The Hall of Very Good Podcast

Classically trained pianist-turned-ballpark "spackle" John Benedeck joins the boys to talk about his journey from Western Illinois University to Chicago's northside, how he got his gig with the Chicago Cubs, getting paid to play with his organ, using social media to connect with his audience inside and outside of Wrigley Field and where to find the best beer in Wisconsin.

Former San Diego Padres executive Andy Strasberg returns to talk to the boys about his 60-plus year bond with the family of Roger Maris, the relationship he had with the late-Tony Gwynn, Tony's quest to honor baseball history (even though he was afraid to meet a certain "legend") and the one thing Tony doesn't get any credit for.

To celebrate the 45 th anniversary of becoming the only 20-game winner in Montréal Expos history, Ross Grimsley joins the boys to look back at October 1, 1978 (and the unlikely Hall of Famer who led the way), that time he and the Baltimore Orioles pitching staff made their way backstage at "Saturday Night Live" and into the good graces of John Belushi, hanging out with KISS, giving up Roberto Clem...

Comedian Roy Wood Jr. joins the boys to talk about heading back out on the road to do standup, what he thinks about the 2023 Chicago Cubs (and Milwaukee Brewers?), his excitement of Major League Baseball playing at Rickwood Field, gives his thoughts on Coach Prime and shares what he's doing to give back to the community.

Erin Carlson, author of No Crying in Baseball , joins the boys to talk about when she first fell in love with "A League of Their Own", some of the controversy associated with the film, what Madonna was like on set, Rosie O'Donnell's connection to the women of the AAGPBL, Penny Marshall's legacy and the award-winning actress producers gave millions to leave the project.

Montréal Expos supercollector (and Expos Fest organizer) Perry Giannias joins the boys to talk about when he first became a baseball fan, the role Ellis Valentine played in starting his passion, that time a former player asked for something from his collection and answers the age-old question…how does one end up with Gary Carter's luggage?

New York Times bestselling author Joe Posnanski joins the boys to talk about his new book, Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments , the trouble had whittling the history of baseball down to 50 awesome moments (spoiler alert: there's actually 108!), who he shared his list with (and who he didn't), how Duane Kuiper fits into his lifelong fandom and his friendship with the legendary Buck O'Nei...

Helmet frontman Page Hamilton joins the boys to talk about how he became a New York Yankees fan, hanging out with Jack McDowell, his love of Don Mattingly, his hatred of Pedro Martinez, hitting the road with Faith No More and his band's upcoming tour and album.

Jesse Cole, owner of the Savannah Bananas, joins the boys to talk about BananaBall (and how he makes sure everything remains "fan first"), following the Saturday Night Live framework, the overall importance of Bill Lee and why he's not always keen on comparisons to the Harlem Globetrotters.

From Dearly Departed Tours, the original death hag, Scott Michaels, joins the boys to talk about his unique collection (and how it led to him working with Quentin Tarantino), the public's fascination with celebrity and death, the complicated relationship of Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe and the crazy connection between "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and Disco Demolition Night. As a bonus, Lou i...

For an unprecedented tenth time, Cooperstown correspondent Jeff Katz joins the boys to re-cap the 2023 Hall of Fame induction ceremony, breaks down Fred McGriff and Scott Rolen's speeches, shares his interaction with "notorious prankster" Greg Maddux, reveals who received the coveted porch invite and talks up Immaculate Grid.

Jason Derr from Tea and Topps joins Lou to re-cap the The National Sports Collectors Convention . Together, they discuss their experiences hanging out in Rosemont, Illinois, for the 43rd gathering of all things sports and collectibles. What did they find? Who did they run into? Was it really as hot and humid as everyone was saying it was? Overall, where do they see the hobby heading? And, as a bon...

Ray Schulte, the Director of Media Relations for The National Sports Collectors Convention , joins the boys to talk about the 2023 event in Chicago, what goes into preparing for the hobby's premier event, who he's most excited to see this year, his own personal collecting habits and the parameters of what makes a good collection.

The "most professional wrestler" (and multi-hyphenate) Brian Myers joins the boys to talk about growing up a New York Mets fan, what he collected as a kid (and now!), the rise in collecting during COVID, why he always roots for the "heel" and, because of that, who he's most excited to meet at the upcoming National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago.

New York Yankees beat reporter Bryan Hoch joins the boys to talk about growing up a Mets fan, what prompted him to document Aaron's Judge's historic 2022 season for his book 62 , becoming friends with the family of Roger Maris, who they believe the real home run king is and, of course, that time his wife hit the stage and danced with Bruce Springsteen.

Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench joins the boys to talk about his battle against skin cancer, the excitement around Shohei Ohtani, whether or not he could have duplicated his stats on the mound (Johnny was kidding…calm down) and if he thinks Joey Votto could end up joining him in Cooperstown. For more information, please visit LetsGetRealAboutSkinCancer.com .

Pilot-turned-actor Fred Sorenson joins the boys to talk about how he got the role of Jock Lindsey in "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (and exactly how close his real life is to that of the fictional pilot), whether or not he drinks for free at the Disney Bar named after his character, who decided to outfit him with a New York Yankees cap in the film and reveals where the iconic headwear is today.

Kent Corser, proprietor of The Man-Cave of Steal, joins the boys to talk about when (and how) his nearly lifelong obsession with Rickey Henderson began, how the all-time steals leader help solidify the connection between him and his dad, his favorite pieces in his collection, the few times he's met the Hall of Famer and how he found his way into his biography.

2014 Glenn Burke Memorial Courage Award recipient Tanner Vavra joins the boys to talk about his journey through the minor and independent leagues, his unexpected connection(s) to World Series champion Kevin Millar, the lessons he imparts on his student-athletes at the University of St. Thomas and the weight his little brother's Major League debut took off the shoulders of him and his father.

Late night cue card master Wally Feresten re-joins the boys to talk about whether or not he has reconciled with Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, how close New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge came to hosting "Saturday Night Live", where Charles Barkley ranks on the all-time athlete hosting list (and that time Will Forte tried to get the NBA legend to fight him), what cast members are big baseball f...

Former Chicago White Sox reliever (and the original "Lil Wanye") Wayne Edwards joins the boys to talk about following in his dad's musical footsteps by playing drums alongside teammate Jack McDowell in the band V.I.E.W, starting his first game against his idol, Nolan Ryan, sharing a clubhouse with Carlton Fisk and Bo Jackson and what he walked out of Old Comiskey with when it closed its doors in 1...

Father and son memorabilia dealers Robbie Davis Sr. and Robbie Davis Jr. join the boys to talk about how they went from selling cars to collecting cards, why producers chose their store, Robbie's First Base, as the location for the show "Ball Boys", joining Ken Goldin on his Netflix series "King of Collectibles" and share what their ultimate grail items would be.

Just in time to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the San Francisco Gay Softball League, commissioner Vincent Fuqua joins the boys to talk about his SFGSL debut in 1989, playing against gay icon Glenn Burke, participating in the San Francisco Giants Pride Night and what Major League Baseball can do to be more inclusive. You can donate to the San Francisco Gay Softball League, by clicking HERE...

Author Michael Ortman joins the boys to talk about the fifty-year journey that led to his book, Opening Day: 50-for-50 , what he remembers from his first Opening Day back in 1970 (and why his dad even took him), the fortuitous gig that required him to be at the ballpark, which of the five presidential first pitchers had the best arm and, of course, starting his streak over post-pandemic.

Jason Derr, co-host of the Tea and Topps and Ballcaps and Bagpipes podcasts, joins the boys to talk about how following the Chemical Brothers through Great Britain led to a love affair with Scotland, playing baseball in Edinburgh, the difficulties collecting cards overseas and, for some reason, that time Lou got a ticket is Glasgow.