Pod of Fame

Jim is joined by friend of the pod Dave "Wando" Wandolowski to discuss the hall of fame candidacy of former NFL running back Frank Gore. First, Jim and Wando discuss the nearly unprecedented length of Gore's career at the most taxing position in football (16:47). Next, they cover Gore's performance in the 2012 NFL playoffs, why he reminds them both of Curtis Martin, and where Gore ranks among the...

Jim is joined by baseball writer at MLB.com Manny Randhawa to break down the HOF candidacy of Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. First, Manny and Jim cover how Tulowitzki is one of the biggest "what if" guys of the 21st Century (15:55). Next, they discuss what only Babe Ruth and Tulowitzki have in common and ranks Tulowitzki among shortstops of the last 25 years (26:40). Finally...

To kick off the year, Jim reviews the 2025 Hall of Fame Classes for Cooperstown, Canton, and Springfield, as well as teases what is to come for Pod of Fame in 2026 (3:10). Then, Jim previews the 2026 Hall of Fame Classes for Baseball, Football, and Basketball (15:30).

Jim is joined by former Kansas City Royals beat reporter for MLB.com and Hall of Fame voter Jeffrey Flanagan to break down the HOF candidacy of Royals left fielder Alex Gordon. First, Jeffrey and Jim cover the 2014 and 2015 Kansas City Royals and try to determine who the best player on those back-to-back American League Championship teams was (11:07). Next, they discuss Gordon's home run in Game 1...

Jim is joined by Kelly Dwyer, pioneer of the NBA blogosphere, to break down the hall of fame candidacy of former center Brad Daugherty. First, Jim and Kelly cover the ill-fated 1986 NBA Draft, which featured Daugherty, Len Bias, and Chris Washburn (7:13). Next, they discuss Daugherty's performance in the 1992 playoffs and how he compares to other injury riddled NBA stars of years past (12:40). Fin...

Jim is joined by USA TODAY sports reporter and Hall of Fame voter Steve Gardner to break down the HOF candidacy of former pitcher Cole Hamels. First, Steve and Jim cover just how devastating Hamels' changeup was throughout his career (9:42). Next, they discuss his historic 2008 postseason performance, compare Hamels career to CC Sabathia, and debate who the best starting pitcher is on the 2026...

Jim first covers yesterday's election of Jeff Kent to the Baseball Hall of Fame (1:12). Then, Jim welcomes author Paul Knepper to discuss his latest book, “Moses Malone: The Life of a Basketball Prophet." Jim and Paul cover a number of topics, including Moses Malone playing pickup basketball inside a prison (40:12), the various reasons Malone sometimes gets lost in NBA history (42:23), Malone's of...

Jim is joined by Fernando Ramirez, Chargers reporter for The Sporting Tribune, to break down the HOF candidacy of former quarterback Philip Rivers. First, Fernando and Jim debate whether Rivers belongs on Chargers Mount Rushmore and how he stacks up against Dan Fouts (12:48). Next, they cover his one appearance in the AFC Championship and examine just how few quarterbacks have made the HOF without...

Jim is joined by baseball Twitter personality Not Gaetti to break down the HOF candidacy of former New York Yankees first baseman Don Mattingly. First, they cover the lack of postseason success Mattingly experienced despite playing for the New York Yankees for 14 years (8:42). Next, they discuss his 8-game home run streak in 1987, just how dominant his peak seasons were, and where he ranks among t...

Jim is joined by Adam Darowski of Sports Reference to break down the HOF candidacy of former MLB pitcher Fernando Valenzuela. First, Adam and Jim discuss Valenzuela's unique pitching delivery and devastating screwball (8:41). Next, they cover "Fernandomania" from start to finish and take a deep dive into the best pitchers of his era (16:15). Finally, they determine where Valenzeula r...

Jim is joined by NBA analyst Mat Issa to discuss the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA forward Rashard Lewis. First, Jim and Mat cover Lewis' jump from high school to the pros and how it was a bit different than most (8:40). Next, they discuss Lewis' performance in Game 2 of the 2009 NBA Finals, what Lewis has in common with Carmelo Anthony, and just how rare his 3-point making ability at his h...

The Los Angeles Dodgers are World Champions once again following a 7-game World Series that will not be forgotten anytime soon, not only for how it ended, but because of the talent featured on the field. Jim runs through the three tiers of future Hall of Fame candidates who played in the World Series (16:08), before bringing Mrs. POF on to discuss the top 3 storylines from this year's postseas...

Jim welcomes New York Times bestselling author Shea Serrano to discuss his latest book, Expensive Basketball . Jim and Shea start by defining what "expensive basketball" actually means and debating whether Shawn Kemp or Dominque Wilkins had the most expensive in-game dunks (3:50). Next, they dive into how Shea conducted the research behind the book (19:25) and which four NBA players would make the...

Jim is joined by sportswriter Neil Paine to discuss the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA forward Robert Horry. First, Jim and Neil cover Horry's role on seven NBA championship teams (12:15). Next, they take a deep dive into the many clutch playoff shots of Horry's career and attempt to decide which one was the most memorable (22:25). Finally, they discuss his high postseason counting statistic...

Jim is joined by Adam Darowski of Sports Reference to break down the career and HOF candidacy of former Negro League slugger Oscar "Heavy" Johnson. First, they cover how the Negro Leagues valued defense more than any other baseball league and why that may explain Johnson not being as famous as his contemporaries (14:52). Next, they discuss Johnson's 1923 Triple Crown season with the Kansas City Mo...

Jim is joined by Jason Romano of Sports Spectrum to break down the HOF candidacy of former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten. First, Jason and Jim cover Witten's expectational dependability, from both a performance and availability standpoint (9:59). Next, they discuss his record-setting, 18-catch performance in 2012 against the New York Giants, as well as where he ranks among the best tig...

Jim is joined by author Dr. Paul Semendinger to break down the career and HOF candidacy of former MLB third baseman Graig Nettles. First, they cover the various characters of the Bronx Zoo and whether Nettles is the greatest 3B in Yankees franchise history (7:58). Next, they walk through Nettles' performance in the 1981 ALCS, why he reminds us a bit of Brooks Robinson, and where he ranks among...

Jim is joined by Los Angles Angels Broadcaster Trent Rush to break down the career and HOF candidacy of former MLB third baseman Troy Glaus. First, they discuss all of the talent on the early 2000s Angels teams that Glaus starred for (6:25). Next, they discuss his World Series MVP, his short career, and his huge power numbers at third base (10:40). Finally, they rank Glaus among the best third bas...

Jim is joined by friend of the pod Mike Cleary to discuss the hall of fame candidacy of former Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo. First, Jim and Mike cover the Chicago Cubs dominance from 2015-2018 and whether winning just one World Series was disappointing in retrospect (15:05). Then, they discuss Rizzo's elite defense at first base, take a deep dive into the 2016 World Series, and debate...

Jim is joined by Larry Holder of The Athletic to discuss the career and legacy of former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. First, Jim and Larry discuss how Brees is not only the greatest player in Saints history, but possibly the greatest individual to ever call New Orleans home (18:18). Then, they cover Super Bowl XLIV, how Brees put up video game numbers in the 2000s just like Dan Marin...

Jim is joined by Chicago Sports & News Columnist Dave Wischnowsky to discuss the hall of fame candidacy of former MLB first baseman Derrek Lee. First, Dave and Jim cover Lee's legacy on the Chicago Cubs and how he is one of the better Cub players of the 21st Century (8:50). Then, they discuss his 2005 MVP-caliber season, Gil Hodges, and where Lee ranks among the best first basemen of the 2000s...

Jim is joined by NFL and NBA writer for Action Network Brandon Anderson to discuss the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA guard Gus Williams. First, Jim and Brandon build Seattle SuperSonics Mount Rushmore (9:40). Next, they take a deep dive into Williams' career from 1978-1981 and debate if he was better than Chauncey Billups, Tony Parker, and Pete Maravich (15:05). Finally, they rank Gus a...

Jim is joined by author and sports historian Clayton Trutor to discuss the hall of fame candidacy of former MLB first baseman Mo Vaughn. First, Clayton and Jim cover Vaughn's batting stance and his reputation as one of the most feared hitters of the 1990s (11:25). Then, they discuss the 1995 AL MVP race, the best first basemen of his era, and how he dominated some of the top pitchers in baseball h...

Jim welcomes longtime editor at the New York Times and author Phil Coffin to discuss his latest book, “A Baseball Book of Days: Thirty-One Moments That Transformed the Game." Jim and Phil cover a number of topics, including Jackie Robinson's first game, Don Padgett's .399 batting average in 1939, Carlos Beltrán's Hall of Fame candidacy, and why Bob Gibson is on Phil's Baseball Rushmore.

Jim is joined by Texas Rangers Broadcaster Jared Sandler to break down the HOF candidacy of former Rangers outfielder Juan González. First, they discuss González's batting stance and his RBI prowess (9:50). Next, they cover González's huge performance in the 1996 ALDS against the New York Yankees, how he compares favorably to newly elected Hall of Famer Dave Parker, and debate why González, despit...