Baseball By Design: Stories of Minor League Logos and Nicknames - podcast cover

Baseball By Design: Stories of Minor League Logos and Nicknames

Baseball By Design tells the story of America one minor league baseball logo and nickname at a time. Paul Caputo covers minor league baseball at all levels for the website SportsLogos.net. On this podcast, he talks with front office personnel and designers about the origins of some of the game‘s best and wackiest logos and nicknames. Instagram, Threads, Bluesky: @baseballbydesign
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Episodes

Gastonia Ghost Peppers

The Gastonia Ghost Peppers, an independent professional team in the Atlantic League, played with seven different identities in 2024, then let fans vote on which one should be the permanent brand. Guests include: Nick Matarese, The Barn Creative Ed Currie, PuckerButt Pepper Company, puckerbuttpeppercompany.com Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign Threads @baseballbydesign Bluesky @baseballbydesig...

Jul 22, 202559 minEp. 190

Erie Moon Mammoths

When John's Oliver's HBO show Last Week Tonight offered to rebrand one minor league baseball team, 47 clubs volunteered for the honor with very little idea what they were signing up for. The Erie SeaWolves were selected, and just weeks later, the Erie Moon Mammoths were born. The name is a tribute to a mammoth skeleton discovered by diver George Moon more than 30 years ago in Erie County's Lake Pleasant. Guests this week include: Greg Coleman, President, Erie SeaWolves George Moon, Scuba Dive In...

Jul 15, 202550 minEp. 189

Great Lakes Loons

The Great Lakes Loons, High-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, play just above the ball of the thumb on the Michigan mitten. They're named for a bird that has creepy red eyes and is known for a mournful call that is often heard in movies. Guests include: Chris Munkdhenk, GM, Great Lakes Loons AJ Chlebnik, naturalist & Michigan native Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign Threads @basebal...

Jul 08, 202550 minEp. 188

A Day in Denver with Erik the Peanut Guy

Minor League Baseball royalty Erik "the Peanut Guy" Mertens visited Colorado, and we spent the day checking out the Denver Bears defunct ballpark, a Colorado Rockies game, the National Ballpark Museum, and the Sundae Helmet Hall of Fame! Erik "The Peanut Guy" Mertens, Tri-City Dust Devils , Twitter @ItsErikMertens National Ballpark Museum, ballparkmuseum.com Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign ...

Jul 01, 202553 minEp. 187

Hudson Valley Renegades

The Hudson Valley Renegades, High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have had a brand based on a raccoon for more than three decades. Guests this week include: Will Young, Assistant GM, Hudson Valley Renegades Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Ranger Amy Burnett, Insta @therealrangeramy Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign Threads @baseballbydesign Bluesky @baseballbydesign.bsky.social linktr.ee/BaseballByDesign Baseball By De...

Jun 24, 202556 minEp. 186

Crystal Coast Booty Divers

The collegiate summer level Morehead City Marlins having been pushing boundaries for a few years, with the latest entry in a parade of double entendres being the Crystal Coast Booty Divers. Guests include: Buddy Bengel, Owner, Morehead City Marlins Brian Begley, Designer, iambrianbegley.com Matt Frick, Curator, St. Augustine Pirate and Treasurer Museum Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Ranger Amy Burnett, Insta @therealrangeramy Find the Baseball By Design podcas...

Jun 17, 202559 minEp. 185

Delmarva Shorebirds

The Delmarva Shorebirds, Single-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, play in a part of the country named for three states. Guests this week include: Chris Bitters, GM, Delmarva Shorebirds Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Ranger Amy Burnett, Insta @therealrangeramy Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign Threads @baseballbydesign Bluesky @baseballbydesign.bsky.social linktr.ee/BaseballByDesign Baseball By Design is a member of the...

Jun 10, 202552 minEp. 184

Fill It Up Regulars (Sussex County Miners)

The Sussex County Miners, an independent professional team in the Frontier League, unveiled an alternate identity that honors one of New Jersey's quirkiest quirks—it's the only state in the union where it's illegal to pump your own gas. The team will play select games as the Fill it Up Regulars. Guests include: The independent York Revolution play in a central Pennsylvania town that lays claim to the title of the nation's first capital—but their identity is more about industry than patriotism. G...

Jun 03, 202552 minEp. 183

York Revolution

The independent York Revolution play in a central Pennsylvania town that lays claim to the title of the nation's first capital—but their identity is more about industry than patriotism. Guests this week include: Eric Menzer, Vice Chairman, York Revolution Phil Broder, Kite Maker, Facebook Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign Threads @baseballbydesign Bluesky @baseballbydesign.bsky.social linktr....

May 27, 202548 minEp. 182

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers have a classic name and a brand that they have expanded with a number of recent alternate identities. Guests this week include: Rob Zerjav, President/CEO Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Howard Aprill, Naturalist, Wehr Nature Center Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign Threads @baseballbydesign Bluesky @baseballbydesign.bsky.social linktr.ee/BaseballByDesign Baseball By De...

May 20, 202554 minEp. 181

Marion Hungry Mothers

The brand-new collegiate summer level Marion Hungry Mothers are name for an almost definitely apocryphal legend of a mom and her child running for their lives. Guests include: Terry Hindle, Managing Partner, Marion Hungry Mothers Brittain Peck, Illustrator Kevin Mcdonald, Hungry Mother State Park Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign Threads @baseballbydesign Bluesky @baseballbydesign.bsky.social...

May 13, 202555 minEp. 180

Live from Georgia with Dan Simon, Anna DiTommaso, and Ranger Amy

Ride along with designer Dan Simon, host of the Baseball Bucket List podcast Anna DiTommaso, and Ranger Amy on the annual road trip affectionately known as AnnaDannaPalooza. This year we dodge Georgia raindrops in Atlanta, Columbus, and Rome to sneak in four games (and a trip to the Georgia Aquarium) in 48 hours. Guests include: Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Anna DiTommaso, Baseball Bucket List, baseballbucketlist.com Ranger Amy Burnett, Insta @therealrangera...

May 06, 202553 minEp. 179

Norfolk Tides

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides switched from a traditional brand to one based on a Neptune seahorse just over a decade ago. The new brand tells a number of stories about the ecology and the culture of Virginia's Tidewater region. Guests include: Joe Gregory, General Manager, Norfolk Tides Sarah Peterson, Naturalist Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign Threads @baseballbydesign Bluesky @baseballbydes...

Apr 29, 202537 minEp. 178

Rochester Red Wings

The Triple-A Rochester Red Wings are one of the longest-tenured teams not only in Minor League Baseball, but all of sports. The team pre-dates a certain hockey team of the same name by two years. Guests include: Naomi Silver, President, CEO, COO, Rochester Red Wings Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Ranger Amy Burnett, Insta @therealrangeramy Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign Threads @baseballbydesign Bluesky @baseballbydesig...

Apr 22, 202552 minEp. 177

Fresno Grizzlies (and Tacos)

The Fresno Grizzlies have a brand based on an iconic, extinct animal that is featured on the California state flag, the California Grizzly. Additionally, they are innovators in alternate brands, launching the MiLB food frenzy with their groundbreaking Tacos identity. Guests include: Jonathan Bravo, Director, Marketing & Communications, Fresno Grizzlies Sam Hansen, Insta @samfromftk Ranger Amy Burnett, Insta @therealrangeramy Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon ...

Apr 15, 202558 minEp. 176

Hub City Spartanburgers

The brand new High-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers is the Hub City Spartanburgers, who play in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Their burger-based brand gets into all the condiments, and then some! Guests include: Tyson Jeffers Hub City Spartanburgers Steve, Beacon Drive-in website Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign Threads @baseballbydesign Bluesky @baseballbydesign.bsky.social linktr.ee/Basebal...

Apr 08, 202555 minEp. 175

Ben Hill of Minor League Baseball

As we launch the 2025 baseball season, longtime Minor League Baseball reporter and commentator Ben Hill stops by to discuss new logos, minor league baseball culture, and Weird Al Yankovich. Find Ben Hill here: Show Before the Show podcast MiLB News milb.com Baseball Traveler newsletter Also on this episode: Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign Threads @baseballbydesign Bluesky @baseballbydesign....

Apr 01, 202556 minEp. 174

Washington Wild Things

The Washington Wild Things have played in the independent Frontier League since 2002 with a logo that features a sunglasses-wearing animal. In this episode we delve into just what that animal is. Guests include: Christine Blaine, CEO, Washington Wild Things Dino Guarino, Dino Guarino Gallery Ranger Amy Burnett, Insta @therealrangeramy Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign Threads @baseballbydesig...

Mar 25, 202551 minEp. 173

MLB Reporter Thomas Harding

Thomas Harding has covered the Colorado Rockies for more than a quarter century, and during that time has developed an interest in sports design and even created some of his own logos. He joins from Spring Training in Arizona to discuss the history of Rockies branding, sports branding at large, and some of his own work. Thomas Harding, Twitter @harding_at_mlb Dan Simon, Studio Simon, www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign...

Mar 18, 202545 minEp. 172

Jupiter Hammerheads

The Jupiter Hammerheads nickname was chosen by schoolchildren in the late '90s, and has endured to this day. Guests this week include Brennan Erlandsen, Broadcasting and Media Relations Coordinator, Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium Jake Rosner, Cox Science Center, www.coxsciencecenter.org Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign Threads @baseballbydesign Bluesky @baseballbydesign.bsky.social linktr.ee/B...

Mar 11, 202556 minEp. 171

Live from Clearwooder: Spring Training Baseball

Join your host for three days of Spring Training baseball with family and a few special guests, including T-Pat Stubbs, father of Phillies catcher Garrett Stubbs. Hear the sights and sounds of the weekend, and ride along for a baseball experience every fan should have! Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign Threads @baseballbydesign Bluesky @baseballbydesign.bsky.social linktr.ee/BaseballByDesign Baseball By Design is a member of the Curved Brim Media Network . G...

Mar 04, 202559 minEp. 170

Casper Ghosts

The Casper Ghosts only played for four seasons, but more than a decade after they vanished, their brand is popular and has fans clamoring for a return. Guests include: Jason Klein, Brandiose, brandiose.com Lori Juszak, Fort Collins Tours, https://fortcollinstours.com/ Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign Threads @baseballbydesign Bluesky @baseballbydesign.bsky.social linktr.ee/BaseballByDesign B...

Feb 25, 202554 minEp. 169

Sioux City Explorers

The Sioux City Explorers, an independent team in the American Association, play in a city whose claim to fame is that it's the site of the only death in Lewis and Clark Expedition. Guests include: Guests include: Dan Vaughan, Sioux City Explorers Kristine Bornholtz, Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign Threads @baseballbydesign Bluesky @baseballbydesign.bsky.s...

Feb 18, 202557 minEp. 168

Cleburne Railroaders

The independent professional Cleburne Railroaders have been around since 2017, but the history of the name goes back to 1906. This episode explores the relationship of the railroad industry and baseball in Cleburne, Texas. Guests include: Kay Goodell, Cleburne Railroaders Mayor Scott Cain, Author, Cleburne Baseball Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign Threads @baseballbydesign Bluesky @baseballb...

Feb 11, 202548 minEp. 167

New Britain Rock Cats

Guy Gilchrist, known as “Jim Henson’s Cartoonist,” has had an amazing career creating characters for Henson creations like The Muppets, Muppet Babies, Fraggle Rock, and others. He's also worked with cartoon icons like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Tom and Jerry, Looney Tunes, Tiny Toons, Pink Panther, and Disney. In addition to all of that, Guy is a big baseball fan and has created a handful of iconic minor league logos, including the subject of this episode, the New Britain Rock Cats (now t...

Feb 04, 202544 minEp. 166

Traverse City Pit Spitters

This week's episode takes us to the (tart) cherry capital of the world, Traverse City, Michigan, home of the National Cherry Festival and collegiate summer ball's Traverse City Pit Spitters. Guests include: Jacqueline Holm, Traverse City Pit Spitters Jason Klein, Brandiose, brandiose.com Kat Paye, Executive Director, National Cherry Festival Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign Threads @baseball...

Jan 28, 202554 minEp. 165

Trenton Thunder

The Trenton Thunder have had the same name for more than three decades, but that name has been paired with a series of different logo concepts over the years—from a two-headed thunderbird, Thor the God of Thunder, and the current iteration, a storm cloud and lightning. Guests include: Mike Warren, Trenton Thunder Director of Media Relations & Play-by-Play Broadcaster, X @Mike_WarrenPxP Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Scott Rippe, Facebook Rippeology Find th...

Jan 21, 202559 minEp. 164

West Michigan Whitecaps

The West Michigan Whitecaps have played for more than three decades in Grand Rapids, about a half hour from Lake Michigan. Guests include: Jim Jarecki, Vice President and GM, West Michigan Whitecaps Jason Klein, Brandiose, brandiose.com Kaitie Janecke-Soltesz, Naturalist, LinkedIn Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign Threads @baseballbydesign Bluesky @baseballbydesign.bsky.social linktr.ee/Baseb...

Jan 14, 202559 minEp. 163

Todd Radom: Three is the Magic Number

Designer Todd Radom stops by to chat about the many permutations of the number three in the world of sports design—plus cheesesteaks in both Philadelphia and Japan, convenience store preferences, and more! Guests include: Todd Radom, toddradom.com Dan Simon, Studio Simon, studiosimon.net Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign Threads @baseballbydesign Bluesky @baseballbydesign.bsky.social linktr.ee/BaseballByDesign Baseball By Design is a member of the Curved Bri...

Jan 07, 202545 minEp. 162

New Years Eve Stumperpalooza with Dan Simon!

We're ringing in the new year with a flurry of Studio Simon Stumpers from Dan Simon! It's the 100th episode of Baseball By Design with at least one of Dan's signature trivia questions, and we mark the occasion with not one, not two, but NINE stumpers! Guests include: Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net , Insta @studio_simon Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign Threads @baseballbydesign Bluesky @baseballbydesign.bsky.social linktr.ee/BaseballByDesign Ba...

Dec 31, 202458 minEp. 161
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