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Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison

April 18, 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, Sam and Tyler open this week's show by previewing Ben's first road trip of the 2025 season. He'll head to Double-A Reading on Saturday. The guys also take a quick spin around the Minors for other noteworthy off-the-field news items, including Lansing's Olive Burgers alternate identity.

Syracuse's search for Jim Morrison (35:45)

The Syracuse Mets held a promotion on Thursday, April 3 as part of their "search" for The Doors frontman Jim Morrison, who a recent documentary posited is still alive in the New York city. General manager Jason Smorol chats with Ben about how the promo came together.

Early prospect standouts (47:05)

Sam and Tyler discuss which Top 100 prospects are off to fast starts entering the second half of April.

Name that Dude/Wrapping up (1:03:35)

Before concluding the show, the cohosts look back at the Minor and Major League career of a Red Sox legend.

Zavala Homers, WooSox Fall 3-1 in Syracuse

WooSox Offense Held to One Run Over Last Two Games
July 5, 2025

SYRACUSE, NY — Despite four scoreless innings from their bullpen, the Worcester Red Sox (2-9, 43-42) dropped the penultimate game of their six-game, home-and-home series with the Syracuse Mets (9-2, 40-46) by a 3-1 final on Saturday night at NBT Bank Stadium. Francisco Alvarez opened the scoring with a two-run

Ballou on Baseball - July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

By Bill Ballou, Durability, reliability and consistency are old-fashioned concepts in this baseball era of the infinite Injured List. There is a lot to be said for just showing up, though. The Cy Young Award is, after all, named after the pitcher who holds the record for most career losses.

WooSox Held to Two Hits in Loss to RailRiders

WooSox Drop 5 of 6 to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
June 29, 2025

MOOSIC, PA — The Worcester Red Sox (1-5, 42-38) dropped the series finale to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (5-1, 43-35) by a 6-1 final on Sunday afternoon at PNC Field. The WooSox scored the game’s first run in the top of the fourth. With two outs and the bases empty, Vaughn

WooSox Bats Quiet in Loss to RailRiders

Stock Allows Two Runs Over 5.2 Innings
June 25, 2025

MOOSIC, PA — Despite a strong start from Robert Stock, the Worcester Red Sox (0-2, 41-35) dropped game two of their six-game series with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (2-0, 40-34) on Wednesday night at PNC Field to by a 4-0 final. The WooSox offense was held in check by RailRiders starter

 “Ballparks are living organisms”: Janet Marie Smith reflects on storied career in ballpark design 

June 12, 2025

To headline this year’s UniBank Women in Sports Day on Saturday, June 7 in a packed DCU Club at Polar Park, renowned ballpark designer and 2025 WooSox Hall of Famer Janet Marie Smith spoke about how she, alongside the late WooSox Chairman and Principal Owner Larry Lucchino, revolutionized downtowns nationwide

Mark “Pathfinder” Epstein talks “Cape Dreams” to launch 2025 Great Polar Park Writers Series

June 1, 2025

After attracting multiple standing-room crowds last year, the 2025 season of the Great Polar Park Writers Series began on Saturday, May 24. Mark “Pathfinder” Epstein, a Worcester native and award-winning author, spoke about his love for baseball and his newest book, Cape Dreams: A Season with the Brewster Whitecaps. “I

“Everything But the Game”: WooSox to Present First-Ever 4th of July Family Fest

Glorious UniBank Fireworks show follows screening of a classic baseball movie; Cool New WooCages, Baseball Inflatables, Touch-A-Truck, Face Painters, Glitter Tattoos, and a “Marvelous MASScot Menagerie” entertain 4-9 p.m.; Tickets for kids start at $5 and are on sale now at polarpark.com/familyfest
June 24, 2025

WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester Red Sox, who for the first time play on the road on Independence Day, will present a first-ever 4th of July Family Fest at Polar Park from 4-9 p.m. A glorious, traditional UniBank Fireworks display will cap a series of events that include a screening

Jordan Triples, Drives in Three as WooSox Win 7-1

Worcester Improves to 13-4 in June, Uberstine Earns First Triple-A Win
June 20, 2025

WORCESTER, M.A. – The Worcester Red Sox (40-32) won their third in four games this week against the Buffalo Bisons (29-42), a 7-1 win on Friday night at Polar Park in front of a season-high 8,602. Down 1-0 after one, the WooSox began their comeback effort in the bottom of

Ballou on Baseball - June 18, 2025

June 18, 2025

By Bill Ballou, Player development is about the Kristian Campbells, Roman Anthonys, Marcelo Mayers and Chase Meidroths of the world, but that is not all it is about. It’s about the Brian Van Belles, also. The WooSox’ best pitcher in 2025, so far, is gone to Cincinnati (AAA-Louisville) in a

The Second Edition of the Great Polar Park Writer Series - Saturday, June 21

June 16, 2025

A homegrown analysis of the 2025 Red Sox season and more The second edition of the Great Polar Park Writer Series will be held on Saturday, June 21st in the DCU Club at Polar Park. Gates open at 12:30 pm and the program will run from 1:00 – 2:00 pm.

Criswell Tosses Four Scoreless, WooSox Drop Series Finale to IronPigs

WooSox Split Six-Game Series
June 15, 2025

ALLENTOWN, PA — Despite a strong start from Cooper Criswell, the Worcester Red Sox (37-31) dropped the series finale on Sunday at Coca-Cola Park to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (46-23) by a 4-1 final. The WooSox are now 4-4-4 in their first 12 series of the season: four wins, four

Jordan Drives Home Winning Run in Tenth, WooSox Win 5-3 in Extras

Worcester Wins 10th in Last 12, Uberstine Tosses Six Scoreless
June 14, 2025

ALLENTOWN, P.A. – The Worcester Red Sox (37-30) scored twice in the tenth to beat the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (45-23) on Saturday night, a 5-3 win at Coca-Cola Park. For the second straight night, the WooSox went to extra innings on the road. In a 3-3 game, they put runners

De Leon Hurls Five Strong Innings, WooSox Fall to IronPigs In Extras

McDonough Knocks in Two
June 14, 2025

ALLENTOWN, PA — Despite a strong start from Jose De Leon, the Worcester Red Sox (36-30) fell in extra innings on Friday night at Coca-Cola Park, losing 4-3 to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (45-22) in 10 innings. With the WooSox leading 3-2 in the bottom of the tenth, Payton Henry

Worcester Win Streak Snapped at Nine in Loss at Lehigh Valley

Garcia Clubs Sixth Triple-A Homer, WooSox Fall 12-3
June 12, 2025

ALLENTOWN, P.A. – The Worcester Red Sox (36-29) saw their nine-game win streak end on Tuesday night, a 12-3 loss to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (44-22) at Coca-Cola Field. In his second Triple-A start of the season, Richard Fitts posted the following line: 4 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3

Great Polar Park Writers Series to Begin Its Second Season This Saturday, May 24

Authors and notables from the world of baseball to speak at luncheons on Saturday afternoons before 4:05 p.m. games; Lauded speakers include Mark Epstein, Brian Abraham & Bill Ballou, Maybelle Blair, Mike Barnicle & Bob Ryan, Peter Gammons & Dan Shaughnessy, and Joe Castiglione; Fans can attend by purchasing a ticket to that day’s WooSox game
May 20, 2025

WORCESTER, MA — This Saturday, May 24, the Great Polar Park Writers Series will begin its sophomore season before the Worcester Red Sox’ 4:05 p.m. game against the Durham Bulls (Triple-A, Tampa Bay Rays). For the second straight year, the WooSox Foundation will host Saturday afternoon luncheons featuring outstanding authors

WooSox Set Club Record for Longest Winning Streak, Win 9th Straight

WooSox Improve to Season-Best Eight Games Over .500
June 11, 2025

ALLENTOWN, PA — The Worcester Red Sox (36-28) set a new WooSox club-record for longest winning streak, winning their ninth consecutive game by topping the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (43-22) by a 13-3 final on Wednesday night at Coca-Cola Park. The WooSox were a season-high tying 12½ games behind the IronPigs