First Ballot: The Hall of Fame Podcast

Jordan Leandre survived a rare cancer diagnosis as a child, became a beloved member of Red Sox Nation, and then threw perhaps the best first pitch in baseball history. TV writer/producer George Anagnostakos breaks down this moment in painstaking detail, discusses the importance of the stadium organ (55:50), and assembles his Dream Team of movie character basketball players (01:07:35).

Showtime Codes:

(13:13) AFV is YouTube before YouTube  (19:41) Why shortstop is an excellent phrase  (23:00) Jordan's pitch: cocky or comfortable? (25:50) Bad first pitches are the modern day public execution  (32:00) "Yeeehk" - the sound Jordan's face made  (39:23)  Neil and George moonlight as foley artists (40:50) Wally the Green Monster can't take his eyes off the ball (46:40) "Marshawn Lynch correctly identified me as a coward"  (46:49) George is the guy in Marshawn's prank videos at Ike's and the sneaker store (55:50) Did the organ player play a special note? (01:03:50) Devil's advocate: Other bad first pitches  (01:05:50) Is Conor McGregor's first pitch the worst? (01:07:35) Brand New segment: DREAM TEAM (01:18:22) Special Guest Anthony Capobianco joins the pod!  (01:19:25) Anthony pinpoints the place of impact on his body (01:28:00) Wally's burning question: "how close was it to the family jewels?" (01:32:49) George's impression of Jeffrey Tambor in Muppets from Space

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No one thought that Magic Johnson was coming back after his announcement that he was retiring in 1991. When he returned in 1996 to play 32 Games for the Lakers, it was legendary. Determining whether this comeback is First Ballot worthy is NBA Agent and Marketer at Goodwin and Co-Founder of Move Insoles Nate Jones, who also takes time to talk about what it could have been like to watch Shaq play Magic (01:08:16), unknown facts about Dame (11:33), and his favorite players turned media personalities (01:17:07). Plus, his electric impression of wrestler Randy Savage (01:17:50). 

Showtime Codes:

(8:55) Nate's favorite: Dame or DeRozan? (11:33) Unknown Facts About Dame  (14:29) Nate Sets the Record Straight: He's NOT a Laker Hater (20:53) The Most Amazing Thing About Magic's Comeback (22:22) Kid Nate's Reaction to Magic's Diagnosis (22:58) Kid Neil's Reaction to Magic's Diagnosis  (26:46) The New York Knicks Have the Best Production  (33:33) The Premier Spring Break Destination: Lake Havasu, Arizona (39:44) The Three Current Players Who Could Playmake Better Than Magic  (43:26) Weirder NBA Trajectory: Ben Simmons or Markelle Fultz? (46:55) Charles Barkley's Golf Swing (47:49) Crazier NBA Trajectory: Ben Simmons or LeBron James? (52:06) Wild A** Comebacks: Andre Agassi, Monica Seles, George Foreman (58:20) Neil's Best and Worst NBA Player Predictions (01:01:45) What Would've Had to Happen to Get Barkley to the Lakers (01:12:15) Nate Wonders How His Life Would Be Without Magic's Influence (01:16:25) In N Out vs. Shake Shack  (01:17:50) Nate's Excellent Impersonation of Randy Savage 

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Randy Johnson is known for a lot of things: his perfect game, for being a hall of famer, his occasionally prickly personality...But, Randy Johnson will forever be infamous for his perfect pitch which ended a bird's life during spring training. Brilliant comedy writer (and animal lover) Alison Agosti joins the pod to help decide whether this moment is inducted and talks about witchcraft and destiny (15:28), potentially being anti-bird (52:10), and her love of Derek Jeter. 

Showtime Codes:  (06:40) The player who won Alison's heart (08:32) The pathway to dating a professional athlete (13:28) A Brand New Credential: Witchcraft!  (15:28) Did a bird save a man's life? (27:48) An alternate bird story: Dave Winfield and the "Big Dead Bird" (29:55) Is this Randy's most famous pitch? (33:00) Assisted Bird Suicide--was the bird asking for it? (37:19) The case of premeditated bird murder  (40:54) First Ballot's official veterinarian gives his medical opinion (44:53) The collective shock and the fakers in the crowd.  (45:50) Neil's guilt of having perfect aim (52:10) Is Alison Anti Bird? (56:20) Fabio and the Bird Strike (1:08:53) Twitter Fingers: The Game!  (1:15:50) Best Reality TV Show (1:18:19) Alison's The Office Hot Take (1:20:09) Blowing up her life for this special man

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Perhaps the most apocryphal college basketball game of all-time gets its First Ballot Hall of Fame shot.  Is this moment better than you remember?  Why did this game stretch so deep into the night?  CBS’s senior vice president of late night comes back on the show to discuss his alma mater, Syracuse, retell an amazing story about the Big East Commissioner’s retirement party, and finally tell us about volunteering to help children in the upstate NY area.  Plus, the case for Jonny Flynn > Steph Curry, and two new FBHOF Credentials!!!

Showtime Codes: 

(4:15) A First Ballot Podcast episode surprise right out of the gate!

(8:55)  Nick guesses Neil’s Top 5 Favorite TV Shows

(10:20) The insane analytics behind the 6 OT Game

(17:45) What is the MVP of this game?  Is there one?

(34:07) Amazing story about the Big East Commissioner's retirement party

(35:41) Stunning admission from Nick that highly affects his affection for this game

(43:08) The case for Jonny Flynn’s Greatness?  The Comment Section a new FBHOF Credential.

(46:50) Where are they now?!?  Another new FBHOF Credential!!!

(50:18) Longest Game in college basketball history

(56:57) Nick finally tells us about the Summer Camp he volunteers at every year

(1:07:55) Neil’s challenge to the listeners

 

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The formal introduction of the 5’9’’ inch assassin, Isaiah Thomas, to the national stage. Is a potent mix of IT, Gus Johnson and a sprinkle of March Madness good enough to make the First Ballot Hall of Fame?  Music producer extraordinaire, and one half of the music group Tuxedo, Jake One joins to discuss Seattle sports, listening to Funk Flex drop bombs on his hit record in NYC, and what it’s like to perform a Tiny Desk concert.  Highlights include:

Showtime Codes: 

(6:20) The best and coolest song-production credit of all-time

(15:50) Talking yourself into players on your favorite team   (18:23) The marvel of Isaiah’s height   (21:12) The need for constant national rankings in all sports   (24:23) Classic college kid move.  How the Huskies lose to UNC in the NCAA Tournament   (27:36) The power and majesty of Gus Johnson   (30:00) Jake One with the perfect First Ballot addition:  the importance of the sounds of a buzzer beater   (34:03) What Isaiah Thomas means to Seattle basketball fans   (34:53) How Jake’s career starts in the music industry   (37:00) Jake One’s That Thing You Do Moment in NYC.   (41:00) The songs that changed Jake One’s life   (47:38) The beauty in rooting against other teams   (54:16) What it’s like to do a Tiny Desk concert   (56:06) Isaiah waves off head coach   (58:49) The Mount Rushmore of Seattle Sports   (1:00:13) The Isaiah Thomas Towel Story   (1:01:21) Neil talks about working on The Jenny Jones Show   (1:05:03) The Official College Basketball Fan of the First Ballot Podcast weighs in   (1:08:00) Surprising answer to "which athlete is the best rapper?"   (1:09:30) The power of good sports branding

 

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Marshawn Lynch's Beast Quake is one of the greatest runs in NFL history. "Beast Mode" joins the pod to talk about his legendary 67-yard touchdown against the New Orleans Saints that registered on a seismograph, his favorite Filipino food (5:33), playing Ray Lewis for the first time (50:25), and why he would be studied by Aliens (35:31).

 Showtime codes: (5:33) Marshawn's Favorite Filipino Food(6:03) Are Neil and Marshawn best friends? (6:17) Marshawn talks about not getting the ball at the end of the SB49

(7:38) What do people say to Marshawn when they see him? (12:33) Marshawn breaks down "hatfishing"(16:58) Marshawn tells the story of ruining a car by drifting (18:50) Marshawn’s surprising favorite sport and his favorite athlete of all time (29:26) Marshawn's thoughts on the legendary run (30:26) Marshawn’s favorite stat from the Beastquake (35:31) Why Marshawn would be studied by Aliens(43:38) “I played running back, but I hated running.” (44:19) Marshawn’s favorite football play of all time. (48:26) The defensive players Marshawn wished he could have played against (50:25) Marshawn’s story about playing Ray Lewis for the first time (52:26) A Beast Mode come back?(52:53) Marshawn on his memorable media quotes (58:25) Marshawn on what made the beast quake impressive (58:55) Marshawn addresses his infamous Beastquake celebration (1:01:45) Marshawn and The Scientist (1:03:07) Did Marshawn throw money on a table for his offensive linesman after the beast quake run? (01:04:44) Marshawn’s movie pitch! (01:06:11) Marshawn Lynch and the 2 liter bottle of root beer  

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Steph Curry's lookaway jumper might be the best nonverbal trash talk in the NBA. Kirk Lacob, EVP of Basketball Operations for the Golden State Warriors, discusses Steph's original lookaway jumper during Game 4 of the 2013 NBA Playoffs vs the Denver Nuggets, how Steph changed how we watch Basketball (33:28), and the highly coveted snack of the Golden State Warriors--chocolate chip cookies (49:30).

Showtime Codes:  (7:30) Kirk's Basketball playing career (12:48) The draft picks Kirk had a hand in (15:21) Bob Myers’ and Steve Kerr’s good looks (19:17) The best part of Steph Curry (20:00) Why this Steph Curry shot is forgettable (21:11) Steph Curry’s final level  (21:49) What happened before and after the lookaway (22:35) Why Steph Curry doesn’t need a heat check (25:54) Neil takes down Steph Curry (26:22) The universality of the Steph Curry experience (30:48) Neil brings up the 2020 lakers (32:27) The fleeting nature of the first lookaway (33:28) How Steph’s shot changes the way we watch basketball (37:35) Kirk’s thoughts on his father getting booed by Warriors fans at Chris Mullin's jersey retirement (49:30) Golden State Warriors Cookies (1:00:00) Neil brings up the 2020 Lakers AGAIN

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Carl Lewis the athlete is a national treasure. His rendition of the national anthem is not. Helping decide whether Carl Lewis' national anthem gets inducted is none other than The Daily Show's Roy Wood Jr., who also gives his take on home run chains (09:54), first pitches (17:03), and the most memorable national anthem performances (14:19).    Showtime Codes:  (08:38) The Ice Cube of Baseball (11:47) Roy on Rickey Henderson  (14:06) Surprise First Credential: Burning Questions!  (17:03) Roy Wood Jr.’s Botched First Pitch (19:50) Norm MacDonald’s First Pitch Idea (33:03) The New Jersey Nets’ New Jack City Moment (40:49) “The Roy Wood Jr curse” (22:39) Carl Lewis' National Anthem Performance (42:40)  Roy Wood Jr.'s quote of the night!  (43:30)  Comparing the Worst National Anthem Performance (52:30)  Roy’s Stirring Breakdown of the WKRP in Cincinnati Theme Song (54:50)  More Important - America's Favorite Podcast segment (56:15) Roy’s Shocking Favorite Beverage Answer (1:00:32)  Co-Sign (1:01:42)  Induction Speech 

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Returning to discuss the first LeBron moment on the show is none other than the legendary Dragonfly Jonez! Neil and Dragonfly break down the fireworks display LeBron put on against the Raptors in 2018.  Is the Game 3 runner the Point Leader’s most famous points? Plus, NBA predictions (06:57), and how to construct the perfect GOAT argument (43:30). 

Showtime Codes: 

(18:45)  Getting into the moment (31:50)  Comparing great buzzer beaters (33:59)  Shitting on Paul Pierce  (35:17)  Lebron's greatest game winners (39:08) Dragonfly's Career Goals (55:35) Dragonfly Jonez Twitter Fingers (1:04:10) More Important - America's Favorite Podcast segment (1:10:04) Co-Sign (1:13:53) Induction Speech

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Twitter was born in 2006, with few understanding the platform’s power and the repercussions that come from it. On the last day 2013, Carmelo Anthony got embroiled in a Twitter fight with one of his biggest fans, which lead to one of the great insults and collection of words that have ever graced the human ear. Keith Fujimoto, social coordinator at The Ringer, joins the pod to talk about this iconic tweet (11:03), getting blocked by Andre Drummond (14:50), and some of the best NBA tweets of all time (24:50).  

Showtime codes:  01:36 -  The First Ballot Theme Song 04:30 - NBA Trivia 14:50 - How Keith Got Blocked by Andre Drummond  24:50 - What are the Best NBA tweets of all time? 35:05 - Keith’s rap name 46:30 - MVP of the tweet 50:43 - More Important - America’s Favorite Podcast Segment 56:03 - Special Guest Cameo:  The Guy Carmelo Anthony Called a Glazed Donut Face Ass!  He gives his side of the story 1:07:04 - Voting Committee Deliberation 1:09:20 - Co Sign 1:10:25 - Induction Speech

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