Despite being acknowledged as one of the all time greats and a very deserving Hall of Famer, Roy Campanella's career doesn't get the appreciation it deserves because of its late start due to segregation and early finish due to an auto accident 61 years ago this week that left him paralyzed. Mike and Bill dig into his career and life at all its stages and come to love the man as much as it seems everyone else did. Also, happy birthday to George Burns and Tony Mullane.

With Bill on vacation, Mike welcomes walking baseball encyclopedia Steven Goldman (@gostevengoldman) in for a chat. They talk about Steve's podcast, The Infinite Inning, returning to a weekly format, what makes a great baseball story, the worst teams in history and, of course, Casey Stengel. Steve also plays Yankees roullette with some fun names from the past.

Plus, happy birthday to Blix Donnelly!

And farewell to Bob Allen and Ken MacKenzie.

When Cecil Fielder returned from a year in Japan, 34 years agoo this week, it was without fanfare. But by the end of 1990, after slamming 51 homers, Fielder had become one of the most iconic faces in baseball. His time at the top of the spoort would be short, however, and Mike and Bill look back at why.

Plus, happy birthday to Delino DeShields and Smead Jolley.

And farewell to Larry Miggins, Dave Wehrmeister, Joe Hicks and Vic Davalillo

It's still Hall of Fame season for, like, one more week, so Mike and Bill sit down with Fangraphs Senior Writer Jay Jaffe, inventor of JAWS, the preeminent tool to evaluate potential Hall of Famers, to talk about the current ballot, the chances of the first time candidate, and how the process has changed as its become more transparent and contentious. They also discuss Jay's own choices, as he has long been deemed a responsible adult worth of a vote.

Plus, happy birthday to Topper Rigney and Stan Javier!

And farewell to Preston Hanna, Don Dobbek, Mike Corkins, and Ron Hodges.

One of the greatest and one of the ornriest players in baseball history, Rogers Hornsby presents a conundrum. Too good not to want on your team, but so disruptive that he was traded in three straight offseasons and wore out his welcome quickly, even for teams that desperately needed him. What was his deal? Mike and Bill look back at his controversial life and career to try to figure that out.

With their scheduled guest ailing, Mike and Bill take a thorough look at all the candidates on this year's Hall of Fame ballot and decide they're probably going to need more votes.

Plus, happy birthday to Cy Williams and Leo Cardenas!

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. And when life mangles your hand, learn a curveball. That was the path to greatness for legendary Cubs right hander Mordecai Brown, whose handicap wound up baffling National Leauge hitters for the better part of a decade. 120 years ago this week, Brown was acquired by Cubbies, who rode him to two championships before age and injury wore him down. Mike and Bill look back at one of the great superstars of the early 20th century and the accidents that made him possible.

Plus, happy birthday to Stormin' Gorman Thomas and Jimmy Johnston.

Sweet Lou was never an apt nickname for Lou Piniella, whose fiery temper and aggressive play earned him respect and fear around the game after he joined the Yankees 50 years ago this week, and became an essential cog in their dynasty in the late '70s and early '80s. But Lou's career would stretch far beyond his time in pinstripes and lead him tantalizingly close to the Hall of Fame as one of the most highly regarded managers of the 1990s and 2000s. Mike and Bill look back at Lou's 50 years in pro ball after he fell just one vote short of the Hall of Fame this week.

Plus, happy birthday to Bob Shawkey and Joe Collins!

Because his peak was so short, Al Lopez is often overlooked when we think about the great sluggers of the 1950s. But no one could ignore his incredible season in 1953 when, 70 years ago this week, he became just the second player to be unanimously voted AL MVP. Mike and Bill look back at Rosen's short on-field career, surprising impact on the game in the '70s and '80s, and the antisemitism he beat back to make all of it happen.

Plus, happy birthday to Fred Tenney and Bob Tewksbury!

Mike and Bill briefly have some podcast related announcments and Thanksgiving well-wishes up top and then say farewell to the great Willie Hernandez.