The Road to Cooperstown

Hall of Famer Ted Simmons, class of 2020, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to reflect on his long and underappreciated journey to Cooperstown. From being humbled as a rookie by Cardinals legend George Kissell to the biggest adversity he faced once he made it to the big leagues to helping lead the Brewers to their first and only pennant, Simmons discusses the many lessons he learned as a player and explains why he's most proud of his accomplishments off the field.  Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer Edgar Martinez, class of 2019, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss his long journey from Puerto Rico to Cooperstown. From trying to emulate Roberto Clemente as a child to leaving the comforts of home for the uncertainty of a professional baseball career and adjusting to being a full-time designated hitter, Martinez details the challenges he encountered on his way to becoming 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 - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer Chipper Jones, class of 2018, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss his remarkable journey to Cooperstown. From the difficult decision to leave his friends and hometown to play baseball at a different high school, to a serious knee injury that delayed his rookie season for an entire year, to the hitting advice that changed the trajectory of his career, Jones discusses the key moments that turned him into one of the best switch-hitters of all time. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer Randy Johnson, class of 2015, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss his transformational journey to Cooperstown. From an encounter with another pitching legend that led to a change in mechanics to the tragic event that led him to start pitching with his infamous scowl, Johnson details the key moments that turned him into one of the most feared and dominant pitchers of his era. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer Lee Smith, class of 2019, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss his journey from a small village in Louisiana all the way to Cooperstown. From his encounters with racism as the only black player on his high school team, nearly deciding to pursue a basketball career and life-changing advice from a fellow Hall of Famer, Smith details the key moments that made him one of the best relief pitchers of his generation. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer Fred McGriff, class of 2023, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss his long journey to Cooperstown. After being cut from his high school baseball team and hitting below .150 in his first year of professional baseball, hear how some advice from another future Hall of Famer helped turn McGriff into one of the most feared power hitters of his generation. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer Robin Yount, class of 1999, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss his unlikely journey to Cooperstown. From making his MLB debut as a teenager to an offseason injury that helped launch the career of a Hall of Fame teammate to a difficult position change in the middle of his career, Yount details several obstacles he encountered and overcame on his way to baseball immortality.Follow The Baseball Project on Twitter/X - @baseballprojectFollow The Baseball Project on Instagram - @baseballprojectFollow Yep Roc Records on Twitter/X - @yeprocFollow Yep Roc Records on Instagram - @yeproc Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, class of 1995, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss his journey to Cooperstown. After hitting just .196 in his first full season in the big leagues, Schmidt details how he turned himself into one of the most feared power hitters of his generation . Plus, hear why Schmidt believes his occasionally contentious relationship with Phillies fans helped him become 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 - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Ahead of season two of the official podcast of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Jon Paul Morosi reflects on his most memorable moments from season one, including stories from Joe Torre, Craig Biggio and Adrián Beltré. The first episode of season two of The Road to Cooperstown drops Tuesday, May 6.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 - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

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 Mike Schmidt, Robin Yount 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 - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer, Ken Griffey Jr., class of 2016, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi for a conversation about how his father's footsteps helped lead him to Cooperstown. Griffey Jr. discusses patterning his game after his dad, being a part of the first father-son duo in the big leagues, lessons he's shared with Lebron James, the guidance he received from Hall of Famers, navigating through the mental part of baseball and his advocacy for mental health awareness.  Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer, Mariano Rivera, class of 2019, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi for a conversation about how a kid from Panama became the first player ever unanimously inducted to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. One of the most dominant pitchers of his generation, Rivera discusses overcoming the language barriers he faced in communicating with teammates, what it feels like to pitch in the postseason as the game hangs in the balance, his most memorable moment and the key to the Yankees dynasty.   Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer, Jack Morris, class of 2018, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi for a conversation about the evolution of his game and his focus along his path to Cooperstown. Morris discusses his journey from position player to pitcher, the ongoing struggles he faced with his command while pitching in the Minors, overcoming doubt to become one of the best big game pitchers ever, the long-lasting impact Jim Leyland had on his career, and his epic complete Game 7 shutout in the 1991 World Series.  Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer, Joe Mauer, class of 2024, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi for a conversation about the challenges he faced on his journey to Cooperstown. Mauer discusses his childhood growing up in St. Paul, Minnesota, the uncertainty he faced on Draft day in 2001, the disappointment resulting from the 2006 Twins postseason, and how a 2013 concussion changed the trajectory of his baseball career. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer, Adrian Beltre, class of 2024, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi for a conversation about the resilience and consistency that led him to Cooperstown. Beltre discusses growing up in the Dominican Republic, overcoming the initial culture shock in the minor leagues, battling through various injuries throughout his career, working to unify American & Latin players in the clubhouse, and what went wrong in the devastating Game Six loss during the 2011 World Series. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer, Jim Leyland, class of 2024, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi for a conversation about the pivotal managerial decisions that led him to Cooperstown. Leyland discusses teaching tough lessons to all-time greats, learning from heartbreak, accepting the harsh reality that he wouldn't be a big league player, the one ballpark he just couldn't manage in, his emotional Hall of Fame speech and his gratitude for being so warmly welcomed by his fellow Hall of Famers. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer, Todd Helton, class of 2024, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi for a conversation about the physical and mental hurdles he overcame on his path to Cooperstown. Helton discusses his father's influence, the comment that drove him to become a Gold Glove 1B, the time he was almost traded to the Red Sox, the lessons he learned through the heartache of losing the 2007 World Series and navigating his personal insecurities on and off the field. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer, Trevor Hoffman, class of 2018, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi for a conversation about the pivotal choices he made on his path to Cooperstown. Hoffman discusses his transformation from shortstop to pitcher, the lessons he learned thru the heartache of losing the 1998 World Series, his perseverance in reaching 600 saves and how a day at the beach robbed him of his velocity. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer Jim Thome, class of 2018, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi for a conversation about the challenges he faced on his road to Cooperstown. Thome discusses the heartbreak of not bringing a World Series title to Cleveland, overcoming personal loss and relying on a strong support system to hit over 600 home runs and how the movie “The Natural” had a tangible impact on his career.  Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer, Fergie Jenkins, class of 1991, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi for a conversation about the numerous hardships and heartbreaks he endured to reach Cooperstown. Jenkins discusses the sacrifices of his father that made his own Hall of Fame journey possible, how he was discovered playing baseball in the hockey hotbed of Canada, and the segregation and racism he encountered while in the minors in the 1960s.  Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer Alan Trammell, class of 2018, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi for a conversation about his long overdue path to Cooperstown. Trammell discusses how he excelled and endured for two decades in Detroit, the MVP vote that likely delayed his induction, the influence Sparky Anderson and Lou Whitaker had on his career and how a Halloween costume lead to a nightmarish nagging injury.  Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., class of 2007, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss his disciplined and resilient path to Cooperstown. Baseball's Iron Man shares how The Streak almost came to a premature end due to an on-field brawl, his ability to overcome pressure and expectations to perform in the game's biggest moments and how the Yankees once tried to recruit him to The Bronx.  Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer Tom Glavine, class of 2014, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss the challenges he faced and overcame on his road to Cooperstown. From losing 17 games in his first full season to facing three straight future Hall of Famers as the starting pitcher in his first All-Star Game to his legendary performance in Game 6 of the 1995 World Series, Glavine details the mentality that led him to 305 career wins and becoming a first-ballot Hall of Famer.  Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

A day after being inducted into the Hall of Fame, Adrian Beltre, Todd Helton, Joe Mauer and Jim Leyland sit down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss their roads to Cooperstown. Hear some great stories and plenty of laughs as Beltre discusses trash-talking with Felix Hernandez, Mauer talks about his ability to break up no-hitters, Helton celebrates being the first Tennessean in the Hall of Fame and Leyland explains the grace of managing through a controversial, bad call.  Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer Joe Torre, class of 2014, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss his long and winding road to Cooperstown. In part two of their conversation, Torre talks about his first impressions of Derek Jeter, his most painful defeats--the 2001 World Series and 2004 American League Championship Series--and the one game from his Yankees tenure that he would like a second chance to manage. Here's a hint: it's a game that has bugged  him for years! Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer Joe Torre, class of 2014, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss his long and winding road to Cooperstown. In part one of their conversation, Torre talks about getting hired by George Steinbrenner after being fired from his three previous managerial jobs, the lessons he learned playing with Hank Aaron and the mistake he made when he caught for Bob Gibson in the 1965 All-Star Game that left him feeling "naked" standing on the pitching mound. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, class of 2015, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss his "up and down" road to Cooperstown. From his decision to play baseball over football to becoming an accomplished catcher, infielder and outfielder, hear how Biggio willed his way to the Hall of Fame. Plus, you will not believe how close this Astros legend came to joining another team in the prime of his career!   Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, class of 2002, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to explain why he says his road to Cooperstown was "paved in yellow gold." From growing up in the middle of the Watts riots to nearly leaving school during his freshman year of college and constantly being reminded of his size (or lack thereof), "The Wizard" discusses the many obstacles he backflipped over on his way to Hall of Fame. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer George Brett, class of 1999, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss his journey to Cooperstown. From having surgery in the middle of his first World Series to his infamous connection to pine tar and making history by winning batting titles in three different decades, Brett discusses how he became one of the most feared and respected hitters of his generation. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer John Smoltz, class of 2015, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss his "roller coaster" ride on the road to Cooperstown. From dominant starting pitcher to record-setting closer to dominant starting pitcher yet again, one of baseball's best big-game performers shares stories you will not want to miss! Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Hall of Famer Johnny Bench, class of 1989, sits down with Jon Paul Morosi to discuss the obstacles and challenges he overcame on his road to Cooperstown. From surviving a bus accident that killed two of his high school teammates to dozens of broken of bones to lung surgery, it's a story a stat line could never tell.   Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame - BaseballHall.org Follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Twitter/X - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi

Jon Paul Morosi talks to the greatest players in baseball's rich history about their struggles, their triumphs, and their paths to immortality, on the official podcast of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. 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 - @BaseballHallFollow the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Instagram - @BaseballHall Follow Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter/X - @jonmorosi