The Road to Cooperstown

Hall of Famer Paul Molitor, Class of 2004, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss his unorthodox journey to Cooperstown. From overcoming injuries early in his career that eventually forced him into a designated hitter role, to delivering historic performances in two World Series and reaching one of baseball’s most revered milestones with his hometown team, Molitor reflects on how he remained one of the game’s most consistent performers throughout his 21-year career in the big leagues. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHall Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hall of Famer Bud Selig, class of 2017, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss his unexpected journey to Cooperstown. From bringing baseball back to Milwaukee to leading the sport through the 1994 strike into a period of unprecedented labor peace and introducing innovations such as interleague play and wild card teams, Major League Baseball's commissioner emeritus talks about how he became one of the most influential executives of all time. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHall Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers, class of 1992, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss his trailblazing journey to Cooperstown. From the challenges he faced when he moved to the bullpen to his unforgettable -- and award-winning -- performance in the 1974 World Series and the story behind his trademark waxed handlebar mustache, Fingers details how he became just the second relief pitcher to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHall Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hall of Famer Jeff Kent, class of 2026, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss his long journey to Cooperstown. From his decision not to play baseball during his senior year of high school to his much-discussed relationship with Barry Bonds and the regrets he still carries from a heartbreaking loss in the 2002 World Series, Kent details what it took to become one of the best second basemen of his era. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHall Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley, class of 2004, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss his unconventional journey to Cooperstown. Eckersley details how, after 12 years as a starting pitcher, he became one of the most dominant closers in baseball history, why giving up the game-winning home run to Kirk Gibson in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series turned out to be one of the "proudest" moments of his career and which home run was more "painful" than Gibson's memorable trip around the bases. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHall Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell, class of 2017, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss his emotional journey to Cooperstown. From being drafted and eventually traded by his hometown Boston Red Sox to the "insane" steps it took to play with a severely injured shoulder and a battle with alcoholism that continued after his playing career, Bagwell details what it took, both on and off the field, to end up as one of baseball's all-time greats. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHall Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A day after being inducted into the Hall of Fame, Carlos Beltran, Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent sit down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss their roads to Cooperstown. Hear some great stories and plenty of laughs as Beltran discusses his historic 2004 postseason, Jones talks about one of the most important lessons he learned from Hank Aaron and Kent reveals which Hall of Famer made him "melt" during a conversation before the induction ceremony. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHall Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jon Paul Morosi is back for another season of the official podcast of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Hear from some of the greatest players in baseball's rich history - like Pedro Martinez, Jeff Bagwell and so many more - as they discuss their struggles, their triumphs and their paths to immortality in Cooperstown. Subscribe today so you never miss a moment. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHall Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk, Class of 2000, joins Jon Paul Morosi to reflect on his unforgettable journey to Cooperstown. From the devastating knee injury early in his career that doctors said could keep him from catching again to exchanging punches with Thurman Munson during one of the heights of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry to the 50th anniversary of hitting one of the most famous home runs in baseball history, Fisk recounts 24 seasons behind the plate as one of baseball's most respected backstops. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHall Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hall of Famer Rod Carew, class of 1991, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss his journey to Cooperstown, a path built on a high degree of resilience and determination. The Hall of Famer reflects on his tumultuous relationship with his father growing up, his 1967 MLB debut with the Minnesota Twins, how Billy Martin’s confidence in him took him to new heights on the field, and how Nolan Ryan was the key factor in changing his batting stance from pitch to pitch throughout his career. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHall Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hall of Famer Tony La Russa, class of 2014, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss his memorable journey to Cooperstown. The Hall of Famer reflects on his decision to pursue the managerial path after his stint as a major leaguer, how his love of learning lead to obtaining a law degree, overcoming self-doubt in the skipper role, and how perseverance was at the helm of decision-making in the midst of multiple World Series Championships with the Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals throughout his career. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHall Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hall of Famer Tony Pérez, class of 2000, alongside his son and former big leaguer Eduardo Pérez sit down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss his long and momentous journey to Cooperstown. The Hall of Famer shares more on the hardships endured moving from Cuba to the U.S., being part of The Big Red Machine's dominant Cincinnati Reds team that won back-to-back World Series championships in 1975 and 1976, raising his sons in the ballpark, and being a unifying force for players across the sport year after year. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHall Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hall of Famer Billy Wagner, Class of 2025, joins Jon Paul Morosi to reflect on his remarkable journey to Cooperstown. From his early days pursuing football in college to the moment he committed fully to baseball, Wagner shares the pivotal choices that shaped his career. He opens up about why he believed he was destined to be a closer and how conversations with fellow Hall of Fame relievers helped fuel his rise. In this candid conversation, Billy reveals how he transformed himself into one of the most dominant and intimidating pitchers the game has ever seen. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHall Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hall of Famer Scott Rolen, class of 2023, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to reflect on his emotional journey to Cooperstown. From winning Rookie of the Year with the Phillies to overcoming physical and mental adversity to help lead the Cardinals to the 2006 World Series title and cementing his status as one of the top defensive third basemen of all time during stops with the Blue Jays and Reds, Scott discusses how he developed into one of the best two-way threats of his generation. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHall Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hall of Famer Tony Oliva, class of 2022, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to reflect on his journey from a small town in Cuba all the way to Cooperstown. From leaving his family to pursue a professional baseball career, winning back-to-back batting titles in his first two years in the big leagues and developing into a Gold Glove-winning outfielder, Oliva details his proudest accomplishments as he became one of the most consistent hitters of his era. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHall Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hall of Famer Jim Kaat, class of 2022, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to reflect on his journey to Cooperstown that spanned parts of eight decades on and off the field. From outdueling Sandy Koufax in his first World Series start to becoming one of the best defensive pitchers the game has ever seen and finally winning a championship in his 24th season, Kaat details how he was able to consistently pitch at a high level during a quarter century on the mound. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHall Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven, class of 2011, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss his long and winding path to Cooperstown. Known for his devastating curveballs, the first Dutch-born member of the Hall of Fame shares how a Sandy Koufax anecdote shaped his father’s pitching philosophy, how a dugout conversation with Don Drysdale influenced his career, what he learned about pitching from Rod Carew and Tony Oliva, winning the World Series in Pittsburgh and how he always wanted to be relied on as the ace of the staff. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHall Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hall of Famer Wade Boggs, class of 2005, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to reflect on his ritual-filled journey to Cooperstown. From explaining his famous superstition of eating chicken before every game, the tragic event that eventually led to his leaving the Red Sox to join the Yankees and the story of how one of the most pivotal at-bats of his career ended without a single swing, Boggs details what made him one of his era's greatest hitters. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHall Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A day after being inducted into the Hall of Fame, CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner and Ichiro Suzuki sit down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss their roads to Cooperstown. Hear some great stories and plenty of laughs as Sabathia discusses the time he nearly lost a $500,000 bonus for sticking up for a teammate, Wagner talks about his most memorable conversations during Hall of Fame weekend and Ichiro reveals the two things he wishes he hadn't said during his memorable induction speech. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHall Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hall of Famer Larry Walker, class of 2020, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to reflect on his emotional journey to Cooperstown. From giving up his childhood dream of playing in the NHL to pursue a baseball career to the unfortunate ending to his 1994 season with the Expos and his long wait for the call to join baseball's greatest club, Walker details how his admittedly "simple" approach made him one of his era's most prolific hitters. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHall Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.