The Moonlight Graham Show

Listening to episode 103 is a good call. Don't even try to argue. You are able to review this one with an instant reply though. This week, Tim sits down with Major League Baseball umpire Pat Hoberg to talk about his path from NAIA basketball player to working a wildcard game in Yankee Stadium. Pat Hoberg grew up in Urbandale, IA. As an athlete, he played little league baseball but was a basketball...

Tyler Peyton grew up in Grimes playing for his dad, Byron Peyton, who played in the Reds organization. Tyler was a standout football, basketball, and baseball player. Baseball was his passion though and being able to play for his dad gave him some amazing experiences. Peyton had a stellar career for DC-G playing infield, pitching, and at the plate. Peyton's stats read a little like a video game. H...

One Shining Moment has got to be the most famous song that is played once a year. Every year Luther Vandross regales America while some of the greatest highlights of the tournament. This year has already been full up some amazing moments. Zion Williamson and Duke holding off Tacko Fall and UCF's last-second shots, Liberty getting their first tourney win, Fletcher Magee of Wofford breaking the care...

"My preparation was all week long, every week." Dan Gable grew up in Waterloo, IA and toughness was just a part of the way he grew up. He grew up as a wrestler and credits the coaches he had in a youth program. Wrestling was the sport where he didn't have to sit still or take breaks. Even in the conversation, Gable's intensity and pace clearly show. Gable was undefeated as a wrestler through high...

In the final episode of our series, Tim and Tom count the final 20 greatest athletes in Iowa history. 

In part 4 of 5 of our series, Tim and Tom count down 40-21 of the greatest athletes in the history of Iowa.   

In part 3 of 5 of our series, Tim and Tom count down 60-41 of the greatest athletes in the history of Iowa. 

In part 2 of 5 of our series, Tim and Tom count down 80-61 of the greatest athletes in the history of Iowa. 

This week, episode 100 of the Moonlight Graham Show takes us into the fray. Making something like an All-Star or All American team in one sport after a season is tough. Looking at one university or organization and trying to make an all-decade or all-time list is a challenge because you have to compare players across eras. But when you add the word 'athlete' to the all-time great conversation, you...

Episode 99 burns up the nets just in time for the boys Iowa high school state basketball tourney. Randy Kraayenbrink was a scoring machine in his playing days. After a very successful high school career for the Paulina Panthers, Kraayenbrink went on to become one of the most prolific scorers for the UNI Panthers. Basketball nuts will love how Randy and Tim breakdown how the game changed with the a...

This episode sponsored by www.danflattery.com Paige Lowary's softball career took an unbelievable turn when Oregon's leadoff hitter lined a pitch off of her left eye. Paige stayed in the game in spite of the injury and even started the next game a few days later unaware of just how bad her injury was. In the interview, Paige shares how that injury started her down a path that led to transferring O...

Greg Brunner is an "Iowa-born, Iowa-bred" guy who just loves basketball. Greg sits down with Tim in the Moonlight Graham Studio for a basketball talk that spans AAU, the Big Ten, and two continents. Brunner's memory for teammates, opponents, and games is amazing. For every question Tim asks, Greg dives into details that will have all basketball fans pressing pause and doing some research. Greg Bru...

Episode 96 is a double play - Taylor and Samantha Sinclair sit down with Tim just in time for Valentine's Day to share their love story. Taylor and Sam have a true Moonlight love story. Taylor is an Iowa boy who played with Tim at UNI and with the Rockford River Hawks. Sam is a California girl who fell for a ballplayer at her very first baseball game. Mix in a fantasy wedding and you have yourself...

Even if you don't follow UNI football, Twait is a household name in Iowa football. Cal's dad was the very successful coach at Iowa Central Community College for 22 years and now serves as the Triton AD. Also, Cal's grandpa is Duane Twait. 339 wins, 26 playoff appearances, and 7 state titles have him in the argument for the best football coach in Iowa history. Life in a football family was an impor...

Billy Cundiff wasn't always a kicker. As a Harlan Little Cyclone, playing for Coach Curt Bladt, Cundiff was a state title winning quarterback, a successful basketball player, and high jumper. Tim and Cundiff talk about playing for an all-time great football coach and growing up in an elite sports community. As humble as they come, Cundiff credits his older brother, coaches, and teammates for his s...

Hans Nielsen shares about a life involved in sports and some of the best stories you have ever heard. This week's Moonlighter has a story for everything from a wrong turn at the state cross country meet, averaging 22 points a game for Garner High School, a marathon 24-inning softball game, and countless hours as a sports fan. In preparation for his 82nd birthday, Hans shares about growing up playi...

Tanner Purdum and Tim sit down at Stockyard's Brewing Company in Kansas City for a beer and one helluva story. Some of our Moonlighters overcome great adversity or had a magical moment that makes their name stick in a fan's memory. Tanner Purdum's story is a little different. He worked hard, got an opportunity, and took pride in no one knowing his name.   Tanner played quarterback and long snapped...

Episode 91 will have you dreaming of warmer weather as former ICCC Triton skipper Rick Pederson sits down to talk about the ins and outs of a life in baseball. Tim played for Coach Pederson from 2005-2006 and they explore all aspects of coaching JUCO baseball, changes in the game, and Pederson's newest crop of prospects… middle school softball players. In a show centered around underdogs, Rick Ped...

Episode 90 was a layup (because there definitely wasn't a lot of dunking going on). Tim sits down with Adam Viet to cover everything in Iowa basketball from AGWSR to UNI. Hoopsters will really appreciate the level of detail the guys get into when talking about Iowa high school basketball, playing at Vets, and Adam's UNI Panthers. "I would say my 'punch-me-in-the-face' moment was my first practice"...

Warren Holloway shares how he went from being a lightly recruited receiver to working as a scout teamer and on playing special teams for three years before becoming a legend. Holloway didn't have many opportunities on offense before his senior year and caught his one and only touchdown on the last play of his college career. The Tate-to-Holloway touchdown in the Capital One Bowl on January 1, 2005...

                  "So yeah, I was a neckroll guy" Paul Schulte was a 4-year letter winner at Iowa State (1988-1991) in the heyday of the Big 8 Conference, where he played against Colorado and Nebraska when they were powerhouse programs. There can hardly be a more overlooked role than that of the wedge buster. Paul tells of his four years on the kickoff team running straight down the field and taki...

In this interview, Tim and Dwier explore the behind the scenes notes and insights that make Field of Dreams so special. Everything from working with the cast, the cast and crew bowling team, filming in Dyersville, and nearly 30 years of hindsight on one of the greatest sports movies of all time. Perhaps the most revealing moment is when Dwier shares what it was like for the cast to watch the film...

Matt Stutzman tells his incredible story about finding a way to compete in every sport, including dribbling a basketball until his shoulder was bleeding. Competing with his siblings and growing up with parents who allowed him to face life without prosthetics or modifications. He explored his passions from basketball to bull riding, but that whatever it takes attitude has taken him to the top of hi...

GOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllll!   Episode 85 of the podcast takes us onto the soccer pitch for the very first time. Roger Espinoza of Sporting Kansas City sits down to share his version of the American Dream. Originally from Honduras, Espinoza shares a truly amazing story of coming to the United States, playing at the highest levels, and living out his dreams.   Tim...

Everyone knows the headlines. Everyone thinks they know the story. The college national champ becomes a Super Bowl champ. The most dynamic tight end in the NFL playing alongside the most dominant tight end with the greatest QB and coach of all time. What could go wrong? That is where episode 84 pulls back the curtains to reveal a more complete version of the story. Moonlighter Jonathan Hernandez j...