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 postseason, including Humpy the Salmon lore (1:01:34).
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 best heist team to rob banks (32:26). Finally, Shea shares his thoughts on the championships in Victor Wembanyama's future (39:48) and whether Cooper Flagg will end up with more NBA MVPs than Luka Doncic (45:50).
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 statistics (1:00:23), before making a final call on whether or not Horry belongs in the Basketball Hall of Fame (1:18:07).
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 Monarchs and why he reminds them both of Hack Wilson (25:05). Finally, they run through Johnson's ridiculous hitting numbers (40:02), before making a final call on whether Johnson belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame (55:13).
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 tight ends of the 21st century (24:45). Finally, they walk through why Witten's touchdown numbers are lower than you would think (49:40), before making a final call on whether or not they believe Witten belongs in the Football Hall of Fame (53:35).
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 the best 3B of his era (19:48). Finally, they discuss the significance of Nettles' low career batting average and on-base percentage (49:16), before making a final call on whether Nettles belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame (1:01:46).
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 basemen of the 2000s (27:40), before making a final call on whether he belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame (36:21).
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 whether the Cubs should retire Rizzo's jersey (22:02). Finally, they compare Rizzo through age 26 with the likes of Freddie Freeman, Joey Votto, and Paul Goldschmidt (1:06:15), before making a final call on whether or not Rizzo belongs in the HOF (1:12:46).
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 Marino did in the 1980s, and how playing in the shadow of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning greatly impacts his legacy (20:38). Finally, they debate whether Brees is a top 10 quarterback in NFL history (35:10).
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 (13:10). Finally, they run through how Lee faired against every NL Cy Young winner from 2004-2010 (31:25), before making a final call on whether or not Lee belongs in the HOF (39:38).
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 among the best guards of his era (59:10), before making a final call on whether or not Williams belongs in the HOF (64:08).
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 history (16:49). Finally, they decide just how poor of a defender Mo really was (46:02), before making a final call on whether or not Vaughn belongs in the HOF (52:51).
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, despite winning two AL MVP awards, is never talked about when discussing the PED era (15:49). Finally, they walk through the significance of winning six silver slugger trophies (45:10), before making a final call on whether he belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame (60:38).
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 defensive tackle of his era after Aaron Donald (26:21). Finally, they discuss whether Atkins lack of a championship hurts his case (36:25), before making a final call on whether or not Geno deserves a place in the HOF (43:24).
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 reaching the 12,000 rushing yards milestone (17:40). Finally, they rank McCoy among the best running backs of his era (32:55), before making a final call on whether or not McCoy deserves a place in the HOF (37:01).
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, and whether he belongs on Defensive Third Basemen Mount Rushmore (17:52). Finally, they rank Bell among the best third basemen of his era (46:00), before making a final call on whether he belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame (58:14).
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 podcast to talk about the Kentucky Wildcats that will get their name called this Thursday, as well as a few other SEC players she likes in the Wildcat-deprived lottery (35:16).