Baseball By Design: Stories of Minor League Logos and Nicknames

Hot off the presses, the Springfield Cardinals rebranded as the Ozarks Springbirds, staying close to their parent club's brand while creating something unique to the community. Guests include:

• Dan Reiter, General Manager, Springfield Cardinals
• Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net, Insta @studio_simon

Find the Baseball By Design podcast online:

• Instagram @baseballbydesign
• Threads @baseballbydesign
• Bluesky @ba...

The collegiate summer level Martha's Vineyard Sharks play in a town made famous by an iconic movie. The Jaws-themed team takes a kid-friendly approach to nature's greatest predator. Guests include:

• Russ Curran, President & GM, Martha's Vineyard Sharks
• Todd Malhoit, Creative Director, toddmalhoit.com
• Jim Christopher, Ballpark Nation, YouTube @ballparknation
• Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net, Insta @studio_simon
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The Tri-City ValleyCats, based in Troy, New York, have been around for a quarter century and play with one of independent baseball's most enduring brands. Guests this week include:

• Rick Murphy, President/Owner, Tri-City ValleyCats
• Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net, Insta @studio_simon
• Ranger Amy Burnett, Insta @therealrangeramy

Find the Baseball By Design podcast online:

• Instagram @baseballbydesign
• Thread...

In an unprecedented follow-up to a previous episode, Jeopardy contestant Lauren Vincent joins the podcast to discuss her role in the existence of the Columbia Synchronized Hippos. Plus, hear Lauren's appearance on the Columbia Fireflies broadcast with John Kocsis! Guests include:

• Lauren Vincent, Jeopardy Contestant
• Donnie Wise, DHC Sports Show, Insta @wisedrjr
• John Kocsis, Jr., Broadcaster, Columbia Fireflies
• Dan Simon, Studio...

It's the 250th episode of Baseball By Design—the semiquincentepisode—and we're marking the occasion with the Somerset Patriots, who played as the Semiquincentennials in July. 

This week on the podcast:

• Hal Hansen, Senior Director, Sales & Marketing, Somerset Patriots
• Ryan Foose, Fooser Sports Design, Insta @foosersports
• Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net, Insta @studio_simon

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The Gateway Grizzlies, an independent team in the Frontier League, play in Sauget, Illinois, a small town in the shadow of St. Louis's Gateway Arch just across the river in Missouri. Neither state has ever been part of the grizzly bear's habitat, so why is this team called the Grizzlies? Listen and learn! Guests this week include:

• Jason Guerette, Broadcaster, Gateway Grizzlies
• Ranger Amy Burnett, Insta @therealrangeramy
• Dan Si...

When the Appalachian League lost its affiliated status in 2020, all 10 teams were forced to rebrand. The Bluefield Ridge Runners adopted a train-themed brand that celebrates the Blue Ridge mountains, the coal mining industry, and a beloved toy train character. Guests this week include:

• Garrett Schilling, General Manager, Bluefield Ridge Runners
• Ranger Amy Burnett, Insta @therealrangeramy
• Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimo...

The Montreal Expos logo has been the subject of debate, conversation, and even conspiracy theories over the years. Author, baseball historian, and sports design royalty Todd Radom discusses the history of the Expos and their iconic brand. 

Guests include:

• Todd Radom, Todd Radom Design toddradom.com
• Dan Simon, Studio Simon, studiosimon.net

Find the Baseball By Design podcast online:

• Instagram @baseballbydesign
• T...

An incorrect answer on the TV game show Jeopardy led to one of Minor League Baseball's funniest theme nights. This Thursday, the Columbia Fireflies will take the field as the Synchronized Hippos. Guests include:

• John Kocsis, Jr., Broadcaster, Columbia Fireflies
• Donnie Wise, DHC Sports Show, Insta @wisedrjr
• Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net, Insta @studio_simon

Find the Baseball By Design podcast online:

• I...

It's the 10th iteration of the Baseballpalooza road trip, and it's the biggest one yet! The guys guide you through the Northeast and talk about the magic of a road trip with old friends.

Find the Baseball By Design podcast online:

• Instagram @baseballbydesign
• Threads @baseballbydesign
• Bluesky @baseballbydesign.bsky.social
• Facebook @baseballbydesignpodcast
• linktr.ee/BaseballByDesign

Baseball By Design is a member of the Cu...

The Reno Aces dig deep into their hometown's heritage with two of their identities: The "Biggest Little City" alternate identity plays on the city's slogan, found on an iconic arch on the edge of town, and a Reno Silver Sox brand honors the town's baseball past.

Guests this week include:

• Blake O'Brien, Senior Director of Creative Services, Reno Aces
• Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net, Insta @studio_simon

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The Augusta GreenJackets are a rare baseball team whose logo is based on another sport. The team leans into its hometown's claim to fame, the iconic Augusta National golf course. Guests this week include:

• Brandon Greene, General Manager, Augusta GreenJackets
• Jason Klein, Brandiose, brandiose.com
• Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net, Insta @studio_simon

Find the Baseball By Design podcast online:

• Instagram @b...

The identity for the Charleston RiverDogs, Single-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, has a surprising back story—it's not based on dogs at all, but rather rats. Guests this week:

• Ben Abzug, Senior Vice President, Charleston RiverDogs
• Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net, Insta @studio_simon

Find the Baseball By Design podcast online:

• Instagram @baseballbydesign
• Threads @baseballbydesign
• Bluesky @baseba...

Major League Baseball's All Star Game takes place today and Skye Dillon joins to talk about developing the logo for the event. Guests this week:

• Skye Dillon, SKYE, www.skye.design
• 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
• Facebook @baseballbydesignpodcast
• lin...

The Eugene Emeralds for many years had a brand that featured an idyllic natural scene—but then they made a dramatic switch and adopted a brand that features a snarling sasquatch. We talk about this and the team's hilarious Exploding Whales alternate identity. Guests this week include:

• Matt Dompe, Assistant GM & Broadcaster, Eugene Emeralds
• Jason Klein, Brandiose, brandiose.com
• Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon...

The Double-A Springfield Cardinals have only had two alternate identities in their team history, including the Ozarks Snipe Hunters, unveiled this season. The brand plays on the storied tradition of sending newbie campers into the woods on wild goose chases for mythical furry critters.

This week on the podcast:

• Dan Reiter, General Manager, Springfield Cardinals
• Ranger Amy Burnett, Insta @therealrangeramy
• Dan Simon, Studio Simo...

Before they were the Aviators, the Triple-A baseball team in Las Vegas played as the Las Vegas 51s from 2001 to 2018. The team's alien-themed brand played on their proximity to noted government facility Area 51. Guests include:

• Tom Brazile, Director of Retail Operations, Las Vegas Aviators
• Valerie Ruiz, Stadium Food Girl, Insta @stadiumfoodgirl
• Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net, Insta @studio_simon

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The Tampa Bay Rays City Connect brand is one of the most successful in Major League Baseball. The identity tells the story of the region's close relationship with the skateboarding community, and ties together two generations of the team's branding. Guests include:

• Warren Hypes, Rays VP Creative & Brand, Insta @warren_hypes
• Michael Blanford, Former Executive Director, Boards for Bros
• Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimo...

The collegiate summer level Madison Mallards keep hitting it out of the park with their popular alternate identities. They'll play a game this season as "The Dudes" in tribute to the movie The Big Lebowski later this season. Guests include:

• Kyle Chisholm, Marketing Director, Madison Mallards
• Brent Bartels, Creative Services Manager
• Jim Christopher, Ballpark Nation, YouTube @ballparknation
• Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosim...