World Series Champions Set to Face Off as Managers in Pioneer League Championship
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – The 2025 Pioneer Baseball League Playoffs Championship Series presented by RedPocket will showcase more than just two of the league's top teams. It will also bring together managers with championship pedigrees of their own: Oakland Ballers skipper Aaron Miles and Idaho Falls Chukars manager Troy Percival, both of whom won World Series titles during their Major League Baseball careers.
Miles carved out a nine-year MLB career as a dependable utility infielder, seeing time at second base, shortstop, and third base with the Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers. His finest moment came in 2006 with St. Louis, when he played in all five games of the World Series and helped the Cardinals capture their first title since 1982.
After retiring, Miles moved into coaching and player development before taking the helm of the Oakland Ballers in their inaugural 2024 season. His leadership guided Oakland to a PBL-record 73 wins this summer and now their first trip to the Championship Series.
Across the field, Percival was one of the most dominant closers of his era. Over 14 MLB seasons, he racked up 358 saves, ranking 14th on the all-time list. He played a pivotal role in the Anaheim Angels' 2002 World Series run, converting 40 saves during the regular season before closing out Game Seven to secure the franchise's first championship.
A four-time All-Star, Percival's high-90s fastball and late-inning poise made him a fixture on the mound. Since his playing career, he has served as head coach at UC Riverside and, more recently, brought his experience to Idaho Falls, where he's led the Chukars on a late-season surge into the PBL Championship Series.
Now, the two former big leaguers meet again, this time in the dugouts. Miles has Oakland chasing its first-ever league title, while Percival looks to guide Idaho Falls to the franchise's second PBL championship in four years.
The Pioneer Baseball League Championship Series presented by RedPocket begins Tuesday, September 16, at 7:05 p.m. in Idaho Falls. The best-of-five series will stream live on FloBaseball.tv.