Pod of Fame

Jim is joined by sports historian and author Clayton Trutor to break down down the hall of fame candidacy of former return man Billy "White Shoes" Johnson. First, Jim and Clayton discuss Johnson's legacy as a touchdown dance pioneer (6:14). Next, they compare Johnson to everyone from Harold "Red" Grange to Ray Guy, and discuss whether or not special teamers have a place in the HOF (16:26). Finally...

Jim is joined by Deremy Dove and Jose Ruiz, hosts of the hit podcast "Bigger Than the Game", to break down the hall of fame candidacy of a founding member of the renowned "Hogs" offensive line, left tackle Joe Jacoby. First, they discuss the "Hogs" and how that offensive line transcended the position of offensive linemen (3:41). Then, they discuss his role as the lead blocker for John Riggins' fam...

Jim is joined by former Minnesota Vikings All-Pro Running Back Chuck Foreman to discuss his career, the NFL in the 1970s, his case for the Hall of Fame, and how the Vikings look thus far in 2022. 

Jim finally made the trip to Cooperstown, New York to visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum last weekend. First, he discusses his overall visit to Cooperstown, New York and general thoughts on the Museum. Then, he covers what surprised him the most, Babe Ruth vs. Ty Cobb vs. Honus Wagner, hilarious umpire plaques, Harmon Killebrew's muscular physique, and much more (8:47).

Jim is joined by Atlanta-based journalist Donnell Suggs to break down the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA point guard Lafayette "Fat" Lever. First, Jim and Donnell cover Fat's triple-doubles totals and how he ranks among Oscar, Kidd, Bird, and all the other great triple-double artists in NBA history (4:51). Next, they discuss just how rare his 19/16/18 performance in Game 1 of the 1985 Wester...

NBA legend Bill Russell passed away on July 31, 2022 at the age of 88. When Russell passed, Jim was climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, unaware that one of the best players in NBA history was no longer with us. A tribute to Russell has been long overdue. Jim covers Russell’s life, before exploring five areas of Russell’s career that go slightly overlooked by most (10:17). This includes topics such as just...

Jim was traveling across Africa for the last five weeks. He saw a lot, ate a lot, and learned a lot. In this episode, Jim covers a variety of topic, including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, visiting Zanzibar, spending two weeks in Cape Town, traveling around Morocco, and his pit stop in Portugal (3:45). Then, he covers the top 3 things he ate, books he read, and ways in which he wasted money (31:37).

Jim is joined by friend of the pod Dave "Wando" Wandolowski to break down the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA power forward Antoine Walker. First, Jim and Wando cover how Walker was one of the first big men to jack up three-pointers at a high volume (5:49). Next, they discuss Walker's performance in the 2002 ECF, compare Walker to Derrick Coleman, and take a look back at the infamous 1996 NBA...

Jim is joined by managing editor at The Players' Tribune and author of the book "The People's Team: An Illustrated History of the Green Bay Packers," Mark Beech, to break down the HOF resume of former NFL linebacker Clay Matthews III. First, Mark tells the story of how Clay Matthews III ended up on the Green Bay Packers to begin with (3:53). Next, they talk about Matthews III infamous forced fumbl...

Jim is joined by Youtuber and Tom Chambers Superfan Jeff Wells to break down the HOF resume of former NBA power forward Tom Chambers. First, Jeff talks about how one becomes a Tom Chambers "Superfan." (3:02). Next, Jim and Jeff discuss Chambers' MVP performance in the 1987 All-Star game, his 60-point performance against his former team in 1990, how Chambers was the stretch 4 OG, and the significan...

Jim is joined by the lead Phoenix Suns writer for PHNX Sports Gerald Bourguet to break down the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA big man Amar'e Stoudemire. Jim and Gerald first discuss the time Stoudemire posturized Anthony Tolliver in 2010 and his 37.0 PPG performance in the 2005 WCF (11:20). Then, they compare Stoudemire to HOFer Chris Webber, debate the significance of Stoudemire's five All...

Jim is joined by former producer for ESPN's Baseball Tonight and the creator of the website "Cooperstown Cred", Chris Bodig, to break down down the hall of fame candidacy of former MLB first baseman Keith Hernandez. First, Jim and Chris discuss Hernandez's defensive prowess and how Pete Rose once compared bunting against Hernandez to driving the lane against Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell (3:5...

Jim is joined by Kenny King Jr., host of the podcast "Real Talk", contributor to "Just Blog Baby" and son of ex-Raider RB Kenny King, to break down the hall of fame candidacy of former Raiders cornerback, Lester Hayes. Jim and Kenny first tackle Lester's infamous use of stickum and how that has hurt how people remember his career (5:07). Then, they cover his 1980 Defensive Player of the Year...

Jim is joined by Neil Paine, senior writer for FiveThirtyEight, to break down the hall of fame candidacy of former New York Yankees Centerfielder, Bernie Williams. Jim and Neil first discuss Bernie's exclusion from being a part of the "Core Four" despite being the best hitter on the Yankees during the late 1990s (5:34). Then, they cover Bernie's performance in both the 1995 and 1996 playoffs,...

Jim is joined by former columnist at The LA Times and current host of The Arash Markazi Show on ESPN 1090, Arash Markazi, to break down the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA big man Pau Gasol. First, Jim and Arash cover Pau Gasol's arrival in LA and how it instantly turned the Lakers into a title contender (12:18). Next, they discuss whether or not Gasol deserved Finals MVP in 2010, which HOF C...

Jim is joined by NBA writer at Bleacher Report, Sean Highkin, to break down the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA power forward Rasheed Wallace. First, Jim and Sean cover the infamous "Jail Blazers" era and list out the best NBA teams to never make it to the NBA Finals (6:45). Next, they discuss Rasheed's role on the 2004 NBA Champion Detroit Pistons, compare him to NBA HOFers James Worthy and...

Following last Thursday's NBA Draft, Jim provides WAY too early HOF predictions for the players of the 2022 NBA Draft Class (4:58). Then, Pod of Fame Social Media Manager and Kentucky Wildcats Correspondent Shannon Bauer joins us to cover Wildcat draftees Shaedon Sharpe and Tyty Washington Jr., before discussing whether or not the Wildcats lottery success is a thing of the past (35:53).

Jim is joined by NFL writer at AllBengals.com, Mike Santagata, to break down the resume of former NFL wideout Chad Johnson, aka Chad Ochocinco. First, Mike and Jim cover the first thing that comes to everyone's mind when they think of Chad Johnson; the TD celebrations (5:02). Next, they revisit his peak seasons in 2005 and 2006 when he was one of the top two receivers in the NFL, compare his numbe...

Jim is joined by NFL writer at CBS Sports, Jeff Kerr, to breakdown down the resume of former NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb. First, Jeff and Jim cover the 2002 Eagles game against the Cardinals where McNabb threw 4 TD passes despite playing on a broken ankle (4:16). Next, they compare McNabb to other great QBs that never won a Super Bowl, such as Fran Tarkenton and Jim Kelly, talk through McNabb's...

Jim is joined by friend of the pod Dave "Wando" Wandolowski to break down the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA point guard Baron Davis. First, Jim and Kelly cover Baron's famous dunk on Andrei "AK-47" Kirilenko in Round 2 of the 2007 NBA playoffs (6:38). Next, they discuss the "We Believe" Warriors team, similarities between Baron and Tim Hardaway, and where Baron ranks among the the best PGs...

Jim is joined by Kelly Dwyer, pioneer of the NBA blogosphere, to break down the hall of fame candidacy of former point guard Stephon Marbury. First, Jim and Kelly cover how Marbury was one of the first great score-first point guards in the NBA (7:49). Next, they discuss the Marbury for Jason Kidd trade, similarities between Marbury and Allen Iverson, the surprising point and assist totals Marbury...

Jim is joined by Hall of Fame voter and senior sportswriter for Sportico, Barry Bloom, to breakdown down the resume of former MLB first basemen Steve Garvey. First, Barry and Jim discuss Garvey's consistency and ironman streak (6:07). Next, they cover his game-winning home run in Game 4 of the 1984 NLCS, how Garvey compares to recent HOF inductee Gil Hodges, and Barry provides his thoughts on WAR...

Jim is joined by NBA Historian Keith Black Trudeau to break down the hall of fame candidacy of former Detroit Pistons Center Bill Laimbeer. First, Jim and Keith cover Laimbeer's intensity and ability to stay on the court despite his extracurricular activities (4:53). Next, they discuss the 1990 NBA Finals, Laimbeer's place in history as one of the first centers to shoot from the outside, and how h...

Jim is joined by the creator of MLB Daily Dingers and writer for Metsmerized, Matt Musico, to break down the hall of fame candidacy of New York Mets third baseman David Wright. First, Jim and Matt cover discuss what Wright's career could have been if injuries hadn't ended his career prematurely (5:02). Next, they discuss how Wright compares to both HOFers Chipper Jones and Kirby Puckett, debate wh...

After dedicating what felt like his entire weekend to watching draft coverage, Jim breaks down the winners and losers of the 2022 NFL Draft (2:44). Then, he makes way too early predictions on what four newly drafted players have the best chance of making the Football Hall of Fame (22:19).