Pod of Fame Jim Miloch

Willie Mays passed away on Tuesday at the age of 93. The full Mays tribute podcast will be released Monday, but Jim covers what it was like finding out about Mays passing at Wrigley Field as Cubs played the San Francisco Giants. Then, Jim covers the rising HOF stock of Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, as well as why he is selling off a few shares of Kyrie Irving HOF stock (14:06)

Jim is joined by friend of the pod Dave "Wando" Wandolowski to break down the hall of fame candidacy of former MLB right fielder Magglio Ordóñez. First, Jim and Wando discuss Ordóñez's performance in Game 4 of the 2006 ALCS (13:51). Next, they discuss how Magglio compares favorable to HOFer Tony Oliva, just how rare having a .309 career batting average is, and run through the top right fielders of the 2000s (27:35). Finally, they discuss why Ordóñez seemed to be a subpar defender throughout his career besides during his 1999 season (46:37), before making a final call on whether or not Ordóñez deserves a plaque in Cooperstown (52:25).

Basketball Hall of Famer Jerry West sadly passed away on Wednesday at the age of 86. West impacted the NBA more than any other individual in the league's history. He was one of the greatest NBA guards and then one of the NBA's greatest executives. He has been selected to the Basketball HOF three different times. To pay tribute to the Logo, Jim discusses all aspects of West's NBA career. Then, he builds West Virginia Rushmore (kind of), Los Angeles Lakers Rushmore, and NBA Guard Rushmore.

Jim is joined by the creator of MLB Daily Dingers and writer for Heavy Sports, Matt Musico, to break down the hall of fame candidacy of former MLB pitcher Dwight "Doc" Gooden. First, Jim and Matt discuss Doc's rookie season and where it ranks among the greatest rookie seasons in MLB history (6:45). Next, they cover Doc's 1996 no-hitter with the New York Yankees, just how similar he compares to another pitcher who also went by "Doc" and how Gooden's historic 1985 season stacks up against 1968 Bob Gibson, 1972 Steve Carlton, and 2000 Pedro Martinez (17:40). Finally, they rank Doc among the best pitchers of the 1980s (44:30), before making a final call on whether or not Doc deserves to be inducted into Cooperstown (60:44).

Jim first pays tribute to HOF guard Larry Allen, who tragically passed away on Sunday at the age of 52. Then, Jim discusses why he is buying Jrue Holiday HOF stock following his dominant performance in the Eastern Conference Finals (19/7/6 in ECF). Meanwhile, he reluctantly explains why he is selling off just a tiny bit of Elly De La Cruz stock, despite De La Cruz being one of his favorite players (.298 OBP, 1 HR in May will do that).

Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton sadly passed away last Monday at the age of 71. Walton was an all-time talent who was plagued by injuries, yet that didn't stop him from winning championships at every level. It also didn't prevent him from living life to the fullest off the court. On this week's tribute episode, Jim covers Bill Walton's basketball career, from his state championship days at Helix High School in California to winning NBA Championships with Portland and Boston (8:29). Jim then runs through six Mount Rushmore's Walton finds his face on (38:26), before covering Walton's life off the court (46:49).