The Funnville Nine

This year, The Diamond in Richmond hosts its 40th and final season. The Richmond Flying Squirrels are rolling out the All-Diamond Team, showcasing the fans' choices for their favorite players who came through Richmond since 1985 on their way to MLB stardom. Their choice first first baseman was Ryan Klesko, who played for the Richmond Braves in 1992 and 1993. Klesko joined Flying Squirrels broadcaster Trey Wilson on April 4, 2019, while he was in town for the team's home opener at The Diamond. We have pulled some clips from that interview where Klesko talked about his time playing in Richmond. 

Richmond Flying Squirrels broadcaster Trey Wilson sat down chat with pitcher Dylan Hecht about his path to signing with the San Francisco Giants this spring. The 31-year-old reliever attended UC Santa Barbara and DII Sonoma State before a few brief stints in independent baseball. He retired from baseball in 2021 but continued playing in recreational leagues, and after solving a long medical mystery, he found himself throwing in the upper-90s. Hecht signed with the Giants this spring and climbed to Double-A with Richmond in June.

Last week in Altoona, Richmond Flying Squirrels broadcaster Trey Wilson sat down with lefty pitcher Jack Choate, who discussed why his birthplace is listed as Miami, whether he's 6'6 or 6'8, playing sports as a kid, growing up a Boston sports fan, heading to play college baseball at Assumption University, getting drafted by the San Francisco Giants and more. 

Richmond Flying Squirrels broadcaster Trey Wilson sat down with infielder Justin Wishkoski to chat about his journey from Houston, Texas, off to JUCO, to Sam Houston and into professional baseball when he was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 2023. They also talked about playing all over the field defensively this year and more. 

Former Richmond Braves pitcher Peter Moylan returned to The Diamond as part of the Flying Squirrels' Diamond Through the Decades series. During his visit, he sat down with Flying Squirrels broadcaster Trey Wilson to chat about his time playing in Richmond in 2006 and 2007 and his incredible journey that led him to a 12-year MLB career with the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers and Kansas City Royals.

Richmond Flying Squirrels relief pitcher Evan Gates sat down with broadcaster Blaine McCormick to chat about his strong month of May, what he's been working on, the team's trip to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown a few weeks ago, chatting with Justin Verlander this spring and more.

Richmond Flying Squirrels broadcaster Trey Wilson sits down with pitcher Michael Stryffeler to chat about his journey from NCAA DII Lake Erie College to independent baseball, signing with the Seattle Mariners, being traded to the San Francisco Giants, missing almost two years with an injury and more.

Richmond Flying Squirrels broadcaster Trey Wilson sat down with pitcher Cameron Cotter to discuss his journey from Greensboro, North Carolina to NC State and then off to independent baseball before signing with the San Francisco Giants and more.

Richmond Flying Squirrels broadcaster Trey Wilson sat down with lefty pitcher Joe Whitman to chat about his journey through baseball to this point, from growing up near Akron, Ohio to heading off to college at Purdue and later back near home at Kent State. They chatted about getting drafted in the second round by the San Francisco Giants, some of his standout performances in Double-A so far this season and more.

The Richmond Flying Squirrels visited the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York this week. Broadcaster Trey Wilson caught up with Trent Harris, Sabin Ceballos, Evan Gates, Dylan Cumming and Braxton Roxby to talk about their experience in Cooperstown.