Tommy Birch
@tommybirch.bsky.social
Des Moines Register sports reporter. Husband to Allyson. Father to Bodie and Bennett. Informer to all.
Jameson Taillon’s final rehab start with the Iowa Cubs was his best. A look back at the day including a cameo from an ice cream truck.
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t.co/xgGu1jG2PO
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/baseball/iowa-cubs/2025/08/13/jameson-taillon-chicago-cubs-iowa-cubs-rehab-assignment/85615253007/
t.co
August 14, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Jameson Taillon’s final rehab start with the Iowa Cubs was his best. A look back at the day including a cameo from an ice cream truck.
t.co/xgGu1jG2PO
t.co/xgGu1jG2PO
Ryne Sandberg spent his one summer in Des Moines with the Iowa Cubs signing autographs, winning games and collecting mattresses and soap and shampoo to be donated to shelters in town.
Remembering Ryno the manager and the man.
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Remembering Ryno the manager and the man.
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https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/baseball/iowa-cubs/2025/07/29/ryne-sandberg-chicago-cubs-iowa-cubs-sam-bernabe-randy-wehofer-baseball/85416708007/
t.co
July 29, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Ryne Sandberg spent his one summer in Des Moines with the Iowa Cubs signing autographs, winning games and collecting mattresses and soap and shampoo to be donated to shelters in town.
Remembering Ryno the manager and the man.
t.co/qzt5iJDa9B
Remembering Ryno the manager and the man.
t.co/qzt5iJDa9B
Reposted by Tommy Birch
Miguel Amaya will begin rehab assignment with Triple A likely on Saturday, Counsell said.
Jameson Taillon will throw live BP on Friday & again next week in MIL before going on rehab assignment.
Javier Assad is nearing rehab assignment after weekend.
Taillon & Assad trending for mid-August return.
Jameson Taillon will throw live BP on Friday & again next week in MIL before going on rehab assignment.
Javier Assad is nearing rehab assignment after weekend.
Taillon & Assad trending for mid-August return.
July 22, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Miguel Amaya will begin rehab assignment with Triple A likely on Saturday, Counsell said.
Jameson Taillon will throw live BP on Friday & again next week in MIL before going on rehab assignment.
Javier Assad is nearing rehab assignment after weekend.
Taillon & Assad trending for mid-August return.
Jameson Taillon will throw live BP on Friday & again next week in MIL before going on rehab assignment.
Javier Assad is nearing rehab assignment after weekend.
Taillon & Assad trending for mid-August return.
I’ve got five Iowa Cubs players who could get dealt at this year’s MLB trade deadline.
www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports...
www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports...
Five Iowa Cubs players who could be dealt at the trade deadline
The Iowa Cubs boast plenty of prospects that could be dealt at MLB's trade deadline this year.
www.desmoinesregister.com
July 22, 2025 at 5:39 PM
I’ve got five Iowa Cubs players who could get dealt at this year’s MLB trade deadline.
www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports...
www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports...
Remember former Iowa State quarterback Grant Rohach? Well, he’s 31-years-old now and a husband, a father, a high school teacher and coach…and the backup quarterback for the Iowa Barnstormers.
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t.co/ANeMUjp31z
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/football/2025/06/06/grant-rohach-iowa-state-football-iowa-barnstormers/83886651007/
t.co
June 6, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Remember former Iowa State quarterback Grant Rohach? Well, he’s 31-years-old now and a husband, a father, a high school teacher and coach…and the backup quarterback for the Iowa Barnstormers.
t.co/ANeMUjp31z
t.co/ANeMUjp31z
.@IowaCubs slugger Jonathon Long is one of the best hitters in all of Minor League Baseball. But Long nearly quit baseball in high school and had to walk on at Long Beach State in college.
What a journey for the Cubs prospect.
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What a journey for the Cubs prospect.
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https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/baseball/iowa-cubs/2025/06/02/jonathon-long-iowa-cubs-chicago-cubs-prospects/83944706007/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwKt3HJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHrimynOwnWNqaVyOlDjFytA68V...
t.co
June 6, 2025 at 1:10 PM
.@IowaCubs slugger Jonathon Long is one of the best hitters in all of Minor League Baseball. But Long nearly quit baseball in high school and had to walk on at Long Beach State in college.
What a journey for the Cubs prospect.
t.co/RYdxItnOIu
What a journey for the Cubs prospect.
t.co/RYdxItnOIu
Jonathon Long nearly quit baseball in high school. Thankfully he didn’t because Long is now one of the best minor league hitters in the Cubs organization.
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t.co/T35sPoAyN7
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/baseball/iowa-cubs/2025/06/02/jonathon-long-iowa-cubs-chicago-cubs-prospects/83944706007/
t.co
June 3, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Jonathon Long nearly quit baseball in high school. Thankfully he didn’t because Long is now one of the best minor league hitters in the Cubs organization.
t.co/T35sPoAyN7
t.co/T35sPoAyN7
Johnston native and former Hawkeyes baseball standout Peyton Williams has one of the best nicknames in Minor League Baseball.
The Iowa Meat Truck.
The story behind how he got it and how he’s become a social media star because of it.
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The Iowa Meat Truck.
The story behind how he got it and how he’s become a social media star because of it.
t.co/vRWe0EMxvJ
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/baseball/2025/05/23/peyton-williams-iowa-hawkeyes-johnston-high-school-iowa-meat-truck/83711775007/
t.co
May 24, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Johnston native and former Hawkeyes baseball standout Peyton Williams has one of the best nicknames in Minor League Baseball.
The Iowa Meat Truck.
The story behind how he got it and how he’s become a social media star because of it.
t.co/vRWe0EMxvJ
The Iowa Meat Truck.
The story behind how he got it and how he’s become a social media star because of it.
t.co/vRWe0EMxvJ
When Kenta Maeda was released by the Tigers, he had a few teams reach out to him. He figured the Cubs were the best bet to get him back on track.
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t.co/UlQPglwoss
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/baseball/iowa-cubs/2025/05/17/kenta-maeda-chicago-cubs-iowa-cubs-los-angeles-dodgers-detroit-tigers-minnesota-twins/83702087007/
t.co
May 18, 2025 at 3:48 PM
When Kenta Maeda was released by the Tigers, he had a few teams reach out to him. He figured the Cubs were the best bet to get him back on track.
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t.co/UlQPglwoss
Some big news: Cubs top pitching prospect Cade Horton is joining the team in New York for its series with the Mets.
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t.co/KwSkI17X4O
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/baseball/iowa-cubs/2025/05/08/cade-horton-chicago-cubs-iowa-cubs-minor-league-baseball/83516058007/
t.co
May 8, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Some big news: Cubs top pitching prospect Cade Horton is joining the team in New York for its series with the Mets.
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t.co/KwSkI17X4O
Moises Ballesteros is one of the best hitters in all of Minor League Baseball. It’s no surprise to the Cubs who saw his potential at the plate when he was 14.
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t.co/brbsvQk7yc
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/baseball/iowa-cubs/2025/04/30/iowa-cubs-baseball-moises-ballesteros-chicago-cubs-prospect/83370141007/
t.co
May 2, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Moises Ballesteros is one of the best hitters in all of Minor League Baseball. It’s no surprise to the Cubs who saw his potential at the plate when he was 14.
t.co/brbsvQk7yc
t.co/brbsvQk7yc
In his first interview since being demoted, Matt Shaw talks about being sent back to the minors, what he’s working on and more.
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t.co/CF5V7djDvu
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/baseball/iowa-cubs/2025/04/23/matt-shaw-chicago-cubs-iowa-cubs-minor-league-baseball-ian-happ/83212179007/?taid=6809052ada87f4000140f920&utm_campaign=tru...
t.co
April 23, 2025 at 3:27 PM
In his first interview since being demoted, Matt Shaw talks about being sent back to the minors, what he’s working on and more.
t.co/CF5V7djDvu
t.co/CF5V7djDvu
As Sioux City native Shelby Houlihan served a four-year ban from track and field, she drove around the country in her Volkswagen and tried to figure out who she was without the sport.
What she learned and what’s next for her now that she’s back running.
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What she learned and what’s next for her now that she’s back running.
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https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/drake/drake-relays/2025/04/22/shelby-houlihan-olympics-track-field-drake-relays-arizona-state-sioux-city-east/83185117007/
t.co
April 23, 2025 at 12:20 AM
As Sioux City native Shelby Houlihan served a four-year ban from track and field, she drove around the country in her Volkswagen and tried to figure out who she was without the sport.
What she learned and what’s next for her now that she’s back running.
t.co/JaaMRsXPLU
What she learned and what’s next for her now that she’s back running.
t.co/JaaMRsXPLU
The Iowa State women’s basketball team honored some of its greatest teams Saturday. Then, this season’s team, reminded everyone it still can do some special things.
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t.co/k36Ppiq9Zn
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/basketball-womens/2025/02/08/iowa-state-womens-basketball-cyclones-colorado-score-audi-crooks-addy-brown-big-12-conference/78218050007...
t.co
February 9, 2025 at 2:52 AM
The Iowa State women’s basketball team honored some of its greatest teams Saturday. Then, this season’s team, reminded everyone it still can do some special things.
t.co/k36Ppiq9Zn
t.co/k36Ppiq9Zn
I’ve got 3 takeaways from last night’s Iowa State win:
1️⃣Lily Hansford has her long-awaited big night.
2️⃣Audi Crooks’ injury doesn’t seem like something to worry about.
3️⃣The Cyclones capitalized on two easy but important games at home.
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1️⃣Lily Hansford has her long-awaited big night.
2️⃣Audi Crooks’ injury doesn’t seem like something to worry about.
3️⃣The Cyclones capitalized on two easy but important games at home.
t.co/27IFt12ec9
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/basketball-womens/2025/01/26/iowa-state-cyclones-womens-basketball-ucf-big-12-conference-lily-hansford-audi-crooks-bill-fennelly/77845...
t.co
January 26, 2025 at 12:48 PM
I’ve got 3 takeaways from last night’s Iowa State win:
1️⃣Lily Hansford has her long-awaited big night.
2️⃣Audi Crooks’ injury doesn’t seem like something to worry about.
3️⃣The Cyclones capitalized on two easy but important games at home.
t.co/27IFt12ec9
1️⃣Lily Hansford has her long-awaited big night.
2️⃣Audi Crooks’ injury doesn’t seem like something to worry about.
3️⃣The Cyclones capitalized on two easy but important games at home.
t.co/27IFt12ec9
6-year-old Tarren Thomas has become a fan-favorite at the Knapp Center this season, dressing up like Drake coach Ben McCollum.
A look at how the tradition started and why that’s not the only reason Bulldogs fans and players love him.
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A look at how the tradition started and why that’s not the only reason Bulldogs fans and players love him.
t.co/ZTQyDf1cwg
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/drake/drake-bulldogs/2025/01/16/drake-basketball-bulldogs-missouri-valley-conference-ben-mccollum-tarren-thomas-6-year-old-fan/77657674007/
t.co
January 17, 2025 at 12:07 AM
6-year-old Tarren Thomas has become a fan-favorite at the Knapp Center this season, dressing up like Drake coach Ben McCollum.
A look at how the tradition started and why that’s not the only reason Bulldogs fans and players love him.
t.co/ZTQyDf1cwg
A look at how the tradition started and why that’s not the only reason Bulldogs fans and players love him.
t.co/ZTQyDf1cwg
The Iowa State women’s basketball team still runs a play named after former Cyclones star Tara Gunderson.
Gunderson started Iowa State’s NCAA record for most consecutive games with a made 3. That streak ended Tuesday night.
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https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/basketball-womens/2025/01/15/iowa-state-womens-basketball-cyclones-big-12-conference-tara-gunderson-ncaa-record-3-point-shooting/77657...
t.co
January 15, 2025 at 10:23 PM
The Iowa State women’s basketball team still runs a play named after former Cyclones star Tara Gunderson.
Gunderson started Iowa State’s NCAA record for most consecutive games with a made 3. That streak ended Tuesday night.
t.co/ekrHTTyzJL
Reposted by Tommy Birch
Some roster bookkeeping: The Cubs were granted an additional Minor League option year for righty Caleb Kilian.
January 9, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Some roster bookkeeping: The Cubs were granted an additional Minor League option year for righty Caleb Kilian.
The Iowa State women’s basketball team hoped it had turned the corner after a great win over Kansas.
But any momentum the Cyclones had quickly died down Sunday.
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But any momentum the Cyclones had quickly died down Sunday.
t.co/5C8ZbnJIlb
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/basketball-womens/2025/01/05/iowa-state-cyclones-womens-basketball-utah-score-utes-big-12-conference-audi-crooks/77358611007/?taid=677...
t.co
January 6, 2025 at 2:35 PM
The Iowa State women’s basketball team hoped it had turned the corner after a great win over Kansas.
But any momentum the Cyclones had quickly died down Sunday.
t.co/5C8ZbnJIlb
But any momentum the Cyclones had quickly died down Sunday.
t.co/5C8ZbnJIlb
One of the first things Bill Fennelly and his staff look at when preparing for an opponent is how they plan to guard Audi Crooks
Sunday’s matchup could pose problems.
www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports...
Sunday’s matchup could pose problems.
www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports...
Iowa State women's basketball: Utah poses 'difficult' matchup for Cyclones star Audi Crooks
Audi Crooks is coming off a 33-point performance against Kansas earlier in the week. She and the Cyclones will face Utah on Sunday.
www.desmoinesregister.com
January 4, 2025 at 12:50 PM
One of the first things Bill Fennelly and his staff look at when preparing for an opponent is how they plan to guard Audi Crooks
Sunday’s matchup could pose problems.
www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports...
Sunday’s matchup could pose problems.
www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports...
Some takeaways from Iowa State’s win over Kansas:
1️⃣Behind Audi Crooks’ big game.
2️⃣Iowa State’s deceiving record.
3️⃣Lilly Taulelei gets meaningful minutes.
4️⃣Free throw shooting remains an issue.
www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports...
1️⃣Behind Audi Crooks’ big game.
2️⃣Iowa State’s deceiving record.
3️⃣Lilly Taulelei gets meaningful minutes.
4️⃣Free throw shooting remains an issue.
www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports...
Iowa State women's basketball: Cyclones' coach Bill Fennelly knew Audi Crooks' big game was coming
Audi Crooks scored 33 points in Iowa State's 78-64 win over Kansas on Wednesday. Bill Fennelly saw it coming.
www.desmoinesregister.com
January 2, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Some takeaways from Iowa State’s win over Kansas:
1️⃣Behind Audi Crooks’ big game.
2️⃣Iowa State’s deceiving record.
3️⃣Lilly Taulelei gets meaningful minutes.
4️⃣Free throw shooting remains an issue.
www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports...
1️⃣Behind Audi Crooks’ big game.
2️⃣Iowa State’s deceiving record.
3️⃣Lilly Taulelei gets meaningful minutes.
4️⃣Free throw shooting remains an issue.
www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports...
Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly showed old boxscores to his players to remind them of some of their best shooting games.
The hope is that inspires more from them.
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The hope is that inspires more from them.
t.co/5mqW4MPx6E
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/basketball-womens/2024/12/31/iowa-state-women-basketball-cyclones-big-12-conference-bill-fennelly-kansas/77324910007/?taid=6773e3cc174...
t.co
December 31, 2024 at 9:20 PM
Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly showed old boxscores to his players to remind them of some of their best shooting games.
The hope is that inspires more from them.
t.co/5mqW4MPx6E
The hope is that inspires more from them.
t.co/5mqW4MPx6E
Reposted by Tommy Birch
Former Cubs prospect Cole Roederer has signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres
December 25, 2024 at 1:37 AM
Former Cubs prospect Cole Roederer has signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres
