The Hall of Very Good Podcast

The Hall of Very Good Podcast is focused on you, the fan. Each week, Shawn Anderson and Lou Olsen sit down and talk to people in and around the game of baseball that help make America's Pastime great.

Episode 443: Brandon Steiner 11/19/2024

Episode 443: Brandon Steiner Brandon Steiner, founder of Steiner Sports and , returns to talk to the boys about what’s hot in the collectible world right, give an update on the sports card industry, reveals which slugger has his attention (HINT: it’s NOT Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani) and not wanting to “re-heat the same old soup”. This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/33989477

Episode 442: Simeon Lipman 11/05/2024

Episode 442: Simeon Lipman Pop culture specialist and longtime appraiser Simeon Lipman returns to talk to the boys about the unique connection between baseball and historical memorabilia, the amazing foresight of Hall of Fame catcher Ray Schalk, that time he hung out with a certain former U.S. president, the recent grail piece he picked up for his personal collection and remembers the excellence of Fernando Valenzuela. This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/33786432

Episode 441: Jimmy Lonetti 10/29/2024

Episode 441: Jimmy Lonetti Baseball glove repair specialist Jimmy Lonetti joins the boys to talk about when he got his start and, most importantly, the moment he realized he was good at what he was doing, moving from the garage to the nation’s only brick and mortar location of its kind, what prompted the recent uptick in interest, the worst thing you can do to your mitt and if he misses his old gig delivering mail. This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/33627112

Episode 440: Colin Barnicle 10/22/2024

Episode 440: Colin Barnicle Award-winning documentarian Colin Barnicle joins the boys to talk about “The Comeback”, splitting producing duties with his brother Nick, the 2004 Boston Red Sox breaking The Barnicle Curse (true story), working for the team during their 2007 World Series run, being tormented by Tim Wakefield and whether or not the world was a better place with Alex Rodriguez NOT in BeanTown. This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/33536277

Episode 439: Robert Wuhl 10/15/2024

Episode 439: Robert Wuhl Award-winning writer and actor Robert Wuhl returns (again!) to talk to the boys about his role in the movie “Saturday Night”, whether or not there were bigger plans for Alexander Knox in “Batman”, re-caps his 2024 Major League Baseball season predictions, shares what he would do if he was commissioner for a day and, because he’s polite, listens to Shawn’s horrific take on Mike Trout. This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/33440927

Episode 438: Ice Cold Kenny 10/01/2024

Episode 438: Ice Cold Kenny Longtime (and now former) Oakland A’s beer vendor Ice Cold Kenny joins the boys to talk about following his dad and uncle into the family business, the demise of his beloved franchise, whether or not he will be following them to Sacramento and (ultimately) Las Vegas, what that final game at the Coliseum was like, did he take anything home with him and, finally…who is Tom Alfredo? This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/33257342

Episode 437: Don August 09/24/2024

Episode 437: Don August Former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher and author Don August returns to talk to the boys about turning his international baseball career into the book, , what countries had the best (and the most interesting) food, whether or not he’s surprised by what his former big league is doing this season and how he’d pitch to Shohei Ohtani. This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/33160572

Episode 436: Ron Hassey 09/17/2024

Episode 436: Ron Hassey Longtime Major League catcher (and man Mother Nature fears) Ron Hassey joins the boys to talk about being the only player to catch two perfect games, where he was for one of the most iconic home runs of all-time (spoiler alert: it was behind the plate), the earthquake that interrupted the 1989 World Series, whether or not brushback pitchers need to return and inadvertently appearing in two movies. This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/33055672

Episode 435: Phil LaMarr 09/10/2024

Episode 435: Phil LaMarr “Mad TV” original and voice actor extraordinaire Phil LaMarr joins the boys to talk about the role(s) he is most remembered for, how he ended up as Marvin in “Pulp Fiction”, acting alongside Samuel L. Jackson and George Carlin, being a lifelong Los Angeles Dodgers fan and whether or not he should watch “Mr. 3000”. This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/32967712

Episode 434: Eitan Levine 09/03/2024

Episode 434: Eitan Levine Comedian and Guinness World Record holder Eitan Levine joins the boys to talk about his the best (and worst) ballparks he’s visited during his journey, hanging out with Benny Agbayani, why you should donate your Cybertruck, Bobby Bonilla Day and the importance of avoiding the “Reverse Grimace”. This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/32788507

Episode 433: Graig Kreindler (Part Two) 08/27/2024

Episode 433: Graig Kreindler (Part Two) To finish off the unprecedented back-to-back, Graig Kreindler joins the boys to answer questions from the Twittersphere (and relationship website, The Knot!), help establish The Jennifer Connelly Appreciation Society, speculate about what a third Tim Burton “Batman” movie could have been and learns who Lou’s least favorite actors are. This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/32754247

Episode 432: Graig Kreindler (Part One) 08/21/2024

Episode 432: Graig Kreindler (Part One) For the sixth-time, renowned baseball artist Graig Kreindler joins the boys to talk about hanging out with Johnny Bench, going “behind the curtain” at The National, recap The Olympics, dispense some painting advice and, for reasons, take a stab at answering the #FridayFive. This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/32658282

Episode 431: J.D. Scholten 08/13/2024

Episode 431: J.D. Scholten Iowa state representative J.D. Scholten joins the boys to talk about growing up the Hawkeye State’s only Brad Radke fan, getting back on the mound for the Sioux City Explorers (and how he has a gigantic plush Minion to thank), sending his cap to Cooperstown, working with Major League Baseball to end blackouts and, yeah, that bus fire. This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/32553622

Episode 430: Jeff Katz 08/06/2024

Episode 430: Jeff Katz America’s favorite former mayor and Cooperstown correspondent Jeff Katz joins the boys (for the eleventh time!) for entirely way too much Pete Rose chatter and to re-cap Hall of Fame Induction Weekend 2024, talk about the overall vibe of the event, previews next year’s ballot and predicts how insanely packed it will be. Also…does Tim Salmon travel alongside former teammate Vladimir Guerrero? Discuss. This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/32394247

Episode 429: Kevin Barrows 07/30/2024

Episode 429: Kevin Barrows Managing partner of Renaissance Associates (and self-proclaimed “problem solver”) Kevin Barrows joins the boys to talk about being a sports detective, his television show of the same name, tracking down some of the sportsworld’s biggest lost treasures, what he collects, the challenges of being a New York sports fan and why he compares his time with the FBI to Forrest Gump. This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/32327722

Women in Baseball Week: Maybelle Blair 07/26/2024

Women in Baseball Week: Maybelle Blair To celebrate Women in Baseball Week, former All-American Girls Professional Baseball League pitcher Maybelle Blair returns to talk to the boys about “A League of Their Own” on Amazon Prime, shares her thoughts on the show’s cast, reveals what prompted her to come out and gives an update on the IWBC’s efforts to turn Rockford, Illinois, the “cradle of women’s baseball”. /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/32236367

Women in Baseball Week: Nicole Sherry 07/25/2024

Women in Baseball Week: Nicole Sherry To celebrate Women in Baseball Week, Baltimore Orioles head groundskeeper Nicole Sherry joins the boys to talk about how she almost quit baseball to work at a golf course in Hawaii, gets into the specifics of creating grass patterns in the outfield, recalls shagging flies for and getting lost in the dreamy blue eyes of Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. and, yeah, brags a little (wouldn't you?) about how great her view is from her office window at Camden Yards. /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/32236397

Women in Baseball Week: Nancy Faust 07/24/2024

Women in Baseball Week: Nancy Faust To celebrate Women in Baseball Week, legendary organist Nancy Faust joins the boys to talk about how she got her start with the Chicago White Sox and whether or not she ever imagined spending 41 years on the southside, shares her excitement over finding an old reel-to-reel recording of her first game, recalls the team’s infamous “Disco Demolition Night” and, naturally, picks walk up music for Shawn and Lou. /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/32236417

Women in Baseball Week: Janet Marie Smith 07/23/2024

Women in Baseball Week: Janet Marie Smith To celebrate Women in Baseball Week, renowned ballpark architect Janet Marie Smith joins the boys to talk about being rejected by and then designing Camden Yards for the Baltimore Orioles, her current gig with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the difference between building a stadium from the ground up and renovating one that’s been standing for almost a century and what baseball fans can expect when they return to Chavez Ravine. /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/32236412

Women in Baseball Week: Claire Smith 07/22/2024

Women in Baseball Week: Claire Smith To celebrate Women in Baseball Week, 2017 J.G. Taylor Spink Award recipient Claire Smith joins the boys to talk about how she got her start in journalism, shares the story she was most proud to cover, reveals the one story all baseball fans should be following and, lastly, advocates for Billy Williams to join the podcast. /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/32236382

Episode 428: Phil Hecken 07/16/2024

Episode 428: Phil Hecken For the sixth time, Phil Hecken, the newly-minted lead dog at , joins the boys to talk about his new gig, when he first got interested in watching unis (get it?), previews the 2024 MLB All-Star Game jerseys, breaks down what makes a good City Connect cap, gives an update on his Monday night curling league and introduces the world to the word “bonspiel”. This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/32157222

Episode 427: Lou Cella 07/10/2024

Episode 427: Lou Cella Award-winning sculptor Lou Cella joins the boys to talk about how he got his start in art (including the biggest influence on his career), the hardest part of the human body to sculpt, why the Ryne Sandberg statue outside Wrigley Field might be his most personal piece so far, his special connection to the family of former Seattle Mariners announcer Dave Niehaus and that time someone’s cremains ended up on one of his statues. This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/32029182

Episode 426: Patrick “Deep Dish” Bertoletti 07/02/2024

Episode 426: Patrick “Deep Dish” Bertoletti Competitive eater Patrick “Deep Dish” Bertoletti is back to talk to the boys about returning to Surf and Stillwell for the annual Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating contest and preparing for no Joey Chestnut, whether or not he actually likes hot dogs, his least favorite food to eat (looking your way, Uranus Fudge Factory), what he’d eat to help get the Chicago Cubs back to the World Series and, for some reasons, log flumes. This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/31876282

Episode 425: Ted Giannoulas aka The Famous San Diego Chicken 06/25/2024

Episode 425: Ted Giannoulas aka The Famous San Diego Chicken The Famous San Diego Chicken, Ted Giannoulas, re-joins the boys to talk about his memories of headlining at historic Rickwood Field, the Major League ballpark he (surprisingly) never had a chance to perform at, the night no one laughed at his antics, how many chicken heads he travels with, Lady Gaga stealing his gimmick and goes back 45 years to June 29, 1979 and shares the one story from “The Grand Hatching” that you have to hear to believe. This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/31846322

Episode 424: Chris Cillizza 06/11/2024

Episode 424: Chris Cillizza Longtime journalist Chris Cillizza joins the boys to talk about the newfound joy he finds in covering whatever he wants on a daily basis, playing basketball against Allen Iverson at Georgetown, whether or not there will be another 300-game winner in Major League Baseball, shares his favorite baseball movie, where he was the night of June 17, 1994 (if you know you know) and explaining the O.J. Simpson trial to his kids. This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/31626082

Episode 423: Ken Kowalski 06/04/2024

Episode 423: Ken Kowalski A half-century after surviving Ten Cent Beer Night, lifelong Cleveland resident Ken Kowalski joins the boys to talk about what went down on June 4, 1974, shares his memories of Municipal Stadium, his connection to seven-time All-Star Ken Keltner and realizes that he and Lou have something in common. This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/31558072

Episode 422: Mark Malkoff 05/28/2024

Episode 422: Mark Malkoff Mark Malkoff returns to talk to the boys about his new podcast, , the history of sports and the late night shows, talk show hosts that probably should have gotten more of a chance behind the desk, the legacy of Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Caray and the art of baseball nicknames. This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/31490397

Episode 421: Logan Wiening 05/21/2024

Episode 421: Logan Wiening Logan Wiening from joins the boys to talk about their shared connection with the AAGPBL, getting his start in graphic design and how that led to launching an apparel company, the popular Support Local Baseball Sticker Club, why it’s easy to hate the St. Louis Cardinals and whether or not Lou would want to hit the field as an old-timey baseball player. #supportlocalbaseball This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/31121988

Episode 420: Ngaio Bealum 05/14/2024

Episode 420: Ngaio Bealum Fresh off his European vacation, The Dank Diplomat, comedian Ngaio Bealum, returns to celebrate Episode 420 with the boys, shares his favorite ballpark food, the best Major League city to get high in (and the player he’d most like to get high with), playing golf with Bobby Bonds and accidentally brings back . This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/31121998

Episode 419: Jim Sundberg 05/07/2024

Episode 419: Jim Sundberg 1985 World Series champion and (should-be) eight-time Gold Glove Award winner Jim Sundberg joins the boys to talk about his journey from tiny Galesburg, Illinois, to the Texas Rangers, what likely cursed the Brewers prior to his arrival in Milwaukee, being part of the longest game in Major League Baseball history, playing “peacemaker” after Andre Dawson took a fastball to the face and his unlikely friendship with Hall of Famer Bill Dickey. This week’s podcast was brought to you by and . /episode/index/show/hallofverygood/id/31121993

The Hall of Very Good Podcast

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