The Durham Bulls Podcast

Durham Bulls pitcher Justin Sterner recounts the profound impact his two-year mission to American Samoa had on his life, becoming an Eagle Scout, his BYU family tree and his journey to professional baseball.

The story of "The Rookie" Jim Morris is well known.  Morris' life story & baseball journey turned into a Disney movie.  Retired from a first pro baseball journey, teaching high school science while coaching high school baseball. Then a promise between Morris and his players led to a second chance at baseball, and a tryout at the age of 35.  Three months later, Morris stepped on a major league field for the first time in his life and a legend was born.

This extended podcast with Bulls broadcaster Patrick Kinas is the first, fully comprehensive chat with Jim Morris, who tells the tale of his journey, revealing details that had scarcely been known.

Enjoy listening to Jim's re-telling of his story about "The Rookie".

This week, New York Yankees' Triple-A manager Shelley Duncan joins Patrick Kinas on THE Durham Bulls Podcast to talk about his professional baseball career, his major league baseball family, his relationship with Bulls Hall of Fame manager Charlie Montoyo and his 2013 Governors Cup title season with Durham.

Duncan also discusses at length the impact of his mom and brother, who both lost battles to glioblastoma brain cancer, treated at nearby Duke Medical and his profound relationships with both of them, along with the memories he carries forward to this day.  

In Duncan's return to Durham this week with the RailRiders playing at the DBAP, Duncan organized a staff participation fundraiser on Duke Medica's Angel Walk 5K, which was organized to help raise funds to research and treat the very cancer that took Duncan's brother and mother.

This is a "Don't Miss" episode.

This week, Durham Bulls outfielder Jake Mangum joins the show alongside his dad John, who played nine seasons as a defensive back for the Chicago Bears. Hear the journey of Jake on his way to Durham, from his record-setting time at Mississippi State to his treks to the College World Series. The Mangums talk about the parallels in their sport, stories from Jake's childhood and memories of their special bond.

Author and professor emeritus at Duke University Harris Cooper joins THE Durham Bulls Podcast to talk about his book "Finding America In A Minor League Ballpark" depicting his season as a seating bowl host at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Cooper talks about his psychology career, his love of baseball, the personal stories he uncovered during his season with the Durham Bulls.  Cooper recounts stories of his youth, his love of baseball and the briging his experiences together for the book.

Seven-year MLB outfielder Brandon Guyer joins Bullls broadcaster Patrick Kinas this week on THE Durham Bulls Podcast.

Guyer talks about his company Major League Mindset befoe delving into his four seasons (2011-14) with the Bulls.  Guyer also breaks down what it's like to prepare for a Game 7 of the World Series, something he has first-hand knowledge of from 2016 in playing for the Cleveland Indians against the Chicago Cubs in one of the most memorable Fall Classics in a generation.

Guyer also talks about the originiation of his nickname "La Pinata", the "Bet" that led to him going out on his first date with his wife, and his first major league call-up.

This week's episode of THE Durham Bulls Podcast features former Durham Bulls infielder Tristan Gray, who spent portions of three seasons with the Bulls, leading Durham to a pair of International League and Triple-A National Championships in 2021 and 2022.

Gray, now playing in the Miami Marlins organization, compares emotions between his wedding last November and his MLB debut two months prior.  He also shares a wild story about how he heard about his first major league call-up.

Tristan also gives the definitive, first-hand story of how his UPS vest became integral to the Durham Bulls home run celebrations and the run to the Triple-A Championship in 2022.

Gray also chats about the "Basabe Game" from July 4th, 2023, growing up the son of a minor league player, following in his father's footsteps in college and pro ball, and opens the curtain about championship clubhouse celebrations.

Durham Bulls' fan favorite Miles Mastrobuoni joins THE Durham Bulls Podcast to talk about his journey to Wrigley Field as a super-utility player for the Chicago Cubs.

Miles takes us through his San Francisco Bay upbringing, where he developed his blue-collar style of play, his special relationship with his brother, his memories of playing for the Durham Bulls, the story of his first major-league call-up and his bond how his bond with Ripken The Bat Dog developed.

This week's podcast introduces the new Durham Bulls manager for the 2024 season, former National League All-Star Morgan Ensberg.

This episode covers a ton of ground from his time delivering produce as a teenage in southern California, his love of skiing, walking on to his college team at USC, his first major league call-up, playing in the 2005 World Series, his relationship with teammates who were baseball's biggest stars from Roger Clemens to Greg Maddux, Derek Jeter, Jeff Bagwell and many others.

The theme of the podcast always returns to Morgan's love of the game of baseball and teaching.

Enjoy this conversation with the next leader of the Durham Bulls.

If you were ever curious how "The Greatest Mascot In The World" Wool E. Bull got his name?  Do we have the podcast for you.

In the spring of 1992, the Durham Bulls held a contest of name their mascot.  Durham native Jim Vickery won that contest with his submission of Wool E. Bull.

In this week's podcast, Jim recounts the story of the contest, his submission, the prizes and even how he stumbled upon an authentic script to the movie Bull Durham.

Jim also describes what a game at Durham Athletic Park was like during his summers three decades ago. 

This week's episode of THE Durham Bulls Podcast features General Manager Tyler Parsons.  Tyler discusses his life and career journey from the tiny Village of Dansville, Michigan to his first job in sports working for his alma mater Central Michigan University, to his time as the GM of his hometown team - the Lansing Lugnuts - to ultimately getting the call to lead the Durham Bulls.

Tyler also talks about meeting his wife, his favorite part about being a father of two young children, the pressures to succeed in Durham and what he envisions as the future for the Bulls franchise. 

Tyler also takes a few questions from his colleagues in the front office! 

Former Durham Bulls flame-throwing RH reliever Ryne Stanek joins THE Durham Bulls Podcast to talk about his three seasons in Durham.

Stanek shares stories about his first major league call-up, his unique pizza gender reveal of his second child, the business of baseball, embracing his girl-dad status, the story of meeting his reality-star wife and who HE wants to book on a future episode of the podcast.

In Episode 2 of THE Durham Bulls Podcast, Patrick Kinas visits with Bill Evers, who was the first Triple-A manager of the Durham Bulls.  Evers, an original Tampa Bay Devil Rays hire at the inception of the franchise, managed the Bulls from 1998 through 2005, claiming back-to-back Governors Cup championships (2002-03) and his #20 was later inducted into the Internaional League Hall of Fame.

Evers became bench coach for the Tampa Bay Rays, then later joined one of his former players, Rocco Baldelli, on Baldelli's major league coaching staff with the Minnestoa Twins. 

Evers retired after the 2021 season and in this episode reflects on his time with the Bulls, the Rays, managing Derek Jeter throughout his brief minor league journey toward superstardom, shares the story about "The Rookie" Jim Morris and more.

...and sometimes it rains. Listen in to a very important Hit Bull Win Podcast as Scott and Patrick discuss the end of the season, Wool E.'s Winter Wonderland, and the future of the podcast. 

Thank you to all who have listened and made this podcast so special through the years. It has always been such a huge source of joy to share stories of minor league baseball front office life with you. The podcast will always be around in some form or fashion, and we look forward to bringing you more stories and interviews. You are the best fans in the world. Thank you again!

-PN

There are only six games left in the season, and the mailbag had been piling up. Scott and Patrick decided to fix that. 

Get tickets now: durhambulls.com/tickets

Get some gear: durhambulls.com/shop

Scott and Patrick sit down with Bulls manager Michael Johns for the second time this year to discuss long homestands, trades, golf, The Hunger Games, and much more. Don't miss out, and enjoy!

A new department at the Durham Bulls front office graces the pod with its presence, as Patrick and Scott sit down with Senior & Special Projects Accountant Nick Bornhoft! Accounting is a huge back bone for the Bulls, and Nick explains why it might be a good bit more fun than you think. Thanks for listening, and enjoy!

Patrick and Scott were challenged by General Manager Tyler Parsons to discuss the 1991 classic action film Point Break. Listen here to relive a great popcorn flick with special guest and Social Media Manager Andrew Green. Enjoy!

Howdy! Scott and Patrick go over a wild Independence Day at the ballpark, discuss your voicemails, and wedding invitations. Enjoy!

The podcast is evolving and we're going to try something new! Listen to the pod to hear about that update, how the ABS system was installed, and a milestone achieved for the first time in 20 years for the Durham Bulls. Enjoy!

Unfortunately, Scott Strickland is absent. Fortunately, Patrick is surrounded by interesting people, like Director of Promotions Leslie Martin and Head Groundskeeper Cameron Brendle, who hop on to chat their work, fishing, Taylor Swift, and more. Enjoy!

Scott and Patrick sit down with new Bulls Manager Michael Johns to discuss Durham, golf, and spring training cooking. Enjoy!

It's a 50th episode celebration! Scott and Patrick discuss a successful Opening Weekend, and chat with Director of Merchandise and Bulls front office legend Bryan Wilson. 

It's another mailbag episode! Scott and Patrick answer all your questions from Wool E. Bull's taco/burrito preference to their stress level headed into the season. Enjoy!

arv3bqmd