In this episode, host David Graf interviews 2002 Great Falls Dodger and 11-year MLB veteran James Loney. Loney was selected 19th overall by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2002 MLB Draft. Loney was a great pitcher and hitter in high school, and the Dodgers wanted him to play first base. He's the only member of the first season of The Pioneer League Podcast to get called up to the next level before finishing the year in the Pioneer League. During his time in Great Falls, he hit .371/.457/.624 and clubbed 5 homers. After his first year in professional baseball, he was listed as the #34 prospect on the 2003 edition of Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list.

Loney talked about arriving in Great Falls shortly after his high school season ended, the mindset of just moving up a level at a time, and how he met Barack Obama in Cuba.

The second season of The Pioneer League Podcast will be here shortly. In the meantime, stay subscribed, so you don't miss it when it returns!

Please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast to help other baseball fans find the podcast! Donate at the link in the description below, or you can Venmo @davidgraf.

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@james_loney

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Shoutout Turntkenny on the music! Check him out on Tik Tok @turntkenny and Instagram @sometimes_turnt!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-pioneer-league-podcast/donations

In this episode, host David Graf interviews Billings Gazette and 406mtsports.com senior sports writer Mike Scherting about his experience covering the Pioneer League and the Billings Mustangs. Scherting has been at the Billings Gazette since the summer of 2000 and has spent many Billings summer nights at Cobb Field and Dehler Park. This would have been his 20th summer covering the Billings Mustangs.

Scherting talks about how the Pioneer League has evolved over the past 20 years, his experience going to Mustangs games as a kid, his relationship with former Mustangs manager and MLB All-Star Rick Burleson, and how the loss of the Pioneer League's affiliation with Minor League Baseball would impact the Billings community.

The final episode of the first season of The Pioneer League Podcast features former Great Falls Dodger and 11-year MLB veteran James Loney, and it will be released on Tuesday, July 28th.

Please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast to help other baseball fans find the podcast! Donate at the link in the description below, or you can Venmo @davidgraf.

You can follow David and Mike on Twitter:

@mrdavidgraf

@GazSportsSchert

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@davidgraf

Shoutout Turntkenny on the music! Check him out on Tik Tok @turntkenny and Instagram @sometimes_turnt!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-pioneer-league-podcast/donations

In this episode, host David Graf interviews 2014 Billings Mustang and current Tampa Bay Ray Brian O'Grady about his time in the Pioneer League. O'Grady was drafted in the 8th round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds out of Rutgers University. O'Grady enjoyed a solid year in Billings and helped lead the Mustangs to a Pioneer League championship. He slashed .257/.354/.449 and chipped in 17 doubles. He also socked knocked in 6 homers and 42 RBIs.

O'Grady talked about his favorite memories of playing in Billings, an appearance by a couple of rats in the showers in Helena, his whirlwind of an MLB call-up, and what it's like to play winter ball abroad.

The next episode featuring Billings Gazette senior sports reporter Mike Scherting will be released on Thursday, July 23rd.

Please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast to help other baseball fans find the podcast! Donate at the link in the description below, or you can Venmo @davidgraf.

You can follow David and Brian on Twitter:

@mrdavidgraf

@BrianOGrady21

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@bogrady21

Shoutout Turntkenny on the music! Check him out on Tik Tok @turntkenny and Instagram @sometimes_turnt!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-pioneer-league-podcast/donations

In this episode, David Graf interviews 1997 Medicine Hat Blue Jay and Pioneer League Triple Crown winner Greg Morrison. After being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 71st round of the 1994 MLB Draft, Morrison played for the Great Falls Dodgers in 1995, and he had a short stint for the Single A Savannah Sand Gnats in 1996. Upon his release from the Dodgers, he was scooped up by the Toronto Blue Jays and sent to Medicine Hat. He had a season to remember in the Pioneer League. He hit .448 with 23 homers and 88 RBIs to take home the league's Triple Crown.

Morrison talked about his historic 1997 season in Medicine Hat, being taken in the 71st round of the MLB Draft, what it was like to represent Team Canada on the global stage, and his experience playing Independent League baseball.

The next episode will be released on Tuesday, July 21st with 2014 Billings Mustang and current Tampa Bay Rays OF Brian O'Grady.

Please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast to help other baseball fans find the podcast! Donate at the link in the description below, or you can Venmo @davidgraf.

You can follow David and the Medicine Hat Mavericks on Twitter:

@mrdavidgraf

@mhmavericks

You can follow David and the Medicine Hat Mavericks on Instagram:

@davidgraf

@mhmavericks

Shoutout Turntkenny on the music! Check him out on Tik Tok @turntkenny and Instagram @sometimes_turnt!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-pioneer-league-podcast/donations

In this episode, David Graf interviews 2015 Idaho Falls Chukars and current Iowa Cubs play-by-play broadcaster Alex Cohen about his time in Idaho Falls in 2015. The 2015 Idaho Falls Chukars lost in the Pioneer League Finals to the Missoula Osprey, and the roster featured four future big leaguers so far. Cohen has broadcasting experience at multiple levels of Minor League Baseball, and he has traveled the globe calling baseball games. He also spent some time learning about broadcasting behind the scenes with the Oakland Athletics.

Cohen talks about his travels around the globe, who his broadcasting inspirations are, what makes Minor League Baseball so special, and his 2015 summer spent in Idaho Falls.

Check out the next episode featuring former Pioneer League Triple Crown winner Greg Morrison right now!

Please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast to help other baseball fans find the podcast! Donate at the link in the description below, or you can Venmo @davidgraf.

You can follow David and Alex on Twitter:

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@voiceofcohen

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@davidgraf

Shoutout Turntkenny on the music! Check him out on Tik Tok @turntkenny and Instagram @sometimes_turnt!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-pioneer-league-podcast/donations

In this episode, host David Graf interviews 1999 Missoula Osprey and 14-year MLB veteran Lyle Overbay. Overbay was selected in the 18th round of the 1999 MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Overbay was actually the first player to reach 100 RBIs in a short-season league in Minor League Baseball. He flat out raked in the Pioneer League in 1999. He flat out raked with a slash line of .343/.418/.588, and in addition to those 100 RBIs, Overbay slugged 12 home runs and 25 doubles in only 75 games. He led the Osprey to their first league championship and took home Pioneer League MVP and Short-Season Player of the Year by Baseball America honors.

Overbay talked about bursting onto the scene in Missoula, his approach at the plate, what made the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks so special, and what he's up to now.

The next episode featuring 2015 Idaho Falls Chukars play-by-play announcer and current Iowa Cubs play-by-play man Alex Cohen will be released on Tuesday, July 14th.

Please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast to help other baseball fans find the podcast! Donate at the link in the description below, or you can Venmo @davidgraf.

You can follow David on Twitter:

@mrdavidgraf

You can follow David on Instagram:

@davidgraf

Shoutout Turntkenny on the music! Check him out on Tik Tok @turntkenny and Instagram @sometimes_turnt!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-pioneer-league-podcast/donations

In this episode, host David Graf interviews 2010 Ogden Raptor and 5-year MLB veteran Shawn Tolleson. Tolleson was a 30th round draft pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers out of Baylor University. Tolleson dominated the Pioneer League in 2010 and was named a Pioneer League All-Star after the season. He baffled hitters with a 0.63 ERA, 17 saves, and 39 strikeouts in 28.2 innings.

Tolleson talked about his involvement with a cool new baseball app, overcoming injuries during high and school college to become a late round draft pick, what his experience was like playing in Ogden, being a Los Angeles Dodger, and what it was like being on the Texas Rangers during the "Bat Flip Heard 'Round the World" from Joey Bautista.

The next episode featuring 1999 Missoula Osprey and 14-year MLB veteran Lyle Overbay will be released on Thursday, July 9th.

Please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast to help other baseball fans find the podcast! Donate at the link in the description below, or you can Venmo @davidgraf.

You can follow David and Shawn on Twitter:

@mrdavidgraf

@shawn_tolleson

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@davidgraf

@shawn_tolleson

Shoutout Turntkenny on the music! Check him out on Tik Tok @turntkenny and Instagram @sometimes_turnt!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-pioneer-league-podcast/donations

In this episode, host David Graf interviews 1986 Helena Gold Sock, 15-year MLB veteran, and 4-time MLB All-Star selection Greg Vaughn. After being drafted four times already, Vaughn finally left college when he was selected a fifth time. It was 4th overall by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1986 MLB June Draft-Secondary Phase out of the University of Miami. Vaughn hit .291/.363/.543 and clubbed 16 home runs and 13 doubles. He also added 54 RBIs and 23 stolen bases in 66 games for the Helena Gold Sox.

Vaughn talked about how he decided to become a baseball player to prove people wrong, how much fun he had playing in Helena, and his overshadowed 50-homer season for the San Diego Padres in 1998.

The next episode featuring 2010 Ogden Raptor and 5-year MLB veteran Shawn Tolleson will be released on Tuesday, July 7th.

Please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast to help other baseball fans find the podcast! Donate at the link in the description below, or you can Venmo @davidgraf.

You can follow David and Greg on Twitter:

@mrdavidgraf

@gregvaughn23

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@gregvaughn23

Shoutout Turntkenny on the music! Check him out on Tik Tok @turntkenny and Instagram @sometimes_turnt!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-pioneer-league-podcast/donations

In the first full episode, host David Graf interviews 2006 Billings Mustang and 9-year MLB veteran Drew Stubbs. Stubbs was the 8th overall selection by the Cincinnati Reds in 2006 out of the University of Texas. Stubbs hit .252./.368/.400 and chipped in 6 homers and 19 stolen bases for a 2006 Billings Mustangs squad that had 11 guys, including Stubbs, that reached MLB.

Stubbs talked about growing up in small town Texas, what it was like to be a Texas Longhorn in the mid-2000's, his time playing in Billings, and some of the highlights from his time at the MLB level.

The next episode featuring 1986 Helena Gold Sox standout, 15-year MLB veteran, and 4-time MLB All-Star Greg Vaughn will be released on Thursday, July 2nd.

Please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast to help other baseball fans find the podcast! Donate at the link in the description below, or you can Venmo @davidgraf.

You can follow David on Twitter:

@mrdavidgraf

You can follow David on Instagram:

@davidgraf

Shoutout Turntkenny on the music! Check him out on Tik Tok @turntkenny and Instagram @sometimes_turnt!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-pioneer-league-podcast/donations

After the 2019 baseball season, there was a proposal by executives from the Houston Astros to contract 42 teams from Minor League Baseball. That contraction would result in almost no ties to professional baseball in the Mountain West and the loss of the Pioneer League in its entirety. There would no longer be any Minor League Baseball teams in Montana after a history of having professional baseball in the state since the 1940's, and Idaho, Utah, and Colorado would have their baseball influence significantly reduced.

This podcast series serves to be an audio scrapbook of players and media members that have passed through the Pioneer League during their careers. The Pioneer League is a Rookie-level short season league in Minor League Baseball, and it is often players' first stop in professional baseball. The questions asked of these people are to reflect on their memories of their time playing and covering baseball in the Mountain West. You'll hear from Major League All-Stars like Greg Vaughn, players that just debuted in the big leagues like Brian O'Grady, guys that never quite figured out how to hit a curveball like Greg Morrison, and newspaper writers that have covered their team for almost 20 years like Mike Scherting.

In this introductory episode, host David Graf talks about the inspiration behind the podcast, and you get to hear snippets from some of the interviews to come.

The first full episode with former Billings Mustang and 9-year Major League veteran Drew Stubbs will be released on Tuesday, June 30th! New episodes will be released every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the rest of the summer, too!

Please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast to help other baseball fans find the podcast! Donate at the link in the description below, or you can Venmo @davidgraf.

You can follow David on Twitter:

@mrdavidgraf

You can follow David on Instagram:

@davidgraf

Shoutout Turntkenny on the music! Check him out on Tik Tok @turntkenny and Instagram @sometimes_turnt!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-pioneer-league-podcast/donations