Pod of Fame

Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner, Dave Parker, and Dick Allen were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame yesterday. Jim reads you each of their newly minted Hall of Fame plaques, reveals each of their best MLB seasons, and discusses each of their careers without using any numbers at all. Billy Wagner (5:25) Dave Parker (9:25) Dick Allen (14:22) CC Sabathia (19:00) Ichiro Suzuki (26:22)

Jim spent over 2 weeks driving through New England last month. He visited dozens of small towns along the way, but had extended stays in Stowe, Portland, Portsmouth, Boston, Nantucket, and Newport. Jim covers the highlights of each of those stops (4:03), before recapping the top four foods he eat during his time out East (39:15).

Jim is joined by writer for Bengals Talk, Mike Santagata, to discuss the hall of fame candidacy of former Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins. First, Jim and Mike cover the significance Geno's dominance despite his small statue as a defensive tackle (9:35). Next, they compare Atkins to Hall of Fame defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy (26:21) and debate whether Atkins was the 2nd best defen...

Jim is joined by NFL Writer for CBS Sports, Jeff Kerr, to discuss the hall of fame candidacy of former NFL running back LeSean McCoy. First, Jim and Jeff reminisce about the 2013 Snow Bowl when the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Detroit Lions in a blizzard (7:20). Next, they compare McCoy's to Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk and Thurman Thomas, and discuss the significance of a running back reachi...

Jim is joined by Adam Darowski of Sports Reference to break down the HOF candidacy of former MLB third baseman Buddy Bell. First, they discuss Bell's elite advanced metrics, which all point to him being on par with the average Hall of Fame third basemen (7:20). Next, they cover Bell's only season where he finished in the top 10 in the AL MVP vote, how he qualifies to be called Brooks Robinson lite...

The 2025 NBA Draft is this Thursday and we all know Cooper Flagg is going first. Does that mean he has the best odds of ending up in the Basketball Hall of Fame? Jim provides his thoughts on the top five players in this year's draft that have the best odds of ending up in the Hall of Fame once their careers are all said and done (9:04). Then, Kentucky Correspondent Shannon Miloch joins the pod...

Jim is joined by NBA historian Keith Black Trudeau to break down the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA shooting guard Richard "Rip" Hamilton. First, Jim and Keith discuss Hamilton's elite ability to move without the ball, as well as his smooth mid-range game (10:10). Next, they cover his performance in the 2004 NBA Finals and Eastern Conference Finals, how he compares to Reggie Miller, and wher...

To celebrate our 300th podcast episode, Jim answers questions from the listeners. He discusses Pascal Siakam and his Hall of Fame future (6:20), fills out a 2015 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot 10 years too late (16:00), covers past MVP snubs that had major Hall of Fame repercussions (26:30), provides an answer to whether he really thinks Kyle Schwarber has a chance at ending up in Cooperstown (40:45...

Jim is joined by baseball podcaster Nick Murawski to break down the HOF candidacy of former Chicago White Sox 1st baseman Paul Konerko. First, they discuss how Konerko was the quintessential White Sox player and why his face must be on White Sox Rushmore (10:30). Next, they discuss Konerko's starring role as a member of the 2005 Chicago White Sox championship team, how he compares favorably to Hal...

Jim is joined by baseball Twitter personality Not Gaetti to break down the HOF candidacy of former MLB first baseman Carlos Delgado. First, they discuss how Delgado was one of the most feared batters in baseball during the 2000s (10:32). Next, they discuss Delgado's 4-home run game against Tampa Bay in 2003, how he compares to Jim Thome, and how his lack of personal accolades impacts his case for...

Last Tuesday, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred dropped a bomb on the baseball community with his announcement that the lifetime bans of 17 individuals were lifted, effective immediately. With the ban lifted, all 17 are now eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame, but let's be real; Pete Rose and 16 others are now eligible for Cooperstown. Jim covers what happened and walks through the list of all of th...

Jim is joined by Brandon Warne, host of Locked on Twins, to break down the HOF candidacy of former MLB pitcher Johan Santana. First, Brandon and Jim cover the best pitchers in Minnesota Twins history (11:03). Next, they discuss Johan's ridiculous second half of 2004 (13-0, 1.21 ERA), his no-hitter with the New York Mets in 2012, and how his peak actually compares to Sandy Koufax (15:25). Final...

Jim is joined by NFL Writer for CBS Sports, Bryan DeArdo, to discuss the hall of fame candidacy of former NFL running back Rickey Watters. First, Jim and Bryan reminisce about 1990s running backs, as they both consider the 1990s to be the Golden Age of the position (8:29). Next, they cover Watters' three touchdown performance in Super Bowl XXIX, how Watters compares to Buffalo Bills legend Thurman...

After sitting on his couch all weekend watching almost every minute of the 2025 NFL Draft, Jim provides his top three storylines of the 3-day event, including the Shedeur Sanders debacle (4:59). Then, Jim tries to predict the top 5 players that have the best chance of ending up in Canton one day (29:18).

Jim is joined by NBA sports podcaster Adam Ryan to break down the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA power forward Terry Cummings. First, Jim and Adam cover the top 3 picks of the 1982 NBA Draft (10:01). Next, they discuss the 1985 playoff series where Cummings outscored Michael Jordan, how Cummings compares to James Worthy, and the significance of the 19,000-Point Club (14:10). Finally, Adam an...

Jim is joined by sportswriter Neil Paine to break down the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim. First, Jim and Neil cover the the absolutely stacked 1996 NBA Draft Class (8:53). Next, they discuss the 50 points Shareef dropped on Ben Wallace in 2001, his elite scoring ability, and where he ranks among the best forwards of the late 1990s/early 2000s (15:20). Finally, Ne...

In this edition of POF Book Club, Jim welcomes author David Krell to discuss his new new book, “1978: Baseball and America in the Disco Era" First, David and Jim discuss why he landed on 1978 as the year he would cover and what he personally remembers about that year (4:55). Then, they discuss the most memorable baseball moment of 1978 (9:25) and who really should have won the MVP awards that seas...

Jim is joined by sports reporter for Spectrum News 1 Wisconsin Dennis Krause to break down the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA small forward Marques Johnson. First, Dennis and Jim cover which NBA legend famously had a poster of Johnson in their dorm room, his role in "White Men Can't Jump" and his unusual Milwaukee Bucks jersey situation (5:49). Next, they discuss Johnson's dominant performan...

Jim is joined by journalist Graham Womack to break down the HOF candidacy of former MLB pitcher Tommy John. First Graham and Jim cover whether the historical significance of Tommy John surgery should have any impact on John's case for Cooperstown (8:43). Next, they discuss John's great playoff performances throughout his career, how his baseball resume compares favorably to Jim Kaat and somewhat t...

It's finally here. Sick days will be used. Office pools with be formed. Money will be lost. The greatest sports event of the year has arrived and if you think we would talk anything besides March Madness this week, you would be sadly mistaken. Pod of Fame's College Basketball Correspondent Shannon Miloch joins the pod for the fifth annual March Madness Preview to talk all things basketball...

In this edition of POF Book Club, Jim welcomes author John W. Miller to discuss his new new book, “The Last Manager: How Earl Weaver Tricked, Tormented, and Reinvented Baseball." First, John and Jim discuss the meaning behind the title of the book and why former Baltimore Orioles Manager Earl Weaver can be considered the last manager in MLB history (16:07). Then, they discuss how Earl Weaver is re...

We take a break from sports (kinda) to bring you a travel log episode documenting another Pod of Fame trip outside of the United States. Jim recaps his experience on Little Corn Island, a tiny speck of land 50 miles off the coast of Nicaragua. Jim touches on a variety of topics, including how the hell one gets to the 1.5 square mile island in the Caribbean Sea and what is was like eating, drinking...

Jim is joined by friend of the pod David "Wando" Wandolowski to break down the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA center Dwight Howard. First, Jim and Wando cover the ridiculous athleticism of Howard in his early days with the Orlando Magic, as well as why Howard attended prom in their hometown of Naperville, IL (10:52). Next, they discuss the 2009 NBA playoffs, how Howard's career compares to A...

Jim is joined by SiriusXM NBA Radio and Infinity Sports Network Radio Host David Shepard to break down the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA small forward Carmelo Anthony. First, Jim and David cover the impressiveness of Carmelo's diversified basketball portfolio, from his NCAA championship at Syracuse to his four Olympic medals (13:55). Next, David shares a Kobe Bryant/Carmelo Anthony story, J...

Last Thursday, Antonio Gates, Jared Allen, Eric Allen, and Sterling Sharpe were elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Jim breaks down each of their NFL careers (4:26), discusses what the future holds for HOF hopefuls Luke Kuechly and Eli Manning (20:47), and walks you through the impact of the new HOF voting rules (28:15). Finally, Jim takes a look at the stacked list of incoming nominees for...