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Adam Darowski of Sports Reference joins Jim to break down former Detroit Tigers catcher Bill Freehan's HOF candidacy. First, Jim and Adam discuss how Freehan was the prototypical catcher, as well as one of the best of his era (10:29). Next, they cover Freehan's pivotal role in the 1968 World Series and explore the ways his all-around game resembled that of Hall of Famer Gary Carter (20:53). Finally, Adam and Jim attempt to tackle the unanswerable question of what actually gets a catcher into Cooperstown (37:48), before making a final call on whether Freehan belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame (54:07).

Mike Ditka passed away last Friday at the age of 86. Jim covers Dikta's legendary football life on this week's podcast and pays tribute to a true Chicago legend. Jim talks at length about the 1985 Chicago Bears (6:35), Ditka's record-setting rookie season in 1961 (14:50), and how he single-handedly wrecked the Packers at Wrigley Field one balmy November afternoon (18:55). Jim also chisels Ditka's face onto Tight End Rushmore, Chicago Rushmore, and NFL Life Rushmore (28:18).

Jim welcomes Baltimore Orioles owner David Rubenstein to talk about his latest book "Inside the Owner’s Box: Conversations on Power and Leadership in Sports." Jim and David discuss the ins and outs of sports ownership, pick a former US president who would have made a great owner, build Baltimore Orioles Mount Rushmore, walk through where to get a beer around Camden Yards, and much more.

Basketball Hall of Famer Bob Pettit passed away last Wednesday at the age of 93. Jim dives into Pettit's decorated career, covering his historic performance in the 1958 NBA Finals (13:02), his inclusion on Power Forward Mount Rushmore (24:05), and where he ranks on Jim's all-time NBA player list (34:26).

Last week the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced their decision to flip their voting process on its head. Voters were kicked to the curb; senior candidates are basically dead in the water, and classes are going to be getting smaller. Jim walks through all of the changes (2:49) and how this will impact the upcoming HOF Class of 2027 (13:31).

Which active players will end up in Canton one day? Jim kicks off the NFL season by trying to answer that question. On this week's pod, Jim covers four HOF tiers for active players, highlighting 40 players in all: 17 No-Brainers (6:45) 8 Nearly There (19:12) 5 Some Work To Do (26:33) 10 Too Young, But Tons of Potential (31:34)

Jim is joined by author and sports historian Clayton Trutor to break down the HOF candidacy of former MLB right fielder Jack Clark. First, Clayton and Jim discuss just how rare it is for a ballplayer to record 130+ walks in a season, a feat Clark accomplished twice (14:59). Next, they cover Clark's huge home run in the 1985 NLCS, why Clark did not reach the level of fame his talent warranted, and where Clark ranks among the best right fielders of his era (19:05). Finally, Jim makes a confession about his longtime Will Clark/Jack Clark mixup (44:18), before making a final call on whether Clark belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame (46:34).

Jim welcomes Ryan Chichester of WFAN Sports Radio to break down the HOF candidacy of former New York Yankees reliever Dellin Betances. First, Ryan and Jim discuss the fact that Dellin Betances may be the most dominant Yankees reliever not named Mariano Rivera in franchise history (8:49). Next, they cover Dellin's immaculate inning in 2017 against the Detriot Tigers and whether they would prefer Betances or Billy Wagner on the mound if we could have them at their absolute peak (19:22). Finally, they rank Betances among the best relievers of the 2010s (35:03), before making a final call on whether or not we believes Betances deserves a plaque in Cooperstown (53:10)

Jim is joined by baseball podcaster Nick Murawski to break down the HOF candidacy of former MLB right fielder Jermaine Dye. First, they cover Dye's MVP performance in the 2005 World Series (7:50). Next, they discuss why Dye's 300th home run stands out more than most, whether Dye's 2006 regular season is the best by a Chicago White Sox player in the 21st century, and where Dye ranks among the best right fielders of the 1990s/2000s (18:00). Finally, they review if Dye's defense was as bad as defensive metrics would leave you believe (43:48), before making a final call on whether Dye belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame (48:33).

NBA.com Senior Writer Steve Aschburner joins Jim to examine the Hall of Fame candidacy of former NBA swingman Latrell Sprewell. First, Jim and Steve revisit the infamous choking of P. J. Carlesimo and how that incident overshadows Sprewell's better-than-you-remember NBA career (7:51). Next, they cover Sprewell's performance in the 1999 NBA Finals, why Sprewell reminds Steve of Clyde Drexler, and whether an All-NBA 1st Team selection is enough to guarantee a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame (18:42). Finally, they marvel at Sprewell's surprising place on the NBA's career minutes-per-game leaderboard (48:00), before making a final call on whether or not Sprewell belongs in the HOF (54:50).

Jim breaks down the HOF candidacy of former MLB reliever Andrew Miller. First, Jim discusses just how unhittable Miller's slider was (4:56). Next, Jim covers Miller's historical pitching performance during the 2016 postseason and how his best season compares to Bruce Sutter's 1979 Cy Young year (11:10). Finally, Jim walks through how Miller stacks up against his contemporaries of the 2010s (25:31), before making a final call on whether or not he believes Miller deserves a plaque in Cooperstown (30:43)

Jim is joined by NFL Writer for CBS Sports Bryan DeArdo to discuss the Hall of Fame candidacy of former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber. First, Jim and Bryan break down Tiki's running style, with strong emphasis on his elite swiftness out of the backfield (6:50). Next, they cover his ridiculous age-30 season, where he racked up 2,390 yards from scrimmage, and discuss the exclusivity of the 10,000 Rushing Yard/5,000 Receiving Yard Club (26:05). Finally, they cover where Barber ranks among running backs of his era (43:27), before making a final call on whether or not Barber deserves a place in the Pro Football HOF (47:34).

Jim breaks down the HOF candidacy of former MLB reliever Wade Davis. First, Jim discusses the nearly unbeatable 7th-8th-9th inning bullpen sequence of Kelvin Herrera-Davis-Greg Holland for the Kansas City Royals (9:16). Next, Jim covers how Davis' stretch from 2014-2015 may be the greatest 2-year stretch of any reliever in MLB history, how Davis compares to the last reliever to enter Cooperstown, and just how dominant Davis was in October (16:30). Finally, Jim walks through the significance of Davis making the MLB.com 2010s All-Decade Team (32:05), before making a final call on whether or not he believes Davis deserves a plaque in Cooperstown (39:05)

Sportswriter Neil Paine joins Jim to break down the HOF candidacy of former MLB left fielder Moisés Alou. First, they discuss Alou's unorthodox and unsanitary batting preparation (7:30). Next, they discuss Alou's role in the infamous Bartman incident, his dominant performance in the 1997 World Series, and how Alou compares favorably to Jim Rice (14:33). Finally, Jim and Neil discuss whether there is a minimum WAR threshold a player has to hit to be considered for the Hall of Fame in today's voting environment (41:31), before making a final call on whether or not they believe Alou deserves a plaque in Cooperstown (49:56).

Former Los Angeles Dodgers GM Dan Evans joins Jim to break down the career and HOF candidacy of former MLB center fielder Chet Lemon. First, Dan covers the time he spent with Chet during his final season with the Chicago White Sox in 1980 (9:15). Next, they discuss Lemon's performance in the 1984 World Series, his ridiculous 512 putout season in 1977, and deep dive the similarities between Chet and Kirby Puckett (14:46). Finally, Jim and Dan debate whether Chet Lemon is the greatest defensive player to never win a Gold Glove (46:30), before making a final call on whether Lemon belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame (1:03:09).