Omaha Storm Chasers

Jake Eisenberg and Tony Boone welcome Storm Chasers owner Gary Green to The StormCast! Gary has owned the Storm Chasers since 2012 and has since also bought and launched Union Omaha, a USL League One soccer franchise that plays at Werner Park. 

On this episode of The StormCast, Jake and Tony remember Bob Gibson (1:00), an Omaha and baseball legend who passed away on October 2nd, and discuss the group of former Storm Chasers/Royals playing in the MLB postseason (6:22). 

Next, Jake and Tony talk to Gary about the pandemic's impact on his day-to-day and the inaugural season of Union Omaha, the latest updates on the negotiations between Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball, his favorite sports memories from the last decade (which include the Storm Chasers titles in 2013 and 2014), his love for Bruce Springsteen, and more!

• On the upcoming birth of his daughter (10:52)
• MiLB teams getting creative without a season (13:47)
• The first match in Union Omaha history (18:48)
• How the Storm Chasers & Union Omaha fanbases might mesh in 2021 and beyond (21:14)
• His thoughts on the MiLB and MLB negotiations (27:05)
• Concerns for MiLB (31:57)
• Memories from acquiring the team in 2012 (34:07)
• The top moments from the last eight years (36:11)
• Figuring out who to root for in the 2015 World Series (37:01)
• Hopes for MiLB in 2021 (42:11)
• Bruce Springsteen thoughts (42:41)

Following the conversation, Jake and Tony dive into a discussion about the MLB postseason and make their World Series picks (44:25). Then, Tony shares his "ranking" of various Pacific Coast League pennants he recently shared on Twitter (48:30). Finally, Tony answers last episode's trivia question (52:10) before wrapping up the show with a new trivia question (56:00). 

Trivia question: What years did Bob Gibson pitch for the Omaha Cardinals? Share the answer on social media for a chance earn a shoutout on our next episode!

Be sure to stay up to date with the Storm Chasers on social media by following the team on Twitter (@OMAStormChasers), Instagram (@omahastormchasers) and Facebook (Omaha Storm Chasers). Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show! Share any comments or questions via email to [email protected]. 

Alec Lewis has covered the Royals for The Athletic since he joined the publication in March of 2019. You can find his work here and follow him on Twitter here. His coverage includes feature stories, profiles, explorations into player development and scouting, analytical breakdowns, Q&As with prominent members of the Royals' front office, and more. In April, Alec wrote about the 1995 Omaha Royals team that was in Oklahoma City for a road series on the day of the Oklahoma City bombing. 

On this episode of The StormCast, Jake Eisenberg and Tony Boone talk to Alec (3:11) about covering a Major League team in the midst of the pandemic, various prospect thoughts and updates from the Alternate Training Site, his take on the organization's future, and more!

• On covering baseball during a pandemic and different press protocols (4:14)
• Getting to know first-year Royals manager Mike Matheny (9:41)
• Interesting Royals storylines toward the end of the season (12:01)
• Adalberto Mondesi's potential (14:37)
• Does Mondesi eventually move to the outfield? (17:09)
• Bobby Witt Jr's path to the big leagues (19:32)
• Impact of the Alternate Training Site on player development timelines (22:33)
• Day-to-day operations at the Alternate Training Site under Storm Chasers manager Brian Poldberg (28:16)
• Collection of pitching prospects from the 2018 MLB Draft (30:14)
• Royals future pitching rotation (34:58)
• Chasers future roster projections (36:30)
• Impressions of Kris Bubic (39:22)
• Royals future bullpen with emergence of Josh Staumont and Kyle Zimmer (42:50)
• Under-the-radar prospects to know (48:31)

Following their conversation with Alec, Jake and Tony share the answer to last episode's trivia question and serve up another one. Who was the last member of the Kansas City Royals—before Whit Merrifield in 2017 and 2018—to lead the league in stolen bases? 

Be sure to stay up to date with the Storm Chasers on social media by following the team on Twitter (@OMAStormChasers), Instagram (@omahastormchasers) and Facebook (Omaha Storm Chasers). Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show! Share any comments or questions via email to [email protected]. 

On this episode of The StormCast, Jake Eisenberg and Tony Boone welcome a familiar *byline* to the show in Rob White, a former sportswriter for the Omaha World-Herald. Prior to becoming the Director of Athletic Communications at MSU Denver, Rob covered Triple-A Baseball in Omaha for 18 years from the mid-1990s through the mid-2010s. His tenure as the paper's beat writer included a few team name changes, a ballpark switch, a handful of titles, and a slew of stories.

Rob shares his memories of the final weeks of the 2010 season—the final year at Rosenblatt Stadium—what the last game was like, and even what smell he remembers most from the famous ballpark. He also recalls covering Omaha's move from the American Association to the Pacific Coast League following the 1997 season, Chris Hatcher's record-setting campaign in 1998, the time Calvin Pickering hit the longest home run Rob had ever seen, and more!

Plus, tune in for the answer to last episode's trivia question and a new one to try and answer. Which PCL team did the Omaha Royals play in the final game at Rosenblatt Stadium on Sept. 2, 2010?

Be sure to stay up to date with the Storm Chasers on social media by following the team on Twitter (@OMAStormChasers), Instagram (@omahastormchasers) and Facebook (Omaha Storm Chasers).

For nearly two decades, Omaha Storm Chasers (and Omaha Royals and Omaha Golden Spikes) fans have heard Mark Nasser's voice on the radio calling the action. Since arriving in Omaha in 2001, he's been behind the mic for the franchise at two different ballparks—Rosenblatt Stadium and Werner Park—and witnessed countless memorable moments, including for four division titles, three PCL championships, two Triple-A crowns, and an All-Star Game.

Mark explains why he decided to step away from the radio booth ahead of the 2020 season (3:10) before sharing myriad stories and memories from the last 19 years with hosts Jake Eisenberg and Tony Boone.

His stories include:

• Why the most rewatchable game from 2019 was the first Omaha Runzas night (8:10)
• The improbable championship run by the 2013 team (13:27)
• Why the 2012 team was the best team he's seen, even though they didn't win a title (16:18)
• Witnessing José Martínez's ascent from an unknown player to setting the modern-day PCL record for batting average (18:44)
• Marveling at Whit Merrifield's perseverance through four seasons in Omaha (20:44)
• Making his Major League radio debut in 2001 (26:36)
• His favorite stops in the PCL and travel tips (36:15)
• What it was like to celebrate the franchise's 50th anniversary in 2018 and put together the 50th anniversary team (42:53)
• Having a day at the ballpark in his honor (44:45)
• Transitioning from Rosenblatt Stadium to Werner Park (48:21)
• Watching Alex Gordon learn how to play left field and what Rusty Kuntz said Gordon looked like in his early outfield days (50:37)
• Working with Mike Jirschele and Brian Poldberg, dating back to his days as the broadcaster for the Wilmington Blue Rocks (52:56)

Following their conversation with Mark, Jake and Tony share the answer to last episode's trivia question and serve up another one. Who was the last manager before Mike Jirshele and Brian Poldberg?

Be sure to stay up to date with the Storm Chasers on social media by following the team on Twitter (@OMAStormChasers), Instagram (@omahastormchasers) and Facebook (Omaha Storm Chasers).

Most groundskeepers at Minor League stadiums only need to worry about maintaining the field for one sport: baseball. Under normal circumstances, Derek York, the head groundskeeper at Werner Park, needs to make sure the field is prepared for two: Storm Chasers baseball and—new this year—Union Omaha soccer.

Jake Eisenberg and Tony Boone chat with Derek about the process of converting the baseball diamond to a soccer pitch (and back), the differences between maintaining a field for baseball vs. soccer, how much sod you need (spoiler alert: a lot), the innovative retractable mound, and more!

Before the conversation with Derek, Jake and Tony talk about some of the cool things at the recent Garage Sale/Mystery Ball Sale at Werner Park. Afterward, the episode rounds out with another trivia question from Tony.

Be sure to stay up to date with the Storm Chasers on social media by following the team on Twitter (@OMAStormChasers), Instagram (@omahastormchasers) and Facebook (Omaha Storm Chasers).

The one and only Martie Cordaro joins The StormCast! 

The President of the Omaha Storm Chasers and Union Omaha shares what it's been like navigating an uncertain 2020 and a now-cancelled MiLB season, creating fun and safe non-baseball events at Werner Park for the community, how Union Omaha was built, memories from the first season of Chasers baseball in 2011 and the 2015 Triple-A All-Star Game at Werner Park, and more! Plus, thoughts on the 2021 season and suggestions for ways you can support the Storm Chasers and other Minor League teams across the country. 

Prior to chatting with Martie, Jake Eisenberg and Tony Boone discuss (2:18) MLB's Opening Weekend and highlight the former Storm Chasers on the Kansas City Royals Opening Day roster. Later in the show, Tony reveals the answer to last episode's trivia question (50:25) and gives us a new one (51:32).

It's been a little over two weeks since the official cancellation of the 2020 Minor League Baseball season, and with it, the Storm Chasers season. On the fifth episode of The StormCast, Jake Eisenberg and Tony Boone welcome J.J. Cooper (2:30), the Executive Editor of Baseball America. He's been with Baseball America since 2002 covering every level of baseball, including unparalleled coverage of Minor League Baseball.

J.J. shares what it was like reporting Minor League Baseball's official cancellation on June 30 (3:17) and what the various impacts of the lack of a season could be (8:12). He also dives into the latest on potential MiLB contraction (12:49), the necessity of a 2021 schedule (17:07), what some positive structural changes to Minor League Baseball might be (19:53), why Minor League Baseball's accessibility is so important (27:48), and what the Triple-A landscape could look like in the wake of possible geographic realignment (30:10).

J.J. also shares responses that stood out to him from his tweet asking people to share what Minor League Baseball means to them (34:56) before sharing what Minor League Baseball means to him (37:09). Finally, Tony asks J.J. about his role in the 50 Summers documentary (43:31).    

Jake and Tony also take J.J.'s prompt and share what Minor League Baseball means to them (49:30) before Tony answers last episode's trivia question and challenges us with a new one (55:06). Enjoy!

On the fourth episode of The StormCast, Jake Eisenberg and Tony Boone welcome Kansas City Royals pitching prospect Daniel Tillo, a Sioux City, IA, native and standout pitcher at Iowa Western CC in nearby Council Bluffs, IA. Tillo was recently named to the Royals 60-player club pool for Summer Camp, which begins July 1.

After a brief exploration (1:04) of some familiar former Omaha Storm Chasers faces and other notable names on the Royals 60-player club pool roster, Jake and Tony catch up with Daniel (5:32) in the midst of his travels from Sioux City to Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. 

Daniel shares how he learned about his spot on the roster (6:16), his excitement for playing at Kauffman Stadium (8:53), which teammates he's looking forward to facing in intrasquad matchups (14:23), his move to the bullpen last season (16:41), and what it's like to be among the Royals crop of highly-talented pitching prospects (18:07). He also dives into his path to playing professional baseball after being a three-sport star in high school (20:28) and tells us about his passion for collecting sports cards (26:58), including his quest for his own baseball cards (31:08) and a basketball card he pulled that could be worth more than $10,000.

Plus, Jake and Tony audibly tip their caps to the 100th anniversary of the Negro Leagues (39:33) and share the story of the Omaha Rockets (42:09), an independent Black baseball team in Omaha from 1947-1950 that was briefly the official farm team of the Kansas City Monarchs.

Finally, be sure to catch the answer to last episode's trivia question (43:40), listen for some shoutouts for those who shared the right answer on social media, and learn this episode's trivia question (45:42), which will be answered on our next episode. Enjoy!

On the third episode of The StormCast, Jake Eisenberg and Tony Boone welcome 2014 PCL Playoff MVP and current KIA Tigers (KBO) pitcher Aaron Brooks!

After quickly recapping last week's MLB Draft (2:18), Jake and Tony talk to Aaron (5:23) about how the opportunity arose to pitch in the KBO, what it's been like for him and his family to adjust to living in Korea, the differences between KBO and MLB, eating octopus (yes, octopus), his memories of the 2014 PCL Championship team, why he now considers himself a Midwesterner after growing up in California, and more!

Plus, be sure to catch the answer to last episode's trivia question (39:27) and listen for some shoutouts for those who shared the right answer on social media. Finally, Tony excitedly shares this episode's trivia question (40:49), which will be answered on our next episode. Enjoy!

On the second episode of The StormCast, Jake Eisenberg and Tony Boone welcome MLB Pipeline Senior Writer Jim Callis to talk about the upcoming MLB Draft. 

After discussing the recent news regarding the Kansas City Royals pledging to support their minor leaguers (1:55), Jake and Tony talk to Jim (7:44) about the MLB Draft's future in Omaha, the impact of a five-round draft in 2020 (15:27), his expectations for the first few picks (21:24), who the Royals may select with the No. 4 overall pick (23:44), the last two Royals' draft classes (29:46), and more! 

Plus, be sure to catch the answer to last episode's trivia question (35:35) and listen for some shoutouts for those who shared the right answer on social media. Finally, Tony shares this episode's trivia question (38:07), which will be answered on our next episode. Enjoy!