers vs. Round Rock Express
TACOMA RAINIERS (79-67) vs. ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (70-74) Thursday, September 19 • 7:05 PM • Cheney Stadium • Tacoma, WA RHP Michael Mariot (9-7, 5.94) vs. RHP Peter Solomon (6-4, 6.27)
Express Even Series
TACOMA, WA – The Tacoma Rainiers (79-67) were eliminated from playoff contention, losing to the Round Rock Express (70-74) by a score of 14-5, Wednesday at Cheney Stadium. Round Rock jumped in front with a three-run home run from Trevor Hauver and an RBI single from Jax Biggers, taking a
September 18 Game Notes: Tacoma Rainiers vs. Round Rock Express
TACOMA RAINIERS (79-66) vs. ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (69-74) Wednesday, September 18 • 6:05 PM • Cheney Stadium • Tacoma, WA RHP Nick Payero (0-0, 1.80) vs. RHP Ryan Garcia (2-3, 3.08)
Rainiers Walk Off Express in Opener
TACOMA, WA – The Tacoma Rainiers (79-66) won a back-and-forth game against the Round Rock Express (69-74) by a score of 14-12 in extras, Tuesday at Cheney Stadium. Tacoma took an early 2-0 lead in the first on singles from Jason Vosler and Jake Slaughter, but Round Rock immediately answered
September 17 Game Notes: Tacoma Rainiers vs. Round Rock Express
TACOMA RAINIERS (78-66) vs. ROUND ROCK EXPRESS (69-73) Tuesday, September 17 • 6:05 PM • Cheney Stadium • Tacoma, WA LHP Rob Kaminsky (1-0, 6.98) vs. RHP Adrian Sampson (8-10, 5.57)
Rainiers Lose Final Road Game of Season
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Tacoma Rainiers (78-66) lost the series finale to the Oklahoma City Baseball Club (75-69) by a score of 6-4, Sunday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Jason Vosler got Tacoma on the board in the first inning, using an RBI single to make it 1-0. They doubled
September 15 Game Notes: Tacoma Rainiers @ Oklahoma City Baseball Club
TACOMA RAINIERS (78-65) @ OKLAHOMA CITY BASEBALL CLUB (74-69) Sunday, September 15 • 12:05 PM PT • Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark • Oklahoma City, OK RHP Casey Lawrence (10-10, 6.08) vs. RHP Tony Gonsolin (0-0, 0.00)
Oklahoma City Takes Series Lead
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Tacoma Rainiers (78-65) lost by a score of 9-3 to the Oklahoma City Baseball Club (74-69), Saturday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Oklahoma City jumped in front with a solo home run from Dalton Rushing in the first inning, but Tacoma answered in the second on
September 14 Game Notes: Tacoma Rainiers @ Oklahoma City Baseball Club
TACOMA RAINIERS (78-64) @ OKLAHOMA CITY BASEBALL CLUB (73-69) Saturday, September 14 • 4:05 PM PT • Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark • Oklahoma City, OK RHP Blas Castano (5-3, 4.68) vs. RHP Carlos Duran (0-0, -.--)
Rainiers Even Series with Comeback
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Tacoma Rainiers (78-64) evened the series, beating the Oklahoma City Baseball Club (73-69) by a score of 10-5, Friday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Ryan Ward opened the scoring in the first inning with a three-run home run, his 30th of the season. Kobe Kato drew
September 13 Game Notes: Tacoma Rainiers @ Oklahoma City Baseball Club
TACOMA RAINIERS (77-64) @ OKLAHOMA CITY BASEBALL CLUB (73-68) Friday, September 13 • 5:05 PM PT • Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark • Oklahoma City, OK RHP Michael Mariot (8-7, 5.89) vs. RHP Tanner Dodson (3-3, 3.36)
Late Comeback Gives Rainiers Win
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Tacoma Rainiers (77-64) scored seven late runs to beat the Oklahoma City Baseball Club (73-68) by a score of 8-3, Thursday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Tyler Locklear started the scoring in the third inning with an RBI single to give Tacoma a 1-0 lead. It