Podcast Summary:

Pablo Torre Finds Out
Episode: The Other J.D.: Meet the Candidate (and Pitcher) America Can Agree Upon
Date: July 30, 2024
Host: Pablo Torre
Guest: J.D. Scholten (Iowa State Representative, Minor League Pitcher)

Overview

This episode explores the unique story of J.D. Scholten—a 44-year-old Iowa State Representative and minor league baseball pitcher—whose unexpected pitching debut for the Sioux City Explorers became a national story. Amidst a surreal American political climate, Scholten stands out for his genuine, community-centered approach to politics and his double life as an athlete and public servant. The conversation moves from his impromptu return to pro baseball to broader topics of authentic populism, what motivates him in politics, and comparisons to another J.D. (J.D. Vance) who recently made national news.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Unlikely Call-Up: Scholten’s Return to the Mound

• How it began:
  • Scholten describes himself as “44, a beer and a half in” when he receives a call from Sioux City Explorers manager “Mongo” Steve Montgomery, asking him to start a game on short notice due to pitcher injuries and absences (03:47).

    “I stopped [at a] pre-festival party, had a beer and a half…delivering…bags of ice…and [the manager] said, ‘call me ASAP.’” —J.D. Scholten (03:47)

  • Scholten hadn’t pitched for the Explorers in 17 years but kept his arm active by playing locally for stress relief during his political career.
• Scrambling to Play:
  • Scholten had to get someone to cover his volunteer festival shift before agreeing to pitch (05:33).
  • He joined the team wearing ill-fitting borrowed gear, his ex-girlfriend’s Chipotle burrito fueling him pre-game, and an unfamiliar jersey number (“number 50…to show I’m old or what”) (09:42–10:04).

2. On the Mound: Storybook Performance

• Facing professional hitters:
  • “The game of baseball has changed and I didn’t know if my stuff could play at this level anymore.” —J.D. Scholten (12:57)
  • Scholten gave up a run in the first inning, but held his own, pitching into the seventh, giving up just two runs, and leaving to a standing ovation (17:43–19:03).
• Community and emotion:
  • “One of the most emotional moments of my life…how much this town means to me…I get to not only represent it at the Capitol, I get to represent it with our uniform across my chest.” —J.D. Scholten (19:18)

3. Baseball as a Way to Bridge Political Divides

• Coping mechanism and conversation starter:
  • Baseball offers Scholten stress relief and a non-partisan way to connect with people, especially in his overwhelmingly Republican district ("a blueberry in a bowl of tomato soup") (07:32).
• Balancing politics, law, and pitching:
  • “We’re a part time legislature…so I also have a day job to go along with all this.” —J.D. Scholten (21:19)
  • Scholten recently quit his law job to focus on the election and baseball (22:10–22:41).

4. Political Philosophy: Real Populism vs. ‘Faux’ Populism

• Authentic representation:
  • Scholten is an anti-monopoly Democrat focused on everyday concerns—economic security, health care, fighting corporate concentration, and defending marginalized groups (35:12).
  • “Protecting working class people from the bully corporations. It’s protecting trans kids from bully politicians…it’s not the Iowa I grew up in.” —J.D. Scholten (35:12)
• Contrasting with J.D. Vance (& current populism):
  • Pablo and Scholten critique Vance, Trump, and “faux populism” funded by Silicon Valley elites (38:20–38:45).
  • “It’s the best return on investment [for billionaires]…to invest in Republican politicians to do their dirty work for them.” —J.D. Scholten (38:45)
  • Scholten highlights policy hypocrisy:

    “The maximum you can donate to a federal candidate...rises with inflation. But the minimum wage stays at $7.25…That is insane.” (36:30)

5. Origin Story: From Baseball to Politics

• Catalyst:
  • Inspired by the 2016 election and his late grandmother’s words to “move back to Iowa and take care of our farm” (22:56–24:36).
  • Ran against controversial congressman Steve King (“I just hated Steve King, and that’s how all this started”) (42:21).
  • Became known for his "Can’t Fake Showing Up Tour," holding 39 town halls in 39 counties, sleeping in a Winnebago (25:42–26:56).
• Victories and near-misses:
  • Came within three points of unseating King (28:23–28:30): “It was optimism in an election that sorely needed more of them.”

6. Staying True to Himself

• No higher political ambitions:
  • “I don’t have political ambition… If I never run for anything bigger, I’m okay with that. I’m not a J.D. Vance. I’m a J.D. Scholten. I’m comfortable in my own skin and where I’m at.” —J.D. Scholten (42:51)
• Baseball as personal fulfillment:
  • Maintains personal drive: “The harder I work, the luckier I get. That’s both politically and in baseball.” (31:52–33:04)
  • Jokes about outlasting even the oldest pitchers (Satchel Paige, Jamie Moyer, Bill Lee): “I have no idea how much longer my body can hold up…just focusing on the Sioux City Explorers this next month.” (43:38–44:03)

Memorable Quotes

• On returning to baseball:

  “When opportunity knocks, you gotta open that door. And that’s kind of how it started.” —J.D. Scholten (06:01)

• On the adrenaline of the comeback:

  “I will never forget that night and that standing ovation.” —J.D. Scholten (19:46)

• On policy contradictions:

  “When it comes to giving campaigns money, it rises with inflation. But the minimum wage is $7.25…That’s nuts to me.” —J.D. Scholten (36:30)

• On political purpose:

  “I would love to just play baseball. I would love just to have a job…I don’t even like politics. I do it because I’m passionate about it.” —J.D. Scholten (39:42)

• Defining his approach:

  “I don’t have political ambition…I’m not a J.D. Vance. I’m a J.D. Scholten. I’m comfortable in my own skin and where I’m at.” —J.D. Scholten (42:51)

Notable Moments & Timestamps

• J.D. receives the surprise call to pitch: 03:47
• Steve “Mongo” Montgomery explains the scramble for a pitcher: 04:22–05:48
• Signing a minor league contract and what he wore: 09:23–10:04
• First inning struggles, then settling in: 13:09–14:43
• Standing ovation after leaving in the 7th: 19:03
• Balancing politics, a day job, and service during flooding: 21:19–22:41
• His grandmother’s influence and return to Iowa: 22:56–24:36
• The ‘Can’t Fake Showing Up’ campaign and near-miss against King: 25:42–28:30
• Contrasts between real and faux populism: 35:12–38:45
• No interest in higher office: 42:21–42:51
• Reflecting on what’s next in baseball: 43:38–44:03

Tone & Style

The conversation is witty, self-deprecating, and heartfelt, with Pablo Torre blending humor and curiosity as he dives into the unexpected intersections between politics and baseball. Scholten comes across as authentic, grounded, clear-eyed about the challenges of both fields, and motivated by public service above all.

For Further Engagement

• J.D. Scholten’s Substack: screwed.substack.com
  A newsletter about economic inequality and “how we are living in the second gilded age.”

This episode offers a refreshingly earnest look at what public service—and American character—can mean in 2024, through the eyes of a pitcher/politician who'd rather throw strikes than toe political lines. It’s a feel-good story, with real stakes and important questions at its core.