Pod of Fame

On Saturday, we all celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States. To celebrate, Jim builds a number of Mount Rushmores that were submitted by listeners. Jim builds: World Cup Rushmore (7:15) Multi-Sport Rushmore (17:44) American Rushmore, No Politicians (26:38) All Glove, No Bat Rushmore (47:45) Free Throw Routine Rushmore (54:42) NFL Rushmore (58:32) Left-Handed Hitters Post-1961 Rushmor...

During our annual NBA Draft Review, Jim covers his disdain for the 2-day NBA Draft and the inability to put the correct team hats on the new draftees' heads (3:45) before attempting to predict which draft picks have the best odds of ending up in the Basketball Hall of Fame (14:19). We cover the following draft picks: Kingston Felmings (14:19) Darius Acuff Jr. (20:06) Caleb Wilson (26:28) Cam B...

Jim is joined by NFL and NBA writer for Action Network Brandon Anderson to discuss the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA swingman Dan Majerle. First, Jim and Brandon discuss Majerle's stellar performance in the 1993 NBA Finals and how it compares to OG Anunoby's recent Finals performance (12:35). Next, they cover Majerle's surprisingly successful career with Team USA and why Majerle reminds Jim...

Hall of Fame wide receiver Raymond Berry sadly passed on May 25th at the age of 93. Jim spends this week covering all things Berry, from his performance in the 1958 NFL Championship game to his place on 20th Century Wide Receiver Rushmore.

The World Cup start this Thursday and with 48 countries represented across 12 groups for the first time in the history of the tournament, there is more information than ever to digest on the countries playing and their players. Jim first provides some fast facts about the World Cup on US soil since 1994 (8:01). Then, Jim takes you through Groups A-L, mispronouncing countries and player names left...

Adam Darowski of Sports Reference joins Jim to break down the career and HOF candidacy of former New York Yankees catcher Elston Howard. First, they cover the importance of Howard breaking the color barrier in 1955 for the most storied franchise in baseball history (9:59). Next, they discuss Howard's clutchness in Game 7 of the 1958 World Series and why Buster Posey getting into the HOF could...

Jim is joined by NFL Writer for CBS Sports Bryan DeArdo to discuss the Hall of Fame candidacy of former Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander. First, Jim and Bryan discuss the significance of Alexander having a membership to the 100 TD Club (6:50). Next, they cover Alexander's 2005 NFL MVP season and how he compares to the short career kings better known as Earl Campbell, Gale Sayers a...

Jim welcomes award-winning sports journalist and New York Times bestselling author Tim Brown to discuss his new book, Nolan: The Singular Life of an American Original. First, Jim and Tim explore Nolan Ryan’s deep connection with the state of Texas (13:02). Then, they debate whether Ryan had the greatest fastball in MLB history, decide which of Ryan's seven no-hitters was the most significant, and...

Twitter baseball personality Not Gaetti joins Jim to break down the HOF candidacy of former MLB first baseman Will Clark. First, they cover how Clark had no real weaknesses on a baseball diamond and how he would have been able to perform in any era in baseball history (6:30). Next, they discuss Clark's masterful perormance in the 1989 NLCS against the Chicago Cubs, how his career numbers easil...

Sportswriter Neil Paine joins Jim to break down the HOF candidacy of former Angels left fielder Garret Anderson. First, they cover how Anderson is the unofficial "Mr. Angel" of the Angels franchise and how Anderson, not Mike Trout or Shohei Ohtani, is the name you will find most at the top of the Angels recordbook (10:20). Next, they discuss Anderson's huge at-bats in Game 6 and 7 of...

Jim completes his 6th annual NFL draft recap by predicting the four draftees with the best odds of making the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He discusses the HOF odds of: Arvell Reese (11:50) Kayden Proctor (16:50) Jeremiyah Love (19:48) Fernando Mendoza (24:30)

Jim welcomes New York Times best-selling author and co-author of Jerry West's autobiography West by West: My Charmed, Tormented Life, Jonathan Coleman, to discuss the recent Jerry West documentary released on Amazon Prime, as well as all things West. First, Jonathan provides his thoughts on the documentary, commenting on what he liked, as well as a few key parts of West's life he thought d...

Jim welcomes former MLB manager and player Clint Hurdle to discuss his life in baseball. First, Clint and Jim cover the beginning of Clint's MLB career, including what it was like stepping into the batter's box in the 1980 World Series and what made his teammate, Hall of Famer George Brett, so special (4:35). Next, Clint provides his most fond memories of managing the Colorado Rockies and...

The 2026 Basketball Hall of Fame was announced on Saturday, headlined by Candace Parker and Doc Rivers. Jim reviews the entire class and provides his thoughts: Candace Parker (8:54) Amar'e Stoudemire (15:59) Chamique Holdsclaw (22:53) Elena Delle Donne (30:00) Mark Few (36:24) Doc Rivers (39:18) Mike D'Antoni (41:05) 1996 US Women's National Team (43:15) Joey Crawford (45:13)

Jim is joined by sports podcaster Alex Chester to break down the HOF candidacy of former Minnesota Twins first baseman Kent Hrbek. First, Alex and Jim debate whether Hrbek was a good or great defensive 1st baseman, as he never won a gold glove, yet was known for his glove (10:44). Next, they discuss several of his memorable World Series moments, compare Hrbek to his teammate Kirby Puckett, and dec...

Jim is joined by longtime baseball writer and Baseball HOF voter Ken Davidoff to break down the HOF candidacy of New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada. First, David and Jim cover the "Core Four" and Posada's role on all of those World Series teams (10:45). Next, they discuss Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS, how much credit should go to a catcher when they catch a perfect game, what Posada and Buster Posey...

On our 6th annual March Madness preview show, Jim is joined by Kentucky correspondent, college basketball expert, and Mrs. POF, Shannon Miloch, to talk about everything you need to know before you fill out your bracket. First, Jim and Shannon provide their immediate reactions to the selection show (4:20). Then, they give provide their Final Four picks (14:10), top guys to watch over the next few w...

In Part 2 of our first Pod of Fame Rewatch episode, Jim, Wando and Trajko continue their deep dive into the iconic Simpsons episode "Homer at the Bat." We cover the final three segments in Part 2: Power Ranking the Ringers (2:05) Casting What-Ifs (15:50) 2026 Ringers (38:15)

In Part 1 of our first Pod of Fame Rewatch episode, Jim is joined by longtime friends and Simpsons fanatics Wando and Trajko for a deep dive into the iconic Simpsons episode "Homer at the Bat." We cover the following four segments in Part 1: Favorite Scene (27:15) Best Quote (40:49) Favorite Reason a Player Missed the Game (48:23) Nits to Pick (51:59)

Jim welcomes award-winning journalist and New York Times best-selling author Keith O'Brien to discuss his new book, “Heartland: A Forgotten Place, an Impossible Dream, and the Miracle of Larry Bird." First, Keith and Jim discuss Larry Bird's unsung supporting cast on the 1979 Indiana State team (14:42). Next, they cover the "what if" scenario of Larry Bird playing all four s...

In this edition of POF Book Club, Jim welcomes author Luke Epplin to discuss his latest book, “Moses and the Doctor: Two Men, One Championship, and the Birth of Modern Basketball." First, Jim and Luke dive into why Moses Malone and Julius Erving are so overlooked when discussing the greatest players in NBA history despite being two of the top 25 guys to ever play the game (6:37). Then, Jim an...

Jim is joined by author Paul Knepper to discuss the Hall of Fame candidacy of former NBA guard World B. Free. First, Jim and Paul debate whether World B. Free is the greatest name in NBA history (14:55). Next, they cover Free's 1979 and 1980 seasons, what Free and Pete Maravich have in common, and whether Free was better than Calvin Murphy (24:06). Finally, they rank Free among the best guards...

Larry Fitzgerald, Drew Brees, Adam Vinatieri, Luke Kuechly, and Roger Craig have been officially elected to the Football Hall of Fame. First, Jim provides his thoughts on the careers and legacies of all five newly elected Hall of Famers (5:06). Then, Jim provides his thoughts on Bill Belichick not getting enough votes to join the other five in Canton (38:53).

Jim is joined by former sport columnist for The Baltimore Sun and author John Eisenberg to discuss the Hall of Fame candidacy of outside linebacker Terrell Suggs. First, John and Jim cover the 2003 NFL Draft and Suggs' rookie season in Baltimore (9:33). Next, they discuss Suggs vs. Ben Roethlisberger, how rare it is for an outside linebacker to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and just ho...

Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones have been officially elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. First, Jim covers the complete voting results and breaks down just how hard it is for center fielders to get voted into Cooperstown (0:40). Next, Jim provides his thoughts on the careers and legacies of Beltrán and Jones (15:18). Finally, Jim pays homage to every single player who fell off the ballot, saying...