Minisode: The Kid's Car

The hobby world is enamored with one of ones and a Montréal collector has a very unique one in his possession.

Nearly 50 years ago, then-rookie Gary Carter purchased a brand new Buick Riviera after appearing in just a handful of games for the Expos. For more than a decade, the Hall of Fame catcher's prized car has been sitting in storage, well-maintained, and looking for a new home.

(Download The Hall of Very Good Podcast over on iTunes)

Episode 398: Patrick Healey and Chris Felix

This week, Shawn Anderson and Lou Olsen are joined by PATRICK HEALEY and CHRIS FELIX.

The toy sculptor and artist/illustrator join the boys to talk about how two kids from Elder High School in Cincinnati ended up working for Kenner on one of the biggest toylines ever, their favorite Starting Lineup figures they’ve ever designed, the best (and worst) likenesses, the importance to get everything just right and who may or may not have been partially responsible for those super jacked Star Wars figures from the mid-90s.

(Download The Hall of Very Good Podcast over on iTunes)

Remembering Dick Drago (1945-2023)

Dick Drago was a bullpen staple for the Boston Red Sox during the mid-70s.

Matter of fact, “The Dragon” even helped the Sox clinch the 1975 pennant…saving two of three games against the Oakland A’s in the American League Championship Series.

During his 13-year big league career, Drago won 108 games, including 11 during the inaugural season for the Kansas City Royals. He suited up for five Major League teams…Kansas City, Boston (twice), California, Baltimore and Seattle.

Thursday, the Toledo, Ohio, native passed away. He was 78.

In 2009, shortly after his former teammate Jim Rice punched his ticket to Cooperstown, Dick Drago spoke with The Hall of Very Good about his career, mustaches and, of course, his time with the Boston Red Sox.

HOVG: Dick…your career has pretty much run the gamut. You were a successful starter in Kansas City, then, after making the move to Boston, became a successful closer. But your success started BEFORE you made the bigs. When you were with Double-A Rocky Mount, you threw a no-hitter in the first game of a double-header. In the nightcap, your roommate Darrell Clark threw a no-no of his own. Did that make it more special…or do you feel it diminished your accomplishment?

DRAGO: No…I was on the bench rooting for Darrell to pitch one also. It was more special because I don’t think it had ever been done before or since.

Episode 397: Simeon Lipman

This week, Shawn Anderson and Lou Olsen are joined by SIMEON LIPMAN.

The pop culture specialist and longtime appraiser joins the boys to talk about his gig as the go-to guy when it comes to sports memorabilia, the first thing he saw when he joined “Antiques Roadshow”, what you can find in his own personal collection (and why), the hot genre people are buying up, one of the most unique bidding wars he’s even been on the sidelines for and that time he was asked to help sell body parts.

(Download The Hall of Very Good Podcast over on iTunes)

Episode 396: Ken Karl

This week, Shawn Anderson and Lou Olsen are joined by KEN KARL.

The sports artist joins the boys to talk about how he got his start in mixed media, explains his “process” (and how that has cost him physical harm), what makes his one of ones so special and, most important, why he’s thrilled to be part of the card art community.

(Download The Hall of Very Good Podcast over on iTunes)

Episode 395: John Benedeck

This week, Shawn Anderson and Lou Olsen are joined by JOHN BENEDECK.

The classically trained pianist-turned-ballpark “spackle” joins the boys to talk about his journey from Western Illinois University to Chicago’s northside, how he got his gig with the Chicago Cubs, getting paid to play with his organ, using social media to connect with his audience inside and outside of Wrigley Field and where to find the best beer in Wisconsin.

(Download The Hall of Very Good Podcast over on iTunes)

Episode .394: Andy Strasberg

This week, Shawn Anderson and Lou Olsen are joined by ANDY STRASBERG.

The former San Diego Padres executive returns to talk to the boys about his 60-plus year bond with the family of Roger Maris, the relationship he had with the late-Tony Gwynn, Tony’s quest to honor baseball history (even though he was afraid to meet a certain “legend”) and the one thing Tony doesn’t get any credit for.

(Download The Hall of Very Good Podcast over on iTunes)