The Show Before the Show: Episode 468
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) and Benjamin Hill (@bensbiz) on X.
Intro (0:00)
Ben and Sam open this week's show with some quick details on the former's visit to Kinston, North Carolina, for the final season of the Down East Wood Ducks.
Jon Clemmons interview (5:02)
Ben talked to Wood Ducks general manager Jon Clemmons during that trip to Grainger Stadium about the club's Fowl-well tour ahead of a move to Spartanburg, South Carolina, next season.
News of the week (17:38)
Ben and Sam pivot to chat about some notable Minor League news of the week featuring Altoona's Extreme Difficulty Night, Casey Kelly's signing with the Reds to play for his father Pat in Louisville and the unfortunate passing of Toledo broadcasting legend Jim Weber.
Hayden Harris interview (37:37)
No. 30 Braves prospect Hayden Harris shares how he used LinkedIn and a high-quality fastball to get a pitching role in the Atlanta farm system. He also discusses his time in the MLB Draft League and what it's like being so close to the Majors.
Wrapping up/Ghosts of the Minors (1:00:08)
Before the show wraps up this week, Josh cracks wise in the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
Ballou on Baseball - June 3, 2025
By Bill Ballou The milestone passed without much notice but Chad Tracy managed his 500th game for Worcester last Saturday in Scranton-Wilkes-Barre. The Boston Red Sox have had Triple-A affiliates since 1934. In the 94 seasons since then only nine men have managed 500 or more games. Joe Morgan has
WooSox Hit Game-Tying Homers in 9th, 10th, Win on Walkoff
WORCESTER, M.A. – The Worcester Red Sox (29-28) blasted game-tying home runs in the ninth and tenth innings to set up a walkoff win on Tuesday night, a thrilling 6-5 victory over the Rochester Red Wings (22-34) at Polar Park. The WooSox trailed 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth
McDonough Drives in Three in Come-From-Behind Win in Scranton
MOOSIC, PA — After being held scoreless in 15 consecutive innings from Friday to Sunday, the Worcester Red Sox (28-28) broke through with seven runs over the last four innings as part of a 7-4 come-from-behind victory over the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (25-29) on Sunday afternoon at PNC Field. With the
WooSox Shut Out at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Fall 3-0
MOOSIC, P.A. – The Worcester Red Sox (27-28) were shut out for the second time this season, falling 3-0 to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (25-28) on Saturday afternoon at PNC Field. Zach Penrod got the start as an opener for the WooSox, his second appearance since being activated off the injured
WooSox Fall to RailRiders on Friday Night
MOOSIC, PA — After winning back-to-back one-run games, the Worcester Red Sox (27-27) dropped a two-run decision to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (24-28), a 3-1 final on Friday night at PNC Field. After seven scoreless innings, Nate Eaton drew a lead-off walk in the top of the eighth. He advanced to
Van Belle Dazzles Again, Garcia Homers in 3-2 Win
MOOSIC, P.A. – The Worcester Red Sox (27-26) homered twice and got a gem from their starter in a 3-2 win over the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (23-28) on Thursday night at Polar Park. Brian Van Belle turned in his latest outstanding start, posting the following line: 7 IP, 7 H, 0
WooSox Reveal One-Of-A-Kind, Eye Black-Wearing, Bubblegum-Blowing Marcelo Mayer Bobbleheads to be Given to the First 5,000 Fans on August 25
Marcelo Mayer reacts to seeing what his bobblehead will look like as shown by the WooSox Social Media Team days before he left Polar Park for Fenway Park last weekend… https://x.com/WooSox/status/1928157515029590227 WORCESTER, MA — Less than a week after top Boston Red Sox prospect Marcelo Mayer earned his highly anticipated
Zavala’s Go-Ahead Homer Lifts WooSox to Win Over RailRiders
MOOSIC, PA — Seby Zavala broke a 4-4 tie in the top of the ninth with a go-ahead homer to power the Worcester Red Sox (26-26) to a 5-4 win over the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (23-27) on Wednesday at PNC Field. With the bases empty and one down in the ninth,
Janet Marie Smith to Headline WooSox' 4th Annual "UniBank Women in Sports Day" Saturday, June 7
WORCESTER, MA — On Saturday, June 7, the Worcester Red Sox will present their fourth annual “UniBank Women in Sports Day” celebrations at Polar Park that were snowed out on Saturday, April 12. The team hosts the Rochester Red Wings (Triple-A, Washington Nationals) at 4:05 p.m. The WooSox will host
WooSox Fall to Bulls in Extra Innings
WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester Red Sox (22-24) fell to the Durham Bulls (29-18) in ten innings by a 7-4 final on Wednesday night at Polar Park. The game was scoreless until top of the fourth. With two down and two aboard, Jamie Westbrook poked a two-run single to right
Forecast for Steady, Heavy All-Day Rain Forces Postponement of Tomorrow (Thursday) Morning's WooSox Game at Polar Park
WORCESTER, MA – With steady, heavy rain and winds forecasted throughout the early morning and all day tomorrow (a New England Nor’easter), Thursday morning’s “School Kids” game between the visiting Durham Bulls and the homestanding Worcester Red Sox at Polar Park has been postponed. The clubs will play a single-admission
Garcia Hits First Triple-A Homer, Anthony Goes Deep in Win Over Durham
WORCESTER, M.A. – Roman Anthony and Jhostynxon Garcia each homered to lead the Worcester Red Sox (22-23) to a series-opening 8-2 victory over the Durham Bulls (28-18) at Polar Park on Tuesday night. The WooSox struck moments into the offensive night against Durham starter Joe Boyle. After the first two
Ballou on Baseball - May 20, 2025
By Bill Ballou Player development is like Tiramisu. The recipe differs from restaurant to restaurant or in baseball, from team to team. As the Boston Red Sox bumper-car their way through the early part of the 2025 season, sentiment — at least from outside the organization — grows for them
Thompson Slams Solo Homer, WooSox Drop Road Trip Finale
BUFFALO, NY — Despite a solo home run Trayce Thompson, the Worcester Red Sox (21-23) dropped the series and road trip finale to the Buffalo Bisons (17-26) by an 8-4 final at Sahlen Field. The WooSox went 5-7 on the two-week, 12-game road trip, and they split the six-game series
Sikes Socks Two Homers, WooSox Win Big in Buffalo
BUFFALO, NY — Thanks to a dominant offensive performance, the Worcester Red Sox (21-21) demolished the Buffalo Bisons (15-26) by a 10-3 final at Sahlen Field on Friday night. Phillip Sikes (2-for-4, 2 HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB) belted his first two Triple-A homers. The WooSox mashed 12 hits,
Hickey Homers, WooSox Fall 12-1 in Buffalo
WORCESTER, M.A. – For the first time this week, the Worcester Red Sox (20-21) fell to the Buffalo Bisons (15-25), a 12-1 loss on Thursday night at Sahlen Field. Nathan Hickey delivered the lone WooSox run of the night, a 422-foot solo shot to right-center in the fifth. The swing
Hickey Homers Again, WooSox Win Second Straight in Buffalo
BUFFALO, NY — The Worcester Red Sox (20-20) scored five runs in the fifth inning to come from behind for the second-straight game to beat the Buffalo Bison (14-25) 8-4 on Wednesday night at Sahlen Field. Buffalo opened the scoring with a two-run homer from Davis Schneider in the bottom