In this episode of the Moonlight Graham Show, we turn our focus to a special kind of underdog – the often overlooked yet crucially important football kicker. Our guest, Keith Duncan, a former Iowa walk-on kicker known for his game-winning field goal against Nebraska, joins us to share his unique perspective on the sport. The inspiration for this ep…

On this episode of the Moonlight Graham Show, we're bringing back a true original, one of our very first guests who embodies the underdog spirit, Jack Brownlee. As the pivotal point guard who led Fort Dodge St. Edmond to a historic state championship victory in 2000, Jack is no stranger to overcoming odds and exemplifying what it means to be a Moon…

This week on the Moonlight Graham Show, we're reconnecting with a guest whose story captures the essence of athletic versatility and the relentless pursuit of greatness. Sean Johnson, a towering former baseball player turned World Long Drive competitor, joins us to discuss his incredible ascent in the sport of long drive golf. Sean's athletic prowe…

This week on the Moonlight Graham Show, we delve into the story of Brady Ross, a former Iowa Hawkeye fullback whose journey and character perfectly capture the essence of what this show and Iowa Hawkeye football are all about. Ross, who joined the Iowa program as a walk-on and transitioned from linebacker to fullback, truly embodies the role-player…

On this week's episode of the Moonlight Graham Show, where we spotlight the unsung heroes and unforgettable tales of sports, we're thrilled to bring you a story of resilience, talent, and dreams. Meet Peter Jok: an Iowan with roots in Sudan, a basketball prodigy, and now, an Olympic hopeful. Peter's journey is nothing short of inspiring. Hailing fr…

Today, the pod delve into one of the most baffling sports records ever witnessed: the Minnesota Twins' staggering 18-game postseason losing streak spanning 19 years across eight postseason appearances. Remarkably, this streak stands unmatched in the annals of American professional sports history. For context, the Detroit Pistons hold the NBA's long…

Driving straight into golf's heartland, the Moonlight Graham Show tees up an unexpected tale where Iowa takes center stage in the golfing world. Drawing on these unexpected links, Tim delves deep into the significant Iowa presence in two of golf's most esteemed events: the Ryder Cup and the Walker Cup. Despite its seemingly unimpressive golfing his…

Once a rare novelty, vanity plates have become increasingly ubiquitous, especially in the heart of Des Moines. In a region divided by the fierce Cy-Hawk rivalry, the vehicular battle is real, with Hawkeye and Cyclone fans using their cars as an extension of their team pride. This pod isn't just about numbers and letters on reflective aluminum, thou…

This week on the Moonlight Graham show, we shine the spotlight on one of Iowa’s most distinguished high school baseball coaches - Michael Barta. Not even 40 and already a name to reckon with, Barta has led teams to an impressive five state championships. Our discussion dives deep into Barta's monumental achievement of turning Johnston High School, …

In this episode of the Moonlight Graham Show, we're thrilled to welcome back one of our most beloved Moonlighters, Big Ben Meyer, affectionately known as "Mr. Grandview." A fan favorite from the early days of the podcast, Ben returns to share his unique and often amusing insights. With Iowa and Iowa State week in full swing, Tim and Big Ben dive de…

Tim sits down with Coach Tom Wilson as he prepares for the 2023 Dowling Catholic football season.

In this episode of the Moonlight Graham show, the spotlight shines on Robert Etzel, a nonagenarian who once played a short-lived professional baseball season back in 1955. With a record of 19 games, Robert might not have made a significant mark statistically, but his story and connection to the small town of Fort Dodge, Iowa make him a compelling g…

Two Moonlighters, Two Aces. One heck of a story.

In this heartwarming episode, Tim shares his unique perspective from the sidelines as he, yet again, carries the bag for repeat guest and underdog golfer Sam Meuret. The duo rehash their journey through the U.S. Open Local Qualifier held at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines, offering listeners a glimpse of competitive golf from the eyes of …

After a 5 month hiatus the podcast returns to talk baseball and to jumpstart the 14th season of the best underdog podcast in the universe!

This week we are sending out dreams of spring and early tee times on the weekend. Tim sits down with Nate McCoy to talk all things golf and life after you start carrying your own bag. The former Cyclone and pro golfer shares his perspective on the game, his career, and his decision to make a career in golf without the clubs in his hands. Nate McCoy…

Every Iowa sports fan knows the reputation of Harlan Community High School. The Harlan Cyclones are known far and wide for their success in every sport. Coach Bladt and the football program built a foundation of success that the entire community rests on. There is a lot of pride in the school colors and full bleachers whenever they take the field o…

Much of the Moonlight Graham Show has been about telling the stories of former athletes. We have spent 274 episodes looking back on glory days and telling the stories that either made the highlights or shaped the person in the jersey. But this week, we look at a sport that is bringing athletes back to life while it grows on a national stage. Pickle…

Every listener to this podcast knows that a game of catch is rarely just a game of catch. Playing catch is an opportunity to connect with someone, whether you spend that time in conversation or just listening to the pop of the ball hitting the leather. Few understand this more than this week’s guest, Kevin Negaard. Negaard’s journey is nearing his …

This week’s Moonlighter is an underdog, but the hardwood he plays on is more likely to be found on a stage than on a basketball court. Like most of our guests, he is a former athlete, but unlike many of our guests, he walked away from the game instead of the other way around. Griffin House has spent the last 20+ years with a guitar in his hands, re…

The college basketball season is about to hit full swing. A lot of the attention in Iowa is on the Hawkeyes and the Cyclones and where they might fall in the top 25. But, lucky for us, we also have two top-tier Missouri Valley Conference teams in the state. Almost every February, there is talk about how many of our big 4 teams can get into the tour…

Role players come in all shapes and sizes. And sometimes, they have to change their shapes and sizes to fit their roles. So as you fill up on Christmas goodies and homecooked meals, just pretend you are getting yourself ready for a new challenge. Ryan Harklau went from being a 3 sport star at Humboldt High School to working through the dark days of…

The underdog podcast needed to sit down with the underdog guy. Tyler O’Shea is a kindred spirit for the Moonlighters out there. O’Shea is researching, writing, and podcasting as he builds his own underdog story with Jokermag.com. Tyler O’Shea has built an incredible underdog storytelling machine. Now, he joins us at the Moonlight Show to break down…

In an age of sport specialization, the multi-sport athlete is more fascinating than ever. In this week's episode, Tim and Neil discuss the best dual-sport athletes of their lifetimes.

Now that Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone, Moonlight Graham Show is getting in on the two-for-one deals. No, we aren’t talking about merch, although we have that too, we are talking about major league arm talent. Pat Venditte is the only true ambidextrous pitcher in MLB history. Pat Venditte wasn’t born ambidextrous. His dad, a form…

This week the Moonlight Graham Show takes a dip, and we aren’t talking about the Thanksgiving appetizers. What better time for our first episode about swimming than just as the first rounds of snow hit the ground? Tim sits down with Paul Jensen and Don Appleby of the 1985 Minnesota state swimming champions from Burnsville High School. This team was…

Sports are about so much more than wins and losses. At the same time, though, sports aren’t nearly as fun if you don’t care about wins and losses. At the middle school and high school level, more than anything else, sports are about learning life lessons and building relationships. It takes a special kind of coach to be able to balance the drive to…

This week’s episode features an upcoming prospect. We don’t mean a guy projected to develop into something special; we mean a diamond in the rough uncut gem. John Klein has only been pitching for four seasons, yet he recently signed with the Minnesota Twins. It all began with a chance to move to the mound in high school, which set his baseball care…

There isn’t a more perfect way to kick off this season of the podcast than with a perfect game. Most of us probably think about the pitcher when we hear ‘perfect game,’ but on the Moonlight Graham Show, we are looking for someone behind the scenes. Two-time Moonlighter Pat Hoberg is working his first World Series, and we didn’t want to miss a pitch…

Every once in a while, a Moonlighter just falls into your lap. Matt Buschmann connected to the podcast on Twitter, and, as it turns out, he was just the kind of story we are looking for. Matt Buschmann is a 10-year minor league baseball veteran who made three appearances in the Majors. When his playing days were done, he became the bullpen coach fo…

Neil and Tim discuss the CyHawk showdown this Saturday, Albert Pujols, Aaron Judge, and the new King of England.

Jon Wisnieski’s name may be hard to spell, but it is even harder to forget for Des Moines metro Hawkeye fans. He was a star from Dowling Catholic High School and a highly touted recruit heading east to Iowa City. Jon played alongside some of the top names coming out of Tight End U during his five years in black and gold. Injuries sidetracked his co…

This week things get really nice on the podcast. That’s right, the Iowa Nice Guy, filmmaker, actor, and Moonlighter Scott Siepker returns to the pod to talk about his new feature-length documentary film, Kinnick. Scott and Tim take the pod outdoors for an early fall evening conversation about Nile Kinnick and the years-long journey that Siepker set…

Once again, Moonlight Tim returns to the course with Sam Meuret. This time they head west for the Mid-Amateur Qualifier. Like our previous episodes with Sam, this pod was recorded in two parts. Part one of the interview is Tim and Sam on the road to Shadow Ridge, and part two is the road home. The relationship between the caddie and the golfer is l…

The MLB coming to Iowa has led to many changes around the state over the last two years. Last year’s game with the Yankees and White Sox was a spectacle. The sights and sounds of the movie site and new stadium, coupled with the production of a national broadcast and MLB, drew millions of eyes to the state. Tim and Neil attended the game as part of …

Game. Set. Sibling rivalry. This week the Moonlight Graham Show takes the pod on the road to the All Iowa Lawn Tennis Club in Charles City, Iowa. This little-known gem has earned the nickname “The Court of Dreams.” The AILTC might be the only true grass tennis court in the state. It is styled after, and named after, the All England Lawn Tennis and …

The term GOAT just gets thrown around right now. The goat emoji is tagged on every highlight on social media, and every recruit is the next big thing. This “prisoner of the moment” mentality also leads us to compare eras. Some are convinced that guy wouldn’t stand a chance today or that no one could ever match the dominance of a certain era. Guys l…

This week’s Moonlighter goes way back with Moonlight Tim. Eric Stein was a sophomore leader for the Iowa Central Tritons when Tim joined the team as a freshman. Even as a 19-year-old, Eric Stein’s baseball IQ made it clear that his future was in coaching if he wanted it. Roughly 18 years after that first meeting, Tim sits down with Eric to talk abo…

Sometimes an athlete has to evolve their game to become a role player. Sometimes a role player evolves into being a star. This week’s Moonlighter went from being a backup on his middle school team to becoming a first-round pick in the NFL draft. Trevor Penning grew up, and we certainly do mean grew, in small town Iowa. He went to a small high schoo…

There are few roles more important than that of coach. Part mentor, part cheerleader, part teacher part disciplinarian, and sometimes even part father or mother figure. This week’s Moonlighter fits those descriptors to a T. Marty Sutherland has spent most of his life in sports and played a prominent role in the lives of countless young men. Marty S…

This week Neil and Tim discuss the current state of attendance in the MLB and the astounding fact that over 600,000 fans attend baseball games each day.

One thing that we love about sports is the way that no matter how old we get, sports stay the same. Depending on where we are in our lives, we can be the athlete, the fan, the coach, or even the dad. This week’s Moonlighter has a perspective on wrestling from every angle. The former high school and D1 wrestler now wears the hats of coach and dad. A…

All-time leading scorer and role player don’t really fit in the same sentence. But in the case of this week’s Moonlighter, they are both a part of his story. Brooks McKowen graduated high school having set a new standard for Iowa high school basketball players. While at UNI he became a new player. When he hung up the sneakers, he found another role…

The College World Series has been in Omaha since1950. Would college baseball benefit from alternating sites?

At an imposing 6’7, this week’s Moonlighter might look the part but his path to professional sports had a dog leg or two. Sean Johnson grew up an athlete playing hockey and baseball and though he made a run at a professional baseball career, it was his skills from the ice that has helped him to launch. Johnson is now making a name for himself in pr…

This week on the Moonlight Baseball Hour we discuss the role of the modern MLB manager along with the excitement of the college baseball postseason. Don't forget to go out and play some catch this weekend!

“Hey Dad, you want to have a catch?” We all know the iconic line. The moment when Ray and his dad connect at the end of the movie. They have a deep conversation about the significance of both family and, of course, the state of Iowa. Just when it feels like the moment is over, Ray asks his dad to play catch. There is one subtle moment in that scene…

This week on the Moonlight Baseball Hour Neil and Tim break down the Joc Pederson and Tommy Pham fantasy football flame out, which has become one of the most fun off-the-field storylines baseball has seen in years. They also look into how many sets up twins have appeared in an MLB game along with Byron Buxton's frigid month of May.…