Baseball By Design: Stories of Minor League Logos and Nicknames

The iconic TV show M*A*S*H introduced millions of viewers to minor league baseball's Toledo Mud Hens through the quirky character Corporal Max Klinger, played by Toledo native and lifelong Mud Hens fan Jamie Farr. Mr. Farr, now 87 years old, joined me to talk about the team he grew up watching, the impact his fandom had on the TV show, and his current relationship with the team. 

I also speak for the first time on the podcast (but certainly not the last!) with prolific graphic designer Dan Simon of Studio Simon, who in 2005 created the current branding for the team.

Find Jamie Farr on IMDB.

Find Studio Simon online at studiosimon.net and on Instagram at @studio_simon.

Baseball By Design

The real-life Albuquerque Isotopes, currently Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, debuted in 2003, shortly after an episode of The Simpsons portrayed Homer thwarting plans that the Duff Beer Company had to move the fictional Springfield Isotopes to New Mexico. Paul is joined by longtime Isotopes General Manager John Straub, we hear Paul's 2018 appearance on the Isotopes pre-game show with Josh Suchon, and we learn what the heck an isotope is in a surprise post-credit sequence from Chris Smith of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.

Albuquerque Isotopes

John Traub on Twitter: @TopesGM

Josh Suchon on Twitter: @Josh_Suchon

NC Museum of Natural Sciences

Chris Smith on Instagram: @envedchris

Baseball By Design

Todd Radom has created logos for Super Bowl XXXVIII, the 2009 NBA All-Star Game, the 2014, 2016, and 2018 MLB All-Star Games, and Major League and minor league baseball teams, including the Brooklyn Cyclones and Wichita Wind Surge. On this episode, Todd and Paul discuss Todd's ride on the rickety old Cyclone roller coaster on Coney Island, the 1979 Phillies all-maroon uniforms, some nitty gritty nerdy typography details, and more!

Follow Todd at www.toddradom.com, on Twitter at @toddradom, and on Instagram at @toddradom.

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Chris Creamer founded the website SportsLogos.net 25 years ago, and since then it's become an invaluable resource for fans of sports logos, uniforms, and branding news. Baseball By Design host Paul Caputo has been covering minor league baseball logos for Chris's site since 2014, and so it's only fitting that Chris is the guest on the debut episode of the podcast.

Follow Chris on Twitter at @sportslogosnet and Instagram at @sportslogosnet.

Baseball By Design: Twitter | Instagram | Website

Baseball By Design will explore the stories behind the nicknames and logos of minor league baseball teams at all levels. Join SportsLogos.net minor league baseball Paul Caputo correspondent for conversations with front office personnel, designers, players, and fans!