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 of the 2015 World Series and run through some of Gordon's greatest defense plays (14:36). Finally, Jeffrey and Jim make the case for Gordon being the greatest defensive left fielder in MLB history and how much that designation should matter (27:20), before making a final call on whether or not they believe Gordon deserves a plaque in Cooperstown (33:35).
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). Finally, they rank Daugherty among the best centers of the 1980s/1990s (40:38), before making a final call on whether or not Daugherty deserves to be inducted into the Basketball HOF (54:57).
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 HOF ballot (15:01). Finally, Steve and Jim determine what tier of pitcher Hamels belongs to in the 21st Century (42:20), before making a final call on whether or not they believe Hamels deserves a plaque in Cooperstown (48:30).
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 offensive rebounding prowess (51:12), and of course, conduct an all-time NBA center draft (1:00:28).
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 winning a Super Bowl (23:41). Finally, Fernando and Jim discuss where Rivers rank among the best quarterbacks of his era (32:22), before making a final call on whether or not they believe Rivers deserves to be inducted into the Football Hall of Fame (35:00).
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 the best first basemen of the 1980s (18:01). Finally, they decide who is the greatest New York Yankee not in Cooperstown today (44:30), before making a final call on whether Mattingly belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame (48:49).
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 ranks among the 1980s players featured on this year's Veterans Committee ballot (57:34), before making a final call on whether he belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame (1:17:56).
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 height really was (13:30). Finally, they rank Lewis among the best forwards of the 2000s (32:50), before making a final call on whether or not Lewis belongs in the Basketball Hall of Fame (39:01).
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).