Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast: Recent Episodes
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a quick hook for Keith Foulke in the WPBL and Stat Blast about the historic outcome of a series between two streaking teams before analyzing an update on Giancarlo Stanton’s status, the effect of era on Jacob Wilson’s errorless streak, the significance of baseball’s resurgence in Hollywood (as evidenced by a Netflix Yankees series, three upcoming baseball movies, and a baseball tangent on Ted Lasso), Mike Krukow and the best team scenario for a beloved broadcaster’s farewell tour, Max Scherzer’s small-sample resurgence, and the latest on Hunter Greene, Paul Skenes, and Gerrit Cole.
Audio intro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Dak quote
Link to Dak Wookieepedia page
Link to Hobbie’s Hoth fate
Link to Boston Hunters announcement
Link to Hunters tweet
Link to WPBL standings
Link to Weeks hiring story
Link to story about A’s streak snapping
Link to story about Sox streak-snapping
Link to Stat Blast streaks data 1
Link to Stat Blast streaks data 2
Link to harmonic mean wiki
Link to so over/so back meme
Link to FG preseason predictions
Link to Boone/Stanton quote 1
Link to Boone/Stanton quote 2
Link to Casas swinging exchange
Link to Casas swinging article
Link to Casas surgery
Link to Stanton chips quote
Link to Stanton/Panterra video
Link to Stanton/Panterra post
Link to Stanton ESPN photo shoot
Link to Wilson story 1
Link to Wilson story 2
Link to errorless leaderboard
Link to 2025 Wilson fielding game log
Link to 2026 Wilson fielding game log
Link to 2002 Bordick fielding game log
Link to Korach tweet
Link to annual fielding averages
Link to leaguewide batted-ball stats
Link to leaguewide K rate stats
Link to 2002 team batted-ball stats
Link to 2026 team batted-ball stats
Link to Sam on errors
Link to Stat Blast on errors
Link to dill-flavored Liquid I.V.
Link to Netflix Yankees series
Link to Gehrig movie news
Link to Glen Powell’s IMDb
Link to Cooper story 1
Link to Cooper story 2
Link to The Catch movie info
Link to Hanks movie news
Link to Stone as Padres fan
Link to Stone as Mets fan
Link to EW baseball movies episode
Link to Lasso NLBM story
Link to Lasso NLBM scene
Link to recent Kendrick EW appearance
Link to B-Ref career pitching WAR
Link to FG career pitching WAR
Link to Eephus on Prime Video
Link to Eephus EW interview
Link to Josef Suk wiki
Link to Olympics art awards
Link to Scherzo Fantastique
Link to fantastic scherzo explainer
Link to Johnson strikeouts discrepancy
Link to Scherzer vs. Johnson story
Link to Jay on Scherzer and Cole
Link to Ryan SABR bio
Link to MLBTR on Greene’s surgery
Link to White Sox Kwan call
Link to previous Skenes discussion
Link to Skenes leaderboard
Link to Cole leaderboard
Link to BaseRuns standings
Link to George injury update
Link to Lasko injury update
Link to Trout birthday fun fact
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the long-in-the-making major league debut of gravity-defying, strikeout-celebrating reliever Jefry Yan, Steven Kwan’s resurgence, a lineup with lots of Juniors, a scooter celebration, a double FARTBAT, Luis Arraez abandoning home plate, MLB players’ low-stakes conspiracies, a head-to-head MVP battle, the Mets’ Francisco Lindor–Juan Soto drama, the A’s firing David Forst, a pitcher plate appearance, and more. Then (1:02:46) Ben brings on YouTubers Noah Campbell (aka SOFTDRINKTV) and Taylor McNelis (aka WildLion Games) to discuss the decline in the quantity and quality of sports video games, how well baseball lends itself to gaming, the golden age of baseball video games, and whether a few new challengers might endanger MLB The Show’s dominance.
Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)”
Audio interstitial: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Reddit post on Yan
Link to first Yan episode
Link to second Yan episode
Link to Yan debut story
Link to Yan debut video
Link to Yan leap on single
Link to Guardians’ Yan mockery
Link to MLBTR on Brebbia
Link to Brebbia’s second EW appearance
Link to previous Kwan chat
Link to Kwan leaderboard
Link to Kwan pillow quote
Link to sports nepo babies article
Link to article on baseball nepo babies
Link to Ryan HoF page
Link to Giants scooter celly
Link to Arraez abandonment
Link to @ScoringChanges explanation
Link to Marlins misplay
Link to EW Episode 500
Link to PCA comments
Link to Saucedo comments
Link to Ottavino comments
Link to PCA vs. Ohtani game
Link to Peralta/Lindor/Soto report
Link to 2025 Yankees bullpen blowup
Link to Lindor/McNeil article
Link to MLBTR on Forst
Link to Mikolas PA article
Link to Nusbaum tweet
Link to Button Mash
Link to The Ringer-Verse
Link to SOFTDRINKTV on YouTube
Link to WildLion Games on YouTube
Link to Paine on sports games 1
Link to Paine on sports games 2
Link to Jabroni Baseball video
Link to EA buyout
Link to EA layoffs report
Link to EA layoffs report
Link to College Football microtransactions
Link to Ben on MVP Baseball 2005
Link to Noah on MVP Baseball 2005
Link to Super Mega Baseball 4 article
Link to Metalhead on EW 1
Link to Metalhead on EW 2
Link to Taylor on SMB4 roster updates
Link to Taylor’s SMB4 review
Link to Zach Kram on Backyard Baseball
Link to Backyard Baseball comeback article
Link to Backyard Baseball wiki
Link to Taylor’s Backyard Baseball review
Link to Noah on MLB Power Pros
Link to Indoor Baseball
Link to Noah on Indoor Baseball
Link to Noah on MVP 06: NCAA Baseball
Link to Noah’s MLB The Show 26 review
Link to Taylor’s MLB The Show 26 review
Link to Power Pros wiki
Link to Professional Baseball Spirits wiki
Link to article about eBaseball Pro Spirit 2026
Link to Noah on eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT
Link to eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 on PS5
Link to Noah on eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 news
Link to Noah’s eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 review
Link to Taylor’s eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 review
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After talking Tarik Skubal and a few other early acquisitions in the preceding pod, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley recap the rest of the trade deadline in detail, from Adell to Zeferjahn (with many non-ex-Angels in between): the biggest surprises, the winners and losers, and the various reminders that life comes at you fast.
Audio intro: Garrett Krohn, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Skubal trade EW discussion
Link to Ben on the Skubal trade
Link to Andy M. on the Brewers and Skubal
Link to Brewers “we tried” article 1
Link to Brewers “we tried” article 2
Link to Hogg post
Link to Roberts quote
Link to Skubal quote
Link to Dodgers super-rotation post
Link to SP RoS projections
Link to SP depth charts
Link to Trueblood on the Brewers
Link to mlb.com trade tracker
Link to FG trade post round-up
Link to FG winners/losers post
Link to Ben on Spider-Man
Link to Baumann’s Rockies headline
Link to Wade/Ward wiki
Link to Brebbia news
Link to Harper OF move
Link to May monthly award winners
Link to Toboni comments
Link to Elias comments
Link to ZiPS deadline breakdown
Link to Kostka tweet
Link to FG farm rankings
Link to “subtle” oblique strain
Link to Lombard call-up
Link to Lombard dinger
Link to white flag trade
Link to Law on Mayer
Link to Partners INW
Link to wildfire response fund
Link to fire relief fund
Link to Red Cross donation site
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley break down the Dodgers’ trade for Tarik Skubal from multiple angles: the Tigers’ return, expectations for Skubal and the Dodgers, why other teams let the trade happen, and the significance for the sport. Then they discuss a smattering of other moves (including deals for Freddy Peralta and Luis Castillo) before closing banter about a shampoo disclosure in the Baltimore booth.
Audio intro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Ben on the Skubal trade
Link to Other Ben on the Skubal trade
Link to Longenhagen on the Skubal trade
Link to Sheehan on the Skubal trade
Link to Paine on the Skubal trade
Link to Dodgers discourse article
Link to Friedman quote
Link to FG’s pre-deadline top 100
Link to SP RoS projections
Link to Baumann on the Brewers/Rays
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to San Andreas meme
Link to payroll/winning correlation
Link to more on payroll/winning correlation
Link to Rosenthal column
Link to Dodgers playoff improvement
Link to BP on competitive balance
Link to Sheehan on rentals
Link to Clemens on rentals
Link to Paine on deadline impact
Link to Cooper on prospect trades
Link to FG farm rankings
Link to FG on the Peralta trade
Link to MLBTR on the Castillo trade
Link to FG on the Twins trade
Link to FG on the Brewers/Guardians trade
Link to FG on the Atlanta/KC trade
Link to MLBTR on the Doval trade
Link to Paine on everybody being a buyer
Link to “C’mon, do something” meme
Link to Queens vs. Heights gamer
Link to The West Wing scene
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Ben Lindbergh brings on baseball-loving comic-book experts David Harper (of SKTCHD and Off Panel: A Comics Interview Podcast) and Tiffany Babb (of The Comics Courier, The Comics Staple, The Fan Files, and Interesting Jobs the Podcast) to assemble superpowered baseball teams. First they banter about Harrison Bader’s scooter troubles and David’s and Tiffany’s baseball/comic-book backgrounds, trade-deadline desires, and favorite baseball/comics crossovers. Then (37:20) they take turns filling out rosters from the ranks of Marvel/DC superheroes.
Audio intro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Bader article 1
Link to Bader article 2
Link to Bader article 3
Link to another Bader report
Link to 2014 Bader incident
Link to Bumgarner story
Link to Kent injury story 1
Link to Kent injury story 2
Link to Giants vehicular injuries
Link to Bader suspension article
Link to MLBTR on Bader’s suspension
Link to Shanahan injury article
Link to Midnight Sun Game
Link to Midnight Sons wiki
Link to Brand New Day box office
Link to The Death of Superman wiki
Link to Goldman on power levels
Link to Granillo on baseball and supes 1
Link to Granillo on baseball and supes 2
Link to Granillo on baseball and supes 3
Link to superhero strength scale wiki
Link to Peanuts podcast episode
Link to Joe Shlabotnik wiki
Link to Peanuts baseball analysis
Link to FG on the Angels/Rangers trade
Link to MLBTR on the Minter trade
Link to West Coast Avengers Annual #2
Link to Bullseye bio
Link to David’s Eisner acceptance speech
Link to Eisner Awards wiki
Link to SKTCHD
Link to Off Panel
Link to SKTCHD draft post
Link to SKTCHD HoF post
Link to SKTCHD Avengers post
Link to Tiffany’s website
Link to The Comics Courier
Link to The Comics Staple
Link to Interesting Jobs the Podcast
Link to The Fan Files
Link to The Fan Files Insta videos
Link to The Fan Files TikTok videos
Link to SI on baseball and superheroes 1
Link to SI on baseball and superheroes 2
Link to Clemens home run video
Link to Clemens home run article
Link to Clemens fun facts thread
Link to ultimate grand slam wiki
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the end of Ben’s jury duty and Meg’s first colonoscopy, then discuss an investigation into Dodgers owner Mark Walter’s finances, Roki Sasaki’s big glove, Munetaka Murakami’s performance against good velocity, a squirrel sighting (and top prospect Max Clark’s arrival) in Detroit, baseball’s animal kingdom, who gets to claim Jimothy, the frustrating Mariners, Curtis Mead’s im-mead-iate injury, and pre-deadline unrest in Philly. Then (1:05:16) FanGraphs contributor Kiri Oler joins to preview the Women’s Pro Baseball League’s inaugural season and consider its prospects for long-term success.
Audio intro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to WSJ on Walter’s finances
Link to WSJ on Walter’s stroke
Link to Ben on the Dodgers in 2015
Link to WSJ on Sasaki
Link to June FG post on Sasaki
Link to Roki’s rolling WAR
Link to Roki’s four-seamer speed by start
Link to Murakami vs. velo article
Link to extended squirrel video
Link to MLB.com squirrel article
Link to BP squirrel article
Link to PAWS page
Link to animal appearances video
Link to MLB.com on Clark’s call-up
Link to BP on Clark’s call-up
Link to baseball exceptionalism wiki
Link to Jimothy wiki
Link to M’s Jimothy promotion
Link to Trash Pandas’ Jimothy promotion
Link to food guarding info
Link to Mead injury article
Link to Mead recovery report
Link to BP IL Triage tool
Link to Gelb on the Phillies
Link to Paine on the Phillies
Link to WPBL wiki
Link to Kiri on the WPBL teams
Link to Kiri on WPBL managers
Link to Kiri’s 2025 pod appearance
Link to Kiri on other women’s leagues
Link to WPBL team pages
Link to AP on the WPBL
Link to ESPN’s WPBL press release
Link to 2025 WPBL announcement
Link to Women’s Baseball World Cup article
Link to Ben on the OWL
Link to A League of Their Own scene
Link to Roki game story
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s daughter’s first MLB game, and Ben briefly interviews the four-year-old Sloan about her spectator experience. Then they discuss the MVP races (with an emphasis on Pete Crow-Armstrong’s status as the NL frontrunner over Shohei Ohtani), the Nationals and Red Sox swapping Curtis Mead and Connelly Early, a Kerry Wood trick pitch, John Kruk’s Sunday Night Baseball attire, teams’ tendency to covet Tarik Skubal vs. their reluctance to trade top prospects for rental players, and the biggest pre-deadline positional strengths for non-contenders and positional weaknesses for contenders.
Audio intro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Dodgers vs. Mets game
Link to “if baseball were different” wiki
Link to Goodnight Baseball
Link to Decoy Saves Opening Day
Link to Moana box office
Link to Maui’s nipples article 1
Link to Maui’s nipples article 2
Link to Disney nipples history
Link to Mario nipples article
Link to FG WAR leaderboard
Link to B-Ref WAR leaderboard
Link to Roberts on MVP Ohtani
Link to Ohtani pen session news
Link to top baserunners
Link to Paine on PCA
Link to Witt injury article
Link to MLBTR on the Nats-Sox trade
Link to FG on the Nats-Sox trade
Link to Red Sox HR leaders
Link to Breslow quote
Link to Friedman quote
Link to winner’s curse wiki
Link to team SP projections
Link to Mead injury article
Link to Wood Reddit post
Link to Wood tweet
Link to “what kind of move” tweet
Link to Meg’s Kruk post
Link to article on Kruk broadcast
Link to Sheehan on rentals
Link to Cooper on traded prospects
Link to Paine on deadline deals
Link to Dan S. on deadline importance
Link to irresistible force paradox
Link to Juggernaut meme
Link to replacement-level killers series
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to projected positional WAR
Link to Ben’s color-coded spreadsheet
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a Donald Trump claim about Shohei Ohtani, José Caballero’s battle with MLB about his pre-pitch routine, Yandy Díaz spurning ABS, James Wood’s impressive results with a seemingly suboptimal approach, whether the Nats would be better off if they hadn’t traded pitching prior to the season, David Rubenstein’s Orioles optimism, and Corbin Carroll’s triples pace. Then (1:04:45) they talk to EW listener Jacob Redmon, who found himself at the center of a viral video this week when he was slapped by a man who objected to his staying seated during the National Anthem, about how the incident developed, what the video didn’t show, and what he took from the experience. Finally (1:57:33), Ben talks to Kenny Lofton about his exclusion from the Hall of Fame, his Cooperstown-caliber career, and his outlook for induction.
Audio intro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Trump on Ohtani
Link to Trump on Kershaw
Link to White House visit recap
Link to EW on Trump’s baseball career
Link to Caballero video 1
Link to Caballero video 2
Link to Caballero video 3
Link to Caballero comments
Link to Caballero article 1
Link to Caballero article 2
Link to Caballero article 3
Link to Caballero article 4
Link to Caballero article 5
Link to Caballero article 6
Link to “violation” comment
Link to CloseCallSports video 1
Link to CloseCallSports video 2
Link to Stanky draft episode
Link to Crizer on Yandy
Link to Yandy article 1
Link to Santana article
Link to MLBTR on Santana
Link to Yandy article 2
Link to batting team challenges
Link to Sam on bad challenges
Link to BP piece on Wood
Link to EW on Wood in 2025
Link to Nats WAR leaders
Link to team hitting WAR
Link to team pitching WAR
Link to Rubenstein quote
Link to Rubenstein quote thread
Link to Carroll triples fact
Link to triples park factor
Link to “55 burgers” ITYSL sketch
Link to National Anthem
Link to slap video
Link to Lucy Dacus tweet
Link to Lucy Dacus shirt
Link to Wednesday concert
Link to Chavez video
Link to Cubs statement
Link to EW Episode 2189
Link to 2022 Hoerner homer
Link to “third place” wiki
Link to Ben on the Hall of Fame
Link to Lofton highlights video
Link to Lofton playoffs video
Link to CF JAWS leaders
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s ongoing jury service and meet major leaguers Zac Thornton and Tyron Guerrero, who used to be—but also never really were?—named Zach Thornton and Tayron Guerrero, respectively. Then (35:29) they attempt to diagnose Cal Raleigh’s offensive ills, check in on Patrick Bailey’s bat, examine how the Red Sox and Phillies wound up where they were supposed to be by a very roundabout route, assess the state of trade-deadline speculation, and consider where they would want a few top trade candidates to go.
Audio intro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Meet a Major Leaguer wiki
Link to semantic satiation wiki
Link to Newsday on Thornton
Link to Thornton’s Grand Canyon page
Link to Guerrero call-up article
Link to Cotillo’s Guerrero tweet
Link to Guerrero name pronunciation
Link to Guerrero wiki
Link to MLBTR on Guerrero
Link to The Land Before Time characters
Link to Soroka name tweet
Link to Britton name article
Link to Varland name article
Link to Lovelady name article
Link to Stanton name decision
Link to Carmona/Hernández name change
Link to Jerry Gergich wiki
Link to Raleigh batted-ball profile
Link to Sam’s Raleigh posts
Link to Raleigh’s 2025 splits
Link to Raleigh’s 2026 splits
Link to original Bailey discussion
Link to profane, offensive Ferguson
Link to hitting after IBB article 1
Link to hitting after IBB article 2
Link to hitting after IBB article 3
Link to preseason playoff odds
Link to updated playoff odds
Link to Breslow on the deadline
Link to Crizer on the Red Sox
Link to Slaten quote
Link to Dan S. on managerial firings
Link to BaseRuns standings
Link to team batting WAR
Link to team pitching WAR
Link to team 2B WAR
Link to The Athletic trade candidates
Link to ESPN trade candidates
Link to MLBTR on Arraez
Link to Goodman rumor
Link to MLBTR on the Goodman rumor
Link to MLBTR on the Angels’ deadline
Link to JKG injury article
Link to Crotchfelt signing
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s jury duty and his reaction to Meg and Craig’s pillow talk on the preceding episode. Then they discuss why All-Star Game pitching is overpowering, whether the Home Run Derby balls were juiced (and whether it matters), another earliest-ever Opening Day, MLB’s crackdown on teams’ boundary-pushing use of dugout iPads, Shohei Ohtani’s pitching pause, MLB app complaints, extensions for Chase Burns and Kyle Bradish, Luis Arraez as a prize of the trade deadline, and the funniest tech startups the Dodgers have seeded.
Audio intro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to EW Episode 2506
Link to Kepner on the ASG
Link to 2018 ASG box score
Link to Heyman on Harper
Link to Insta post with Harper quote
Link to MLB HRD notes
Link to longest Harper homers
Link to longest Caminero homers
Link to longest Contreras homers
Link to exit speed responsibility
Link to 2024 NBA ASG wiki
Link to 2026 NBA ASG wiki
Link to top-selling jerseys
Link to Sheehan on the lack of stars
Link to Paine on ASG philosophies
Link to 2027 MLB schedule
Link to EW season preview series wiki
Link to World Cup expansion
Link to March Madness expansion
Link to Ohtani news
Link to ulnar nerve entrapment
Link to MLB app betting odds
Link to latest FG app updates
Link to The Athletic iPads report
Link to Ben on front office encroachment
Link to Ottavino clip
Link to Dubuque on Burns
Link to Bradish on Burns
Link to MLBTR on Burns
Link to Trent’s tweet about Burns
Link to Burns pitch usage
Link to MLB pitching WAR leaders
Link to MLBTR on Bradish
Link to sweepstakes wiki
Link to sweeps week wiki
Link to MLBTR on Arraez
Link to Andrews on Arraez
Link to BZZR article 1
Link to BZZR article 2
Link to BZZR article 3
Link to BZZR article 4
Link to FOIAball post
Link to 2015 Dodgers investment news
Link to 2016 Dodgers investment news
Link to 2018 Dodgers investment news
Link to R/GA companies page
Link to Global Sports Venture Studio
Link to Elysian Park companies page
Link to 2023 Elysian Park article
Link to Elysian Park wiki
Link to Elysian Fields wiki
Link to Gilbert/Creighton interview
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With Ben Lindbergh serving jury duty, Meg Rowley is joined by Baseball Prospectus editor-in-chief Craig Goldstein. The pair discuss the perils of hotel pillows and showers, then turn their attention to the 2026 All-Star Game, how the in-person experience compares to the TV one, and the challenges of making it a fun event relative to the Home Run Derby. Then Craig offers his thoughts on the CBA negotiations and Rob Manfred’s approach to communicating (38:58), before he and Meg discuss a few of the things they are looking forward to (and one thing they’re dreading) about the season’s second half, including the White Sox, good teams playing well, a potentially weird deadline, and Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Audio intro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to the Five and Dive episode where Craig discusses the Rays
Link to Craig on the weird deadline ahead
Link to Steven Goldman on the All-Star Game
Link to Jake Mintz on the All-Star Game Sandlot tribute
Link to Jayson Stark on the AL’s All-Star pitching dominance
Link to Andy McCullough on the All-Star Game
Link to Michael Baumann on Philly as the haters’ All-Star Game
Link to Katie Woo on Jordan Walker
Link to Ben Clemens on Dillion Dingler
Link to Davy Andrews on Pete Crow-Armstrong
Link to Ryan Blake on Lance McCullers Jr. Trade
Link to Dan Szymborski on an AL team with a losing record making the postseason
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about all aspects of the Home Run Derby spectator experience, both in the ballpark and from afar: the new format, the Netflix broadcast, the Philly fans, Jordan Walker’s win, and more. Then (49:12) they discuss how All-Star selections increasingly reflect same-season performance, Bruce Meyer’s and Rob Manfred’s comments to the BBWAA, negotiations over MLB players’ participation in the 2028 Olympics, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Ceddanne Rafaela’s mutual lovefest, and the ice-cold A’s and red-hot Red Sox.
Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2”
Audio outro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to FG HRD recap
Link to LHB-heavy preview
Link to MLB HRD notes
Link to LHB park factors
Link to RHB park factors
Link to “Year of the LHH” post
Link to MLB.com on Walker
Link to list of youngest HRD winners
Link to Walker on inspirational value
Link to historical HRD results
Link to McGwire Simpsons scene
Link to Marchand on Netflix
Link to Sam on the Derby’s future
Link to HRD X wiki
Link to Meg’s Arozarena photo
Link to Posnanski on the HRD
Link to Philly Drew/batteries incident
Link to Philly Santa Claus incident
Link to Paine on All-Star selections
Link to past EW discussion on selections
Link to Manfred competitive balance quote
Link to Meyer on MLB.TV ads
Link to Meyer/Manfred messaging summary
Link to Passan on the Olympics
Link to Drellich on the Olympics
Link to The West Wing quote
Link to Rafaela/PCA article
Link to FG WAR leaderboard
Link to playoff odds changes
Link to A’s firing article
Link to team road FIP
Link to team home FIP
Link to team batting WAR
Link to Sheehan on the Sox
Link to conn wiki
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MLB Draft 2026 * What Do Real Prospects Think About MLB’s Draft Proposal? * 2026 Mock Draft 1.0 * The Biggest (Literally) Draft Class Yet * Jackson Flora's Evolution, Alain Gomez-Gudino's Incredible Journey, and Other Tales from the 2026 Draft Class * 2026 MLB Draft Preview and Updated Rankings * Day 1 Draft Chat * 2026 Mock Draft 2.0: The Day Of * The MLB Draft Is Once Again for Diehards Only * Day 1 Recap * 2026 Futures Game Recap: More Next Year, Please * Effectively Wild Episode 2504: I Choo-Choo-Choose You Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen banter about Zack Wheeler declining MLB’s last-minute All-Star invitation, JJ Wetherholt’s long-term contract extension, and how the Futures Game and amateur draft fell flat as spectator events, then discuss the top tier of draft picks, some surprising picks and revamped approaches by teams under new management, why better data hasn’t made teams much better at drafting, why no team has tried blowing by its bonus allotment, and more, plus closing banter about Bryce Harper’s explanation of his video message for a sports-betting addict.
Audio intro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: PJ Harding, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to The Simpsons clip
Link to Wheeler article
Link to MLBTR on Wetherholt
Link to Wetherholt’s draft outfit
Link to Baumann on the spectator experience
Link to Cooper on the spectator experience
Link to Manfred mispronunciation article
Link to celebrity golf tournament
Link to Futures Game FAQ
Link to draft viewing FAQ
Link to Brendan on the Futures Game
Link to Eric’s draft preview
Link to The Board
Link to Baumann on big draftees
Link to MLB draft tracker
Link to FG Day 1 draft recap
Link to The Athletic on Schaffner
Link to Crotchfelt vs. Titsworth post
Link to Angels picks
Link to Ball’s draft study
Link to Seidler on blowing up the draft
Link to Ball on blowing up the draft
Link to NBA revenue info
Link to Madisynn from She-Hulk
Link to Clemens on prospect valuation 1
Link to Clemens on prospect valuation 2
Link to camel case wiki
Link to Harper’s Instagram post
Link to EW guest appearances
Link to Dodgers extra-inning game
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley share listener solutions to the mystery of why the 12-straight-hits club is such an undistinguished group, the Home Run Derby field, Bryce Harper’s video message (13:28) to a sports-betting addict and sportsbooks’ practice of preying on whales, the disparity (35:54) in the recent treatment of two pitchers who had no-hitters in progress, and Zack Wheeler’s gripe against All-Star selecting, then (1:02:42) answer a listener email about how much a game one has to have seen to claim to have “watched” it, and Stat Blast (1:23:20) about partial home run robberies, games with matching starter pitch and strike counts, historical team no-hitter conversion rates, and prolific “first” strikeout and home-run recorders.
Audio intro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Tolbert record post 1
Link to Tolbert record post 2
Link to Williams 11th hit
Link to Pedroia 11th hit
Link to HRD field
Link to Norway rowing pedant
Link to Inquirer article on Harper
Link to Post article on Harper
Link to lawsuit article
Link to Giannis/Kalshi article
Link to gambling damage research 1
Link to gambling damage research 2
Link to addiction story 1
Link to addiction story 2
Link to addiction story 3
Link to addiction story 4
Link to addiction story 5
Link to story on Jones 1
Link to story on Jones 2
Link to Jones game log
Link to questions about Jones
Link to Jones Q&A
Link to Cease story
Link to BP on Cease
Link to top 2026 pitch counts
Link to Blum on pulling pitchers
Link to Scott/PCA clip
Link to Ben on no-hitter strike zones
Link to Wheeler quote clip
Link to Wheeler’s agent article
Link to latest Luzardo start
Link to 2025 Phillies ASG complaints
Link to “May I meet you?” meme
Link to Pascal’s wager wiki
Link to “Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?”
Link to Simpson/Adell robbery
Link to Glavine game 1
Link to Glavine game 2
Link to Nola question
Link to Bois on Stieb
Link to Stat Blast data
Link to listener emails database
Link to Cubs fact 1
Link to Cubs fact 2
Link to MLBTR on Ohtani
Link to MLBTR on Wetherholt
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about failed former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt’s subsequent sports ownership endeavors, a claim about Jacob Misiorowski’s pitching improvement, Jackson Chourio (batting lefty) as “a baseball player,” the recent struggles of Paul Skenes and Steven Kwan, Justin Verlander’s retirement, Zack Wheeler’s continued dominance, Andrew McCutchen’s return to the minors, the Orioles’ lack of improvement, the epitome of a Little League home run, Tyler Tolbert’s contribution to one of baseball’s great mysteries, and a 2026 Dodgers first.
Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to McCourt’s new league
Link to McCourt wiki
Link to show jumping wiki
Link to Vladimir Shpunt article
Link to NPR on Fitzgerald’s quote
Link to Nickelodeon Guts wiki
Link to “Let’s go to Mo”
Link to “Aggro Crag piece
Link to Slippery Stairs video
Link to Murphy/Chourio quote
Link to Rendon lefty dinger
Link to Mr. Baseball wiki
Link to Mr. Baseball scene
Link to FG post on Skenes
Link to Sheehan on Skenes
Link to Skenes mechanics post
Link to Skenes velo tweet
Link to Skenes velo data
Link to Skenes on his velo
Link to Skenes on O’Hearn
Link to O’Hearn article
Link to Skenes hot dog ad
Link to Skenes on EW
Link to Griffin injury article
Link to sagittal band info
Link to FG post on Kwan
Link to Verlander’s retirement post
Link to Verlander Legend pick
Link to 2025 ASG box score
Link to Wheeler leaderboard
Link to Wheeler ASG article 1
Link to Wheeler ASG article 2
Link to McCutchen tweet
Link to Orioles record post
Link to Orioles WAR leaders
Link to “great call from the haters”
Link to LLHR article
Link to LLHR video
Link to Sam on the LLHR
Link to Posnanski on the LLHR
Link to BP on the LLHR
Link to FG post on the LLHR
Link to Tolbert record post 1
Link to Tolbert record post 2
Link to Dodgers extra-inning game
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about two significant MLB debuts on NBC’s “Star-Spangled Sunday” (by Eddy Yean and Eliezer Alfonzo), the fallout from the Marlins pulling Eury Pérez mid-perfecto, a rare fog delay, the All-Star Game rosters (featuring a very normal number of Blue Jays, and also Rob Manfred’s good buddy Bryce Harper), whether the league set a target home-run rate (and whether that would be a bad thing), and the rotation durability of the Cards and Guards.
Audio intro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: PJ Harding, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to “Star-Spangled Sunday” explainer
Link to minor league draft scoreboard
Link to Yean’s cart clip
Link to Yean debut article
Link to bullpen cart driver episode
Link to team RP WAR
Link to Alfonzo article 1
Link to Alfonzo article 2
Link to Contreras apology
Link to B-Ref’s new debuts
Link to Pérez article
Link to Sheehan on pulling Pérez
Link to Ben on Marlins play-by-play
Link to 2016 Hill article
Link to 2022 Kershaw article
Link to 2022 Scherzer article
Link to Stripling on his debut
Link to Bachar’s Instagram
Link to fog game article 1
Link to fog game article 2
Link to BP on the fog game
Link to foggy ABS clip
Link to Fog Bowl wiki
Link to Statcast Hawk-Eye explainer
Link to All-Star rosters announcement
Link to Vladito back injury info
Link to Harper All-Star story
Link to 2025 Harper/Manfred story
Link to recent episode on baseball behavior
Link to MLB statement
Link to Baseball Savant drag dashboard
Link to 2026 Athletic ball article
Link to 2025 Athletic ball article
Link to 2022 ball article 1
Link to 2022 ball article 2
Link to 2022 humidor article
Link to 2021 ball-deadening article
Link to eyeblack ball report
Link to NPB ball scandal article
Link to NPB ball scandal outcome
Link to Strange-Gordon farming info
Link to NBA deflation scandals
Link to Sheehan on the Cards/Guards
Link to BP IL Ledger
Link to SP used per team
Link to team SP FB velo
Link to team SP WAR
Link to Pitcher List on Guardians SP stuff
Link to Thress Pérez/Bachar post
Link to RE24 explainer
Link to SP/RP RE24 data
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In the fifth incarnation of a time-honored tradition that recurs every 500-ish episodes, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley are joined by ex-co-host Sam Miller and The Athletic’s Grant Brisbee to draft assorted things that they like about baseball.
Audio intro: Sam Miller, “Effectively Wild Theme (Ken Maeda’s Nice ‘n’ Easy Remix)”
Audio outro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to EW wiki page for things drafts
Link to Episode 500 wiki
Link to Episode 996 wiki
Link to Episode 1500 wiki
Link to Episode 2000 wiki
Link to U.S. semiquincentennial wiki
Link to Pebble Hunting
Link to Grant at The Athletic
Link to Ben on pre-WAR value estimates
Link to spaghetti policy research
Link to article on spaghetti research
Link to Devil Rays food policy article
Link to The Roundtable cancellation
Link to O’Neil on bat cracks clip
Link to O’Neil on Bo article 1
Link to O’Neil on Bo article 2
Link to Tracy quote about Harris
Link to Kershaw on McKinstry
Link to Tito Translator post
Link to Murphy on Vargas
Link to Space Jam sound clip
Link to Space Jam video clip
Link to Space Jam quote 2
Link to Space Jam clip 2
Link to Franzke on Stott
Link to Martinez comment
Link to Schneider on Lukes
Link to Kemp quote 1
Link to Kemp quote 2
Link to Baldelli on Vázquez
Link to Cora on Mayer
Link to Roberts on DeLuca
Link to Maddon on Fletcher
Link to Campbell on Andrews
Link to Snitker on Acuña Jr.
Link to Roberts on Betts
Link to Stark on Rollins
Link to supposed Tabler quote
Link to Malone on Counsell
Link to Sandberg quote
Link to Royko on Sandberg
Link to Royko on Kruk
Link to Royko wiki
Link to Kruk and Koch
Link to 1978 Willoughby article
Link to Tomlinson Father’s Day bit
Link to Can’t Hardly Wait scene
Link to Everybody Wants Some!! clip
Link to Sam on sound outside ballpark
Link to Sam on K-strutting
Link to Sam on Brewers challenging
Link to Leeroy Jenkins wiki
Link to The Athletic on Ruiz
Link to best-hitting catchers
Link to 2015 Cozart article
Link to 2015 FG post on Cozart
Link to 2016 FG post on Cozart
Link to 2017 Cozart article
Link to 2017 FG post on Cozart
Link to The Athletic on Cozart
Link to Wong/Chapman story
Link to Sam on “drawing interest”
Link to Sam on SP strike rates
Link to Bill James strike zone quote
Link to Cansecos switcheroo story
Link to Cansecos switcheroo conspiracy
Link to Jolly article
Link to Ben on Twins.com
Link to MLB trademark application
Link to Niekro-on-Niekro homer
Link to Perry home run story
Link to Gameday 3D explainer
Link to previous Gameday 3D banter
Link to Defector on Gameday 3D glitches
Link to other glitch 1
Link to other glitch 2
Link to other glitch 3
Link to other glitch 4
Link to other glitch 5
Link to other glitch 6
Link to other glitch 7
Link to other glitch 8
Link to other glitch 9
Link to Grubb on Gameday glitches
Link to deleted Gameday 3D post
Link to possible source of deleted clip
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about tough times for a few EW favorites and Ben’s pre-podcast injury, then (15:00) discuss the response to Cade Cavalli telling Willson Contreras to “Sit down, boy.” After that (38:10), they cover the MLBPA’s proposals to limit certain types of transactions, a continued tightening of the leashes on starting pitchers, Paul Skenes’s recent struggles, the unlikely win-loss records of Tanner Bibee and Aaron Ashby (and an embarrassing Cooper Ingle error), Dansby Swanson and Pete Crow-Armstrong hot streaks and PCA’s newfound patience, recent swoons by the Braves and Yankees and surges by the Marlins and Rangers, what the Red Sox and Tigers should do at the deadline, and more.
Audio intro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Sean .P, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLBTR on Brebbia
Link to MLBTR on Rooker
Link to Rooker/Pasquantino pod
Link to MLBTR on Lin
Link to MLBTR on Lasko
Link to Brussels sprouts episode
Link to Venezuela earthquakes story
Link to MLB/MLBPA Venezuela donation
Link to Cavalli/Contreras video
Link to story on first Contreras ejection
Link to ump’s ejection explanation
Link to story about Contreras/Cavalli incident
Link to Cavalli apology
Link to Toboni comments
Link to Bixby census data
Link to The Athletic on Cavalli
Link to punishments for players
Link to MLBTR on the suspensions
Link to Contreras Instagram comment
Link to Contreras Instagram report
Link to The Athletic on player proposals
Link to MLBTR on player proposals
Link to Ben on pitcher roster restrictions
Link to BP on rampant DFAing
Link to BP on rampant optioning
Link to MLBPA prop-bet proposal
Link to Crizer on Skenes, etc.
Link to Skenes Big Glizzy ad
Link to McClanahan game
Link to Sam on starter usage
Link to Snell no-hitter
Link to familiarity vs. fatigue research
Link to Ingle error
Link to MLB wins leaders
Link to Ashby quotes
Link to RP IP leaders
Link to RP leverage leaders
Link to 23-3 game
Link to Littleton save
Link to Corbin save tweet
Link to PCA fun fact
Link to Swanson fun fact 1
Link to Swanson fun fact 2
Link to fun-fact-finding interview
Link to Woodrum on PCA
Link to NL East playoff odds graph
Link to Defector on the Marlins
Link to Sheehan on the Rangers
Link to Jay on bad defenses
Link to Temecula incident
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the firing of Perry Minasian and the Angels’ outlook under John Mozeliak, Molly Jolly, and Arte Moreno, how MLB is using official channels to publicly promote its position in labor bargaining, whether the Mets’ disappointing season will influence other teams’ approaches to roster construction, the popularity (or lack thereof) of Josh Naylor, Jacob Misiorowski and the imprecise nature of pitch-speed records, and the delightful debut of the Diamondbacks’ Mitch Bratt, plus a postscript about MLB’s ball-drag statement.
Audio intro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Blum on Minasian
Link to Blum on Minasian 2
Link to Dubuque on Minasian
Link to Rosenthal on Mozeliak
Link to Nightengale’s Angels report
Link to Jolly article
Link to MLB labor videos
Link to MLB Instagram labor post
Link to Ozempic ad 1
Link to Ozempic ad 2
Link to MLB.com column 1
Link to MLB.com column 2
Link to Baumann on draft prospect opinions
Link to bully pulpit wiki
Link to 2026 Mets clubhouse story
Link to 2025 Mets clubhouse story
Link to 2023 Mets clubhouse story
Link to Stearns clip
Link to Meisel on Naylor
Link to Hedges clip
Link to Garrett comment
Link to Naylor on Pawol
Link to Miz 105.5 mph story
Link to Miz postgame comment
Link to Miz postgame clip
Link to 105+ MPH pitches
Link to 107+ perceived MPH pitches
Link to Pitch Info website
Link to Chapman max MPH at BB
Link to Hicks max MPH at BB
Link to Joyce max MPH at BB
Link to Miz max MPH at BB
Link to PITCHf/x calibration article 1
Link to PITCHf/x calibration article 2
Link to PITCHf/x calibration article 3
Link to PITCHf/x calibration article 4
Link to PITCHf/x calibration article 5
Link to Bratt delivery 1
Link to Bratt delivery 2
Link to Bratt last year
Link to Walden/Capps story
Link to Seinfeld clip
Link to Bratt extension rank
Link to “fall on my ass” tweet
Link to Savant drag dashboard
Link to MLB statement to Ben
Link to Acuña comparing balls
Link to MLB trademark application
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Ben Lindbergh and Ben Clemens banter about some suspicious variability in the ball’s behavior and whether the low-drag, high-home-run-rate times of the late 2010s have returned, Carlos Mendoza’s “departure” from the Mets, the Blue Jays’ dominance of “Phase 1” of All-Star voting, the hitters and pitchers who have most overperformed and underperformed their projections through the halfway point of the regular season, forsaking single-team fandom, platoon god Paul Goldschmidt, Dalton Rushing’s clash with Shohei Ohtani, the Pope’s audience with A.J. Pierzynski, MLB’s economic proposals, and more, plus Stat Blasts about an unusual homestand and the Nationals’ latest, not-so-greatest bullpen blowup(s).
Audio intro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLFAD scoreboard
Link to bouncing ball wiki
Link to Savant drag dashboard
Link to ball carry analysis
Link to Nathan post 1
Link to Nathan post 2
Link to Nathan post 3
Link to Nathan post 4
Link to March/April scoring
Link to May scoring
Link to story about May offense
Link to June scoring
Link to MLB/Rawlings story
Link to scoring/attendance research 1
Link to scoring/attendance research 2
Link to scoring/attendance research 3
Link to scoring/attendance research 4
Link to Mets announcement tweet
Link to Mets announcement post
Link to MLBTR on Mendoza
Link to MLBTR on Green
Link to Rosenthal on Mendoza/Stearns
Link to Ben L. on team turnover
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to Phase 1 ASG voting results
Link to Sogard contest post
Link to FG combined WAR leaderboard
Link to 2025 trade value series
Link to Dan S. on batter ZiPS movers
Link to Dan S. on pitcher ZiPS movers
Link to batter preseason projections
Link to batter pace leaders
Link to batter paces vs. projections
Link to pitcher preseason projections
Link to pitcher pace leaders
Link to pitcher paces vs. projections
Link to MLBTR on Ragans
Link to Cashman on running back the roster
Link to Goldschmidt tOPS+ query
Link to Goldschmidt sOPS+ query
Link to 1B JAWS leaders
Link to Petriello on Goldschmidt
Link to Other Ben’s VEB archive
Link to Jensen HR off of Kimbrel
Link to Rushing/Ohtani video
Link to Rushing quotes
Link to Rushing postgame video
Link to Ohtani postgame video
Link to Roberts postgame video
Link to contested challenge clip
Link to dugout conferences clip
Link to mound conference clip
Link to costly missed catch
Link to Rushing bench reaction
Link to Ohtani’s Smith/Rushing splits
Link to Rosenthal on Pope/Pierzynski
Link to Papal infallibility wiki
Link to MLB proposals article
Link to MLB proposals tweet
Link to MLBPA response
Link to article on player aging
Link to aging curve research 1
Link to aging curve research 2
Link to late homestands spreadsheet
Link to BP on the Phillies comebacks
Link to Langs on the Phillies comebacks
Link to 2026 team RP WAR
Link to worst-ever team RP WAR
Link to Phillies comeback gamer
Link to last-strike-comebacks data
Link to non-Einstein quote investigation
Link to The Athletic on the Nats’ pen
Link to The Athletic on the Nats’ pen again
Link to Rockies comeback gamer
Link to Other Ben on inherited runners
Link to Stat Blast on inherited runners
Link to listener emails database
Link to SCG Con
Link to MLBTR on Minasian/Mozeliak
Link to Miz 105.5 mph story
Link to fastest tracked pitches
Link to Miz postgame comment
Link to Miz postgame clip
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the rise and fall of Ildemaro Vargas, the Mets’ and Cubs’ David Peterson swap, Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s refusal to wear a cup, the Giants’ response to Pride Night fallout, and the owners’ CBA strategy. Then (56:41) Ben brings back John Brebbia to discuss the Rockies reliever’s return to the majors, how he’s handling the journeyman phase of his career, when to opt out of a contract, Colorado’s player-dev improvements, Triple-A attitudes, how the minors have changed, the greatest major league luxury, dugout pitch-calling, challenging, his entrance song, how he and other players are following the labor talks, and more.
Audio intro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: The Spaghettis, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)”
Link to Lennon song
Link to MLFAD
Link to “Train Daddy” article
Link to “Railroad Daddy” article
Link to Brebbia’s first appearance
Link to Vargas hot streak
Link to Vargas cold streak
Link to Voros’s Law
Link to gambler’s fallacy
Link to Vargas collision
Link to Flowers for Algernon adaptations
Link to Charly
Link to TV movie
Link to Awakenings
Link to “Snakes alive” slogan
Link to Nora Morse wiki
Link to FG post on the Cubs
Link to MLBTR on Peterson
Link to Gary Cohen quote
Link to Mets’ six errors
Link to Chisholm clip
Link to Chisholm story
Link to Mariners testicle injury thread
Link to Haniger story
Link to risk compensation wiki
Link to catcher helmets interview
Link to lollipop story
Link to Davitt interview
Link to Posey clip
Link to SF Chronicle on the Giants
Link to The Athletic on the Giants
Link to KNBR interview story
Link to Devers apology story
Link to Vitello’s The Town reference
Link to Manfred letter
Link to The Athletic on MLB’s proposals
Link to MLBTR on MLB’s proposals
Link to Play Sun Smart initiative
Link to Rockies team attitude story
Link to Senzatela pitch mix
Link to Bull Durham scene
Link to Collins quote
Link to dugout pitch-calling story
Link to dugout pitch-calling story 2
Link to Ben on dugout pitch-calling
Link to Wham! song
Link to story about Brebbia’s song
Link to Zoolander scene
Link to Meyer quote
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Joey Meneses and John Brebbia being back in the big leagues, Mike Trout’s hamstring strain, Dillon Dingler’s dominance, a Blue Jays All-Star voting update, the latest Home Run Derby format change, MLB’s radical amateur drafts proposal, the DOJ’s MLB investigation and the York Revolution’s Pride event, Rafael Devers vs. Tony Vitello, and the struggle-bus swan songs of Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, plus (1:40:06) a postscript.
Audio intro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Garrett Krohn, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLB.com on Meneses
Link to MLBTR on Meneses
Link to MLBTR on Brebbia
Link to Ben on Meneses
Link to Brebbia on EW
Link to “Cecilia”
Link to MLB.com on Trout
Link to latest All-Star tallies
Link to AL “as 2B” leaders
Link to “primary 2B” leaders
Link to team OF rankings
Link to AL WAR leaders
Link to FG framing leaders
Link to Savant framing leaders
Link to on-pace leaders
Link to catcher batting leaders
Link to Derby report
Link to Derby format wiki
Link to The Athletic on MLB’s proposal
Link to ESPN on MLB’s proposal
Link to Cohen tweet
Link to BA on MLB’s proposal
Link to Dan S. on MLB’s proposal
Link to DOJ investigation story
Link to DOJ investigation story 2
Link to player reaction to investigation
Link to York Revolution statement
Link to York Revolution news story
Link to York Revolution wiki
Link to York Revolution news segment
Link to Teter clip
Link to story on Treinen
Link to Manfred letter
Link to York County voting results
Link to York County voting story
Link to Devers/Vitello interaction
Link to Devers/Vitello story 1
Link to Devers/Vitello story 2
Link to MLB.com on Scherzer
Link to Verlander quotes
Link to Verlander’s 25 things
Link to Upton story
Link to Verlander’s pitching splits
Link to Fleisig paper
Link to “tree of liberty” quote
Link to “rigor mortis” quote
Link to Worthington obit
Link to Episode 1505
Link to Shreiber obit
Link to Draft No. 4
Link to One Writer’s Beginnings
Link to Red McDermott at B-Ref
Link to Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss the backlash to MLB’s initial statement about the Giants’ objectors to Pride Night, the league’s subsequent expanded statement, and the facts about the policies and punishments (or the lack thereof) pertaining to uniform alterations. Then (37:10) they banter about the Blue Jays’ ballot dominance in early All-Star voting, the history of teams being overrepresented on All-Star rosters, the Mariners’ piggyback pitching plan, and Curtis Washington Jr. as the ultimate phantom ballplayer, answer emails (1:19:28) about where the next two-way player might come from and whether Pete Crow-Armstrong’s defensive value is underrated, and Stat Blast (1:31:56) about where franchise scoring records tend to be set, the biggest run differentials in games with equivalent times on base, days when one team outscored many other teams combined, Boston’s lack of late comebacks, and teams whose win totals did or didn’t match their WAR totals.
Audio intro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to wisdom teeth etymology
Link to Domínguez tooth news
Link to Ohtani gamer
Link to MLB’s initial statement
Link to assorted bad tweets
Link to MLB’s second statement
Link to story about statements
Link to Hawley letter story
Link to story about backlash
Link to CBA
Link to Josh Hawley fleeing footage
Link to Noah Hawley wiki
Link to Vesia tribute story
Link to California Post story
Link to All-Star vote totals
Link to AL 2B WAR leaders
Link to Blue Jays voting story 1
Link to Blue Jays voting story 2
Link to Blue Jays WAR leaders
Link to team All-Star records
Link to 2015 Royals voting story
Link to 2015 Royals All-Stars
Link to 2026 YoY attendance
Link to 2015 YoY attendance
Link to 2023 Braves All-Stars story
Link to Mariners piggyback plan
Link to Ben on the ’93 A’s
Link to Washington call-up story 1
Link to Washington call-up story 2
Link to Washington call-up story 3
Link to Washington scouting report
Link to Washington demotion story
Link to Rob Mains on roster limits
Link to Ben on Padres Rule 5 guys
Link to phantom ballplayers wiki
Link to Ben on Ohtani’s origin story
Link to Las Vegas stats
Link to Rockies record score
Link to scoring differentials data
Link to 9/2/01 scoreboard
Link to ninth-inning scoring splits
Link to FG mailbag answer
Link to team WAR/wins data
Link to listener emails database
Link to HRD format report
Link to HRD format history
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Ben Lindbergh and The Ringer’s Van Lathan banter about Van’s love of baseball, his origin story as a fan, how he got back into the sport, MLB’s resurgence in popularity, advanced stats questions, why the percentage of Black players in MLB fell, how average sports fans perceive MLB’s labor battle, and much more (warning: language). Then (1:25:38) Ben talks to Thomas Gilbert, author of Death in the Strike Zone: The Mystery of America’s First Baseball Hero, about how Jim Creighton revolutionized pitching and reshaped the game, and how Gilbert investigated the many unknowns and misperceptions surrounding the right-hander’s life and death.
Audio intro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Van’s Ringer archive
Link to Van’s baseball outfit
Link to Van’s dad story
Link to Chico Escuela clip
Link to Ben on Dunn and Pierre
Link to B-Ref career WAR leaders
Link to wOBA glossary entry
Link to Field of Dreams scene
Link to Jeter’s dating history
Link to The Simpsons scene
Link to Death in the Strike Zone
Link to How Baseball Happened
Link to Creighton wiki
Link to Thorn on Creighton 1
Link to Thorn on Creighton 2
Link to EW on pesäpallo
Link to The Universal Baseball Association
Link to Defector on Coover’s book
Link to Ella Black series
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about baseball’s time to shine after the NBA/NHL seasons and a structural difference between basketball and baseball, Jacob Misiorowski achieving escape velocity and entering the deGrom Zone (and a change he’s made that may matter more than his increased speed), the impending posting of red-hot Teruaki Sato, the losers and losers of the Rafael Devers deal one year later, what the trade deadline will look like in this topsy-turvy season, and (42:55) what MLB should do to avoid a repeat of the Giants’ Pride Night debacle, plus (1:25:45) closing banter about games starting/ending too early for night owls.
Audio intro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to 82-0
Link to 162-0
Link to Jimmy John’s wiki
Link to Misiorowski game
Link to Misiorowski fun fact
Link to The Miz max speed by game
Link to The Miz zone rate by game
Link to Skubal game-ending pitch
Link to Skubal comeback
Link to “Just Dropped In”
Link to The Miz on Pokémon 1
Link to The Miz on Pokémon 2
Link to Charmander wiki
Link to Charizard wiki
Link to Mega Charizard X wiki
Link to Ground type Pokémon wiki
Link to Ben on the Brewers’ clutchness
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to FG post on the White Sox
Link to Passan’s deadline preview
Link to FG post on Ramírez injury
Link to The Athletic on the Devers trade
Link to Rosenthal on the Giants’ deadline
Link to MLBTR on Sato
Link to SFGate on the Giants
Link to McCovey Chronicles on the Giants
Link to Katie on the Giants
Link to Grant on the Giants
Link to Outsports on the Giants
Link to SF Chronicle on the Giants
Link to SF Chronicle on the Giants 2
Link to Webb quote
Link to Bates story
Link to info on Dodgers caps
Link to Outsports on Dodgers caps
Link to Dodgers’ Burke/Bean memorial
Link to 2022 Rays story
Link to NHL Pride story 1
Link to NHL Pride story 2
Link to NHL Pride story 3
Link to Outsports on Strider
Link to Outsports on MLB warning
Link to The Athletic on MLB warning
Link to uniform rules
Link to Outsports on Affeldt
Link to Picard scene
Link to SBJ on start times
Link to year-over-year attendance
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Tarik Skubal is the latest athlete to return to play faster than anticipated thanks to a new surgical technique or technology. But there’s something even better than coming back more quickly from an injury: avoiding an injury in the first place. Can injury prevention be improved as much as injury treatment? In this themed episode, Ben Lindbergh talks to four guests about three potential ways to keep players healthy. First (5:14), Mariners biomechanist Cedric Attias joins to discuss how pitching mechanics affect elbow stress, whether injuries stem more from nature or nurture, and whether MLB teams are prioritizing injury research. Second (49:23), Daryl and Adam Moreau, the father-and-son inventors of FlexProGrip, explain how forearm weakness endangers the UCL, how they designed and validated their training tool, and how the device has been adopted in the game. Third (1:41:18), Steve Rowson, director of the Helmet Lab at Virginia Tech, shares how helmets have improved across sports, why dangerous impacts are different in football and baseball, and why catcher’s masks may need an overhaul to minimize concussions.
Audio intro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to NanoNeedle AP piece
Link to NanoNeedle Athletic piece
Link to Ben on protecting pitchers
Link to Ben on pitcher roster limits
Link to McGregor/ElAttrache article
Link to MLB/ElAttrache article
Link to article on Altuve’s return
Link to article on Alvarez’s return
Link to internal brace info
Link to article on Tatum’s return
Link to article on Mahomes’s return
Link to article on Kittle’s return
Link to summary of Cedric’s research
Link to Cedric’s research paper
Link to other research on lower arm slots
Link to pulldowns explainer
Link to Ben on team secrets
Link to Rieekan quote
Link to lower-arm-slots trend
Link to video clip about the trend
Link to Crizer on arm slots
Link to Misiorowski game
Link to FlexProGrip site
Link to FlexProGrip article 1
Link to FlexProGrip article 2
Link to FlexProGrip article 3
Link to FlexProGrip article 4
Link to FlexProGrip white papers
Link to Driveline research
Link to The Layback Podcast
Link to The Island of Doctor Moreau
Link to Edward Scissorhands
Link to Helmet Lab concussions research
Link to helmet ratings site
Link to Rowson’s faculty page
Link to CNN Helmet Lab story
Link to Ben on catcher concussions
Link to Carlin baseball vs. football bit
Link to risk compensation wiki
Link to Helmet Lab testing footage
Link to Marvin the Martian wiki
Link to Great Gazoo wiki
Link to Dark Helmet wiki
Link to Torres protective cap article 1
Link to Torres protective cap article 2
Link to Torres cap footage
Link to pitcher cap inserts info 1
Link to pitcher cap inserts info 2
Link to pitcher cap inserts info 3
Link to softball pitcher mask article
Link to softball fielder mask article
Link to softball fielder mask research
Link to The Athletic on catcher nut shots
Link to SIS on catcher nut shots
Link to Knoxville incident
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the listener response to their conversation with Adrian Chiles, newly minted major leaguer LuJames Groover, and a big Giants comeback (in defiance of the team’s historically walk-averse ways), then (21:25) answer listener emails about how long-term team outlooks factor into present-day disappointment levels, spectacle vs. analysis in closer-entrance pageantry, whether umps should be able to challenge themselves, how future sub-Ohtani two-way players will be perceived, the entertainment value of human managers and hypothetical robo-managers, a pre-playoffs rest period, and stats used as verbs, plus Stat Blasts (1:27:23) about teams that turned deficits into large leads, Paul Skenes and glad-to-see-him-go games, and the Angels’ used-to-be-good guys.
Audio intro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Episode 2489
Link to Groover debut story
Link to 2025 Groover story
Link to 2025 Groover clip
Link to Groover shirt story
Link to Eldridge game story
Link to Eldridge game box score
Link to ultimate slams story
Link to Giants BB%+
Link to Krukow/Kuiper clip
Link to Knicks comeback story
Link to Ben on Larry David
Link to Burnes setback story
Link to Crochet setback story
Link to Crochet setback confusion
Link to Michael’s BOOG intro
Link to BOOG pod appearance
Link to Jay on the White Sox
Link to Duran entrance video
Link to story about ballpark loudness
Link to call on Contreras
Link to Miller hot-mic moment 1
Link to Miller hot-mic moment 2
Link to Miller hot-mic moments article
Link to Sam on the Umpire Manual
Link to info on umps and HFA
Link to Sam on the two-way balance
Link to two-way draft prospects story
Link to “obligate” definition
Link to Grandstand Managers Night
Link to Ballers’ AI manager
Link to Twitch Plays Pokémon
Link to moonwalking robot
Link to running robot
Link to kicking robot
Link to Laws of Robotics
Link to Deep Thought wiki
Link to Marvin robot
Link to Grant on mascot pants
Link to NBA Cup
Link to Paine on the NBA Cup
Link to more Paine on the NBA Cup
Link to Knicks banner news
Link to Schlittler quote
Link to Shakespeare usage shifts
Link to Bulls vs. Tides story
Link to big comebacks data
Link to harmonic mean wiki
Link to listener emails database
Link to Skenes game story
Link to more on Skenes game
Link to bullpen blowups data
Link to Mancini comeback story
Link to past Angels Blasts
Link to used-to-be-good guys data
Link to Boog/Mancini survival story
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the bunt’s rehabilitation and (17:49) the President publicly picking a side in MLB’s labor battle, then talk to two guests about falling in love with and learning about baseball as adults. First (32:35), beloved BBC presenter and The Guardian columnist Adrian Chiles breaks his baseball silence to expound on how he got bitten by the baseball bug, his long-distance Rays relationship, the loneliness of following baseball from afar, cross-sport comparisons, Chiles-like wonder, and what mystifies him as a fan. Second (1:21:39), Jade Van Kley joins to discuss her journey from registered nurse to baseball content creator, bingeing baseball history, finding an audience for baseball lore drops and video diaries of her first season as a fan, and what fascinates her about the sport.
Audio intro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Leo on left-handed hitting
Link to Other Ben on bunting
Link to Stat Blast about bunting
Link to The Wire quote
Link to Padres’ three bunts
Link to MSG boos
Link to Trump interview comments
Link to BP on Trump comments
Link to Drellich on Trump comments
Link to Drellich on Trump’s influence
Link to Trump’s Yankee Stadium visit
Link to Dodgers White House visit
Link to EW episode on Trump’s baseball past
Link to voter registration research
Link to article on screwworms
Link to Adrian’s baseball column
Link to Adrian’s Guardian archive
Link to Chiles wiki
Link to West Bromwich Albion wiki
Link to Adrian’s BBC show
Link to Adrian’s book about drinking
Link to Adrian’s columns collection
Link to article about Adrian 1
Link to article about Adrian 2
Link to article about Adrian 3
Link to article about Adrian 4
Link to Chiles headline generator
Link to Machado comments
Link to European Super League wiki
Link to EW episode on promotion/relegation
Link to “silly position” at EW wiki
Link to Playing Hard Ball book
Link to foul strike rule
Link to foul tip rule
Link to Snickometer wiki
Link to British baseball wiki
Link to “Baseball Brit” EW episode
Link to “London Series” EW episode
Link to Adrian on soap dispensers
Link to Whales logo
Link to @backlinenurse on Instagram
Link to Jade interstitial video
Link to Jade on her first game
Link to Sulphur Dell wiki
Link to Green Cathedrals book
Link to Veeck As In Wreck
Link to Ben on Veeck As In Wreck
Link to Ben on losing track of the count
Link to pitcher hitting by year
Link to Protoball
Link to backline wiki
Link to Jade article 1
Link to Jade article 2
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Shohei Ohtani’s career-year pace, how often his number of times on base has exceeded his times on base allowed in his two-way games, and his awards outlook, discuss Aaron Judge’s injury and the wide-open AL MVP race, and then (1:06:39) Stat Blast about the most former catchers in one game, Brayan Bello’s woes as a starter, clustering a team’s plate appearances in one inning, perfectly parallel pitch counts for piggybackers, long-lasting low-WAR players, where in the batting order teams tend to go back-to-back-to-belly, players with the longest streaks of having a teammate in the World Series, the most times striking out looking, the best duos drafted consecutively, and more.
Audio intro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to FG combined WAR leaderboard
Link to batting pace leaders
Link to pitching pace leaders
Link to Ohtani game story
Link to “true win” wiki
Link to “I’m the Greatest”
Link to Judge injury article
Link to Judge injury testing article
Link to article on Judge injury impact
Link to Judge quote
Link to Raiders scene
Link to story about Raiders scene
Link to Beer Barrel Man wiki
Link to Ben on Ohtani and Judge 1
Link to Ben on Ohtani and Judge 2
Link to Amtrak event
Link to Crizer on scoreless innings streaks
Link to The Miz on Pokémon
Link to Sánchez meal plan
Link to Red Sox vs. Guardians game
Link to Sox catchers tweet
Link to The Onion blades article
Link to Ben on Padres shortstops
Link to Russell on emergency catchers
Link to catchers Blast text
Link to catchers Blast data
Link to article on first-inning scoring
Link to info on first-inning scoring and HFA
Link to Bello Stathead query 1
Link to Bello Stathead query 2
Link to story on Bello being optioned
Link to MLBTR on Bello
Link to Yankees’ 13-run inning
Link to % of PA in one inning text
Link to % of PA in one inning data
Link to Miller-Castillo game
Link to parallel pitch counts text
Link to SABR on Allan Roth
Link to longest-lasting players
Link to consecutive-homers text
Link to consecutive-homers data
Link to The Human Centipede 3 wiki
Link to Jágr streak tweet
Link to Jágr streak post
Link to Jágr wiki
Link to The Rural Juror clip
Link to teammate WS streaks data
Link to looking-strikeouts text
Link to Beltrán K
Link to previous “Toothpick” Jones episode
Link to draft duos data
Link to harmonic mean wiki
Link to Brett-Schmidt draft round
Link to listener emails database
Link to Emil Gumbel wiki
Link to @ScoringChanges tweet 1
Link to @ScoringChanges tweet 2
Link to @ScoringChanges tweet 3
Link to loose bodies clip
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the duality of Jo Adell’s defense (after the FARTBAT low that followed his triple-robbery high), Spencer Arrighetti and MLB’s monthly player honors as the last bastion of old-school-stat-based awards, whether a team with a losing record could make the playoffs this season, Paul Goldschmidt’s pleasing platoon role, how much credit the Brewers deserve for Kyle Harrison’s success, Louis Varland’s value, the Tigers’ rapid plummet out of contention, the twilights of Nick Castellanos’s and Andrew McCutchen’s careers, and (1:15:01) whether the CBA negotiations merit horse race-style coverage.
Audio intro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2”
Link to Adell’s FARTBAT
Link to Adell quote
Link to Adell’s three robberies
Link to dramatic robbery photo
Link to EW robbery discussion
Link to Adell’s 2020 FARTBAT
Link to Canseco FARTBAT
Link to May’s Pitchers of the Month
Link to Pereda nut shot
Link to Pennywise quote
Link to Desk Set wiki
Link to Player of the Month Award wiki
Link to past PotM winners
Link to THT article on the award
Link to pitcher WAR leaders in May
Link to Sportico on the unbalanced leagues
Link to MLB.com on the lower October bar
Link to Jay on the Tigers
Link to Skubal rehab update
Link to Rosenthal on Skubal
Link to lowest-win playoff teams
Link to Curt on Harrison
Link to Location+ leaders
Link to Brewers WAR leaders
Link to reliever WAR leaders
Link to four-seamer velo leaders
Link to MLBTR on McCutchen
Link to MLBTR on Castellanos
Link to Clemens on the opening offers
Link to Drellich on Meyer/Caplin quotes
Link to Drellich on Manfred quotes
Link to The Athletic on open books
Link to story on Sánchez’s streak
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Fernando Tatis Jr.’s first home run of the season, injuries to Munetaka Murakami and Craig Kimbrel, a crotch-related suspension precedent, the mystery of Julio Rodriguez’s defense, Roki Sasaki’s surge, the phenomenon of National Anthem standoffs, Carmen Mlodzinski’s brief relief revolt, whether Victor Wembanyama would be a good pitcher, Aaron Ashby’s weirdly winning ways, (1:04:19) whether the Brewers have somehow solved clutch hitting, and the possibility of a Craig Breslow “interpreter.”
Audio intro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Tatis HR
Link to Tatis HR website
Link to Kimbrel injury news
Link to MLBTR on Murakami
Link to Murakami injury play
Link to BP on Gonzalez
Link to Elly injury news
Link to Pérez injury news
Link to gracilis muscle wiki
Link to Papelbon article 1
Link to Papelbon article 2
Link to Papelbon article 3
Link to Julio’s defense at Savant
Link to Julio’s defense at FG
Link to May leaders in pitcher WAR
Link to Wrobleski spreadies article
Link to standoff ejections article
Link to standoff ejections article
Link to Mlodzinski article 1
Link to Mlodzinski article 2
Link to Mlodzinski article 3
Link to team SP WAR
Link to team RP WAR
Link to Pirates pitcher WAR leaders
Link to Jaso EW wiki
Link to Jaso on EW
Link to Wemby baseball photo post
Link to Wemby baseball photo
Link to Shelob wiki
Link to Wemby’s Yankee Stadium visit
Link to Wemby’s first pitch video
Link to Wemby height article 1
Link to Wemby height article 2
Link to pitcher win leaders
Link to Ashby’s game log
Link to single-season RP leaders
Link to Face obit
Link to Sheehan on clutch
Link to Episode 2263 wiki
Link to Brewers clutch data
Link to 2026 tOPS+ w/RISP
Link to Brooklyn clutch streak
Link to New York clutch streak
Link to Philly clutch streak
Link to Gumbel distribution wiki
Link to Clay Davenport’s adjusted standings
Link to BaseRuns standings page
Link to Dan S. on the Brewers
Link to Brewers wOBA w/RISP
Link to Brewers wOBA w/no RISP
Link to Brewers xWOBA w/RISP
Link to Brewers xWOBA w/no RISP
Link to Brewers wOBA w/RISP at home
Link to Brewers wOBA w/RISP on the road
Link to Brewers BABIP w/RISP
Link to Brewers BABIP w/no RISP
Link to Brewers Whiff% w/RISP
Link to Brewers Whiff% w/no RISP
Link to Brewers Pull% w/RISP
Link to Brewers Pull% w/no RISP
Link to Super Saiyan wiki
Link to Marmol on Brewers sign-stealing
Link to Brewers sign-stealing rumor
Link to “man in white” story 1
Link to “man in white” story 2
Link to “man in white” story 3
EW sign-stealing history episode
Link to Healey on Breslow
Link to “anger translator” sketch
Link to Brown trade news
Link to Yankees scoring stat 1
Link to Yankees scoring stat 2
Link to Mlodzinski update 1
Link to Mlodzinski update 2
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Enhanced Games and whether they would watch a baseball league where PEDS were explicitly permitted, Abner Uribe’s crotch-chop suspension, and (34:40) the most disappointing and surprising (in a positive way) teams of 2026, then (55:37) answer emails about raising a girl who likes baseball, how a salary cap would affect prices for fans, home runs on the first pitch of the game, the Hall of Fame prospects of Kenley Jansen, Craig Kimbrel, and Aroldis Chapman, the most players appearing in a game against their former team, and how to evaluate whether a team’s player development was responsible for a player’s success or failure.
Audio intro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to “Let’s enhance” meme
Link to “Let’s enhance” montage
Link to Enhanced Games wiki
Link to Defector on the Enhanced Games
Link to The Conversation on the Enhanced Games
Link to NPR on the Enhanced Games
Link to nostalgia study
Link to Ben on the PED era
Link to McGwire Simpsons clip
Link to dinger distribution article 1
Link to dinger distribution article 2
Link to dinger distribution article 3
Link to Hill homer
Link to Uribe post
Link to MLB.com on Uribe
Link to AP on Uribe
Link to MLBTR on Uribe
Link to Uribe/Marmol video
Link to D-Generation X wiki
Link to DX chop compilation
Link to player names on Uribe
Link to playoff odds changes
Link to team wRC+
Link to SI on Rays hitting
Link to Posnanski on Rays hitting
Link to Garp quote
Link to Owen Meany quote
Link to Tatis HR website
Link to MLBTR on Pérez injury
Link to dynamic vs. static stretching
Link to Goodnight Baseball
Link to @dril tweet
Link to BP on payrolls and prices 1
Link to BP on payrolls and prices 1
Link to BP on payrolls and prices 3
Link to first-pitch homers
Link to Sam on first-pitch homers 1
Link to Sam on first-pitch homers 2
Link to Sam on first-pitch homers 3
Link to RP JAWS
Link to player development study 1
Link to player development study 2
Link to players vs. former teams data
Link to listener emails database
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss the initial CBA proposals by the MLBPA and MLB: some specific points of departure and alignment, whether we really learned anything about what each side wants or the likelihood of lost games, and what the rhetoric and rebuttals say about the PR battle to come. Then (50:08) they banter about whether baseball broadcasts could ever get good enough to endanger attendance, why ABS challenge rates haven’t closely correlated with batter quality, a difference between what fans and neutral spectators tend to enjoy about teams, whether ace-type starting-pitcher seasons are making a partial comeback, a threat to baserunners and bat-dog employment, and a mid-start stretching-related mishap.
Audio intro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Drellich on franchise values
Link to MLBPA proposals
Link to Drellich on the MLBPA proposals
Link to Normandin on the MLBPA proposals
Link to Mains on the MLBPA proposals
Link to Drellich on the MLB proposals
Link to Meyer statement
Link to Caplin statement
Link to CBA math post 1
Link to CBA math post 2
Link to Episode 1542
Link to Passan’s CBA proposals breakdown
Link to Ben’s bargaining primer
Link to Hershberger’s 1876 post
Link to Sam on challenge rates
Link to challenge leaderboard
Link to Andrews on Wood’s challenges
Link to pitcher-pace leaderboard
Link to batter-pace leaderboard
Link to George injury article
Link to bat-dog suspension article 1
Link to bat-dog suspension article 2
Link to “Pups in the Park” page
Link to 2025 bat-dog call-up
Link to Pérez injury article
Link to Reddit comment about Ben
Link to MLBTR on Brebbia
Link to MLBTR on Jones
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Craig Kimbrel’s new home, Colton Cowser’s walk-offs, Chris Taylor’s rapid retirement, unretirement, and re-retirement, whether the Mets should sell (and whom they could deal), the relative improvement of MLB’s worst teams, the Blue Jays’ (and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s) punchless contact, the historic hitting of this season’s MLB debutants, Gage Jump and the best-ever early returns for a draft class, whether the Athletics’ and Pirates’ production has been as lopsided as expected, an Oneil Cruz update, a trio of teams that has benefited from stable rotations, the Astros’ combined no-hitter, the Cubs’ extreme streakiness (and nondescript roster), more Giants innovations in thrusting, and Bryce Harper’s toothpaste/toothbrush technique, plus postscript updates.
Audio intro: Sean .P, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLBTR on Kimbrel
Link to post on Kimbrel’s destinations
Link to team RP over prior 14 days
Link to team RP over prior 30 days
Link to Diekman predictions pod
Link to final Diekman stats update
Link to Cowser post
Link to Cowser gamer
Link to MLB.com on Taylor
Link to MLBTR on Taylor
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to Mets impending free agents
Link to article about 2025 Blue Jays hitting
Link to 2026 team wRC+
Link to 2025 team ISO and K%
Link to 2026 team ISO and K%
Link to 2025 team Barrels/BBE%
Link to 2026 team Barrels/BBE%
Link to 2025 team hard-hit %
Link to 2026 team hard-hit %
Link to MLB debutants spreadsheet
Link to B-Ref’s new debuts
Link to Nishida debut story
Link to MLB rookie offense
Link to Passan on Jump
Link to 2024 first round
Link to MLBTR on Jump
Link to draft-class data
Link to Ben on the Pirates and A’s
Link to team hitter WAR
Link to team pitcher WAR
Link to on-pace leaderboard
Link to single-season strikeouts leaders
Link to combined no-hitter gamer
Link to FG post on the no-hitter
Link to BP post on the no-hitter
Link to Bumpus SABR bio
Link to SABR Bumpus no-no story
Link to Langs on Bumpus/Santa
Link to 2026 MLB RP stats
Link to 2026 MLB SP stats
Link to team SP leaderboard
Link to Cubs WAR leaders
Link to Sam on the 2016 Giants
Link to streaky teams spreadsheet
Link to McCringleberry sketch
Link to McCringleberry homage 1
Link to McCringleberry homage 2
Link to Harper’s TikTok
Link to Lindbergh burrito method
Link to Nishida throw 1
Link to Nishida throw 2
Link to Cubs streak fact 1
Link to Cubs streak fact 2
Link to Rangers’ revenge stat
Link to Sox scoring stat 1
Link to Sox scoring stat 2
Link to Marlins/Cardinals/Twins candidates
Link to list of ballpark claimants
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Mason Miller’s recent “struggles,” whether the Tigers will trade Tarik Skubal, and how different baseball would be if the Angels had traded Shohei Ohtani, plus (44:05) more than a dozen Stat Blasts.
Audio intro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: PJ Harding, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to previous Miller banter 1
Link to previous Miller banter 2
Link to Miller sample 1
Link to Miller sample 2
Link to article about Grogu promo
Link to Grogu promo
Link to Triton Ballpark wiki
Link to Yaddle at Wookieepedia
Link to Ben on The Mandalorian and Grogu
Link to Kimbrel blog post
Link to MLBTR on Kimbrel
Link to Heyman on a Skubal trade
Link to Murray on a Skubal trade
Link to Olney on a Skubal trade
Link to Skubal bullpen sessions article
Link to trade deadline date article
Link to playoff odds
Link to Clark quote about “the pant”
Link to Rosenthal on 2023 Ohtani talks
Link to Rosenthal on 2022 Ohtani talks
Link to Seidler wiki
Link to MLBTR on Boras/Seidler/Soto
Link to Blum post about Johnson
Link to team pitcher development rankings
Link to “If baseball were different” wiki
Link to Mains on regular-season splits
Link to reverse records
Link to post about three-team combos
Link to Marlins/Cardinals/Twins candidates
Link to Marlins/Cardinals players
Link to Marlins/Twins players
Link to Cardinals/Twins players
Link to 2025 Sánchez game
Link to 2003 Clement game
Link to 2023 Thompson game
Link to 1968 Roseboro game
Link to all-hits-after-oh-fers list
Link to McGwire Simpsons clip
Link to Hill homer
Link to Hill PED admission
Link to Hill transactions
Link to post-trade improvers
Link to 2024 Ray slam game
Link to 2025 NL Cy voting
Link to 2021 AL Cy voting
Link to 2011 NL Cy voting
Link to 1986 NL Cy voting
Link to 1971 O’s rotation article
Link to Maxwell defensive game
Link to Sandberg defensive game
Link to McAuliffe defensive game
Link to team run differentials
Link to team runs scored
Link to team runs allowed
Link to Mets extra-innings game
Link to most blown saves in game
Link to 2021 blown-saves game
Link to 1995 blown-saves game
Link to 1983 Rangers-A’s game
Link to 1901 Bernhard game
Link to Bernhard’s 1901 game log
Link to Bernhard’s 1901 opponent splits
Link to 2025 Pressly game
Link to most hits by sub
Link to 1902 Danny Murphy game
Link to Murphy game info 1
Link to Murphy game info 2
Link to Murphy game info 3
Link to Clerks quote
Link to listener emails database
Link to 1991 Phillies game
Link to Griffin video board fun fact
Link to list of ballpark claimants
Link to “Fever” song wiki
Link to article about White Sox collision
Link to article about Hawk’s call
Link to video of collision/call
Link to photo of collision
Link to comment about Boone’s signals
Link to Boone’s flapping signal
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the “tarps off” fan-shirtlessness trend sweeping MLB ballparks, early grand slams, inside-the-park home runs, and “little league home runs,” more sources of baseball embarrassment, Blake Snell’s bone spurs (and the Dodgers’ perennial pitcher-injury issues), Gerrit Cole’s return to the Yankees, Gio Urshela and other players who excelled for one team but struggled for others, updates on early-season sensation Joey Wiemer, John Brebbia, and this season’s class of rookie hitters, and the league’s trend toward catcher challenges.
Audio intro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to shirtless Rockies fans
Link to Rockies fan photos
Link to shirtless Cardinals fans
Link to shirtless Mariners fans
Link to shirtlessness trendpiece
Link to AP piece on the trend
Link to latest Giants thrust
Link to Snell surgery update
Link to MLBTR on Cole
Link to MLBTR on Fried
Link to MLBTR on Westburg
Link to MLBTR on Berríos
Link to Wiemer option news
Link to Brebbia update
Link to MLB rookie offense
Link to FG post on Padres timeliness
Link to Arenado grand slam
Link to Arenado game play log
Link to previous Slam Blast
Link to Wood ITPGS
Link to Lee’s ITPHR
Link to Clemens LLHR
Link to Ohtani LLHR
Link to Sam on the LLHR
Link to “Yakety Sax”
Link to “Yakety Sax” wiki
Link to Urshela retirement post
Link to Urshela wRC stats
Link to Small retrospective
Link to Chavez Stat Blast
Link to Mariners game story
Link to Wilson pinch-hitting complaints
Link to Sheehan on ABS
Link to Sheehan Bluesky post
Link to Trueblood on ABS
Link to Tap to Challenge
Link to MLBTR on Crawford
Link to 2025 Cortes article
Link to Kimbrough wiki
Link to Kimbrough SABR bio
Link to Kimbrough book excerpt 1
Link to Kimbrough book excerpt 2
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether the Phillies’ surge would have happened the same way if Rob Thomson hadn’t been fired, discuss streaks that were snapped for the Mets and Rico Garcia, delight and dismay in John Kruk repeating a podcast talking point, try to determine the most embarrassing failure a player can suffer on the field, bemoan a missed opportunity for an ambidextrous pitching appearance, mark the promotion of Mariners prospect Colt Emerson, and then discuss which of this season’s most over- or underperforming teams will regress.
Audio intro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Spaghettis, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to team records since 4/28
Link to team run differentials since 4/28
Link to team records since 4/26
Link to Dan S. on managerial firings
Link to Neil P. on managerial firings
Link to Mets comeback game story
Link to past Mets streak discussion
Link to Holmes injury story
Link to Davis call story
Link to Garcia hit
Link to .000 BABIP streaks
Link to mound-charge strategy discussion
Link to Kruk clip 1
Link to Kruk clip 2
Link to Phillies vs. Pirates game
Link to Adolis arms
Link to Reds walk streak
Link to Cortes pitching play log
Link to Cortes profile
Link to 2025 Cortes switch-throwing game
Link to Venditte glove article
Link to Cortes pitching tweet
Link to FG post on Emerson
Link to MLBTR on Emerson
Link to Crawford fielding stats
Link to preseason playoff odds
Link to BaseRuns standings
Link to team performance vs. projections
Link to Sheehan on the Rays
Link to Sheehan on the Cardinals
Link to Ben on playoff velo
Link to updated PR pickoff data
Link to team positioning runs
Link to MLB.com Walls article
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether Ben cursed Shohei Ohtani’s bat by predicting that Ohtani would win the Cy Young award but not the MVP award, whether Bobby Witt Jr. could win his first MVP award this season, the defensive transformation of Luis Arraez, and more, then (33:16) further interrogate what homoerotic celebrations say about baseball culture, discuss the latest ABS challenge mishaps, answer listener emails (54:30) about an ABS double-or-nothing idea, trading challenges for runs, purchasing challenges midgame, an upside of umpire rotation, boosting offense with double-barreled batters, and a baseball equivalent to the Kelce brothers, plus Stat Blasts (1:28:21) about players with the most inning-ending at-bats in a game, swing rates in debut plate appearances, grand-slam merchants, teams with many MVP vote-getters, and picked-off pinch runners.
Audio intro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to preseason predictions episode
Link to Ohtani slump story 1
Link to Ohtani slump story 2
Link to Ohtani slump story 3
Link to Ohtani slump story 4
Link to Ohtani slump story 5
Link to FG WAR leaders
Link to B-Ref WAR leaders
Link to FG post on Arraez
Link to MLB.com on Arraez
Link to FRV leaders
Link to Outsports post 1
Link to Outsports post 2
Link to Outsports post 3
Link to homosociality wiki
Link to Ross memoir
Link to Valentine/Baty incident
Link to Torres challenge denials
Link to Heim play
Link to Ben on accidental challenges
Link to Jake on accidental challenges
Link to Gausman quote
Link to batter challenge leaders
Link to Rumsfeld quote wiki
Link to catcher challenge leaders
Link to team challenge leaders
Link to Clemens on FA $/WAR
Link to Ortiz ump injury
Link to double-barreled BP article 1
Link to double-barreled BP article 2
Link to HUAL segment
Link to ex-athlete pods article 1
Link to ex-athlete pods article 2
Link to Tkachuks pod
Link to Harrisburg vs. Erie game
Link to 1977 Jays-Yanks game
Link to five-inning-ending players
Link to 2003 NL MVP voting
Link to teams with 8+ MVP vote-getters
Link to SABR on WAR and awards
Link to Baumann on WAR and awards
Link to Sam on downballot MVP votes
Link to debut-PA swing rates data
Link to innings 1-3 swing rate
Link to innings 4+ swing rate
Link to grand slams data
Link to listener emails database
Link to highest PR pickoff rates data
Link to Haggerty pickoff game
Link to SABR on PR specialists
Link to Wright on PR specialists 1
Link to Wright on PR specialists 2
Link to Langs Bell fun fact
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the latest lima-bean-related revelations about Tarik Skubal’s elbow surgery, the Giants’ censored synchronized thrust and the history of homoerotic celebrations in baseball, Coby Mayo’s dog’s devotion, the Orioles’ rotation issues (and a Rico Garcia update), Atlanta’s unexpectedly productive DHs, Ben’s invisible baseball neighbor, and Konnor Griffin’s glow-up, plus (1:12:33) a check-in on the hitters and pitchers who’ve over- or underperformed their projections the most through the first quarter of the regular season, and the players who’ve made cases to become new MLB main characters.
Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Horny)”
Audio outro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to The Athletic on Skubal’s surgery
Link to Seinfeld squirrel surgery scene
Link to Giants celebration clip
Link to Key & Peele sketch
Link to Baggarly post
Link to Baggarly article
Link to other article on the edict
Link to JHL’s possible smooch attempt
Link to new bow celebration
Link to Gilbert GIF
Link to Vitello thrust
Link to Posey ownership story
Link to Charles B. Johnson wiki
Link to Johnson donations article
Link to Mets outfield imitation
Link to 2022 Mookie celebration
Link to Mookie Twitch stream answer
Link to Mookie Twitch clip
Link to bukkake wiki
Link to Mookie’s Ohtani comment
Link to 2024 Dodgers crotch bump
Link to 2016 Cubs crotch bump
Link to 2014 Mariners celebration post 1
Link to 2014 Mariners celebration post 2
Link to 2019 Rangers crotch grab
Link to Red Sox celebration info
Link to Dodgers memorial announcement
Link to Collins obit
Link to MLBTR on Fried’s elbow
Link to Mayo game story
Link to Mayo quote clip
Link to Mayo quote text
Link to Argos wiki
Link to mid-March team SP projections
Link to team SP WAR to date
Link to Orioles SP stats so far
Link to team hitter WAR
Link to Elias’s Eflin/Rodriguez quote
Link to 2026 Elias SP quote 1
Link to 2026 Elias SP quote 2
Link to 2026 Elias SP quote 3
Link to team defense leaderboard
Link to .000 BABIP streaks
Link to MLB.com on Garcia
Link to Profar DH article
Link to team DH production
Link to team LF production
Link to 2026 Location+ leaders
Link to Link to 2024-26 Location+ leaders
Link to latest Skenes gem
Link to BP on Griffin’s rookie eligibility
Link to Griffin’s early-season sample
Link to Griffin’s second sample
Link to hitter leaderboard since Griffin’s birthday
Link to “quarter pole” definition
Link to preseason hitter projections
Link to preseason pitcher projections
Link to hitter pace leaderboard
Link to pitcher pace leaderboard
Link to hitter over/underperformers
Link to pitcher over/underperformers
Link to Hogg on Miz velo post
Link to Hogg on Miz velo article
Link to Jones on Miz velo
Link to Miz vs. Jones velo fun fact
Link to Crizer on April 2025 main characters
Link to Clemens on Walker
Link to Raleigh shower story
Link to BP on Turang
Link to Blue Jays IP leaders
Link to Orioles shutout gamer
Link to 2475 Podsednik Stat Blast wiki
Link to 1879 Podsednik Stat Blast
Link to 1885 Podsednik follow-up
Link to Podsednik walk-off
Link to corvids wiki
Link to icterids wiki
Link to Vandy video clip
Link to Vandy controversy summary
Link to Vandy-Mizzou gamer
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Spencer Jones facing an overclocked Jacob Misiorowski in Jones’s MLB debut, the distance from the mound to home plate when Ryan Waldschmidt is batting, Gage Workman’s middle name, and Tarik Skubal’s loose lima bean, then discuss the surprising Patrick Bailey trade—including takes on Bailey’s bat and framing value in the ABS era, the leadership of Buster Posey and Tony Vitello, Cleveland doubling down on the Austin Hedges catching model, and the virtues of Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson—plus thoughts on the bouncebacks of Bryce Harper and Michael Conforto, the Pirates’ rotation, iron man Matt Olson, a Craig Kimbrel meltdown, and the death of Bobby Cox.
Audio intro: Garrett Krohn, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)”
Link to “POV” meme
Link to Jones debut
Link to Jones stance tweet
Link to Judge/Jones comparison
Link to first Jones vs. Miz PA
Link to 103 mph+ pitches
Link to fastest pitches of 2026
Link to top SP seasons by K%
Link to “Ballad of a Thin Man”
Link to Miz velo upticks article
Link to Miz Charizard pull
Link to tallest outfield
Link to Ben on big Yankees
Link to Waldschmidt quote
Link to Workman middle name info 1
Link to Workman middle name info 2
Link to “taters” Gollum clip
Link to Boras on the “Skubal scope”
Link to Boras/Olney podcast
Link to last year’s Boras/Skubal quote
Link to FG post on Bailey
Link to Dubuque on Bailey
Link to Baggarly on Bailey/Posey 1
Link to Baggarly on Bailey/Posey 2
Link to Rosenthal on Posey
Link to Bailey’s framing at FG
Link to 2026 FG framing leaders
Link to 2025 FG framing leaders
Link to Savant framing leaders
Link to top players since Bailey’s call-up
Link to top Giants since Bailey’s call-up
Link to top catchers since Bailey’s call-up
Link to Giants dugout pitch-calling article 1
Link to Giants dugout pitch-calling article 2
Link to Bailey wRC+ joke
Link to story about Hedges the hitter
Link to “framemog” at wiktionary
Link to framemogging meme
Link to NPR on framemogging
Link to Vitello quote about effort
Link to Vitello pitching change confusion
Link to Kapler pitching change confusion
Link to La Russa pitching change confusion
Link to Nightengale on the trade deadline
Link to MLBTR on the Giants’ outlook
Link to team run differentials
Link to Conforto wRC+ leaderboard
Link to top team SP by WAR
Link to Pirates SP production
Link to FG MLB WAR leaders
Link to longest consecutive games streaks
Link to Freeman vs. Olson WAR post-2022
Link to worst RP WPAs
Link to Kimbrel loss
Link to Kimbrel grand slam story
Link to Chavez’s Giants origin story
Link to “OTP” explainer
Link to Cox obit
Link to Atlanta championship expectations
Link to Cox research 1
Link to Cox research 2
Link to Cox research 3
Link to manager longevity article
Link to data on ejection causes
Link to CCS ejections posts
Link to 2026 manager ejection count
Link to 2025 manager ejections count
Link to 2024 manager ejections count
Link to manager ejections data over time
Link to 2016 THT article on Cox DV
Link to 1995 THT article on Cox DV
Link to Clevinger report 1
Link to Clevinger report 2
Link to Tigers Triple-A manager firing
Link to Mixtape wiki
Link to “bro explaining” meme
Link to Mixtape baseball quote 1
Link to Mixtape baseball quote 2
Link to Ben’s gaming podcast
Link to article on foul ball increases
Link to 2026 foul ball leaders
Link to 1988 foul ball data
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a report that Tarik Skubal’s surgically cleaned-up elbow contained only a solitary “loose body,” why the NL now has the upper hand over the AL and whether the latter’s lackluster win-loss records matter, Meg’s thrilling, frustrating in-person Paul Skenes spectator experience, Kazuma Okamoto’s move back in the box, and Rico Garcia’s impressive .000 BABIP streak, plus a follow-up on why good framers have struggled at challenging, listener emails (57:54) about making more knuckleballers, a popup that never comes down, retiring not just numbers, but names, rotating umpires within games, extra-inning non-scoring, and “extra bases,” followed by a bunch of postscript updates.
Audio intro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Heyman tweet
Link to “Torn and Frayed”
Link to Bodies Bodies Bodies
Link to Rodón quote
Link to Rodón EW discussion
Link to Sheehan on NL vs. AL
Link to team run differential data
Link to 2026 team run differentials
Link to winning records data 1
Link to winning records data 2
Link to AL vs. NL record by year
Link to Skenes start gamer
Link to Skenes TTOP
Link to 1-0 game at Coors
Link to Savantle
Link to Petriello’s Okamoto tweet
Link to Petriello’s Okamoto article
Link to Okamoto quesadilla article
Link to depth in box correlations
Link to .000 BABIP streaks
Link to Garcia profile
Link to fielder support for pitchers
Link to Voros BABIP article
Link to EW Episode 1399
Link to Ben’s article on knuckleballs
Link to Knuckleball Nation website
Link to Knuckleball Nation article
Link to knuckleball total by year
Link to pitcher knuckleball totals
Link to Jannis on EW
Link to Granderson popup clip
Link to Granderson popup post
Link to Orosco glove article 1
Link to Orosco glove article 2
Link to Orosco glove article 3
Link to Prince guitar toss article
Link to Lee6 article 1
Link to Lee6 article 2
Link to Lee6 article 3
Link to Baumann on the Muncys
Link to EW Episode 1700
Link to EW Episode 1715
Link to scoreless zombie-inning streaks
Link to listener emails database
Link to Domínguez injury story
Link to Jones call-up story
Link to Judge/Jones comparison
Link to 2026 TTO% leaders
Link to all-time single-season TTO% leaders
Link to Frazier’s sign-off
Link to Matthews SABR article
Link to Rushing feature
Link to Coaches4Hire LLC photo
Link to Coaches4Hire LLC info
Link to coaches4hire.com
Link to archived Coaches4Hire site
Link to Coaches4Hire Insta
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the late Ted Turner’s explanation for firing Bobby Cox, how MVP-caliber Mike Trout returned and whether a Trout trade is too much to hope for, Carlos Correa’s season-ending injury and the outlook for the Astros, the offseason’s influx of free-agent retreads from NPB and/or the KBO, and a transparent plunking by Framber Valdez, then Stat Blast (1:25:43) about a Pirates scheduling quirk, an unlikely no. 9 batter, hitting-streak outliers, improbable power outages, identical beginnings to innings, and which events get starting pitchers pulled, plus reactions to the surprising starts of Ildemaro Vargas, Fernando Tatis Jr., Patrick Bailey, Austin Hedges, and Adley Rutschman.
Audio intro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to “The Tell-Tale Heart”
Link to actual Turner quote
Link to supposed Turner quote
Link to NYT Turner obit
Link to MLB.com Turner obit
Link to story on Turner the manager
Link to Turner wiki
Link to Cox wiki
Link to Cox pitching impact study 1
Link to Cox pitching impact study 2
Link to Cox study 3
Link to Law on Trout
Link to Olney on Trout
Link to Spy Kids Thumb-Thumbs
Link to Trout’s 2024 trade comments
Link to FG farm rankings
Link to FG on-pace leaderboard
Link to Trout’s Savant page
Link to EW episode 2218
Link to EW episode 2374
Link to Paine on Trout
Link to team OF WAR
Link to 2026 Angels preview
Link to Cobb/Speaker article
Link to Dan S. on Correa
Link to Dan S. on the Astros
Link to BP IL Ledger
Link to playoff odds changes
Link to Imai’a latest comments
Link to list of NPB/KBO imports
Link to Weiss demotion
Link to previous retread successes
Link to “joint mice” source 1
Link to “joint mice” source 2
Link to Skubal report
Link to The Witches scene
Link to The Witches retrospective
Link to BP on Framber
Link to Framber pitch usage
Link to Framber article
Link to MLBTR on Framber’s suspension
Link to preview-pod Framber talk
Link to Story HBP
Link to Rafaela HBP
Link to story about Hosmer
Link to Hosmer’s video
Link to Hedges 15-game stretches
Link to article on Hedges’ hitting
Link to Rockies batting orders
Link to Jay on Vargas
Link to Roth on Vargas
Link to Murphy quote about Vargas
Link to hitting-streaks data 1
Link to hitting-streaks data 2
Link to PA before first HR data
Link to mid-inning-hook data
Link to MLBTR on Tatis
Link to listener emails database
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss the late John Sterling, fan affection for local broadcasters, and whether any broadcast institutions don’t inspire such attachment, then banter about Anthony Volpe’s demotion, Tarik Skubal’s elbow injury, the Mets’ decision to stand by Carlos Mendoza, dramatically different results in back-to-back Reds-Pirates games, Riley O’Brien’s success, Nick Kurtz, Roy Cullenbine, and prolific walk-drawers with unimpressive power, whether framing and challenging skills are correlated for catchers, and a Baseball Savant-based guessing game, plus follow-ups on Mexico City’s elevation and Dalton Rushing.
Audio intro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Brussels sprouts EW episode
Link to Sterling obit
Link to previous Sterling discussion
Link to Sterling on FanGraphs
Link to 2011 Sterling profile
Link to Sterling wiki
Link to Kay wiki
Link to Kay on Sterling
Link to Kay diet piece 1
Link to Kay diet piece 2
Link to Kay diet piece 3
Link to Baumann on Volpe
Link to Clemens on Skubal
Link to Passan post
Link to Tatiana Trumpet story
Link to MLB.com on Skubal
Link to CBS Sports on Skubal
Link to Dan S. on managerial firings
Link to Ball on managerial firings
Link to Stearns on Mendoza
Link to Mendoza’s reaction
Link to seven consecutive walks
Link to worst hitters 2023-26
Link to RP WAR leaders
Link to Clemens on O’Brien
Link to Johnny interview
Link to Johnny and Riley
Link to Mexico City sinking story
Link to status quo bias wiki
Link to 2025 run differentials
Link to 2026 run differentials
Link to Cashman comments
Link to Ben on team turnover
Link to Kurtz streak story 1
Link to Kurtz streak story 2
Link to Cullenbine post 1
Link to Cullenbine post 2
Link to Ben on pre-WAR valuations
Link to Roy Thomas SABR bio
Link to foul-strike rule
Link to Max Bishop SABR bio
Link to Eddie Yost SABR bio
Link to Eddie Joost SABR bio
Link to career + stats
Link to team framing leaderboard
Link to catcher challenges leaderboard
Link to batter challenges leaderboard
Link to Tango’s Soto/Bailey tweet
Link to framing/challenging correlations
Link to Ruiz on framing/challenging
Link to Millas on framing/challenging
Link to Petriello on 2025 challenges
Link to player survey on challenges
Link to Rushing on Lee 1
Link to Rushing on Lee 2
Link to Rushing’s timeout call
Link to Rushing’s challenge
Link to Tango on the challenge
Link to Savantle
Link to other Savant guessing games
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing is the new reigning redass of MLB, and the first in-depth he-said, they-said mud-slinging about Craig Breslow and Boston’s coaching cull. Then (35:19) they Stat Blast about the longest streaks of series wins and non-losses to start a season (or at any point in a season), lapping the league in run differential, and batterymates who were previously exchanged in a trade, before bringing on Ben Clemens of FanGraphs (49:36) to talk about whether Munetaka Murakami’s hot start is sustainable (and if so, why he was widely underestimated), how the strike zone has been shrunk and reshaped in the ABS era—somewhat counterintuitively, not just because of overturned calls—and the potential short/long-term effects on scoring.
Audio intro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2”
Link to “redass” definition
Link to Carig on “redass”
Link to Rushing timeline
Link to “fishy” comment clip
Link to “fishy” comment article
Link to Rockies celebration
Link to Lee incident clip
Link to Rushing denial
Link to Lee incident article
Link to Amaya incident clip
Link to Hoerner comments
Link to Rushing’s slide
Link to Arraez comments
Link to timeout request
Link to 2015 Williams feature
Link to Breslow/Boston report
Link to fatberg wiki
Link to streaks spreadsheet
Link to Columbus Solons wiki
Link to traded batterymates
Link to Ben’s catchers research
Link to Shackleton wiki
Link to Clemens on Murakami
Link to chase rate leaderboard
Link to Passan on Ohtani in 2018
Link to Passan’s follow-up
Link to Clemens on the strike zone
Link to strike zone definition
Link to Trueblood on the strike zone
Link to Trueblood on challenges
Link to Sam on 3-0 autostrikes
Link to 2025 buffer zone change
Link to ump accuracy over time
Link to Ben on umpire grading
Link to kernel regression wiki
Link to 2024-26 MLB rates
Link to 2025 MLB rates through same date
Link to 2024 MLB rates through same date
Link to highest full-season rates
Link to Federer Hawk-Eye stance 1
Link to Federer Hawk-Eye stance 2
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Vinnie Pasquantino’s new espresso machine, how the Phillies’ firing of Rob Thomson compares to Boston’s coaching overhaul and how Thomson’s dismissal both does and doesn’t make sense, Mason Miller’s “slump,” Shohei Ohtani’s WAR distribution, Max Scherzer’s major league last gasp, Travis Bazzana’s debut, and how the Mexican League’s Diablos Rojos have handled high altitude. Then (55:48) they talk to Jason Benetti, TV voice of the Tigers and new lead MLB broadcaster for Sunday Night Baseball on NBC, about how he got his new gig, juggling jobs and employers, teaming up with different broadcast partners (including a besuited John Kruk) every week, how NBC approaches baseball, the AL Central’s mediocrity, Kevin McGonigle’s precocious success, Jason’s full-circle Bob Costas story, and Mr. Monopoly vs. Mr. Peanut.
Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to espresso machine post
Link to Nespresso wiki
Link to Baumann on Thomson
Link to MLBTR on Thomson
Link to Paine on Thomson
Link to Phillies’ record under Thomson
Link to batter WAR under Thomson
Link to pitcher WAR under Thomson
Link to team defense
Link to team run differentials
Link to playoff odds changes
Link to Gelb on Thomson
Link to Cora report 1
Link to Cora report 2
Link to MLBTR on Crochet
Link to Miller story
Link to Soriano story
Link to combined WAR leaderboard
Link to MLBTR on Scherzer
Link to Scherzer’s daughter’s letter
Link to Baumann on Bazzana
Link to MLBTR on Bazzana
Link to 2026 FG top 100
Link to Bazzana at Prospect Savant
Link to list of debut IBBs
Link to The Devil Wears Prada 2
Link to Patrick Brammall wiki
Link to Song Sung Blue
Link to Tenet dialogue story 1
Link to Tenet dialogue story 2
Link to Nolan dialogue explanation
Link to sound mixing story
Link to MLBTR on Bazzana
Link to Mexican League elevations
Link to Octavio Hernández
Link to Coors hangover article 1
Link to Coors hangover article 2
Link to Coors hangover article 3
Link to Benetti at Saberseminar
Link to SBJ profile
Link to NBC Sundays schedule
Link to this Sunday’s schedule
Link to Jason’s broadcast partners
Link to Walton-Benetti story
Link to Kruk’s suit
Link to Curb “middling” scene
Link to Ben on Albert/Stockton
Link to interdivision records
Link to bat weight research
Link to Mr. Monopoly wiki
Link to Mr. Peanut wiki
Link to Mr. Peanut tweet
Link to Benetti’s podcast
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Red Sox suddenly sweeping their coaching staff clean, projected contenders off to even worse starts than the Sox, MLB offense in Mexico City, a double ball-strike challenge, Kyle Harrison as the new Quinn Priester, and Kevin McGonigle out-phenoming Konnor Griffin, then Stat Blast (38:37) about Brandon Phillips and major league afterlives, teams hitting for the homer cycle in a single inning, and individual net five-homer games. Then (53:38) they talk to The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier about how and why the Red Sox fired Alex Cora and Co. and whether there’s more house-cleaning to come.
Audio intro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: The Spaghettis, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to FG post on Sox firings
Link to MLBTR on Sox firings
Link to MLBTR on Sox hirings
Link to original Cronin wiki
Link to van photo
Link to Four Seasons Total Landscaping
Link to Whitlock quote
Link to Story quote
Link to player reactions round-up
Link to firing timing Stat Blast
Link to Sportradar firing fact
Link to “Chad” wiki
Link to Cora reactions story
Link to Cora text
Link to Cora tweet
Link to fired coaches photo 1
Link to fired coaches photo 2
Link to Paine’s Sox analysis 1
Link to Paine’s Sox analysis 2
Link to playoff odds changes
Link to Diamondbacks Mexico City win
Link to Mexico games
Link to Ben on Mexico City scoring
Link to Monterrey stadium
Link to Mexico City stadium
Link to run-scoring comparison
Link to Vancouver expansion story
Link to double challenge clip
Link to double challenge story
Link to Refsnyder challenge story
Link to Baty challenge story
Link to Harrison’s five-start averages
Link to FG on-pace leaders
Link to Griffin’s first dinger
Link to Phillips contract story
Link to EW on delayed retirements
Link to major league afterlives data
Link to Kenny Jackelen
Link to Phillips B-Ref page
Link to PCL wiki
Link to SIS Cameron story
Link to SIS Cameron post
Link to Red Sox preview pod
Link to team HR leaderboard
Link to team SP WAR
Link to Sheehan on the Sox offense
Link to Napoli photo
Link to Napoli story
Link to team payrolls page
Link to Rosenthal on Cora
Link to team payrolls page
Link to listener meetup tool (PW: EW2026)
Link to meetup tool Reddit post
Link to sub-two-hour-marathon story
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether JR Ritchie should want to keep the ball that was hit for a homer on his first major league pitch, José Soriano’s season-starting hot streak, and the Yankees’ new alternate uniforms, plus follow-ups on accidental challenges, player pecks on the cheek, jersey numbers, and Nolan McLean’s apology, and a mini-Blast about the Rockies’ historically hot start (compared to last year). Then (50:36) they take a break from interviewing octagenarian former players to interview a youthful, quadragenarian former player: former All-Star Brad Lidge. An infamous manager once proclaimed, “The closer is the closer because he’s the closer.” But what if the closer becomes an archaeologist? Ben and Meg talk to Lidge at length about his post-playing pivot to archaeology: what drew him to the field, how he’s pursued a second profession (and how it differs from his first one), ancient Etruscans, misconceptions about archaeology, what he could learn from excavating a ballpark, discovering dice (note: not a gambling ad), discussing his career reinvention at cocktail parties, the pleasures and procedures of communing with the past, archaeology’s moneyball, and much more, followed by his thoughts on fellow fastball-slider artist Mason Miller.
Audio intro: PJ Harding, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to The Only Rule closer line
Link to line’s EW wiki entry
Link to Lidge’s SABR bio
Link to postseason saves leaders
Link to best post-’88 RP seasons
Link to Pujols homer
Link to 2008 WS victory
Link to Episode 2323
Link to Wood’s HR
Link to Ritchie game story
Link to Yankees jerseys report 1
Link to Yankees jerseys report 2
Link to Yankees jerseys report 3
Link to jersey number history
Link to Gilbert “catch”
Link to Gilbert “catch” rules
Link to Vargas “accidental” challenge
Link to Gonzales “accidental” challenge
Link to Martin-Davis smooch
Link to Soriano’s six-start stretches
Link to Soriano’s 2025 stretch
Link to Soriano’s 2026 stretch
Link to exit velo responsibility
Link to Soriano article 1
Link to Betteridge’s law 1
Link to Soriano article 2
Link to follow-up McLean report
Link to fastest team improvements data
Link to 2018 archaeoLidgey article
Link to 2026 archaeoLidgey article
Link to Lidge Explorers Club
Link to Poggio Civitate wiki
Link to Under the Tuscan Sun wiki
Link to Etruscan civilization wiki
Link to Roman Empire meme
Link to Lidge’s publications
Link to Lidge’s dice paper
Link to North American dice article 1
Link to North American dice article 2
Link to Ben on Detectorists
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about vagueposting screenshots of Baseball Savant percentiles, a Ron Darling comment during the Mets’ 12th consecutive loss about why pitchers shouldn’t apologize to batters for throwing inside, team-level changes in pitch usage and results this season, why MLB partly escaped the NBA’s tanking epidemic, why relievers are struggling so far, baseball parallels to track’s quest to produce lighter shoes, and an EW listener meetup tool (password: EW2026), then Stat Blast (1:25:12) about player home run totals that outstripped team win totals, winning streaks built from other teams’ losing streaks, and batting orders with jersey numbers that matched lineup slots, plus (1:39:40) a postscript.
Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Horny)”
Audio outro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to vagueposting wiki
Link to Buxton/McLean matchup
Link to pitch before homer
Link to home run pitch
Link to Clemens on McLean
Link to Clemens on hard in, soft away
Link to Ben on the Pirates
Link to Sawchik on the Pirates
Link to THT on the Pirates
Link to Dan S. on the Mets
Link to SNY ritual clip
Link to MLB.com on SNY ritual
Link to Baumann on Lumineers curse
Link to Mr. Met/Lumineers post
Link to NYT on Mamdani curse
Link to Rosenberg Mr. Met story
Link to team pitching changes
Link to 2025 team FA%
Link to 2026 team FA%
Link to Senzatela pitch usage
Link to pitch-type usage by year
Link to 2025 team Stuff+
Link to 2026 team Stuff+
Link to 2025 team contact%
Link to 2026 team contact%
Link to 2025 team pitching WAR
Link to 2026 team pitching WAR
Link to Sportico on NBA tanking
Link to Gold Plan wiki
Link to Gilbert “catch”
Link to MLB.com on Legumina
Link to MLBTR on Legumina
Link to MLB SP stats
Link to MLB RP stats
Link to WSJ running shoes article
Link to Ben on MLB player improvements
Link to Cooper on fastball speed
Link to fastball speed joke graphic
Link to listener meetup tool (PW: EW2026)
Link to meetup tool Reddit post
Link to HR>wins spreadsheet
Link to losing streaks spreadsheet
Link to jersey=lineup slot data
Link to Kenny Jackelen
Link to listener emails database
Link to streak-snapping Mets gamer
Link to 1914 Federal League game
Link to 1991 Pirates-Cubs game
Link to 2011 Dodgers-Diamondbacks game
Link to 1952 Dodgers-Braves game
Link to 2017 Yankees-Rays game
Link to 1928 Cleveland-Detroit game
Link to 1923 Dodgers-Cardinals game
Link to 1934 Cardinals-Reds game
Link to 2004 Rangers-Tigers game
Link to 2019 Diamondbacks-Brewers game
Link to EW Episode 2405
Link to Nimmo/Semien comparison
Link to Murakami homers fun fact
Link to Clemens on Murakami
Link to Kruk in a suit
Link to Farley’s Matt Foley skit
Link to Farley’s Kruk skit
Link to Weaver post
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Scott Boras talking turkey, a heartwarming player-fan interaction, two more unintentional challenges, the depths of the Mets’ predicament after their 11-game losing streak, whether Munetaka Murakami can keep up his hot, extreme start, whether hitters should stop swinging against Mason Miller, whether government regulation can improve sports streaming, and the nature of on-base streaks, then Stat Blast (1:32:34) about NL and AL Central standings oddities, the longest periods out of first place, and scoring coming all in one inning, plus (1:44:34) several follow-ups and bonus blasts.
Audio intro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Boras quote
Link to Geese controversy
Link to brother-sister embrace
Link to Mangum comments
Link to Lorenzen clip
Link to Lorenzen quote
Link to accidental challenge story
Link to Mets streak story
Link to MLB.com on the Mets
Link to Perry on the Mets
Link to Sheehan on the Mets
Link to Szymborski on slow starters
Link to Ben on high-turnover teams
Link to team run differentials
Link to preseason playoff odds
Link to updated playoff odds
Link to “Kokomo” curse story
Link to “Kokomo” wiki
Link to “Kokomo” video
Link to Spanish-language “Kokomo”
Link to Mets borough mascots
Link to Peraza pitch image
Link to Peraza pitch clip
Link to swing/zone rate data
Link to Miller’s stats as a Padre
Link to Miller’s Stuff+ stats
Link to Murakami’s grand slam
Link to Murakami’s Savant page
Link to Longenhagen on Murakami
Link to Baumann on Murakami
Link to Murakami projections story
Link to PECOTA hitter projections
Link to NPB analyst on Murakami
Link to Kruk in a suit
Link to Farley skit
Link to Bloomberg on NFL streaming
Link to Bloomberg on MLB streaming
Link to story on Baldwin’s bill
Link to Live Nation verdict story
Link to story on Ohtani’s on-base streak
Link to times on base wiki
Link to info on DiMaggio streak scoring
Link to upside-down NL Central
Link to previous upside-down standings
Link to 4/11 AL Central
Link to 2006 NL West
Link to 2011 AL West
Link to 2022 AL East
Link to Orioles-Guardians game
Link to 2003 Phillies-Reds game
Link to 1972 Braves-Astros game
Link to 1933 Yankees-A’s game
Link to 1928 Pirates-Giants game
Link to new Rockies celebration story
Link to Rushing’s “fishy” comments
Link to Rockies celebration images
Link to Rockies celebration clips
Link to Cronenworth HBP story
Link to listener emails database
Link to new switch-hitters data
Link to name matches spreadsheet
Link to Takatsu on Murakami
Link to “Does Bat Day Make Cents?”
Link to other promotions/giveaways info
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about another accidental challenge and listener-suggested alternatives to the head/helmet tap, the implications of the Padres’ reported sale for a record price, Mike Trout’s resurgence and Jordan Walker’s surge, a Stat Blast about one-man lineups, stoic responses to getting drilled by line drives, loud stadium noise, listener emails about extensions and the next CBA, tuning in to no-hitter attempts in progress, and “anti-framing,” and more.
Audio intro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to latest challenge
Link to other review signals
Link to soccer review signal
Link to cricket review signal
Link to skeuomorph wiki
Link to HPB/CI challenge sequence
Link to WSJ Padres sale story
Link to ESPN Padres sale story
Link to S&P info 1
Link to S&P info 2
Link to S&P info 3
Link to Chelsea protest story
Link to Chelsea money loss story
Link to Trout series fun facts
Link to Trout six-game streaks
Link to Trout four-game streaks
Link to Trout’s Savant page
Link to Trout hypotheticals
Link to Trout’s five homers
Link to Walker analysis
Link to FG WAR leaders
Link to Mets-Dodgers game
Link to Jay on the Mets
Link to Stat Blast spreadsheet
Link to 1969 Williams game
Link to 1991 Boston game
Link to 1950 Vollmer game
Link to 1978 Expos game
Link to Freeland vs. Myers hit
Link to Ben on sick players
Link to sick Sale start
Link to Greene game
Link to Greene game article
Link to 2025 stadium noise article
Link to 2026 stadium noise article
Link to Collins HoF induction article
Link to Messick article
Link to “anti-framing” article
Link to “anti-framing” clip
Link to listener emails database
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Kevin McGonigle’s new contract and whether pre-arbitration extensions are still team-friendly, Tatsuya Imai’s adjustment period, MLB’s average four-seam fastball velo nearing 95 mph, a new frontier in catcher’s interference calls, and whether a new challenge signal should replace the head/helmet tap, then (1:21:02) Stat Blast about a historic scoring day, games in which the score most often matched the inning, homering against all other teams while playing for one team (and the most homers without going deep twice against the same team), opposing pitchers catching pop-ups in the same game, driving in oneself and no one else, and season-starting streaks of games with a lead.
Audio intro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLBTR on McGonigle
Link to Paine on extensions 1
Link to Paine on extensions 2
Link to Ball on extensions
Link to Nightengale on extensions
Link to Rome on Imai
Link to Imai synopsis
Link to Rome on interpreters
Link to story on Duran incident
Link to Statcast velo by year
Link to Pitch Info velo by year
Link to Pitch Info info
Link to righty Statcast velo by year
Link to all-pitches velo by year
Link to Woodrum on velo
Link to Sam on flames
Link to EW on flames 1
Link to EW on flames 2
Link to Trueblood on fastball counts
Link to EW on CI
Link to 2024 CI totals
Link to 2025 CI totals
Link to Sam on the Meidroth CI
Link to Sam on the Cubs CI attempt
Link to Sam on swings and the CI
Link to Ohtani accidental challenge
Link to Chandler accidental challenge
Link to Rice accidental challenge
Link to 2025 Lee incident
Link to challenge rules
Link to volleyball challenge rules
Link to NHL officials wiki
Link to Crawford rehab update
Link to April 13 scores
Link to April 13 offense
Link to MLB batting stats pre-4/13
Link to MLB batting stats post-4/13
Link to Trout-Judge gamer
Link to score matching inning info
Link to homers vs. teams spreadsheet
Link to homers vs. distinct teams data
Link to pitcher pop-ups spreadsheet
Link to O’Neill’s OD HR streak
Link to team leads spreadsheet
Link to Sam on win expectancy
Link to listener emails database
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Mariners actually sort of sacrificing Humpy, the historically compressed standings at the start of the season, top prospects (and veteran relievers) pushing for promotions, the solution to a Kutter Crawford mystery, a faux-froyo con, Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s rules confusion, Cade Winquest’s quest, and more. Then (57:18) they talk to Negro Leagues Baseball Museum president Bob Kendrick about Jackie Robinson Day, the importance of telling stories about Black baseball in an anti-diversity climate, Bob’s work on MLB The Show, the MLB pipeline for African American players, showcasing the surviving Negro Leagues ballparks, the NLBM’s expansion plans, baseball in Kansas City, Ichiro Suzuki’s visits to the Museum, and more.
Audio intro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to “Jack Robinson” idiom
Link to Humpy clip
Link to Humpy plushy
Link to MLBTR on Imai
Link to standings data
Link to leaguewide offensive stats
Link to baseball drag graph
Link to previous Crawford banter
Link to 2025 Crawford story
Link to new Crawford scoop
Link to “hose” baseball slang
Link to FG top prospects
Link to Parker collision story
Link to froyo feature
Link to Jazz story
Link to Jazz clip
Link to Jazz play
Link to Boone story
Link to Kobayashi Maru wiki
Link to Brebbia post
Link to MLBTR on Kimbrel
Link to Yankees/Mets losses stat
Link to Emanski drills video
Link to frequency illusion wiki
Link to MLBTR on Winquest
Link to phantom ballplayer wiki
Link to Jackie Robinson Day wiki
Link to Robinson story removal
Link to MLB “diversity” story
Link to new MLB The Show mode
Link to MLB at Rickwood Field wiki
Link to surviving ballparks story
Link to East-West Classic news
Link to % of Black players data
Link to NLBM expansion page
Link to sportswriters/Marriott story
Link to Chiefs stadium story
Link to Royals stadium story
Link to John Donaldson EW episode
Link to donate to the NLBM
Link to Swanson quote
Link to Episode 305 wiki
Link to Lorenzen note
Link to MLBTR on Pham
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the bad omen of a broken bat on an Ichiro Suzuki statue, whether Mason Miller is, at this moment, the best pitcher ever on a batter-per-batter basis, and how to label atypical pitches, then Stat Blast (30:00) about team promotional giveaways, age and debut gaps among MLB brothers, and switch-hitters who hit higher in the lineup from one side. Then (47:58) Ben talks to 88-year-old All-American Girls Professional Baseball League pitcher Dolly “Lippy” Vanderlip about growing up as the lone girl in games against boys, joining the AAGPBL at age 15, playing for manager Jimmie Foxx, life on and off the field, the end of the league, how A League of Their Own revitalized interest in the AAGPBL, the impending launch of the Women’s Pro Baseball League, and more.
Audio intro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to broken statue video
Link to broken statue image
Link to Mariners joke tweet
Link to statue being fixed
Link to statue story summary
Link to Mariners wRC+ ranking
Link to three arms episode
Link to Wicker Man post
Link to highest K% for RP
Link to lowest FIP for RP
Link to Miller pitch-type splits
Link to Miller’s stats as a Padre
Link to Sheehan on Miller
Link to Padres-Rockies game story
Link to MLB SP stats
Link to MLB RP stats
Link to team RP stats
Link to Crizer on Imai
Link to MLB.com on Imai
Link to MLBN on Imai
Link to Imai’s Savant arsenal
Link to shuuto wiki
Link to 2025 promotions data
Link to team giveaway rates
Link to Sox giveaway expansion
Link to MLB brothers data
Link to Ben on Guerrero birthdates
Link to Art Fowler SABR bio
Link to switch-hitters info
Link to switch-hitters data
Link to “Hello, Dolly!” wiki
Link to Dolly’s wiki
Link to Dolly’s AAGPBL player page
Link to AAGPBL wiki
Link to WPBL wiki
Link to AAGPBL queer history
Link to Blair article 1
Link to Blair article 2
Link to Ball on extensions
Link to Paine on extensions 1
Link to Paine on extensions 2
Link to First Pitch site
Link to Grounds Crew Baseball site
Link to Mariners Stathead
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Jorge Soler charging the mound against Reynaldo López and whether a team could dupe an opposing ace into getting ejected, Konnor Griffin’s extension becoming official, whether Jose Altuve is benefiting from the reshaped strike zone, a wave of MLB injuries, teams whose playoff odds have changed the most in the first two weeks of the season, Tony Vitello’s PR performance, the debut of brimless hats, a few follow-ups, and more.
Audio intro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Cease vs. Ohtani game
Link to brawl story
Link to suspensions story
Link to Soler vs. López stats
Link to Bois database
Link to Bois spreadsheet
Link to “aggro” wiki
Link to Armadillidiidae wiki
Link to Dan S. on Griffin
Link to MLBTR on Griffin
Link to Olney’s deleted tweet
Link to Rosenthal on Griffin
Link to marriage/divorce stats
Link to Woodrum on the strike zone
Link to Seidler on Altuve
Link to wRC+ leaderboard
Link to batter challenges leaderboard
Link to Altuve called-strike rate
Link to Judge called-strike rate
Link to Altuve mistake-strike rate
Link to Judge mistake-strike rate
Link to five-year out-of-zone-strike rate
Link to five-year in-zone-ball rate
Link to Petriello on height 1
Link to Petriello on height 2
Link to banging-scheme player data
Link to report on Altuve’s sign-stealing
Link to FG post on recent injuries
Link to Dan S. on slow starts
Link to demure/mindful meme
Link to playoff odds changes
Link to Red Sox panic
Link to Breslow quote
Link to Ben on ex-player GMs
Link to most consecutive one-run losses
Link to Ben on dugout game-calling
Link to Vitello article 1
Link to Vitello article 2
Link to Vitello article 3
Link to Vitello article 4
Link to Vitello article 5
Link to Chapman/Schmitt clip
Link to Alcantara/McCullough story
Link to Rockies start story
Link to Sheehan on Caissie
Link to Walker’s hot start
Link to new City Connects
Link to White Sox giveaway hat
Link to mitre wiki
Link to Baumann post
Link to Rangers statue post
Link to Jake hat photo
Link to Jordan hat photo
Link to “Yankee with no brim” clip
Link to 2025 Jensen article
Link to new Jensen celly
Link to Jensen celly video
Link to May sunglasses clip
Link to Igawa post
Link to “sled dog” post
Link to Jackson photo 1
Link to Jackson photo 2
Link to 2025 Jackson HR
Link to MLBTR on Davitt
Link to Davitt on EW
Link to date blast image 1
Link to date blast image 2
Link to date blast image 3
Link to date blast image 4
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Carter Jensen’s several (inadequate) alarms and why big leaguers don’t oversleep more often, Artemis II, Daniel Susac as the sequel to Andrew Susac, the timing of Konnor Griffin’s call-up, the many ways to marvel at (and value) Jo Adell’s home-run-robbery spree, Patrick Corbin the Blue Jay, a quintessentially 2026 half-inning, and follow-up emails, plus (1:40:47) a postscript featuring an Afterball by Ben about national announcer stats.
Audio intro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Sean .P, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to “It’s Been Awhile”
Link to Jensen oversleeping story
Link to Pasquantino quote
Link to Jensen TikTok clip
Link to Russell on young baseball brains
Link to overview effect wiki
Link to Yankees/Marlins Artemis story
Link to Artemis wholesomeness
Link to Apollo and baseball story
Link to Susac’s nephew
Link to Baumann on Griffin
Link to MLBTR on Griffin
Link to Olney’s deleted tweet
Link to info on extensions and PPI
Link to Adell catch 1
Link to Adell catch 2
Link to Adell catch 3
Link to 2026 OF FRV laggardboard
Link to Adell’s DRS
Link to SIS on HR robberies
Link to Ben on HR robberies
Link to Ben on Trout’s 2011
Link to Ben on pre-WAR valuations
Link to Adell’s 2020 FARTBAT
Link to FARTBAT naming
Link to Angels-M’s box score
Link to FG post on Adell
Link to win probability tweet
Link to Tango on wall balls
Link to Tango on catch probability
Link to Adell photo
Link to article about Adell catch
Link to Trout’s Twitter reply
Link to Hunter on Adell
Link to “wallowing” wiki
Link to MLBTR on Corbin
Link to Jays SP projections
Link to Jays RR depth chart
Link to BP on Corbin
Link to BP on ATL-AZ inning
Link to Albies challenge
Link to 2016 Young quotes
Link to Grifol on the eclipse
Link to Theo “trade”
Link to Stokes-Lyon match
Link to Snicko wiki
Link to EW Episode 1875
Link to Calcaterra on Dirks
Link to Dirks Pull%
Link to Dirks HR spray chart
Link to HUAL episode
Link to USR broadcast database
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon.
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about rookie batters’ blistering start to the season, then Stat Blast (10:15) about how long it typically takes for there to be no remaining teams that are winless or undefeated (or both), the latest a team won or lost by a margin that matched its record, and the seasons that featured the most Hall of Famers (at all, and in their primes). Then they talk to three listeners who created brand-new apps/sites that enhance the experience of following the season: Tristan Rodman of Baseball Scores (28:00), Zach Gines of First Pitch (46:45), and Ezra Thompson of Play-O-Graph (1:09:30), followed by assorted updates (1:26:58).
Audio intro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to freemium model announcement
Link to written explanation
Link to checksum explainer
Link to seasonal rookie batting lines
Link to 2026 rookie batting line
Link to 2026 rookie pitching line
Link to Baumann on Painter
Link to Kepner on the rookies
Link to aging curve research 1
Link to aging curve research 2
Link to Ben on 2015 rookies
Link to Ben on 2015 youth
Link to Fernandez debut game
Link to two-homer-debuts query
Link to winless/undefeated teams data
Link to 1894 game
Link to 1911 game
Link to 1986 game
Link to 1993 game
Link to 1996 game
Link to 2000 game 1
Link to 2000 game 2
Link to HoFers data
Link to HoFers graph
Link to Frisch VC info
Link to listener emails database
Link to Baseball Scores site
Link to Tristan’s site
Link to The Gagnés theme 1
Link to The Gagnés theme 2
Link to @dril tweet
Link to Angell quote
Link to First Pitch site
Link to NERD scores
Link to B-Ref Stream Finder
Link to Skubal-Gallen gamer
Link to Play-O-Graph site
Link to playograph wiki
Link to FotMob
Link to Moneyball clip
Link to Grounds Crew Baseball site
Link to The Number Wall site
Link to “meme” origins
Link to Yates press conference
Link to Orioles tap-off
Link to Crawford walk-off story
Link to pre-Artemis II batted balls
Link to Artemis II launch story
Link to xkcd comic
Link to Bucknor play story
Link to Bucknor play video
Link to Bucknor injury story
Link to Ben on forgotten counts
Link to Bois on forgotten counts
Link to Retrosheet forgotten counts
Link to video of Smith PA
Link to Smith PA on Gameday
Link to Alvarez PA on Gameday
Link to Chris’s Reddit post
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Joey Wiemer, Colt Emerson’s contract, the concept of “sticking at shortstop,” and pre-arbitration (and pre-debut) extension trends, then (29:11) answer listener emails about A.J. Preller trading himself, Harrison Bader and the press conference threshold, plotting to prevent a switch-hitter from batting from both sides, no-selling a World Series ring ceremony, giveaway promotions at every game, a Craig Kimbrel PitchCom hypothesis, the top five MLB owners, pitch-count limits in a World Series perfect game bid, technical fouls in baseball, the aesthetic appeal of platooning, and lifetime .500 franchises.
Audio intro: Garrett Krohn, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Baumann on Wiemer
Link to MLB.com on Wiemer
Link to FG combined WAR leaderboard
Link to “small sample” song
Link to Voros’ Law
Link to “WDJDD?” (short)
Link to “WDJDD?” (long)
Link to MLBTR on Emerson
Link to Nichols’ Law of Catcher Defense
Link to Passan tweet about Emerson
Link to FG post on Pratt
Link to Sam on extensions
Link to Bader story
Link to Seinfeld “sponge-worthy” clips
Link to Kiri on promotions
Link to “Things Fitting Perfectly Into Other Things”
Link to Meg on the baseball penalty box
Link to Diamondbacks bullpen story
Link to “Maddux” stat
Link to Ben on ex-player execs
Link to franchise W-L records
Link to listener emails database
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Mike Trout’s hot start, Dub Gleed’s (nick)name, the challenge system as a mainstream sensation, several tactical considerations, listener emails, premature conclusions, and pedantic points after a weekend’s worth of ABS action, Munetaka Murakami’s early slugging, a Brewers call-up and extension, NBC’s broadcast crews, and more, plus a few follow-ups.
Audio intro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to the other ABS
Link to Gleed trade story
Link to challenge system tweet 1
Link to challenge system tweet 2
Link to Ben on the challenge system
Link to Sam on the challenge system
Link to UmpScorecards data
Link to Rosenthal on the challenge system
Link to Passan on the challenge system
Link to ABS system wiki
Link to FG community blog
Link to Petriello on 2025 ABS data
Link to team ABS leaderboard
Link to ABS dashboard
Link to ABS player leaderboard
Link to Crizer on the challenge system
Link to debutant dingers query
Link to 2026 debutant dingers
Link to Murakami NPB analysis
Link to Murakami fun fact
Link to Reds Opening Days story
Link to Shelton ejection clip
Link to Bucknor story
Link to Bucknor challenges
Link to Bucknor scorecard
Link to Bucknor story
Link to Cora ejection
Link to ABS and manager ejections info 1
Link to ABS and manager ejections info 2
Link to ABS and manager ejections info 3
Link to Quero call-up info
Link to MLBTR on Pratt
Link to FG Brewers list
Link to Sam on check swings
Link to AP on Benetti
Link to MLBTR on Pratt
Link to listener emails database
Link to “burn the ships” wiki
Link to article about Syracuse team
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon.
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the pleasures of and precedents for the historic rookie performances on Opening Day, the pains of Netflix’s Opening Night broadcast, an Opening Day disaster for Paul Skenes, Oneil Cruz, and a bird near Carson Benge, Freddie Freeman’s gameday fit, a perplexing (un?)fun fact about the Phillies and Jhoan Duran, why players don’t always challenge when they “should,” Nico Hoerner and Shane Baz extensions, baseball movies being back (thanks to Tom Hanks), and more, plus a Stat Blast (1:28:40) about Black Ink streaks and a postscript (1:37:14) featuring a follow-up and a few bonus Blasts.
Audio intro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to freemium model announcement
Link to written explanation
Link to 2026 new debuts
Link to RE24 query
Link to 2026 RE24 players
Link to 1914 RE24 players
Link to 1938 RE24 players
Link to 1950 RE24 players
Link to RE24 glossary
Link to B-Ref RE24 leaders
Link to total bases query
Link to 2026 TB players
Link to 1938 TB players
Link to 1.000 OPS query
Link to 2026 1.000 OPS players
Link to 1901 1.000 OPS players
Link to 1938 1.000 OPS players
Link to Dick Crutcher bio
Link to Baumann on the rookies
Link to “Baseball’s Sad Lexicon”
Link to first White Sox game
Link to Marchand on the Netflix game
Link to Bonds story
Link to Bonds at Rickwood game
Link to 180-degree rule
Link to FG post on Skenes
Link to Ben on the Pirates and A’s
Link to Pirates HR celebration
Link to Benge on the bird
Link to Freeman post 1
Link to Freeman post 2
Link to Stark post
Link to Sam post
Link to Phillies home closers query
Link to Phillies road closers query
Link to Phillies OD home games
Link to Phillies OD road games
Link to home OD saves by team
Link to Kruk comment
Link to Tango on location uncertainty
Link to Petriello on catcher challenges
Link to Ben’s catcher research
Link to MLBTR on Hoerner
Link to MLBTR on Baz
Link to upcoming FA class
Link to Hanks movie announcement
Link to Hanks typewriter collection
Link to Night Swim wiki
Link to Caught Stealing wiki
Link to Eephus EW interview
Link to Ben on Rogue One and Andor
Link to Black Ink info
Link to Black Ink data 1
Link to Black Ink data 2
Link to Ben on Trout’s Black Ink
Link to blowout 1
Link to blowout 2
Link to blowout 3
Link to blowout 4
Link to blowout 5
Link to blowout 6
Link to blowout 7
Link to blowout 8
Link to Vinay’s data
Link to 1930 game
Link to Sam on record talent
Link to Davy on Mets basestealing
Link to Newsday on Mets basestealing
Link to story on Richardson and Riley
Link to listener emails database
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the number of Opening Days/Nights at the start of the regular-season schedule and how long they think the challenge system will last, review some of their favorite offseason transactions, and do their annual draft of all 30 MLB teams in order of how fun they’ll be to follow this season.
Audio intro: The Spaghettis, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Craig on Opening Days/Nights
Link to broadcast dilemma
Link to Ben on the challenge system
Link to Ben on the labor situation
Link to champing/chomping
Link to Rogers tattoo story
Link to Langs Giants stat
Link to pod duration calculator
Link to Adames challenge reaction
Link to EWStats site
Link to freemium model announcement
Link to written explanation
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Randy Arozarena making up with Cal Raleigh, the response to their announcement of the podcast’s new freemium model, whether they would try to issue the official first ball/strike challenge in MLB history, the challenge system vs. the pitch clock, several straggling WBC topics (the Team Italy espresso machine auction results, great TV ratings, a Team USA strawman, reframing the hierarchy of high-level baseball competition, projecting future WBCs, and a non-called shot, plus NPB “ghost wins”), how Ben’s anti on-field-front-office-meddling rant resonated with readers, why Kevin McGonigle and JJ Wetherholt made Opening Day rosters and Konnor Griffin (and John Brebbia) didn’t, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Cristopher Sánchez extensions, and how politicians should talk about sports fandom if they want to sound authentic.
Audio intro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to “hierarchy of power” supercut
Link to Arozarena statement
Link to freemium model announcement
Link to written explanation
Link to EWStats site
Link to espresso auction
Link to Jac jersey auction
Link to WBC TV ratings
Link to Rosenthal comments
Link to Webb quote
Link to Acuña quote
Link to Kay comments
Link to McLean/Holmes story
Link to NPB “ghost win” story
Link to NPB “ghost win” tweet
Link to NHL overtime rules
Link to Ben on front-office meddling
Link to Ben on the foul lines
Link to The Athletic on Griffin
Link to Pirates hitter projections
Link to MLBTR on Brebbia
Link to FG post on PCA
Link to profane PCA profile
Link to FG post on Sánchez
Link to FG post on Strider
Link to Mamdani quote
Link to Adams cap
Link to de Blasio cap
Link to Hillary caps story 1
Link to Hillary caps story 1
Link to “trash revolution” story
Link to HUAL on Mamdani
Link to statue prizes
Link to MLFAD picks
Link to Meg on HUAL
Link to observer effect wiki
Link to four playoff teams article
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley announce a new freemium model for the podcast: From now on, one of their three episodes a week will be available only to Patreon supporters. In this PSA, they lay out their reasons for making the change and explain how it will work. You can also read a written explanation here.
Link to subscribe via Patreon
Link to written announcement
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Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs authors Michael Baumann and Ben Clemens (accompanied by podcast scorekeeper Chris Hanel) play “College Baseball Player or Driver in a Formula 1 Support Series” (5:07), banter about an auction for Team Italy’s WBC espresso machine (10:09), explain the fourth annual preseason predictions game (19:20), and then make 10 bold predictions apiece (22:20) about baseball in 2026, to be voted on by listeners.
Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Horny)”
Audio outro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to vote on predictions
Link to preseason predictions game wiki
Link to Anton’s mash-up song
Link to original song
Link to EW Episode 2383
Link to “College Baseball Player or” games
Link to Baumann on Herta
Link to espresso machine auction
Link to other Team Italy items
Link to Ohtani Cy Young story
Link to Ohtani email episode
Link to Sam on Gsellman
Link to For All Mankind
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to Artemis II story
Link to Perry/moon landing story
Link to Neckzilla
Link to Schulte’s SABR bio
Link to Manfred/Harper/DeRosa story
Link to AO3
Link to new managers story
Link to team WAR projections
Link to 2024 2B innings leaders
Link to active postseason droughts
Link to 2025 Royals WAR leaders
Link to Garcia breakout comment
Link to old-SP leaders
Link to Quinn’s SABR bio
Link to Verlander outing article
Link to young, homegrown SP leaders
Link to Pirates SP article
Link to Baumann on Mlodzinski
Link to MLB partnership announcement
Link to MLB partnership announcement info 1
Link to MLB partnership announcement info 2
Link to MLB partnership announcement info 3
Link to vote on predictions (do it!)
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Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs contributor Kiri Oler wrap up the World Baseball Classic, covering Venezuela’s triumph, Team USA’s slump and vibes, and the overall success of the tournament, plus thoughts on Mark DeRosa’s managing and Team USA’s future, the semifinal matchups, the bad calls against the Dominican Republic, the challenge system and pitches that are “too close to take,” the WBC vs. the World Series, when the next WBC should be, and much more.
Audio intro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2”
Link to Defector on Venezuela
Link to Harper on the outcome
Link to Posnanski on Team USA
Link to Manfred on WBC timing
Link to data on US-DR game
Link to data on Perdomo take
Link to Ben on fouling off pitches
Link to Harper on the Olympics
Link to McLean start story
Link to top SP projections
Link to USA anthem answers
Link to DeRosa on SEAL speaker
Link to Fox Rogers mix-up
Link to Julio’s WBC quote
Link to Judge’s WBC quote
Link to Hernández’s WBC quote
Link to Jeter on the WBC
Link to DeRosa/López relievers story
Link to next WBC timing
Link to Ben on more WBCs
Link to story on DeRosa’s future
Link to Charbonnet play
Link to Ben on “Strategy”
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about MLB’s new experimental minor league rules, and the potential downsides of trying to skip straight to a desired on-field result, then complete the 14th annual season preview series by previewing the 2026 Los Angeles Dodgers (35:35) with The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya, and the 2026 Colorado Rockies (1:30:13) with Rockies Insider’s Patrick Lyons.
2026 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | ATH | | BOS | CLE | HOU | | NYY | DET | LAA | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: The Spaghettis, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Ward article 1
Link to Longenhagen on the new rules
Link to Stark on the new rules
Link to Stark on second base
Link to disengagement rules
Link to Bois on balks
Link to team payrolls page
Link to Dodgers offseason tracker
Link to Dodgers depth chart
Link to Baumann on Roki
Link to Fabian on Roki
Link to Dodgers first-rounders
Link to field-sponsorship story
Link to Fabian’s author archive
Link to Rockies offseason tracker
Link to Rockies depth chart
Link to Rockies team wRC+ by year
Link to article on Bryant’s back
Link to article on Vodnik’s family
Link to article on Vodnik at the WBC
Link to Brebbia on EW
Link to Patrick’s work
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about speedster Braiden Ward’s record spring, whether there’s a baseball equivalent of Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game, and Paradise being a baseball show, then preview the 2026 Atlanta Braves (38:00) with From the Diamond’s Grant McAuley, and the 2026 Chicago White Sox (1:29:45) with Sox Machine’s James Fegan.
2026 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | ATH | | BOS | CLE | HOU | | NYY | DET | LAA | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Ward article 1
Link to Ward article 2
Link to Ward video
Link to Adebayo article 1
Link to Adebayo article 2
Link to Adebayo article 3
Link to Adebayo article 4
Link to SGA record article
Link to Adebayo Facebook thread
Link to stream Paradise
Link to Paradise clip
Link to Ben on the Castellanos meme
Link to Minor’s 200th K article
Link to Minor’s 200th K video
Link to team payrolls page
Link to Braves offseason tracker
Link to Braves depth chart
Link to spring standings
Link to Strider velo article
Link to 2025 team SS WAR
Link to BravesVision wiki
Link to From the Diamond site
Link to From the Diamond podcast
Link to Wax Packing Nostalgic
Link to White Sox offseason tracker
Link to White Sox depth chart
Link to 2025 team RP stats
Link to Reinsford/Ishbia article
Link to James at Sox Machine
Link to James at FanGraphs
Link to James at Baseball America
Link to Sox Machine podcast
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Team Italy’s triumphs (and good vibes) at the WBC, a tumultuous week for Team USA and Mark DeRosa, and where the tournament stands entering the quarterfinals, then preview the 2026 Philadelphia Phillies (39:21) with The Athletic’s Matt Gelb, and the 2026 Los Angeles Angels (1:21:00) with The Athletic’s Sam Blum, plus a postscript (2:09:08).
2026 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | ATH | | BOS | CLE | HOU | | NYY | DET | LAA | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)”
Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to WBC standings
Link to WBC bracket
Link to “caffeine and kisses” story
Link to Pasquantino homers
Link to “beaned up” article
Link to “beaned up” clip
Link to DeRosa clip 1
Link to DeRosa clip 2
Link to DeRosa clip 3
Link to latest DeRosa comments
Link to clip removal
Link to article on DeRosa’s mistake
Link to Ghiroli on DeRosa
Link to Rosenthal on DeRosa 1
Link to Rosenthal on DeRosa 2
Link to article on DeRosa/Harper
Link to Disgrace of Gijón
Link to roster reconfigurations
Link to Raleigh shirt
Link to Team USA chemistry article
Link to Sopranos clip
Link to team payrolls page
Link to Phillies offseason tracker
Link to Phillies depth chart
Link to Harper EBOO article
Link to Matt on Harper
Link to Matt on Harper/Dombrowski
Link to Matt on Castellanos
Link to Castellanos Insta post
Link to Matt on Kerkering
Link to Phillies himbo article 1
Link to Phillies himbo article 2
Link to Stark on Phillies continuity
Link to Matt on Strahm
Link to Girl With a Pearl Earring
Link to team SP projections
Link to team RP projections
Link to Matt’s author archive
Link to Matt’s podcast
Link to TB12 update
Link to Angels offseason tracker
Link to Angels depth chart
Link to Sam’s Angels beat farewell
Link to Sam on Netflix in Japan
Link to Sam on Rendon
Link to Angels TV network story
Link to Trout sprint speed story
Link to article on fastest human
Link to pitching development survey
Link to Sam’s author archive
Link to Paxton/pitch limits article
Link to WBC rules
Link to Ben on “Strategy”
Link to Laureano post 1
Link to Laureano post 2
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Cal Raleigh, Randy Arozarena, and WBC handshake etiquette, whether a mercy-rule-inducing dinger qualifies as a walk-off, whether a winning home team could voluntarily play the bottom of the ninth, MLB’s ban of the Brewers’ challenge-system system, why the MLBPA should defend Jurickson Profar and other players with positive PED tests, and Joe Sewell’s indestructible bat, then preview the 2026 New York Mets (56:35) with The Athletic’s Tim Britton, and the 2026 Washington Nationals (1:40:27) with The Athletic’s Spencer Nusbaum, plus several postscript updates (2:27:10).
2026 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | ATH | | BOS | CLE | HOU | | NYY | DET | LAA | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: Ian Philllips, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to espresso shots
Link to WBC standings
Link to Skubal update
Link to handshake beef summary
Link to handshake beef precedent
Link to video of failed handshake
Link to Arozarena’s comments
Link to translation
Link to De Rosa response
Link to Raleigh response
Link to Soto homer
Link to “walk-off” etymology
Link to baseball dictionary definition
Link to Albies homer (and call)
Link to A Game of Inches excerpt
Link to MLB rulebook
Link to 2023 ump-less half-inning
Link to Brewers signs article
Link to Brewers signs update
Link to Ghiroli column
Link to listener emails database
Link to Pages from Baseball’s Past
Link to Sewell article
Link to EW wiki on bat boning
Link to MLBTR on Luzardo
Link to MLBTR on Wentz
Link to MLBTR on Greene
Link to team payrolls page
Link to Mets offseason tracker
Link to Mets depth chart
Link to Lambert eggs article
Link to Tim on the Mets’ collapse
Link to Soto/Lindor discord update
Link to Ben on Mets turnover
Link to Alvarez resurgence article
Link to Tim’s author archive
Link to Nationals offseason tracker
Link to Nationals depth chart
Link to WaPo discussion on HUAL
Link to The Athletic’s WaPo hirings
Link to Rizzo mantra
Link to Littell on EW
Link to Spencer’s WaPo author archive
Link to Spencer’s The Athletic archive
Link to Italy/USA game story
Link to tiebreak scenarios
Link to Ben on Ellen’s podcast
Link to Ella Black series
Link to Ball’s post about mornings
Link to Schaeffer clip
Link to R.J.’s farewell thread
Link to R.J.’s last EW appearance
Link to Crizer’s breakout terminology
Link to Tarkin quote
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a Shohei Ohtani survey, early WBC action, Andrew McCutchen’s new team, Payton Tolle’s triple-digits t-shirt, ABS-driven changes to Alex Bregman’s and Bo Naylor’s listed heights, wonky player cards, why teams start spring training days so early, Dodgers pitching problems, and the prevalence of inventive slides, then preview the 2026 Seattle Mariners (50:22) with The Seattle Times’ Ryan Divish, and the 2026 Miami Marlins (1:34:43) with MLB.com’s Christina De Nicola, plus a few postscript updates (2:17:42).
2026 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | ATH | | BOS | CLE | HOU | | NYY | DET | LAA | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to YouGov survey
Link to Team USA vs. Rockies recap
Link to WBC soundtrack story
Link to MLBTR on McCutchen
Link to Speier on Tolle
Link to Tolle max velos
Link to in-season velo data 1
Link to in-season velo data 2
Link to in-season velo article
Link to 2025 info on height changes
Link to 2025 Naylor page
Link to 2026 Naylor page
Link to 2024 Bregman page
Link to 2025 Bregman page
Link to 2026 Bregman page
Link to 2024 Lux page
Link to 2025 Lux page
Link to wonky Ohtani card
Link to wonky Judge card
Link to wonky Bregman card
Link to wonky Naylor card
Link to email about giant player
Link to early starts post
Link to Baumann on Sasaki
Link to FG World Series odds
Link to Crizer on slides
Link to Sam on slides
Link to Naylor’s inclusiveness comments
Link to team payrolls page
Link to Mariners offseason tracker
Link to Mariners depth chart
Link to “Boys Podcast” SNL skit
Link to Ryan’s author archive
Link to Marlins offseason tracker
Link to Marlins depth chart
Link to Christina on Marlins’ elimination
Link to Christina on Alcantara’s outing
Link to “catcher’s balk”
Link to Christina on pitch-calling
Link to 2025 Marlins Pythag/BaseRuns
Link to 2025 team RP WAR
Link to 2025 team RP WPA
Link to Pérez nickname article
Link to grievance avoidance article
Link to Lauren’s NL East post
Link to Christina’s author archive
Link to ball/strike ejections article
Link to Brewers challenges tweet
Link to Tango’s challenges tweet
Link to Brewers challenges article
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Team USA’s pre-WBC warm-up games, follow up on spring training ballpark naming rights, and discuss Jurickson Profar’s second PED suspension in as many seasons, then preview the 2026 New York Yankees (20:07) with The New York Daily News’ Gary Phillips, and the 2026 St. Louis Cardinals (59:53) with The St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Derrick Goold.
2026 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | ATH | | BOS | CLE | HOU | | NYY | DET | LAA | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Sean .P, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Team USA vs. Giants gamer
Link to Team USA vs. Rockies story
Link to Kershaw clip
Link to Sunny clip
Link to Passan on Profar
Link to MLBTR on Profar
Link to Arrested Development clip
Link to Goodyear wiki
Link to Wrench Group story
Link to milkshake duck meme
Link to Wrigley naming info
Link to team payrolls page
Link to Yankees offseason tracker
Link to Yankees depth chart
Link to Cashman comments
Link to Gary on Cashman’s comments
Link to Ben on team turnover
Link to Stanton comments
Link to Chisholm comments
Link to Gary on Volpe
Link to 2025 team RP WAR
Link to team RP projections
Link to Petriello on Judge and ABS
Link to team challenges leaderboard
Link to Gary on Yankees challenge strategy
Link to Yankees sewage story
Link to Gary’s author archive
Link to Cardinals offseason tracker
Link to Cardinals depth chart
Link to Derrick on the roster
Link to team fielders by FRV
Link to team FRV leaderboard
Link to YoY attendance data
Link to 2025 team K%
Link to projected team WAR
Link to Simpsons “That’s the joke” clip
Link to Herrera/Raleigh data
Link to Derrick’s author archive
Link to Derrick’s podcast
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about corporate naming rights of spring training ballparks vs. MLB parks, and potential unwritten rules surrounding the challenge system, then (47:03) preview the World Baseball Classic with MLB.com’s Michael Clair, touching on the big and unsung stories of the WBC, whether the interest level will increase again, how often the WBC should be held, and more, as well as Michael’s WBC-inspired book, We Sacrifice Everything to Baseball.
Audio intro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Garrett Krohn, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to list of spring training parks
Link to list of MLB parks
Link to Abreu challenge
Link to Michael’s book
Link to electrician vs. Ohtani
Link to Michael’s pools preview
Link to Michael on possible surprise teams
Link to Michael on must-watch games
Link to Michael on who will win
Link to Kershaw clip
Link to Ben on WBC injuries
Link to Ben on demanding more WBCs
Link to Ben on Team USA
Link to UNP editor on EW
Link to denied visa story
Link to “yips” quote
Link to politician baseball expressions
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Mets pitching prospect Ryan Lambert’s consumption of copious quantities of raw eggs, then preview the 2026 Chicago Cubs (27:15) with The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma, and the 2026 Cleveland Guardians (1:17:46) with The Athletic’s Zack Meisel, plus a postscript.
2026 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | ATH | | BOS | CLE | HOU | | NYY | DET | LAA | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Lambert article
Link to Cool Hand Luke scene
Link to Beauty and the Beast scene
Link to Syndergaard “therapies”
Link to Syndergaard velo story 1
Link to Syndergaard velo story 2
Link to pasteurized eggs wiki
Link to eggs and cholesterol link
Link to Ben’s scrambled eggs pic
Link to Ron Swanson clip
Link to team payrolls page
Link to Cubs offseason tracker
Link to Cubs depth chart
Link to Sahadev on Bregman
Link to PCA profile
Link to Sahadev on PCA
Link to Sahadev’s spring questions
Link to Shaw absence article
Link to Sahadev’s author archive
Link to Sahadev’s podcast
Link to Guardians offseason tracker
Link to Guardians depth chart
Link to team wRC+
Link to team RP WAR
Link to team SP projections
Link to framing leaders
Link to Bregman/Aiken article
Link to Zack on Kwan in CF
Link to Vogt MotY article
Link to Zack’s author archive
Link to Zack’s podcast
Link to Skenes article 1
Link to Skenes article 2
Link to Ohtani/Judge article
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Konnor Griffin’s openness to an extension with the Pirates and a weird Wilyer Abreu check-swing broken bat, then preview the 2026 Boston Red Sox (20:00) with The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, and the 2026 Cincinnati Reds (1:08:36) with The Athletic’s C. Trent Rosecrans.
2026 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | ATH | | BOS | CLE | HOU | | NYY | DET | LAA | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to FG post on Scherzer
Link to FG post on Sale
Link to Misiorowski video
Link to article about video
Link to FG post about video
Link to Griffin report
Link to MLBTR on Griffin
Link to Griffin’s wedding
Link to Griffin’s homers
Link to MLBTR on his bonus
Link to Skenes WBC quote
Link to Skubal start news
Link to Abreu video
Link to Abreu article
Link to definition of swing
Link to team payrolls page
Link to Red Sox offseason tracker
Link to Red Sox depth chart
Link to team SP projections
Link to Pete Abe post
Link to Red Sox HR projections
Link to Red Sox 2B projections
Link to Cora on the projections
Link to FG post on Duran
Link to Alex on Gonzales
Link to Alex’s author archive
Link to Reds offseason tracker
Link to Reds depth chart
Link to 2025 team SP WAR
Link to C. Trent on Marte’s catch
Link to Statcast park factors
Link to Votto post 1
Link to Votto post 2
Link to The Simpsons quote
Link to C. Trent’s author archive
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a player with legs like a centaur, a knuckleballer’s sore subject, Arte Moreno’s thoughts on whether winning matters to fans, a response from the barback who gave free drinks to a fellow listener, and a new perspective on Tony Clark’s reportedly inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law. Then (45:17) they talk to Maxfield Lane and Owen Riley of Oyster Analytics about the challenge system’s tactical considerations and when it does and doesn’t make sense to second-guess the ump (and also, some slightly scary mascots).
Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2”
Audio outro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to story about Sloan
Link to Sloan headshot
Link to A-Rod centaur story
Link to horse anatomy info
Link to They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?
Link to Kapler/calves post 1
Link to Kapler/calves post 2
Link to tweets about Waldron
Link to MLBTR on Waldron
Link to info on bidets and hemorrhoids
Link to Breaking Bad scene
Link to Hill EW interview
Link to Moreno comments
Link to MLBPA response
Link to team attendance data
Link to “Macavity”
Link to Reddit comment
Link to Obi-Wan quote
Link to Wells video
Link to post on Wells 1
Link to post on Wells 2
Link to Down on the Farm
Link to Oyster Analytics on Bluesky
Link to Oyster rankings
Link to Oyster challenge dashboard
Link to Oyster challenge explainer
Link to 2016 article on Yankees challenges
Link to BP on replay reviews
Link to Tango on challenges
Link to Tango on challenges 2
Link to Tango on challenges 3
Link to Stark on challenges
Link to Blum/Lin on challenges
Link to Sale on challenging
Link to Sale on calling pitches
Link to Sale jersey story
Link to Bull Durham quote
Link to Baysox story 1
Link to Baysox story 2
Link to Archie info
Link to Archie/Truckee photo
Link to Mr. Baseball info
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a video of Brandon Marsh’s hair-wetting, the Phillies’ latest therapy, the Red Sox “home whites” non-disparagement saga, a former team exec’s proposals to promote competitive balance, and the best candidates among MLB players to pit against each other in a “Who ya got?” debate, then preview the 2026 Toronto Blue Jays (55:43) with The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon, and the 2026 Tampa Bay Rays (1:42:53) with MLB.com’s Adam Berry.
2026 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | ATH | | BOS | CLE | HOU | | NYY | DET | LAA | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: The Spaghettis, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Steele tweet
Link to Marsh video
Link to Jake on Marsh’s hair routine
Link to Baumann on Crawford
Link to hyperbaric oxygen therapy article 1
Link to hyperbaric oxygen therapy article 2
Link to Mayo Clinic on hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Link to research on efficacy
Link to Red Sox jersey change
Link to story on changing statements
Link to side-by-side statements
Link to @RedSox reply
Link to Ball on competitive balance
Link to Moneyball scene
Link to BP on competitive balance
Link to Ben on Machado vs. Arenado
Link to Ben on Correa vs. Seager
Link to Baumann on Conforto vs. Judge
Link to Machado vs. Arenado, rest of 2015
Link to Machado vs. Arenado, 2016 on
Link to Correa vs. Seager, 2018 on
Link to Conforto vs. Judge, start of 2017
Link to Conforto vs. Judge, rest of 2017
Link to Conforto vs. Judge, 2018 on
Link to team payrolls page
Link to Blue Jays offseason tracker
Link to Blue Jays depth chart
Link to 2025 team FRV
Link to team SP projections
Link to Rogers Centre renovations
Link to “Toronto” pronunciation
Link to Return of the Jedi scene
Link to bagged milk
Link to Happ on bagged milk
Link to Sloan’s website
Link to Mitch’s author archive
Link to Mitch’s podcast
Link to Rays offseason tracker
Link to Rays depth chart
Link to Dolinar data 1
Link to Dolinar data 2
Link to three-team-trades stat
Link to Statcast park factors
Link to team WAR projections
Link to Shane scene
Link to ballpark renderings
Link to trial delay
Link to Adam’s author archive
Link to spring training Opening Day
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a generous podcast listener, Bruce Meyer’s elevation to interim executive director of the MLBPA, his framing of the sport’s competitive challenges, media messaging vis-à-vis the owners’ and players’ potential responsibility for missed games in 2027, and the creep of pitch-calling from the dugout, then preview the 2026 Detroit Tigers (53:35) with The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen, and the 2026 Athletics (1:31:28) with A’s on SI’s Jason Burke.
2026 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | ATH | | BOS | CLE | HOU | | NYY | DET | LAA | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Reddit comment
Link to “meatspace” explainer
Link to “meatbag” explainer
Link to Meyer comments 1
Link to Meyer comments 2
Link to BP on competitive balance
Link to Drellich on Meyer
Link to Passan on the MLBPA
Link to Crizer on dugout pitch-calling
Link to EW on 2025 dugout pitch-calling
Link to Bendix comments
Link to Giants pitch-calling article
Link to Vitello comments
Link to Rockies article
Link to Ben on in-game interviews
Link to team payrolls page
Link to Tigers offseason tracker
Link to Tigers depth chart
Link to catcher WAR leaderboard
Link to Cody’s author archive
Link to Cody’s podcast
Link to Athletics offseason tracker
Link to Athletics depth chart
Link to FG top 100
Link to Vegas promotions
Link to Sacramento jerseys
Link to Jason’s author archive
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about recent signings and injuries pertaining to teams whose seasons they’ve recently previewed, the Diamondbacks re-signing Zac Gallen and the thrilling resolution of the free-agent-contract over/under draft, the winter of Bryce Harper’s discontent, Harper and Manny Machado’s comments about the Dodgers’ spending, Max Muncy’s extension, the worsening of the allegations against Emmanuel Clase, new details about the challenge system, Mike Trout’s impending return to center field, and (44:33) the momentous, surprising resignation of Tony Clark as MLBPA executive director. Then (1:00:22) they bring on FanGraphs prospect writers Eric Longenhagen and Brendan Gawlowski to discuss their ranking of the sport’s top 100 (well, 110) prospects.
Audio intro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)”
Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to post on recent Padres signings
Link to Preller extension story
Link to MLBTR on López
Link to MLBTR on Rengifo
Link to post on Gallen signing
Link to EWStats site
Link to over/under draft history
Link to Harper video
Link to Harper article
Link to Harper t-shirt
Link to Happy Gilmore scene
Link to Harper/Machado comments
Link to Muncy extension story
Link to the latest on Clase
Link to Ben on Clase
Link to Manfred’s Clase comment
Link to Clase’s 2018 balk
Link to EW Episode 1269
Link to challenge system explainer
Link to broadcast details
Link to MLBTR on Trout
Link to The Athletic on Clark
Link to ESPN on Clark
Link to MLBTR on Clark
Link to Baumann on Clark
Link to 2024 whistleblower complaint
Link to federal probe report
Link to federal probe report 2
Link to federal probe report 3
Link to OneTeam Partners explainer
Link to NLFPA meltdown
Link to FG top prospects list
Link to Griffin’s Instagram
Link to ZiPS Top 100
Link to top 100 prospects chat
Link to piece on prospect debates
Link to Brendan’s return post
Link to Ben on pitching prospects
Link to latest Wade/Ward mix-up
Link to Wade/Ward history
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about hamate fractures and other deflating spring training injury announcements, Zack Wheeler’s preserved rib, Chris Getz and Luisangel Acuña, a profusion of salary cap coverage, and more, and then preview the 2026 Baltimore Orioles (38:50) with The Baltimore Banner’s Andy Kostka, and the 2026 San Diego Padres (1:27:28) with MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell.
2026 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | ATH | | BOS | CLE | HOU | | NYY | DET | LAA | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to hamate injuries story
Link to “bird bones” wiki
Link to hamate research 1
Link to hamate research 2
Link to Walcott news
Link to Acuña 200% story
Link to >100% wiki entry
Link to Casas “dry swings” story
Link to rib story
Link to Castellanos post
Link to Gelb on Castellanos
Link to Castellanos release news
Link to Craig on Castellanos
Link to Stubbs milk post
Link to Kimbrel photo
Link to Kimbrel photo thread
Link to Tong photo
Link to Getz/Acuña montage
Link to Getz/Acuña story
Link to Sam on Getz/Acuña
Link to Murakami misspelling
Link to prediction markets story
Link to Passan cap story
Link to previous Passan cap story
Link to Drellich cap story
Link to previous Drellich cap story
Link to Rubenstein/Epstein story
Link to team payrolls page
Link to Orioles offseason tracker
Link to Orioles depth chart
Link to team SP projections
Link to team RP projections
Link to team offseason spending
Link to Elias quote
Link to O’s catchers
Link to Andy’s author archive
Link to Padres offseason tracker
Link to Padres depth chart
Link to AJ’s last 2025 post
Link to AJ’s first 2026 post
Link to Padres sale story 1
Link to Padres sale story 2
Link to Padres sale story 3
Link to Manfred quote
Link to team RP WAR
Link to team ISO
Link to ESPN farm rankings
Link to BP farm rankings
Link to BA on Padres prospects
Link to Shildt story
Link to AJ on Preller
Link to AJ’s author archive
Link to Stathead query 1
Link to Stathead query 2
Link to Stathead query 3
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about new (and encouraging) details about MLB.TV registration, Justin Verlander returning to the Tigers, the rites of spring training, and the Rafael Devers trade in retrospect, before previewing the 2026 Milwaukee Brewers (20:50) with The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Curt Hogg, and the 2026 Texas Rangers (1:08:28) with MLB.com’s Kennedi Landry.
2026 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | ATH | | BOS | CLE | HOU | | NYY | DET | LAA | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Garrett Krohn, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLB.TV sign-up details
Link to in-market streaming details
Link to MLBTR on Verlander
Link to over/under draft
Link to EWStats post 1
Link to EWStats post 2
Link to late-signing pitchers post
Link to Casas post
Link to Lindor injury story
Link to Schwellenbach injury story
Link to Jays injuries story
Link to Ben on spring injuries
Link to Crochet announcement
Link to FG post on Durbin deal
Link to FG projected standings
Link to BP projected standings
Link to team payrolls
Link to Brewers offseason tracker
Link to Brewers depth chart
Link to team SS projections
Link to team 3B projections
Link to MLBTR on Contreras surgery
Link to 2025 catcher WAR leaderboard
Link to 2025 catcher IP leaderboard
Link to Sam on Brewers grounders
Link to NL RotY voting
Link to Curt’s author archive
Link to Curt’s podcast
Link to Rangers offseason tracker
Link to Rangers depth chart
Link to SP depth charts
Link to RP depth charts
Link to Burger article
Link to 2025 team batting age
Link to 2025 team pitching age
Link to Kennedi’s author archive
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Meg Rowley shares her euphoric reaction to the Seahawks’ Super Bowl win, while Ben Lindbergh largely listens and occasionally interjects with bits of baseball commentary. Then (29:14) they discuss Buck Martinez’s retirement, Terrance Gore’s untimely death, and a purported catching super-prospect, before previewing the 2026 Pittsburgh Pirates (44:23) with Roundtable Sports’ John Perrotto, and the 2026 Minnesota Twins (1:25:07) with The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman.
2026 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | ATH | | BOS | CLE | HOU | | NYY | DET | LAA | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to HUAL Super Bowl episode
Link to Acuña Jr. at the halftime show
Link to Mercy wiki
Link to Pratt article
Link to Bad Bunny insurance article
Link to Ben on the KC OF
Link to Buck announcement
Link to Buck saying Schlittler
Link to Andy on Gore
Link to Woodrum on Gore
Link to Gore on EW
Link to catching prospect video
Link to scout quote about Robert
Link to baserunning leaderboard
Link to team payrolls
Link to Pirates offseason tracker
Link to Pirates depth chart
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to Post-Gazette closure
Link to MLB.com layoffs
Link to John’s author archive
Link to Twins offseason tracker
Link to Twins depth chart
Link to Trueblood on Bell
Link to Pohlad political comments
Link to player political comments
Link to Aaron’s author archive
Link to Aaron’s podcast
Link to Witherspoon post 1
Link to Witherspoon post 2
Link to Teasley obit
Link to Teasley on EW
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the new, ESPN-ified process for signing up for MLB.TV, Stat Blast (12:28) about the long-sought, newfound pitching prowess of the WBC’s Team USA superteam, and then (34:31) preview the 2026 San Francisco Giants with The Athletic’s Grant Brisbee, and the 2026 Kansas City Royals (1:20:20) with MLB.com’s Anne Rogers.
2026 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | ATH | | BOS | CLE | HOU | | NYY | DET | LAA | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Labuza Bluesky post
Link to resulting Reddit thread
Link to Labuza web post
Link to Ben on the WBC
Link to team payrolls
Link to Giants offseason tracker
Link to Giants depth chart
Link to Grant on Vitello
Link to Grant on the Giants offseason
Link to Grant’s records account
Link to Grant on the “Posey Rule”
Link to last year’s Giants preview
Link to Bonds curses article
Link to Flores call article
Link to Bogaerts call article
Link to Grant’s author archive
Link to Omnibus podcast
Link to Royals offseason tracker
Link to Royals depth chart
Link to Vinnie on EW
Link to Anne on outfield fences
Link to team OF WAR
Link to Anne on Garcia’s extension
Link to Anne on Quatraro’s extension
Link to Anne on hitting coach changes
Link to Chiefs stadium move
Link to Royals move article
Link to Anne on Royals TV distribution
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about MLB player chatbots, an Addison Barger giveaway, Tarik Skubal’s big arbitration win, the Tigers signing Framber Valdez, and a rough week for sports media, then (36:29) begin the 14th annual EW season preview series by discussing the 2026 Houston Astros with The Athletic’s Chandler Rome, and the 2026 Arizona Diamondbacks (1:25:35) with The Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro, followed (1:54:53) by a postscript.
2026 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | ATH | | BOS | CLE | HOU | | NYY | DET | LAA | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Sean .P, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to chatbots story
Link to Barger story
Link to season preview series wiki
Link to Passan on Skubal
Link to Baumann on Skubal
Link to Dan S. on Framber
Link to Rosenthal on the Pirates
Link to Rosenthal on the Tigers
Link to Chandler on the cross-up
Link to team SP projections
Link to NPR on WaPo
Link to NYT on WaPo sports
Link to The Ringer on WaPo sports
Link to The New Yorker on WaPo
Link to The Atlantic on WaPo
Link to Silver on WaPo
Link to MLB.com layoffs
Link to Grant post
Link to team payrolls
Link to Astros offseason tracker
Link to Astros depth chart
Link to BP IL Ledger
Link to Dan S. on team injuries
Link to Chandler on Correa
Link to Chandler on Imai
Link to Chandler on the infield
Link to Chandler on Espada/Brown
Link to Trueblood on Peña
Link to Chandler’s author archive
Link to Crush City Territory
Link to Diamondbacks offseason tracker
Link to Diamondbacks depth chart
Link to team RP WAR
Link to team RP WPA
Link to ballpark funding deal info
Link to more funding deal info
Link to funding deal opinion piece
Link to renovations preview
Link to Nick on the Alexander trade
Link to FG post on Santana
Link to Nick’s author archive
Link to Boehly/Epstein article
Link to ESPN’s Clase report
Link to Ben on Clase
Link to EW episode on Clase
Link to SABR awards voting
Link to Wood/Lolich IP leaderboard
Link to Lolich obit
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about MLB owners avoiding the Epstein files, preview the season preview series, bemoan the insurance issues preventing some stars from playing in the WBC, and break down the Luis Arraez and Eugenio Suárez signings, the Brendan Donovan trade, the latest White Sox moves, and their major takeaways from the release of the 2026 playoff odds. Then (1:22:00) Ben brings on historian Richard Hershberger to discuss the 150th anniversary of the National League’s founding, followed by (1:41:02) a postscript.
Audio intro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Epstein files sports roundup
Link to season preview series wiki
Link to insurance article
Link to Ben on WBC injuries
Link to Arraez signing FG post
Link to Dan S. on Arraez
Link to Sam on Arraez
Link to team 2B projections
Link to Arraez offers report
Link to Arraez defensive stats
Link to Moneyball quote
Link to Washington hiring
Link to Ben on Arraez
Link to “gotta hand it to them” tweet
Link to “It’s Been Awhile”
Link to Suárez signing FG post
Link to over/under draft tracker
Link to palindrome post
Link to Donovan trade post
Link to Dipoto trade story
Link to “WWJDD?”
Link to Dipoto hospital story
Link to Cijntje specialization story
Link to Cijntje splits
Link to Becker on three-team trades
Link to Rays ballpark funding info
Link to Sam’s trade post
Link to Sam’s original Rays post
Link to “White Soxer” post
Link to FG offseason tracker
Link to Baumann on the White Sox
Link to BP on the White Sox
Link to Slater “top target” quote
Link to Murakami bidets story
Link to Sasaki bidets story
Link to Mamdani bidets story
Link to Ben on bidets
Link to team payrolls
Link to Dan S. on beating the Dodgers
Link to Dan on the Pirates/A’s
Link to the playoff odds
Link to Clemens on the playoff odds
Link to projected team WAR
Link to Strike Four
Link to Richard’s SABR work
Link to projected team WAR
Link to Past Blast wiki
Link to Richard’s NL post 1
Link to Richard’s NL post 2
Link to Richard’s NL post 3
Link to 1876 NL
Link to prediction markets update
Link to team broadcasts update
Link to 2025 player earnings data
Link to original Stat Blast
Link to new Stat Blast data
Link to $/WAR by year
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the oddly timed end of Derek Falvey’s rein as POBOth for the Twins, Jacob Wilson’s extension and the promising but lopsided A’s, pillow contracts vs. trampoline contracts, which teams have had the most frustrating offseasons, dark-horse-candidate teams for 2026, and listener responses to their previous discussion of a Fellowship of the Ring baseball team.
Audio intro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to The Athletic on Falvey
Link to Favley Zoom meeting detail
Link to FG payrolls page
Link to MLBTR on Wilson
Link to 2025 team batting WAR
Link to 2025 team pitching WAR
Link to team WAR projections
Link to sowing/reaping meme
Link to team offseason spending
Link to FG offseason tracker
Link to Rooker on aliens
Link to Robertson retirement news
Link to Crizer on opt-outs
Link to EW wiki on trampolines
Link to BP on inactive teams
Link to Sheehan on inactive teams
Link to The Athletic on trying tiers
Link to projected team WAR
Link to “dark horse” wiki
Link to MLBTR on Evans
Link to Mount Doom scene
Link to Pasquantino news
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about their coming deliverance from a slow baseball news period, spring training as a spectator experience, and how the prelude to Opening Day has changed, then (12:43) answer emails about the many meanings of “back end” in baseball, an outfielder who repels batted balls, whether all rule violations constitute cheating, a playoff team composed of spoilers, and which positions the members of the Fellowship of the Ring would play, followed (1:16:01) by a Stat Blast about the Mets’ roster reconstruction and the history of high turnover.
Audio intro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2”
Link to back end definitions
Link to Magneto wiki
Link to Magnetokinesis wiki
Link to X-Men baseball history
Link to Ben’s Mets article
Link to Stat Blast data 1
Link to Stat Blast data 2
Link to Ben on turnover history
Link to more on turnover history
Link to Clemens on the Mets
Link to Sherman on the Mets
Link to Mets offseason history
Link to Mets depth chart
Link to projected pitcher playing time
Link to projected hitter playing time
Link to projected team WAR
Link to Ben on team complacency
Link to BaseRuns records
Link to listener emails database
Link to cloud seeding wiki
Link to weekend weather info
Link to “And my axe!” clip
Link to “One does not” clip
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley share their responses—and the baseball world’s response—to the events of this month in Minnesota. Then (17:26) they banter about deboned Carlos Rodón, the latest pseudoscientific pursuits of Bryce Harper (and Mike Trout?), and the Giants signing Harrison Bader, before (48:06) discussing José Ramírez’s new extension with the Guardians, Andrew McCutchen’s quarrel with the Pirates, and what teams and star players owe to each other, if anything. Finally (1:26:22), they bring on data scientist/writer Zach Gozlan to Stat Blast about whether baseball is overrrepresented among sports clues on Jeopardy!
Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Calhoun info 1
Link to Calhoun info 2
Link to Calhoun info 3
Link to Ben on Calhoun in 2018
Link to other athlete statements
Link to more athlete statements
Link to Wemby comments
Link to Ober post
Link to Strider post
Link to Woods Richardson post
Link to Klein repost
Link to political affiliation data
Link to Rodón interview clip
Link to Rodón interview article
Link to Harper post summary
Link to Harper clouds repost
Link to Harper’s TikTok
Link to Harper’s mat post
Link to Harper’s mat
Link to Harper and Dombrowski
Link to Trout’s reply to Rooker
Link to Trout’s sponsored post
Link to Trout’s “chamber”
Link to Goop article 1
Link to Goop article 2
Link to Goop article 3
Link to FG post on Bader
Link to BP post on the Giants
Link to FG post on Ramírez
Link to Ramírez interview
Link to Ramírez’s FA value
Link to McCutchen post
Link to Cherington comments
Link to McCutchen article 1
Link to McCutchen article 2
Link to Defector article
Link to Zach’s website
Link to Zach’s data
Link to baseball crosswords research
Link to crosswords wiki summary
Link to Jeopardy! football questions
Link to Jeopardy! Big Dumper question
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the MacKenzie Gore trade, the trajectories of the Rangers and Nationals since their respective World Series victories, and why the White Sox signed Seranthony Domínguez. Then (29:38) they bring on baseball buds Brent Rooker and Vinnie Pasquantino for a wide-ranging conversation about their scrapped podcasting plans, the Royals remodeling Kauffman Stadium, how Sutter Health Park played, the good and bad of bat-speed training, the challenge system, Brent’s sinking strikeout rate, the best breakfasts, the Pasqwich, A’s outfield defense, Nick Kurtz and Jac Caglianone, playing with Rich Hill, A’s extensions, playing 162 games, why they haven’t become 30-30 guys, arbitration, players’ pre-lockout messaging, an offseason signing deadline, Vinnie’s interactions with Shohei Ohtani, the WBC, the weather, and more. Finally (1:38:25), Ben shares listener responses about Andruw Jones and outfield diving.
Audio intro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to FG post on Gore trade
Link to FG post on traded prospects
Link to “jersey guy” discussion
Link to team losses post-2019
Link to team SP projections
Link to Ben on Sale in 2018
Link to Sox pen rank
Link to MLBTR on Domínguez
Link to first Rooker pod appearance
Link to second Rooker appearance
Link to Episode 1875
Link to Episode 1988
Link to lowest WARs in April
Link to Brent’s Twitter taunt
Link to Vinnie on the canceled podcast
Link to story on Vinnie’s slow start
Link to story on Muncy’s eyewear
Link to bat speed article
Link to Brent on bat speed
Link to bat speed data
Link to Vinnie on the fence changes
Link to Brent on breakfast
Link to Vinnie on Italian breakfast
Link to Pasqwich tweet
Link to Pasqwich article
Link to Baseball Savant park factors
Link to FG park factors
Link to Kauffman batter’s eye comments
Link to more Kauffman batter’s eye comments
Link to visibility by ballpark
Link to Brent’s lone Royals hit
Link to Lowe comments
Link to story on Vinnie and Jac
Link to MLBTR on Brent’s extension
Link to MLBTR on A’s extensions
Link to Vinnie on extensions
Link to Vinnie on arbitration
Link to iron man Rooker
Link to sprint speeds
Link to signing deadline tweet 1
Link to signing deadline tweet 2
Link to Soderstrom article
Link to Vinnie’s “WTF” tweet
Link to Vinnie and Ohtani
Link to Brent and Ohtani
Link to Team Italy WBC roster
Link to Brent’s weather tweet
Link to Trout’s response
Link to Brent’s “weather boy” tweet
Link to “weather boy” meme
Link to Bledsoe Agency
Link to Pham suspension story
Link to Pham Insta post
Link to Episode 2430
Link to Bloomquist on Ichiro
Link to Pillar/White article
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the best point in the podcast at which to talk transactions, how a salary cap would affect the kind of conversations we have about baseball (based on the way we discuss other sports), the notion that a particular signing would drive owners to pursue a salary cap, and (25:09) whether a fielder’s proclivity for diving catches tells us anything about how good he is (inspired by the belief that Andruw Jones never had to dive). Then (44:32) they break down the latest Mets moves (for Luis Robert Jr. and Freddy Peralta), the team’s extreme makeover, and why the Brewers dealt Peralta, plus (1:29:08) the Yankees’ Cody Bellinger deal, their lack of roster turnover, and Belli’s up-down-up career.
Audio intro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLBTR on Gore
Link to Young trade news
Link to Young trade rationale
Link to Rosenthal on the cap
Link to Drellich on the cap
Link to Calcaterra on Jones
Link to Sheehan on Jones
Link to Jones highlight reel
Link to possibility space wiki
Link to Ben on Harper’s dives
Link to Hannah on dives
Link to Rocky quote
Link to FG on Robert
Link to team CF projections
Link to Robert CF rank
Link to Robert’s sprint speeds
Link to 2017 story on Robert
Link to 2017 EW episode on Robert
Link to FG on Peralta
Link to FG on Peralta prospects
Link to Brewers defense ranking
Link to Peralta defenders ranking
Link to RA-9 WAR leaders
Link to team SP projections
Link to Tong’s grilled cheese
Link to BP on Peralta
Link to Brewers payroll story 1
Link to Brewers payroll story 2
Link to team payrolls page
Link to Mets team ZiPS post
Link to FG post on Bellinger
Link to Belli’s celebration injury
Link to Belli on changing his celebration
Link to team WAR projections
Link to Domínguez defensive stats
Link to team BaseRuns
Link to political registration research
Link to EW wiki on car recording
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ha-Seong Kim and the perils of slipping on ice, the contrasting retirement comments of Mookie Betts and Rich Hill, more on the Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette signings, Goodhart’s law and baseball stats, the late Wilbur Wood, and the latest trends in Hall of Fame voting.
Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)”
Audio outro: Sam Chess, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Kim story
Link to MLBTR on Kim
Link to Mateo signing
Link to team SS projection
Link to Cena/Mookie episode
Link to MLB.com on Mookie
Link to HUAL on Cena’s retirement
Link to Mookie’s other stream
Link to MLBTR on Hill
Link to “Retire” meme
Link to Hill on EW
Link to team LF projection
Link to team CF projection
Link to Dombrowski comment
Link to MLBTR on Jays offer
Link to Weaver’s Dodgers stat
Link to Clemens post
Link to barrels definition
Link to Andrews post
Link to Goodhart’s law wiki
Link to Baumann on nerdy players
Link to Wood obit
Link to Wood’s IP lead
Link to Sardell EW appearance
Link to Sardell’s penultimate projections
Link to Sardell’s final projections
Link to Jay’s results preview
Link to Jay on EW
Link to BBWAA announcement
Link to Jay on the results
Link to Jay’s Jones profile
Link to Jones battery report
Link to Jay’s Beltrán profile
Link to Felix leap stat
Link to Pettitte PEDs story
Link to Vizquel persuasion post
Link to Sam’s ballot
Link to Pollis on the results
Link to MLBTR on Robert
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a flurry of transactions and a three-team-trade dilemma, then break down the J.T. Realmuto, Bo Bichette, and Kyle Tucker deals, plus talk of baseball economics and Emmanuel Clase’s roosters.
Audio intro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to FG post on Castro
Link to MLBTR on three-team trade
Link to Passan on Tucker
Link to Passan on three-team trade
Link to two buttons meme
Link to Passan meme
Link to FG post on Realmuto
Link to FG post on Bichette
Link to FG post on Tucker
Link to Ben on Tucker
Link to Cohen tweet 1
Link to Cohen tweet 2
Link to FG quarter-zips
Link to over/under draft results
Link to Ben on free agency
Link to Passan on free agency
Link to offseason FA spending
Link to bad Tucker swing
Link to Ben on Yordan’s slump
Link to Roberts comments
Link to owner floor proposal
Link to floor proposal analysis
Link to Walker comment
Link to champion complacency
Link to FA fits episode
Link to team hitter age
Link to team OF WAR
Link to MLB execs poll
Link to Tucker persona story
Link to Tucker cWPA
Link to Teoscar in RF
Link to Teoscar in LF
Link to team depth chart projections
Link to team payrolls page
Link to Dodgers CBT tax spending
Link to 2006 team payrolls
Link to 2005 team payrolls
Link to 2003 Onion headline
Link to Kershaw WBC news
Link to Clase roosters story
Link to more on Clase roosters
Link to quotes about Clase
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley analyze the latest additions to the AL East: Ryan Weathers to the Yankees and Ranger Suárez to the Red Sox. Then (26:52) they bring on top-tier Patreon supporter Jon Norton to answer listener emails about players who’ve repeatedly signed one-year contracts, whether they would want to play in an MLB game, how impressive switch-hitting should be, WAR without players who took PEDs, and the all-time greatness of Star Trek legend Buck Bokai.
Audio intro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to FG post on Weathers
Link to FG post on Suárez
Link to team SP depth charts
Link to team depth charts WAR
Link to over/under draft standings
Link to Cot’s Contracts
Link to 2018 Passan tweet
Link to Sam on playing in a game
Link to decline of switch-hitting
Link to holodeck wiki
Link to holodeck malfunctions
Link to Buck Bokai at Memory Alpha
Link to WWIII at Memory Alpha
Link to Star Trek Ringer MLB Show
Link to listener emails database
Link to scientific method wiki
Link to MLBTR on Tucker
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley break down the Cubs’ big Alex Bregman signing, Nolan Arenado’s trade to Arizona, Kauffman Stadium’s soon-to-be-cozier confines, and a former GM’s dismissal of advanced stats, plus a few follow-ups.
Audio intro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Andrews on Bregman
Link to Baumann on Bregman
Link to Langs on draftees
Link to Montgomery on Boras
Link to Kennedy comments
Link to Sheehan on the Sox
Link to Tucker rumors
Link to team depth charts
Link to team payrolls
Link to Baumann on Arenado
Link to Passan on Kauffman
Link to Royals announcement tweet
Link to ballpark homogenization
Link to LA Memorial Coliseum info
Link to Statcast park factors
Link to Pasquantino take
Link to Rooker retort
Link to Mack piece at BP
Link to Sam on where to put a pit
Link to Amaro wiki
Link to Amaro tweet 1
Link to Amaro tweet 2
Link to Bichette report
Link to Collins report
Link to stream Stove League
Link to Stove League pods
Link to Sea Unicorns article
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a breakup of baseball lookalikes, minor league free agent draft eligibility, and more players who unretired after becoming coaches, then break down the latest baseball broadcasting developments, Rob Manfred’s recent comments (about his priorities and future, an offseason signing deadline, and regular-season structure), Tarik Skubal’s historic arbitration case, and, inspired by sensational hockey streaming series Heated Rivalry (which they discuss without spoilers), when an active MLB player might publicly come out.
Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Horny)”
Audio outro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLBTR on Fitzgerald
Link to Sojo article
Link to Campbell hiring
Link to TV network news
Link to MLBTR on TV networks
Link to TV network news 2
Link to Entertainment Strategy Guy
Link to streaming revenue info
Link to more on streaming revenue
Link to Manfred on a signing deadline
Link to Rooker tweet
Link to Harper sales article 1
Link to Harper sales article 2
Link to Manfred’s tournament comments
Link to MLBTR on Skubal
Link to The Athletic on Skubal
Link to Passan on Skubal
Link to Ben on arbitration
Link to MLBTR on Kepler
Link to Heated Rivalry
Link to hockey culture article
Link to Outsports article
Link to Take Me Out wiki
Link to EW Episode 1776
Link to Unwritten Rules
Link to Manfred’s diversity comments
Link to Venezuela article
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about how the on-ramp for learning about sports analytics has changed since they were students, follow up on players who unretired after becoming coaches, break down the Edward Cabrera trade (and the Michael Lorenzen signing), and then discuss the remaining top-10 free agents (Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Framber Valdez, Cody Bellinger, Bo Bichette, and Ranger Suárez) from three perspectives: where they’d have the biggest impact, where would be most fun for them to sign, and where they will sign.
Audio intro: Garrett Krohn, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Rice job listing
Link to Andres class article 1
Link to Andres class article 2
Link to Sabermetrics 101 MOOC
Link to Mota article
Link to Quirk bio
Link to Chambliss bio
Link to “Conformity Gate”
Link to Ben on Mass Effect 3
Link to Baumann on Cabrera
Link to Cabrera pitch values
Link to worst fastballs
Link to Andrews on Lorenzen
Link to FG top 50 FA
Link to Petriello on Tucker
Link to Gelb on Bichette
Link to IF fielding value
Link to team payrolls
Link to team SP depth charts
Link to team positional projections
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Daniel Vogelbach becoming a Brewers hitting coach and coach-hiring trends, analyze and phact-check Tommy Pham’s pitch for “PhamGraphs,” react to the Kazuma Okamoto signing and the Blue Jays embracing their big-market potential (in contrast to the Giants), and take the temperature of the pretty tepid stove (phollowed by a phollow-up on Pham).
Audio intro: The Spaghettis, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Vogelbach news
Link to Brewers coaching staff
Link to last year’s Vogelbach hiring
Link to Vogelbach promo
Link to article on PhamGraphs
Link to negativity bias wiki
Link to team batting LI
Link to batter opp_DRA-
Link to team batter opp_DRA-
Link to lineup construction study
Link to DRA- explainer
Link to DRC+ explainer
Link to Canha’s BP player card
Link to Pham’s BP player card
Link to August Pham incident
Link to EW Episode 2363
Link to PH PA leaders
Link to Eric on Okamoto
Link to NPB HR since 2019
Link to MLBTR on Okamoto
Link to MLBTR on Takahashi
Link to FG payroll page
Link to FG post on Mahle
Link to team SP projections
Link to FG top 50 FA
Link to Ben on pennant complacency
Link to Harbaugh firing
Link to latest Hang Up and Listen
Link to Albies TikTok
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Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Ben Clemens banter about the Astros signing Tatsuya Imai to a smaller-than-expected deal. Then (18:20) they continue a cherished podcast tradition by conducting the 13th annual Effectively Wild Minor League Free Agent Draft, in which they select 10 minor league free agents each and compete to see whose roster will accumulate the most combined MLB playing time in 2025 (followed by a postscript at 1:31:23).
Audio intro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to guest appearances sheet
Link to FG post on Imai
Link to MLBTR on Imai
Link to Feinsand tweet
Link to The Athletic on Imai
Link to minor league free agents
Link to MLBTR on MiLB FA
Link to last year’s draft
Link to MiLB FA draft wiki
Link to EWStats page
Link to dynasty FA draft sheet
Link to Brebbia on EW
Link to MLBTR on Baddoo
Link to 2025 MLB average SP
Link to MiLB IP leaders
Link to Can’t Hardly Wait scene
Link to this year’s draftees
Link to first Stathead query
Link to second Stathead query
Link to Boob McNutt
Link to Mutt and Jeff
Link to Gink and Boob
Link to Bucco Bricks tweet
Link to Lile’s Reddit response
Link to MLB.com on Lile
Link to car service jingles
Link to Conjunction Junction
Link to “certain point of view” scene
Link to “Old Ben” clip
Link to Slate on prediction markets
Link to Bloomberg on prediction markets
Link to Sporcle quiz
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the potential risk to sports prediction markets pose and then (24:00) discuss at least one listener-nominated topic about each American League team that wasn’t previously covered on the show in 2025.
Audio intro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLBTR on Rendon
Link to Bloomberg on prediction markets
Link to The Athletic on prediction markets
Link to FoS on the Blackhawks
Link to story about MLB memo
Link to Slate on prediction markets
Link to Slate on prediction markets 2
Link to Royals stadium story
Link to 1922 article on Fowler
Link to AL stories spreadsheet
Link to Ella Black series
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a smattering of recent transactions and then (20:17) discuss at least one listener-nominated topic about each National League team that wasn’t previously covered on the podcast in 2025.
Audio intro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Sean .P, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLB.com on Soderstrom
Link to MLBTR on Soderstrom
Link to MLBTR on Refsnyder
Link to The Athletic on Refsnyder
Link to “the grink” tweet
Link to Fowler SABR bio
Link to 1925 article on Fowler
Link to NL stories spreadsheet
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Ben Lindbergh talks to two pitchers who topped out at Triple-A in 2025, which was a demotion for one and a promotion for the other. First, he brings back Rangers pitcher Declan Cronin, the only major leaguer alum of Ben’s high school, to discuss a setback of a season that included a mysterious hip injury, compromised mechanics, diminished stuff, a cutthroat release and, finally, Tommy John surgery. Along the way, they cover the urge to play through injuries, joining the Rangers after being unceremoniously jettisoned by the Marlins, what tearing a UCL feels like, the incentives that lead to elbow problems, Declan’s plan to bounce back from a challenging year, MLB-NWSL romances, and competing with other players for wedding dates. Then (1:05:45), Ben talks to White Sox pitcher/sportswriter Duncan Davitt about becoming a journalist on the side, being on both ends of interviews, being blacked out of baseball broadcasts, the plight and importance of local media, his deceptive delivery, being traded and making a 40-man for the first time, what he has to do to earn a call-up, whether pitchers wear protective cups, and much more.
Audio intro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2”
Link to “TK” journalism term
Link to MLBTR on Soderstrom
Link to Regis High School wiki
Link to Declan’s first pod appearance
Link to Declan’s second pod appearance
Link to article about baseball weddings
Link to Declan t-shirt
Link to MLBTR on Declan’s TJ
Link to list of TJ surgeries
Link to cascade injury article
Link to MLBTR on Declan’s deal
Link to team RP WPA
Link to team RP WAR
Link to staff page at Tread
Link to Tyler Zombro wiki
Link to Paige Monaghan wiki
Link to Paige’s wedding post
Link to Dansby/Mallory article
Link to Peña/Grosso engagement
Link to Duncan strikeout reel
Link to Register feature on Duncan
Link to Sox Machine feature on Duncan
Link to Duncan’s wedding post
Link to Rays prospect ranking
Link to traded prospects ranking
Link to minor league IP leaders
Link to Ben on deception
Link to Indianola IA website
Link to Indianola wiki
Link to J.D. Scholten appearance
Link to Indianola IA sports page
Link to Duncan’s boys’ basketball article
Link to Duncan’s girls’ basketball article
Link to Duncan on the offseason
Link to Duncan on the trade
Link to Duncan on the 40-man
Link to Duncan on Triple-A
Link to Duncan on big league belief
Link to Laurila’s notes column
Link to Ben on the gap in 2025
Link to Ben on the gap in 2015
Link to Davenport on the gap
Link to MLB.com on Abbott Elementary
Link to Schwarber’s 4-HR game
Link to MLB survey question
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Ben Lindbergh, Craig Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus, and Joe Sheehan of The Joe Sheehan Baseball Newsletter break down teams’ last-minute Christmas shopping—including the White Sox signing Munetaka Murakami, the Padres signing Michael King and Sung Mun Song, the Orioles trading for Shane Baz, the Red Sox trading for Willson Contreras, a three-team trade involving the Pirates, Rays, and Astros, Jeff McNeil and Matt Strahm swaps, and the Yankees’ hibernation—plus banter about the quasi-retirement of Craig’s nemesis, Joe Kelly, the future of NPB, a report about Emmanuel Clase’s mid-game phone use, and supporting independent media. Then (1:11:40) they conduct an in-depth debate about the respective merits of human umpiring, the challenge system, and full ABS.
Audio intro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Kelly’s podcast
Link to Dubuque on the challenge system
Link to Craig on the challenge system
Link to Joe on the challenge system
Link to previous podcast discussion
Link to Seitz decision wiki
Link to Joe on the Seitz decision
Link to over/under draft results
Link to Baumann on Murakami
Link to Rosenblum on Murakami
Link to Longenhagen on Murakami
Link to Craig on Murakami
Link to Sarris on Murakami
Link to Ben on Murakami in 2022
Link to Sato story
Link to FG post on King
Link to FG post on Song
Link to FG post on Baz
Link to Craig on Baz
Link to team SP projections
Link to Joe on three-team trade
Link to FG post on three-team trade
Link to FG post on Contreras
Link to FG post on Strahm
Link to Strahm’s beer stance
Link to Bowlan info
Link to FG post on McNeil
Link to Lindor/McNeil drama
Link to Clase report
Link to Dylan phone ban
Link to Molina framing montage
Link to framing technique evolution
Link to Molina on EW
Link to Craig on the K-Zone
Link to Tango on challenge tactics
Link to Five and Dive
Link to subscribe to BP
Link to subscribe to Joe
Link to MLBTR on O’Hearn
Link to Posnanski MVP post
Link to A’s ballpark update
Link to Rian Johnson post
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Ben Lindbergh brings on ESPN senior MLB insider Jeff Passan to discuss the ins and outs of the newsbreaking business—how he reports and announces news, how newsbreaking in baseball differs from newsbreaking in other sports, conflicts of interest, the ills of social media, work-life balance, aging, his flirtation with switching to the basketball beat, and more—plus Jeff’s thoughts on ESPN’s relationship with MLB, the biggest surprises and questions of this hot stove season, and the outlook for a lockout. Then (1:06:55) Ben talks to The Athletic’s Sam Blum about what he learned from covering the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Tyler Skaggs against the Angels, which was settled just before the jury reached a verdict.
Audio intro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Jeff’s last EW appearance
Link to Jeff’s newsbreaking origins
Link to Jeff’s gravy tweet
Link to aging research
Link to article about aging
Link to Woj comments
Link to Schefter comments
Link to Shams comments
Link to Shams profile
Link to Shams vs. Woj feature
Link to Passan NBA report
Link to exhibit 49 info
Link to more exhibit 49 info
Link to ESPN-MLB deal
Link to ESPN-NFL deal
Link to ESPN evolution
Link to Jeff’s trade tweet
Link to news about Jeff’s son
Link to The LAT on the settlement
Link to Sam on the settlement
Link to Sam on Trout
Link to MLB testing change
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about an “oppo taco” mention in Wake Up Dead Man, a run on free-agent relievers and the lack of late-inning options remaining on the market, when big free agents actually tend to sign, the Nationals’ youth movement in the front office and on the coaching staff, and the stacked USA WBC pitching staff, plus follow-ups on several subjects.
Audio intro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Rian Johnson clip
Link to MLB.com on Weaver
Link to Williams message
Link to FG post on Keller
Link to Arizona gulls
Link to MLBTR on May
Link to Jimmy trailer
Link to Buzzfeed post on Jimmy
Link to remaining FA RP
Link to Nats youth story
Link to Nats youth story 2
Link to Nats youth tweet
Link to MLBTR on DeBartolo
Link to Butera quote
Link to Nats ticket settlement
Link to scouts lawsuit
Link to ump age study
Link to Sheehan research
Link to Raleigh award tweet
Link to USA WBC roster
Link to 2023 roster
Link to Trout WBC story
Link to announced players post
Link to Ben on WBC injuries
Link to Ben on more WBCs
Link to Grinch oral history
Link to roast beast
Link to MLBTR on Kim’s offer
Link to “Big Smooth” article
Link to Pomeranz post
Link to Calcaterra on the HoF
Link to ineligible list wiki
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Ha-Seong Kim, Adrian Houser, and Foster Griffin signings, a prospect-for-prospect Red Sox and Nationals trade, and the Twins’ partial sale, then (34:00) answer emails about saying “pitchoff” instead of “first pitch,” the value of a cool nickname, a Hall of Fame reference in The Wizard of Oz, whether teams value batter performance against elite pitching, protesting ball/strike calls from the dugout, keeping Pete Rose out of the Hall, a running start for pitchers, and moving the catcher back instead of the mound.
Audio intro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to FG post on Kim
Link to Anthopoulos comments on Kim
Link to MLBTR on Houser
Link to MLBTR on Griffin
Link to FG post on pitching prospects trade
Link to Twins sale story
Link to $/WAR analysis
Link to $/WAR analysis 2
Link to ceremonial first puck wiki
Link to “baseball exceptionalism” series
Link to Sam’s hockey quote
Link to Raleigh “Beef Boys” story
Link to Sam on Trout in 2012
Link to The Wizard of Oz song
Link to halls of fame wiki
Link to Hall of Fame for Great Americans
Link to Schwarber’s postseason stats
Link to pitcher quality adjustment post
Link to Capps hop post
Link to Ben on moving the mound
Link to listener emails database
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a smattering of transactions, featuring (among others) Jorge Polanco, Tyler Rogers, Kenley Jansen, Isaac Collins, Angel Zerpa, Merrill Kelly, Josh Bell, and Adolis García. Then (49:03) they talk about MLB’s move to regulate and standardize the use of in-game technology across the minor leagues, baseball content (sans spoilers!) in new Netflix films Wake Up Dead Man and A House of Dynamite (1:04:50), and MLB players who could come out of retirement after long layoffs, à la Colts QB Philip Rivers (1:15:20).
Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to FG post on Polanco
Link to Petriello on Polanco
Link to FG post on Rogers
Link to team RP projections
Link to FG post on Brewers/Royals trade
Link to 2025 team OF stats
Link to FG post on Kelly
Link to FG post on Kenley
Link to R-JAWS leaders
Link to Ben on the Lester trade
Link to MLBTR on Bell
Link to Trueblood on Bell
Link to MLBTR on García
Link to new MLB regulations
Link to 2023 report on team spending
Link to report on Monfort’s spending
Link to EW Episode 1489
Link to EW Episode 1490
Link to Ben on Elementary
Link to baseball in Knives Out
Link to blog about baseball in WUDM
Link to Reddit on baseball in WUDM
Link 2 to Reddit on baseball in WUDM
Link to Lindor references
Link to Vonn’s win
Link to Rivers post in FB group
Link to Rivers game story
Link to Seahawks tweet
Link to Gainwell wiki
Link to EW Episode 1928
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Garrett Stubbs and the latest example of eyebrow-raising off-the-field Phillies behavior (content warning: adult breast milk consumption), then (14:58) discuss the Pete Alonso signing from the Orioles’ and Mets’ perspectives, Stat Blast (47:09) about teams losing long-tenured/productive players and rapid roster turnover among title winners, and recap (1:05:25) a smattering of transactions to put a bow on the week of Winter Meetings.
Audio intro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to cursed Stubbs TikTok
Link to info on breast milk drinking
Link to bodybuilders and breast milk
Link to Stubbs on EW
Link to Phillies himbo article 1
Link to Phillies himbo article 2
Link to FG post on Alonso
Link to Alonso’s career splits
Link to O’s vs. LHP
Link to Sheehan on the O’s
Link to O’s offense sim
Link to team SP projections
Link to Post cover 1
Link to Post cover 2
Link to “Headless Body in Topless Bar”
Link to Stat Blast spreadsheet
Link to FG post on Suarez
Link to FG post on Yastrzemski
Link to FG post on Finnegan
Link to FG post on Thomas
Link to over/under draft results
Link to MLBTR on Garcia
Link to MLBTR on Rogers
Link to Hughes/Fitzy story
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley break down Scott Boras’s Winter Meetings wordplay and discuss the Kyle Schwarber and Edwin Díaz deals, a smattering of starting-pitcher signings, the Pirates as supposed spenders, the latest on the Ippei Mizuhara TV series, a Lane Kiffin canine conspiracy, and a Johanfran Garcia nickname.
Audio intro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Boras on EW
Link to Boras on Imai
Link to Boras on Suárez
Link to Boras on Bregman
Link to Boras on Alonso
Link to more on Alonso
Link to “Wood” song
Link to Boras on Gallen
Link to Boras on Skubal
Link to Boras on Bellinger
Link to Bellinger quote transcription
Link to quote about news timing
Link to FG post on Schwarber
Link to NL fWAR leaders
Link to FG post on Díaz
Link to Friedman’s “heavy lifting” quote
Link to over/under draft results
Link to Pirates offer story
Link to Boras on the Pirates
Link to Pirates/Marlins spending story
Link to Ippei show update
Link to FG post on Matz
Link to MLBTR on Grissom
Link to MLBTR on Ponce
Link to MLBTR on Weiss
Link to MLBTR on Kay
Link to MLBTR on Anderson
Link to HUAL on Kiffin
Link to Kiffin dog story 1
Link to Kiffin dog story 2
Link to report on Juice
Link to post on Juice’s account
Link to Cruella de Vil wiki
Link to Garcia brothers story
Link to Patreon gift subs
Link to Secret Santa sign-up
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley deliver a correction to the preceding episode’s draft results, ponder the mystery of a bigger John Brebbia fan than Ben, remind listeners to sign up for EW Secret Santa, and banter about Sonny Gray, Brian Cashman, and gloriously nonsensical sports beefs, Bryce Harper’s ozone therapy, two trades centered on blocked prospects, and Jeff Kent’s Cooperstown induction.
Audio intro: Sean .P, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to EWStats thread
Link to competitions/drafts sheet
Link to EWStats site
Link to FanGraphs Walk-Off
Link to Gray article 1
Link to Gray article 2
Link to Dobbins dad story
Link to Schlittler article 1
Link to Schlittler article 2
Link to Cashman on Stanton
Link to Harper Insta post
Link to Baumann post about Harper
Link to Baumann’s cycling newsletter
Link to Redd post about Harper
Link to Harper photo 1
Link to Harper photo 2
Link to Redd’s site
Link to Ozone therapy wiki
Link to Bastyr U wiki
Link to FG post on Ford trade
Link to FG post on Password trade
Link to Pirates/Marlins spending story
Link to 2025 team catcher WAR
Link to team SP projections
Link to Jay on Kent
Link to Sheffield’s explanation
Link to 2B JAWS
Link to 2000 NL fWAR leaders
Link to 2000 NL bWAR leaders
Link to “C’mon, do something” meme
Link to MLBTR on Wade
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Ben Lindbergh, Sam Miller, and podcast scorekeeper Chris Hanel review the results of an under-25-pitchers draft Ben and Sam conducted a decade ago. Then (13:38) Ben and Sam banter about Ben’s physique, answer listener emails about doing a The Only Rule-style experiment 10 years later, discuss Sam’s revamped, unique approach to writing about baseball this year, and consider some possibilities for what we’ll remember about baseball in 2025. After that (1:05:57), Ben continues the sporadic “Baseball Jobs” series by interviewing 71-year-old John Yandle, the Giants’ left-handed batting-practice pitcher since 1985, about his transition from pitcher to BP pitcher, the keys to good BP, balancing his day job and his baseball side gig, anticipating starting-pitcher matchups, fending off advanced pitching machines, his incredible longevity, arm care in his 70s, the hitters who’ve complained the most, throwing BP to Barry Bonds, and more, followed by (2:01:20) a postscript.
Audio intro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Sam Miller, “Effectively Wild Theme (Ken Maeda’s Nice ‘n’ Easy Remix)”
Audio outro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to EW Episode 669
Link to competitions/drafts sheet
Link to EWStats site
Link to The Only Rule
Link to Ben’s Vince Gilligan video
Link to Pebble Hunting
Link to Sam on tripping
Link to Sam on non-highlight highlights
Link to Sam on the CI challenge
Link to Sam on dropped third strikes
Link to piece about first pitches
Link to How To with John Wilson
Link to Sam on remembering past years
Link to Sam on Ohtani in 2024
Link to Sam on the World Series
Link to Sam on the Hall
Link to titular Yogi-ism
Link to John’s B-Ref page
Link to John’s Newmark bio
Link to 2024 article on John
Link to 2012 article on John
Link to 2007 article on John
Link to Johnson’s first pitch
Link to Bonds TTO splits
Link to Giants Trajekt machine
Link to Cooney/Wharton
Link to Cooney’s LinkedIn
Link to Byrnes wiki
Link to Wrapped post
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the John Brebbia and Devin Williams signings (in that order, obviously), share a few follow-ups, and (31:33) assess whether each team satisfied its season preview guest’s conditions for a successful year. Then (58:18) they answer emails about the origins of the concept of the “opposite field,” the meaning of the word “whiff,” how to refer to offseasons, whether umpires practice throwing, how much stock to place in regular-season wins without an accompanying championship, and two takes on the challenge system.
Audio intro: The Spaghettis, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLBTR on Brebbia
Link to Brebbia on EW
Link to minor league FA
Link to FG post on Williams
Link to present-value calc
Link to Petriello on Williams
Link to biggest 2025 ERA-FIP gaps
Link to contracts draft
Link to team SP projections
Link to Canadian currency details
Link to Metrodome demolition
Link to preseason team goals
Link to Dickson on “corner”
Link to Dickson on “opposite field”
Link to Dickson on “whiff”
Link to FG top 50 FA
Link to team wins since 2000
Link to Andrews on ABS and catchers
Link to Tango on ABS and catchers
Link to listener emails database
Link to MLBTR on Manoah
Link to MLBTR on Ponce
Link to Patreon gift subs
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley respond to the responses to their response to a recent listener email, discuss (14:38) the Blue Jays’ Dylan Cease deal (including a Stat Blast about pitchers with big ERA-FIP gaps at 34:11), Anthony Rendon’s potential retirement (47:23), and the Orioles’ Ryan Helsley signing (1:05:37), before scrutinizing ESPN’s annual offseason survey of MLB executives (1:15:53).
Audio intro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to EW Episode 2407
Link to T20 cricket
Link to Baumann on Cease
Link to team SP projections
Link to contracts draft results
Link to Canadian currency wiki
Link to ERA-FIP gap findings
Link to ERA estimators study
Link to “IPA” drug report
Link to Rendon report
Link to Rendon EW episode
Link to The Force Awakens scene
Link to Helsley starting post
Link to Helsley signing post
Link to Helsley BP player card
Link to BP pitching leaderboards
Link to Ben on Alcantara in 2022
Link to Trueblood on predictability
Link to Sam on the Crasnicks
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley bring on top-tier Patreon supporter Becca Balton to banter about Becca’s baseball background, her origins as a listener, and the Nationals’ new direction, then (17:51) answer emails about a team WAR cap, an extra-innings variant in which the team to score fastest wins, manager close-ups on postseason broadcasts, citing the stats of a particular pitch, a pitch-based skills competition, and the “corners” of the strike zone, followed (1:09:33) by Stat Blasts about postseason series MVPs with negative (c)WPAs, pitchers who earned their first save in their final appearance, the oldest/most-experienced pitchers to push their career records over .500 for the first time, and teams that swept the major awards in the shortest spans, plus a postscript on the Dylan Cease signing and more.
Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Yesavage splitter stats
Link to Babe Ruth Award wiki
Link to Kershaw/Stafford backstory
Link to xkcd “Ten Thousand” comic
Link to Stafford stat
Link to Stafford’s season
Link to QB wins leaders
Link to Nightengale column
Link to BP on MLB’s “losses”
Link to MaML on Karcher
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Red Sox-Cardinals trade involving Sonny Gray and take Hal Steinbrenner to task for his comments about the Yankees not being profitable, then (37:00) talk to Jay Jaffe about the big issues surrounding this year’s (and upcoming years’) BBWAA and Era Committee Hall of Fame ballots.
Audio intro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLBTR on Gray
Link to Baumann on Gray
Link to Breslow quote
Link to Steinbrenner’s comments
Link to Rob on Steinbrenner
Link to Rob on Atlanta
Link to Beeston quote
Link to Forbes estimates
Link to 2026 BBWAA ballot
Link to Jay on the ballot
Link to Jay’s profiles schedule
Link to ballot tracker
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Warren Schaeffer staying on as Rockies manager, the Mets’ and Rangers’ Brandon Nimmo–Marcus Semien swap, and their memories, thoughts, and feelings concerning Alex Rodriguez, inspired by the new, three-part HBO docuseries Alex vs. A-Rod. Then (58:35) they talk to the co-directors/EPs of Alex vs. A-Rod, Gotham Chopra and Erik LeDrew, about how the docuseries sausage was made and their insights into A-Rod’s psyche.
Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2”
Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLBTR on Schaeffer
Link to Baumann on the trade
Link to Alex vs. A-Rod trailer
Link to stream Alex vs. A-Rod
Link to Alex vs. A-Rod IMDb page
Link to Gotham’s IMDb page
Link to Erik’s IMDb page
Link to latest HUAL episode
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Link to “gun” etymology
Link to 1993 Levy article
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Aaron Judge having been teammates with both Taylor Ward and Tyler Wade, a revelation about the late-season health of Elly De La Cruz, and the hidden value of multiposition players such as Mauricio Dubón, then (38:22) answer listener emails about the terms “baseball lifer” and “double-barrel action,” when bases-loaded situations are separate, how to count innings, a weird double play, how to classify switch-hitters, non-switch-hitters who should consider switch-hitting, and whether wealth can buy a good farm system.
Audio intro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Elly injury info
Link to September Elly episode
Link to AA quotes on Dubón
Link to 2025 FRV leaders
Link to Kostka thread on Grayson
Link to double play clip 1
Link to double play clip 2
Link to double play clip 3
Link to Rendon homer story
Link to Popkins origin story
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Link to Narduzzi clip
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Ben, Meg, Michael Baumann, Ben Clemens, and Chris Hanel congregate to review the results of the 2025 minor league free agent draft (11:45) and recap their 40 bold preseason predictions (19:01), following quick games of “2025 College World Series Starting Pitching Matchup or First Amendment Supreme Court Case” (2:58) and “Cedar Rapids Kernel or Character in the Star Wars Universe” (7:42).
Audio intro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to free agent draft episode
Link to draft history
Link to preseason predictions episode
Link to predictions game history
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Ben and Meg banter about the benefits of baseball supporting longer careers than some other sports (inspired by LeBron James becoming the first NBA player to make it to a 23rd season), the Mariners re-signing Josh Naylor, four free agents accepting qualifying offers, the Orioles and Angels swapping Grayson Rodriguez and Taylor Ward, whether teams will find/develop the next Kyle Hendricks, MLB’s unveiling of its new/old broadcast partners, and some news about the WPBL.
Audio intro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to LeBron gamer
Link to B-Ref seasons leaderboard
Link to FG post on Naylor
Link to Passan’s Pirates report
Link to We Tried Tracker return
Link to Baumann on the QOs
Link to over/under draft tracker
Link to FG post on O’s-Angels trade
Link to Judge’s former teammates
Link to Judge/Wade sighting
Link to xkcd comic
Link to Laurila on Hendricks
Link to Bloom quote
Link to Toboni quote
Link to Ben on Arraez
Link to MLB rights release
Link to Marchand on the rights deals
Link to Marchand on the rights deals 2
Link to WPBL news 1
Link to WPBL news 2
Link to Ben on the OWL
Link to Hot Stove League on Netflix
Link to initial praise of the show
Link to first recap pod
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Ben and Meg banter about Based Boras vs. Borscht Belt Boras and a few corny quips they overlooked, then discuss end-of-season awards (Aaron Judge vs. Cal Raleigh, Paul Skenes vs. Cristopher Sánchez, Skenes as a paid pitchman, José Ramírez MVP shares, Shohei Ohtani’s dog vs. Judge’s dogs, repetition among award winners, groupthink among voters, WAR preference, bringing back old-school awards, and more) before touching on the news that Padres ownership is exploring a sale. Then (1:13:43) Michael Mountain joins Ben to Stat Blast about team rivalries.
Audio intro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Boras/exec comments
Link to BP Boras quip ranking
Link to AL MVP results
Link to Ben on Judge and Raleigh
Link to NL MVP results
Link to AL Cy results
Link to NL Cy results
Link to Skenes reaction
Link to Skenes reaction article
Link to Skenes Raising Cane’s spot
Link to Skenes on EW
Link to Posnanski on retro awards
Link to Ohtani dog video
Link to Judge dog video
Link to Baumann on voting and WAR
Link to award share wiki
Link to Ramírez award share
Link to pitch-fixing fallout article
Link to MLBTR on the Padres sale
Link to rivalry scores data
Link to CTV Barger video
Link to Mense hiring
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Ben and Meg banter about a hotel-lobby shrine to Addison Barger and Scott Boras wordplay at the GM meetings, Stat Blast (25:50) about Paul DePodesta’s comeback, POBO percentage, postseason questions, and Mike Greenwell, and (1:01:07) conduct the 11th annual free agent contract over/under draft, plus a Boras postscript.
Audio intro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)”
Link to Barger story
Link to Marriott love story
Link to Boras quote round-up
Link to Boras on Skubal
Link to Boras on Alonso
Link to Boras on Bregman
Link to Boras on Bellinger
Link to Boras on Kim
Link to Boras on EW
Link to Ben on the Rockies
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Ben and Meg break down the federal indictment of Emmanuel Clase and Luis L. Ortiz, including the documentary and statistical evidence of their alleged pitch-fixing, the implications for the sport and sports gambling, the unanswered questions, the dark comedy, and more (plus a real-time reaction to an MLB betting reform and an answer to an email about parenting in the age of ubiquitous sports-betting ads).
Audio intro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2”
Link to government press release
Link to indictment
Link to NBA story
Link to Ben’s article
Link to pitches reel
Link to Shoeless Joe info 1
Link to Shoeless Joe info 2
Link to MLB press release
Link to Pages pitch
Link to postseason pitch
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Ben and Meg banter about the Rockies reportedly hiring Paul DePodesta as their new head of baseball operations, another managerial hiring, MLB’s World Series ratings bonanza, the resurgence of the splitter, the Royals extending Salvador Perez, and more. Then (44:30) they bring on Ben Clemens to discuss his ranking of this offseason’s top 50 free agents, the strengths and weaknesses of the class as a whole, some notable free agents from Kyle Tucker on down, players he’s high/low on, and how the specter of a future work stoppage might affect this hot stove season.
Audio intro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLBTR on DePobo
Link to report on “finalists”
Link to Colorado tax measure
Link to Passan’s Stammen tweet
Link to Tingler report
Link to WBC exhibitions
Link to MLB ratings release
Link to article on Canadian ratings
Link to MLB/NBA ratings comparison
Link to Sarris on splitters
Link to Andrews on splitters
Link to splitter usage by year
Link to Neyer on splitters/forkballs
Link to Salvy extension post
Link to MLBPA investigation story
Link to banned agent story
Link to Other Ben’s FA ranking
Link to MLBTR on Bieber
Link to Tango on Bieber
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Link to Plot Hole or Not Hole
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Ben and Meg banter about the slightly shorter-than-usual duration of the offseason, how big the WBC will be, and a few managerial hirings. After that (41:53), they talk to FanGraphs lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen about Munetaka Murakami and this offseason’s most promising free agents from international leagues, what we’ve learned about Roki Sasaki and the factors that predict MLB success for NPB/KBO players, and MLB’s winter moratorium on amateur scouting.
Audio intro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to manager hirings/firings
Link to most managers for one GM
Link to Rockies update 1
Link to Rockies update 2
Link to Ben on ex-player GMs
Link to Eric on IFA
Link to Ben on Murakami/Sasaki
Link to scouting moratorium news
Link to EW on the moratorium
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Ben and Meg banter about all the highlights of World Series Game 7, with a side of World Series Game 6, break down the appeal of the now-completed postseason, and discuss what teams might take away from the success of 2025’s pennant winners.
Audio intro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Sean .P, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Ben’s post-G7 story
Link to cWPA data
Link to Dan S. on the Dodgers
Link to Neil Paine on the Dodgers
Link to Passan on Yamamoto/Rojas
Link to Tango on IKF
Link to Andrews on the bench-clearing
Link to Ohtani’s G6 double
Link to postgame Mattingly moment
Link to 2015 Theo quote
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Ben and Meg banter about Trey Yesavage’s performance in World Series Game 5, whether he’s already provided a career’s worth of value to Toronto, his current prospect ranking, and his future, plus Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s steady postseason production vs. Shohei Ohtani’s clustered postseason production, covering the regular season like we cover the postseason, why the Dodgers’ bats have gone cold, Teoscar Hernández’s outfielding, Mookie Betts’ future at shortstop, what the World Series says about “momentum,” how the last two games of the series will affect post-series discussions about MLB, and Davis Schneider’s batting mimicry.
Audio intro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to “pitcher’s cycle”
Link to high-K, 0-BB starts
Link to more Yesavage facts
Link to Passan on Yesavage
Link to FG top 100 update
Link to MLB Pipeline ranking
Link to Weaver on momentum
Link to BP on momentum
Link to BP on momentum again
Link to Sheehan on the Dodgers
Link to Sam on the Dodgers
Link to Shneider article
Link to “catbird seat” info
Link to Barber letter
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Ben and Meg banter about Magic Johnson’s Game 5 preview, Game 4 observations, belated Game 2 takes on Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Jonas Brothers, Addison Barger’s sleepovers and doppelgangers, David Popkins’ impact on the Jays, another Cal Raleigh award win, Bryce Harper’s hurt feelings, and more.
Audio intro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Magic tweet
Link to Stephen A. clip
Link to “catbird seat”
Link to Paine’s research
Link to team IBB
Link to postseason IBB story
Link to MLB.com Jonas Bros story
Link to Mastercard Jonas Bros release
Link to People Jonas Bros story
Link to Jonas Bros backlash story
Link to Jonas Bros performance
Link to Barger/Schneider story
Link to Jays internal dev story
Link to Popkins story 1
Link to Popkins story 2
Link to Popkins story 3
Link to Cal award win 1
Link to Cal award win 2
Link to Harper story
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Ben and Meg banter about and draft their favorite 18 moments (one for each inning!) from an endlessly entertaining, and almost just plain endless, World Series Game 3.
Audio intro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Ben on Game 3
Link to Laurila on Game 3
Link to Baumann on Game 3
Link to Andrews on Game 3
Link to Clemens on Game 3
Link to Wegner’s Umpire Scorecard
Link to Barger/Schneider story
Link to Verducci story
Link to Paisley story
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Ben and Meg banter about Ben’s trip to a World Series-obsessed city, whether Game 1 of a best-of-seven series can be “must-win,” the Jays-as-underdogs narrative, the global audience for the matchup, and a few factors they’re following throughout the series, before reacting to two California clubs’ managerial hirings: the Angels’ choice of Kurt Suzuki and the Giants’ choice of Tony Vitello (plus a postgame postscript).
Audio intro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to “Must-win” article
Link to best-of-seven probability
Link to ZiPS odds
Link to Bichette article
Link to Mickey Stanley article
Link to global viewership
Link to Pharrell announcement
Link to Pharrell performance
Link to Hoffman names
Link to Snell fashion
Link to subjective age
Link to plate-tapping promo
Link to Ben on SP as RP
Link to Pujols/Angels article
Link to Suzuki hiring
Link to Minasian story
Link to HVAC story
Link to Trout testimony
Link to Hundley article
Link to Vitello article
Link to Baumann on Vitello
Link to “eyes of the world” message
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Meg Rowley and guest co-host Ben Clemens of FanGraphs discuss the conclusion of the ALCS, including Dan Wilson’s decision to the turn to Eduard Bazardo to face George Springer with runners on in the seventh rather than bring in a higher-leverage reliever like Andrés Muñoz. Then they preview the upcoming World Series between the Blue Jays and the Dodgers, highlighting a few matchups they think might prove to be important in determining the winner.
Audio intro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to sign up for Patreon
Link to Ben on the first part of his Fielding Bible Awards ballot
Link to Eric Longenhagen on Game 7 of the ALCS
Link to Ben on intentionally walking Cal Raleigh
Link to Joe Posnanski on the Bazardo decision
Link to Davy Andrews on the three jumps of Game 7
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In the hours before an ill-fated (for the Mariners) ALCS Game 7, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the state of Meg’s fan feelings and the highlights, lowlights, managerial moves, and more from Games 5 and 6. Then they discuss Shohei Ohtani’s instantly legendary NLCS Game 4 performance (plus postscript).
Audio intro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”
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Link to Ben on the Ohtani Game
Link to SI Ohtani article
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about ALCS Game 4 and NLCS Game 3, with an emphasis on Max Scherzer’s must-win mentality and why his hyped-up mound and start-day demeanor stops just short of scanning as too intense, the Dodgers’ likeability (or lack thereof), and repetitive promos. Then (as Meg sporadically exclaims about the beginning of ALCS Game 5), they discuss how the Tigers should approach Tarik Skubal’s contractual/financial future, followed by a postscript featuring snippets of real-time reaction to the Mariners’ Game 5 comeback and Shohei Ohtani’s instantly legendary, pennant-clinching Game 4 two-way display.
Audio intro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to sign up for Patreon
Link to Scherzer’s must-win quote
Link to Sheehan on Scherzer
Link to The Bandwagon post
Link to Petriello on catcher fatigue
Link to Defector on Piazza
Link to MLBTR on Skubal
Link to MLBTR Skubal poll
Link to Monfort message
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the effect of road dominance on the postseason spectator experience and discuss NLCS Game 2 and ALCS Game 3, touching on Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s throwback complete game, the historic playoff production of Kiké Hernández, the less surprising excellence of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., a budding Dodgers backlash, pitcher usage when a team is trailing, how to handle Humpy, and much more. Then (1:16:22) they answer listener emails about the ethics of October rooting, what to call two-game sweeps, “representing” the tying run, great takes on great pitches, and players who lost “local hero” status.
Audio intro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to sign up for Patreon
Link to 2019 road dominance
Link to 2023 road dominance
Link to playoff OPS ratios
Link to Arozarena playoff wRC+
Link to Hernández playoff wRC+
Link to Paine on the Dodgers
Link to Castellanos defense
Link to Kiké quotes
Link to QT commercial
Link to #6org post 1
Link to #6org post 2
Link to #6org post 3
Link to Salmon Run cast
Link to Humpy story
Link to MLBTR on Hedges
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley revisit Meg’s experience of Mariners-Tigers ALDS Game 5 and recap the first few games of the Championship Series round, touching on postseason broadcast booths, the Mariners’ mauling of the Blue Jays in Toronto, Pat Murphy’s burnishing of the Brewers’ underdog image, broader narrative-building about the Brewers-Dodgers series, whether the Dodgers intentionally took it easy during the regular season, the GIDP heard ’round the world, starters moonlighting as relievers, Blake Snell, and more, plus closing banter about manager news and Pete Alonso’s contract target in his second crack at free agency.
Audio intro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to sign up for Patreon
Link to Meg’s 2386 postscript
Link to playoff win expectancy changes
Link to Humpy article
Link to Humpy video
Link to worst BsR w/30+ SB
Link to AL team Gold Gloves
Link to NL team Gold Gloves
Link to The Bandwagon on Gold Gloves
Link to GIDP video
Link to GIDP article
Link to Cooper on the GIDP
Link to Turang on his near-HBP
Link to Stathead on 100-pitch playoff games
Link to jacked Jays fan
Link to Robles play
Link to Passan on the NLCS
Link to Murphy’s “eight guys” quote
Link to Defector comment
Link to Craig on the Dodgers
Link to Schildt story
Link to Hinch story
Link to Alonso report
Link to Sam on “seeking”
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley announce their playoff livestream plans and then break down Game 4 of the Phillies-Dodgers NLDS, including their musings on Orion Kerkering’s game-ending error and the events that preceded it, whether baseball would be better or worse without its tragic on-field figures, the Phillies’ future, and the intimidating Dodgers. Then, after a few thoughts on the Brewers and Cubs, they banter about baseball’s culture of pitch-tipping paranoia (53:29), the effects of high-tech pitching machines (1:09:20), the upcoming MLB free agency of NPB slugger Munetaka Murakami (1:17:00), and potentially encouraging comments about MLB’s path to a unified package of broadcast rights (1:20:58), plus a postscript message from Meg (1:30:05) about the Mariners’ ALDS Game 5 victory.
Audio intro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to sign up for Patreon
Link to FG Phillies-Dodgers gamer
Link to walk-off video
Link to Gelb’s Phillies story
Link to walk-off errors stat 1
Link to walk-off errors stat 2
Link to Yoda quote
Link to tweet about Call on Call
Link to Stark on the Phillies’ future
Link to Petriello’s post
Link to new meme format
Link to bunting etymology
Link to FG Cubs-Brewers gamer
Link to article on pitch-tipping
Link to Ben on the banging scheme
Link to Wilson’s chess quote
Link to The Bandwagon on Trajekt
Link to 2024 Trajekt Stat Blast
Link to tweet about Yesavage
Link to Ben on pitching machines
Link to home wRC+ by year
Link to road wRC+ by year
Link to MLBTR on Murakami
Link to Ben on Murakami/Sasaki
Link to Normandin article
Link to Kennedy comments
Link to Kasten comments
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the rampant overuse of the phrase “must-win game,” denying late timeouts, the Blue Jays’ victory over the Yankees, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., a Yankees postmortem, Aaron Judge’s partial postseason redemption, the athletic (and managerial) highlights and lowlights of the other ALDS and the two NLDSes, the swan song of October Clayton Kershaw, postseason sacrifice bunting, Bryce Harper’s thoughts on childbirth, and more.
Audio intro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Passan’s Phillies tweet
Link to Posnanski on comebacks from 0-2
Link to Vlad’s Yankees grudge
Link to Vlad and Papi
Link to Papi on Schlittler
Link to Rosenthal on Judge
Link to Sheehan on Judge
Link to Rosenthal on the Yankees
Link to The Ringer on Fox’s MLB panel
Link to “clean your clock” etymology
Link to Stott bunt explanation
Link to Harper quote
Link to Raleigh shirt story
Link to infield-fly call
Link to Stark fun fact
Link to The West Wing scene
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s recovery from illness and her ongoing emotional distress as a postseason spectator, then share their takeaways from the first two games of each ALDS and the first game of each NLDS. After that (51:15), Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie joins to talk about how he’s handling postseason stress, his thoughts on the Mariners season and playoff performance so far, the team he would root for if he weren’t an M’s fan, and whether he’d write a Mariners victory song, plus a postscript (1:31:15) on how Guardians fans are feeling.
Audio intro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Langs on Yesavage
Link to Ben on first-year pitchers
Link to Passan on Roki’s reinvention
Link to FG post on M’s-Tigers G2
Link to DCFC’s Mariners post
Link to 2011 interview about DCFC’s name
Link to “Ichiro’s Theme”
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Ben Lindbergh brings on Michael Baumann, who immediately makes Ben regret it by subjecting him to a lyrical ode to Effectively Wild inspired by the Taylor Swift song “Wood.” Then they play “College Baseball Player or Make and Model of Car?” before recapping the three decisive Game 3s of the wild card round (with an emphasis on the absurdity of the Guardians’ immediate elimination after their historic AL Central comeback, a bad call on Xander Bogaerts, the heroics of Cam Schlittler and Ryan McMahon, and converting from Red Sox fandom to Yankees fandom) and ranking the four division series matchups. Then (1:15:44) Ben talks to Tigers TV broadcaster Jason Benetti about calling the team’s 2024 comeback and 2025 collapse, how to process their reprieve from elimination after a historic blown lead, players to pay attention to in the ALDS, and naturally, John Brebbia.
Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Horny)”
Audio interstitial: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to “Wood” lyrics
Link to reliever familiarity effect
Link to call on Bogaerts
Link to Padres postgame video
Link to Padres frustration
Link to ump scoreboard
Link to Schlittler fun facts
Link to Schlittler pitches piece
Link to Jeter catch
Link to McMahon catch
Link to Schlittler’s mom’s account 1
Link to Schlittler’s mom’s account 2
Link to article about Schlittler’s family
Link to Ben on first-year pitchers
Link to Ben on the Brewers and Jays
Link to 2024 Benetti appearance
Link to Brebbia EW episode
Link to Benetti’s podcast
Link to Cal award
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Ben Lindbergh brings on Hannah Keyser and Zach Crizer of The Bandwagon to banter in a hopefully not-immediately-dated way about the first two days of playoff action, including the Dodgers dispatching the Reds, Dave Roberts using “Strategy,” Aaron Boone’s perceived mismanaging, the flamethrowing Mason Miller and a playoff-pitch-speed conundrum, and more, plus conversation about how teams with byes are trying to stay ready, the league’s many managerial openings, whether running the Rockies is a good gig, the Rafael Devers trade in retrospect, and the best teams to bandwagon, followed (1:33:54) by a postscript.
Audio intro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to The Bandwagon
Link to Episode 2105
Link to Hannah on the Phillies’ prep
Link to Phillies intrasquad game
Link to Ichiro scrimmage story
Link to Ben on the mid-PA pitching change
Link to Girardi on “Strategy”
Link to 2024 “Strategy” episode
Link to Vesia one-pitch K
Link to Vesia scoring quirk
Link to Anderson tweet about Miller
Link to article about Miller
Link to Miller video
Link to fastest postseason pitches
Link to fastest regular-season pitches
Link to Eno on playoff pitch speeds
Link to The Ringer’s postseason storylines
Link to Obama anger translator sketch
Link to Crochet vs. LHP tweet
Link to The Bandwagon on Boone
Link to Chisholm dive
Link to Cora’s follow-up
Link to Breslow on Devers
Link to Diamond tweet
Link to Sarris tweet
Link to Baggarly on Posey
Link to MLBTR on the Rockies
Link to manager vacancies
Link to Arrested Development meme
Link to DeLauter debut article
Link to DeLauter debut play
Link to Lemon/Bearden kiss
Link to article on the kiss
Link to 1991 Mets article
Link to streaks data
Link to SB distribution graphs
Link to SB distribution data
Link to Sacramento A’s jersey
Link to Keown on the A’s
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about their plans for playoff livestreams and an MLB attendance announcement, then recap the highlights of the last weekend of the regular season and discuss what excites them about the playoffs. Along the way, they rank the collapses of the Astros, Tigers, and Mets and banter about trade-deadline do-overs, playoff-clinching walk-offs, Game 162 incentives, whether tiebreakers are fairer than tiebreaker games, a smart save by a first-base coach, the scariest October teams relative to the regular season, the AL wild card matchups, two Alex Cora quotes, the potential for first-time champions, and more, plus follow-ups.
Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to livestreams sign-up
Link to MLB press release
Link to attendance stats
Link to year-over-year attendance
Link to Marte robbery
Link to Rafaela triple
Link to Sam on walk-off triples
Link to Trout homers
Link to Trout streak
Link to Alomar Jr. intervention
Link to Kayfus walk-off
Link to Norby quote
Link to Mets/Marlins history
Link to MLBTR on Alonso
Link to Cora quote
Link to haters meme
Link to FG staff predictions
Link to preseason playoff odds
Link to other Cora quote
Link to mid-May Gleyber pull rate
Link to May 12 Gleyber game
Link to first-year postseason starters
Link to MLBTR on Toboni
Link to lowest K%+
Link to Adames dinger
Link to Episode 2350
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Mariners clinching the AL West, the benefits and drawbacks of MVP debates, the power of great players to enhance a season for spectators, the Cardinals’ and Giants’ reciprocal eliminations, the near-extinction of the 200-inning pitcher, the Nationals’ new head of baseball ops, and how predictive a track record of adept drafting is. Then (53:15) they answer listener emails about whether a player could/should ever challenge a ball/strike call that went their way, whether increased pitcher injuries have contributed to the lack of great teams, sticky-stuff inspections on broadcasts, how many pitches it takes to evaluate a pitcher, whether/why baseball managers incur fans’ wrath more than other sports’ coaches, whether teams are turning fewer double plays than they used to, and Trey Yesavage’s many 2025 teammates, plus (1:40:47) a postscript.
Audio intro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to 2015 MLB promo
Link to Ben on Judge vs. Ohtani
Link to Giants elimination story
Link to Cardinals elimination story
Link to pitcher IP leaderboard
Link to preseason pitcher IP projections
Link to Passan on Toboni
Link to MLBTR on Toboni
Link to WaPo on the Nats
Link to Ben on pitcher injury rates
Link to Ben on pitcher workloads
Link to Rodón quote
Link to MLB GIDP%
Link to Jays tweet
Link to quote-tweet
Link to Kenny Jackelen
Link to 2025 teammate leaders
Link to single-season teammate leaders
Link to listener emails database
Link to BP on Blalock
Link to Blalock leaderboard
Link to highest ML ERA (min. 55 IP)
Link to highest ML ERA (min. 100 IP)
Link to FG wOBA values
Link to BP location research
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to Darowski update
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the delights of the last week of the regular season, the Dodgers’ bullpen problems, and what kind of compromise the challenge system is, then (43:09) answer listener emails about where the warning track extends, the easiest day at the office for a batter, a player who exclusively hits one single per game, whether MLB front offices are Bayesian or frequentist, the relative strength of the AL and NL, and ticky-tack tags, plus (1:37:08) a postscript.
Audio intro: Sean .P, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Skubal error clip
Link to MLBTR on Fry
Link to Tigers/Guardians game story
Link to MLBTR on Sasaki
Link to D-Backs/Dodgers game story
Link to Sheehan on challenges
Link to Goldstein on challenges
Link to Posnanski on challenges
Link to warning track definition
Link to Arenado play
Link to Stanton post
Link to Sam on NoPAPH
Link to NoPAPH by year
Link to 2025 NoPAPH
Link to Yount incident
Link to FG wOBA values
Link to Bayesian inference wiki
Link to frequentist inference wiki
Link to Marlins listing
Link to multiple Marlins listings
Link to Guardians listing
Link to Red Sox listing
Link to Rockies listing
Link to Angels listing
Link to Mets listing
Link to Springer tag
Link to Cameron on sliding 1
Link to Cameron on sliding 2
Link to listener emails database
Link to 2014 F1 story
Link to pitwall explainer
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the standings and stakes of an unexpectedly wild last week of the regular season, whether there’s such as a thing as a playoff team that can’t make a deep run, why Cal Raleigh is the player of the year regardless of whether he wins MVP, whether it still makes sense to say that fan-favorite players will never have to buy a meal/drink in their team’s city, the unique celebrations of Pirates pitcher Dauri Moreta, the official arrival of the ABS challenge system, the Marlins calling pitches from the dugout, the extent to which coaches should influence games, and Mike Trout’s barehand catch with a fan.
Audio intro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Ben on the last week
Link to latest HUAL episode
Link to Jay on playoff permutations
Link to largest lost leads
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to BaseRuns standings
Link to team payrolls
Link to The Phantom Menace scene
Link to player of the year award
Link to historic achievement award
Link to FG mailbag
Link to Moreta video
Link to Moreta nickname story
Link to challenge system explainer
Link to Marlins story 1
Link to Marlins story 2
Link to 2016 Dodgers story
Link to Trout article/video
Link to Petriello post
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about 2025’s record number of 25-25 players and whether the current power/speed version of the sport is rendered any less impressive by its recent rule-change origins, the historic pre/post-All-Star break splits of Julio Rodríguez and whether the Mariners can help him become less of an extreme slow starter/fast finisher (phrasing?), the lockstep seasons (and recent slumps) of Pete Crow-Armstrong and Ceddanne Rafaela, the impending retirement (and on/off-field legacies) of Clayton Kershaw, and MLB’s new Amateur Recovery Period Policy, plus follow-ups (1:21:31) on a few of those topics.
Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)”
Audio outro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to power-speed fun fact
Link to Opta Sports wiki
Link to Opta EW interview
Link to power-speed number
Link to power-speed by season
Link to ’87 HR spike info
Link to more on ’87 spike
Link to 2025 SB leaders
Link to The Bandwagon on basestealers
Link to Julio’s career splits
Link to biggest pre/post-ASB splits
Link to Paine on Julio
Link to February Julio article
Link to PCA/Ceddanne laggardboard
Link to Kershaw retirement story
Link to Ben on Kershaw vs. Pedro
Link to recovery period announcement
Link to ESPN on the recovery period
Link to BA on the recovery period
Link to 2024 MLB pitching report
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the state of the wild cards and whether the pennant races have been more exciting than forecasted despite the lack of actual changes in the playoff field, Cal Raleigh’s latest exploits, Geraldo Perdomo’s quiet excellence, the Orioles’ 2026 outlook, the Dodgers’ rotation and bullpen, Shohei Ohtani’s playoff role(s), […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s reaction to the Mariners moving into first place in the AL West (at least temporarily), Jac Caglianone and the Royals’ woeful corner-outfield offense, whether major leaguers have gotten better at sliding, and an unjust byproduct of the zombie runner. Then (50:43) they bring on baseball researcher and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the deepening twilight of Mike Trout, then (21:19) discuss why the so-called “death of expertise” sweeping society hasn’t swept sports in the same way, before answering listener emails (1:04:01) about whether the Rangers are good, how the count can be “quickly 0-2,” what makes a righty seem like […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss and speculate about the percentage of major leaguers who’ve been inducted into some hall of fame and banter about Elly De La Cruz’s extended slump, Sean Murphy’s hip-to-be-tear revelation, and the perils of playing through injury, then assess where the line is when publicly shaming fans for ballpark behavior, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s near no-hitter, the Effectively Wild bump, and the Orioles’ incredible comeback), then banter (and quasi-Stat Blast) about four subjects: whether Shohei Ohtani has been more or less valuable as a DH only or as a two-way player this season; whether Cal Raleigh hits a disproporionate number of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether Trent Grisham’s 30-homer season is more or less surprising than Juan Soto’s almost-30-steal season, Colson Montgomery’s dinger spree, why there hasn’t been a no-hitter this season, and the exciting-but-boring AL/NL West races. Then (26:47) they bring on top-tier Patreon supporter Ashton Moss to banter about his baseball […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about broadcasters’ anxiety about saying “Cam Schlittler,” whether the Mets’ pitching-prospect trio of Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, and Brandon Sproat will produce more WAR than “Generation K,” a protracted trot by Rafael Devers, whether Framber Valdez intentionally crossed up his catcher, how a lockout looming in late 2026 could […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley talk about not talking about the Cardinals, then banter about Sandy Alcantara’s resurgence, whether Walker Buehler will have his own bounceback for the Phillies, Ha-Seong Kim’s reunion with Jurickson Profar, the concept of “adversarial location,” Aroldis Chapman and Taj Bradley‘s discoveries of inside/outside and scouting reports, respectively, Chapman’s extension, whether […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about John Brebbia’s return to the big leagues, Kyle Schwarber’s four-homer game, the potential for a position-player-pitcher-assisted five-homer game, Heliot Ramos and dingers on extremely slow pitches, an interminable inning, whether the playoff race is over and, if so, whether that’s an indictment of the 12-team format, and the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the semi-resurgence of Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, and Clayton Kershaw, Nathan Eovaldi’s injury and Patrick Corbin’s climb to the top of the Rangers innings leaderboard, the great-but-forgotten Steve Rogers, the end of Andrew Heaney’s Pirates tenure, Royce Lewis’s focus on his stats, whether MLB’s strikeout rate has declined […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the early start to the 2026 regular season and MLB’s schedule in a warming world, tossing snacks after tossing a bat, this year’s potential trio of 50-homer hitters (including a Cal Raleigh update), the virtues of players who have high floors (with check-ins on Bobby Witt Jr. and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about sports equivalents to baseball’s bat crack, Colson Montgomery’s torpedo bat, reserving judgement on the MVP race, Francisco Alvarez’s minor league reset (and subsequent injury), a Kyle Tucker slump/injury update, the hot hitting of Giancarlo Stanton and Jakob Marsee, the Twins’ new knuckleballer, Pierson Ohl, and the ramifications of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about torpedo bats (remember them?), Cody Bellinger’s good year and confounding career, recent comments by Craig Counsell and Aaron Boone, the impending call-up of Bubba Chandler and the recent arrival of Owen Caissie, the weirdest things about being a pro baseball player, a zombie-runner-induced ending to a pitcher’s duel, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the commissioner’s power to dictate conversations about baseball, realignment possibilities, whether league distinctions still matter, how much they have to banter about, Victor Robles’s bat throw and suspension, the latest Tommy Pham flare-up, a Ketel Marte controversy, the Brewers, the Blue Jays, and what teams’ styles of play […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether any of the teams that sold at the trade deadline can make an improbable playoff run, whether the Dodgers’ position in the playoff race refutes or confirms preseason fears about their advantages, and the accelerating splintering of sports broadcasts (MLB on the Poob tube!), then answer emails […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the bounceback season of Trevor Rogers, the NL Cy Young race, career achievement awards, observations from a Shohei Ohtani start, the NL West race, and the significance of the Pohlads’ decision not to sell the Twins. Then (42:36) they answer listener emails about check-swing appeals, how the changing […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a few of this year’s WAR leaders dropping off their previous paces, Dave Roberts’ critiques of Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ playoff pitching, Clayton Kershaw vs. Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander’s self-deception, the early hot streaks of Luke Keaschall and Warming Bernabel, Carlos Correa returning to form as an Astro, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether Mike Trout has become a boring baseball player, Paul Skenes almost perfectly replicating his sensational rookie season, and recent trends in pre-arb extensions, answer a listener email (57:39) about becoming a fan of the whole league instead of (or in addition to) one team, and (1:14:49) meet […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Marlins’ winning record against the Yankees, Ty Cobb and Kyle Stowers, the Blue Jays’ demolition of the Rockies, pocket pancakes, and more. Then (38:19) they answer listener emails about a CBT exemption for World Series winners, celebrations in the pitch clock era, nonpartisan bullpens, a humorous shirsey, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about umpire Jen Pawol’s promotion to the majors, whether the MLB Speedway Classic lived up to its name, Nathan Eovaldi’s Gibsonian season, another big blow to the practice of pitcher hitting, a “breakout” question, an optimistic Twins take, the Yankees’ concerning (to Yankees fans) slide, Roman Anthony’s extension, whether […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about where they stand on two competing perceptions of this year’s trade deadline activity and why it turned out not to be a dudline, then discuss all the major storylines—including A.J. Preller’s all-in antics, the Twins’ teardown, Carlos Correa’s Houston reunion, and the closer carousel—before going through moves on […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about how the expanded playoffs may suppress trade activity and, prompted by the passing of Ryne Sandberg, the factors that can make a player punch above their weight from a popularity perspective. Then (31:47) they answer listener emails about triples hitting, Bryce Harper vs. José Ramírez, the effect of […]
Well, almost nothin’. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ichiro Suzuki’s Cooperstown induction, Nick Kurtz’s four-homer game, Aaron Judge’s injury (and Cal Raleigh’s MVP candidacy), Bryce Harper’s showdown with Rob Manfred, Emmanuel Clase’s implication in baseball’s brewing pitch-fixing scandal, Royals, Tigers, Braves, and Yankees trades, and the unsettled standings. Audio intro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Ben Clemens banter about the FanGraphs crowdsourced trade value tool, the Josh Naylor, Ryan McMahon, and Gregory Soto trades, the outlook for Eugenio Suárez, the fascinating Spencer Jones, and the lack of production by MLB rookies this season, then (58:30) discuss Other Ben’s player rankings for the fourth annual trade […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the long-awaited baseball events that occurred during Ben’s brief vacation, highlighted by Rich Hill’s return to the majors. They also discuss developments involving other quadragenarian pitchers, provide an update on their “2025 in 2025” Patreon campaign, and consider Bryan Woo’s parents’ dedication to attending all of his starts, […]
Meg Rowley and guest co-host Michael Baumann discuss the Brewers’ recent win streak, what’s contributing to their success, and the general state of the National League playoff field and what it might mean for the trade deadline. Then they consider the worst ways to lose (and win) a baseball game on the back of the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a rare prediction by Ben, related to two players who were recently swapped by the Pirates and Royals, Adam Frazier and Cam Devanney. Then (13:52) they mark the podcast’s 13th birthday and launch a “2025 in 2025” plea for Patreon support before (24:19) discussing several of the most […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen discuss the lows and highs of the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game and swing-off, plus banter about beef boys, Blooper, kissing, and the timing of the All-Star break, then (1:03:40) recap the amateur draft, touching on the selection of Eli Willits first […]
Ben Lindbergh and Davy Andrews banter about Meg’s absence, Byron Buxton, Kyle Stowers, and an Orioles/Marlins surprise, the backlash to Jacob Misiorowski’s All-Star selection, the status of the All-Star game and whether All-Star designations need to change, All-Star/Home Run Derby excitement and the merits of several unsung (or undersung) All-Stars and non-All-Stars, a hypothetical about […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Blooper, the All-Star-Game-hosting Braves’ flagging fortunes, the pre-deadline trade market, the simultaneous surges of Ceddanne Rafaela and Pete Crow-Armstrong, the performances of old pitchers Charlie Morton, Clayton Kershaw, and Justin Verlander, and the death and legacy of Lee Elia, then (1:01:44) share several Stat Blasts about players who […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Rich Hill–Dallas Keuchel competition for the Royals rotation and give José Ramírez his due, then (17:45) answer listener emails about when to fire a GM, an all-star spot for elite defenders, teams composed of clones of Aaron Judge, Daulton Varsho, or Zack Wheeler, moving the mound back […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Brandon Woodruff and the minor medical miracle of players returning from significant injuries to be big leaguers again, the likelihood of players becoming or repeating as all-stars, Clayton Kershaw as an honorary all-star, the end (for now) of the Pete Alonso Home Run Derby era and the Derby’s […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Paul Skenes’s new interest, Clayton Kershaw and the evolution of 3,000-strikeout celebrations, and the deepening deadball era in Japan. After that (24:37), frequent Stat Blast Correspondent Ryan Nelson joins to discuss why there have been so many team shutouts this season and then deliver several Stat Blasts, followed […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about how many members of the All-Star Celebrity Softball Game roster they have heard of, honorary all-stars, and velocity spikes preceding arm injuries, then discuss an investigation concerning possible pitch-fixing by Luis L. Ortiz, a federal civil rights complaint about the Dodgers’ DEI policies, and Rob Manfred’s pitch to […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the return of Richard Lovelady, the MLB season debut of knuckleballer Matt Waldron, the superlative Zack Wheeler, how other knuckleballers in baseball are faring, Rich Hill’s wait for a call-up, Shohei Ohtani vs. Vinnie Pasquantino, Jacob Misiorowski and the leaguewide rise in pitcher extension, James Wood’s four intentional […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Kutter Crawford’s mysterious wrist accident, then discuss Wander Franco’s conviction (14:58) and Walker Monfort’s promotion (19:57) before checking in (33:36) on the players and teams on pace to overperform or underperform their preseason projections the most at the precise halfway point of the season. Finally (1:12:44), they answer […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Dicky, er, Richard Lovelady’s short tenure with the Mets, round one of Paul Skenes vs. Jacob Misiorowski, the nature of modern pitcher’s duels, a Jacob-related fun fact, updates on Juan Soto and Jo Adell, revisiting childhood favorites through the lens of advanced stats, and public funding for the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Richard Lovelady’s qualified embrace of the nickname “Dicky,” the return of players named “Otto” to the major leagues, Denzel Clarke’s increasingly extreme offense-defense divide, Cal Raleigh’s records (and MVP) pursuit, Bryan Woo as Seattle’s starting stalwart, the underrated Eugenio Suárez, Byron Buxton’s success, the loudness of Yankee Stadium […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Tommy Kahnle’s postgame shaving ritual, Hunter Bigge’s close call and danger from foul balls, Padres vs. Dodgers as baseball’s best rivalry, and a lost opportunity for a Tarik Skubal vs. Paul Skenes matchup, then (58:23) answer listener emails about the most influential owner of the century, the definition […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a possible Rays franchise sale, the latest on Elly De La Cruz, Oneil Cruz, Sandy Alcantara, and Aaron Judge, Andrew Benintendi as the current face of replacement level, Nats manager Dave Martinez’s comments about coaches, and Clayton Kershaw’s cap on Pride Night. Then (56:10) Ben brings back former […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss the Rafael Devers trade in depth, covering why Boston made the move, the resulting fan frustration, and the Giants impact. Then (57:56) they cover bad news about Christian Montes De Oca, John Brebbia, and Johnny O’Brien before bantering about Shohei Ohtani’s return to the mound, the Rays rotation, Charlie […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Tarik Skubal dialing down his top-end fastball (and dominating nonetheless), Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s self-described 70 percent effort level, Ronald Acuña Jr. hitting more and running less, whether the Blue Jays are getting what they wanted out of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the debut of Jacob Misiorowski, Aaron Civale’s trade […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about depictions of the pitch clock in popular media, how the lack of advancing visual fidelity in baseball broadcasts makes it harder to identify when clips come from (and other ways we might distinguish eras at a glance), Hunter Dobbins drama and why it’s harder than it used to […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about good news and bad news for Ben’s recent Meet a Major Leaguer subject Christian Montes De Oca, Craig Kimbrel’s short-lived return to Atlanta, the promotions of Roman Anthony and Jacob Misiorowski and a proposal for automatic call-ups, Denzel Clarke’s incredible catch and extreme stat line (and the nature […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Spencer Strider’s concerning performance, how he and Sandy Alcantara remind us that comebacks from elbow surgery aren’t automatic, and whether things are lookng up for the White Sox on and off the field. Then (32:23) they bring on top-tier Patreon supporter John Thomas to banter about his background […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Pete Alonso’s performance since they marveled at his hot start, the return of Craig Kimbrel, Max Muncy’s tale of two seasons, how hitters fare after LASIK, the Mets’ “secret sauce” against Shohei Ohtani, whether the Dodgers’ injury woes will hurt their capacity to recruit pitchers, Brandon Pfaadt’s “yes […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Taylor Walls fulfilling a preseason podcast prediction by being ejected after tapping his helmet following a questionable call (and the many notifications Ben and Meg received from EW listeners), Luke Weaver’s stretching injury, the Rockies’ purported improvement, the decline of the closer as bullpen protagonist, a miraculous softball-delivery […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the most exciting prospects who haven’t yet made the majors but should soon (including Jac Caglianone, Roman Anthony, Bubba Chandler, and Andrew Painter), the struggles of once-ballyhooed trade targets Sandy Alcantara and Luis Robert Jr., the recent rebounds of Emmanuel Clase and Devin Williams, the returns of Mike […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Rockies’ historic series losing streak and their rest-of-season projections, an Orioles fan’s decision to get the name of Trevor Rogers tattooed on his butt, a Patrick Corbin innings-eating update, draft prospect Jace LaViolette’s dedication to staying in the lineup, the late-career struggles of Clayton Kershaw, Justin Verlander, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the new hardest-hit ball of the Statcast era, exit speeds across eras, Oneil Cruz vs. Elly De La Cruz, whether Tarik Skubal has gotten too good, Aaron Judge not feeling great at the plate, whether Rockies fans should boycott the team, how the (first) Juan Soto trade is […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Rockies being so bad that mostly innocuous stories about them now seem like examples of organizational incompetence, a wild loss by a Rockies affiliate, and why recent terrible teams have been so bad, then (36:56) answer listener emails about catchers framing poorly on purpose, penalizing hitters when […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Rich Hill’s latest perfect game bid, whether the Tigers are as good as they’ve looked, Jared Jones’ elbow surgery and the Pirates’ offensive outage, Paul Skenes and whether lower arm slots will protect pitchers’ arms, Pete Crow-Armstrong and the players who’ve ascended to “main character” status this season, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Elly De La Cruz’s unspectacular start to the season, the firing of Brandon Hyde and what it would take for them to blame a manager for a team’s disappointing season, the hubbub about Juan Soto’s hustle, MLB’s announcement about Rivalry Weekend’s success, Kyle Schwarber and the lineage of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about listener suggestions for terms for tandem home run robberies (and the opposite of home run robberies), whether it’s so O’sver in Baltimore, Jacob deGrom succeeding despite slightly less dominant stuff, and the realness of the rivalries in MLB’s inaugural “Rivalry Weekend,” then (48:46) answer listener emails about awarding […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Julio Rodríguez gifting a homer and then taking one away, two Red Sox outfielders teaming up to make a catch, home-run-robbery terminology, Conor Jackson and remembering some guys who were good for your fantasy team, pouring one out for the Austin Barnes Dodgers era, lopsided scores, and the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about an expert’s stance on stretching, whether the White Sox were the funniest team for the new Pope to support, what Paul Skenes signing up for the WBC signifies, an optimistic take on the odds of a lost season, Bud Black’s firing and the dreaded “vote of confidence,” Roki […]
Ben Lindbergh and Ben Clemens of FanGraphs banter about the latest positional drama regarding Rafael Devers, then discuss whether and why pitchers leaguewide are Yu Darvish-ing and Tyler Holton-ing—that is, throwing more pitch types, and varying their pitch types more based on batter handedness—before answering listener emails about home strike zones and combining bad teams […]
It’s a baseball-book bonanza! Ben Lindbergh rounds up the authors of three new baseball books for conversations about their work and our relationships with the past. First he talks to John W. Miller about his biography of Earl Weaver, The Last Manager, Weaver’s wiring and sabermetric intuition, and the diminished role and reputation of managers. […]
Ben Lindbergh brings on Brandon Uffner, an Orioles and Braves fan, to talk about his two teams’ slow starts to the season, his prescription for fixing them, how he came to root for them, managing his competing loyalties, and more. Then (36:01) he talks to Austin, a White Sox and Rockies fan, about both of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Mike Trout’s latest injury, Pete Alonso’s renaissance, a Daulton Varsho recovery catch, Andrés Muñoz the cat guy, and the called strike zone (sort of) shrinking. Then (40:49) they bring on top-tier Patreon supporter Carson Otter to talk about his background with baseball and the podcast, share his baseball-related […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the unexpected power of Meg’s Mariners (and Jorge Polanco, specifically), in contrast to the Rangers’ unexpectedly light-hitting lineup. They also discuss a Jackson Chourio comment about Julio Rodríguez, the long-awaited comeback of Lance McCullers Jr. and the thus-far-deflating comeback of Sandy Alcantara, the literally diminished Mookie Betts, Jose […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Roki Sasaki and the Dodgers’ bidets, baseball in The Last of Us, The Simpsons, and the (future) work of Lin-Manuel Miranda, walk-off groundouts, two possibly botched calls, Jesús Luzardo and how skilled teams are at evaluating medicals, a four-homer effort in a loss, the unexpectedly exciting NL West […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a new contender for the highest bat flip, meet major leaguers (14:28) Ryan Johnson and Alan Roden, and (48:35) answer listener emails about how different baseball would be if losses were free for fans and wins cost extra, whether the Rockies will finish in first before the Dodgers […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about old-pitcher comebacks (or dropoffs), James Wood’s inefficient excellence, Aaron Judge’s potentially unparalleled peak, whether pitching to contact pays, a possible Paul Skenes change, a base-stealing update, private equity’s MLB plans, and Rob Manfred’s feelings on fandom. Audio intro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme” […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about EW’s Ella Black series and catch up on topics they missed during the week away from regular episodes, including: some struggling teams (including the Orioles and Braves), Cal Raleigh’s (and David Rubenstein’s) bobbleheads, an Atlanta kerfuffle involving Brian Snitker, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Jarred Kelenic, recent pitcher injuries, […]
Ella Black was the first woman to write about baseball for a national publication—if her name was Ella Black, and if she was a woman. On Ella Black: Lost and Found, a three-part scripted series from Effectively Wild, Ben Lindbergh explores what we know about the enigmatic trailblazer and tries to solve some of the […]
Ella Black was the first woman to write about baseball for a national publication—if her name was Ella Black, and if she was a woman. On Ella Black: Lost and Found, a three-part scripted series from Effectively Wild, Ben Lindbergh explores what we know about the enigmatic trailblazer and tries to solve some of the […]
Ella Black was the first woman to write about baseball for a national publication—if her name was Ella Black, and if she was a woman. On Ella Black: Lost and Found, a three-part scripted series from Effectively Wild, Ben Lindbergh explores what we know about the enigmatic trailblazer and tries to solve some of the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the acceptable circumstances (if any) for a bobblehead of a team owner, the Grand Junction Jackalopes belatedly embracing their destiny as the “Chubs,” and more, then (29:35) review and discuss the Netflix documentary The Clubhouse: A Year with the Red Sox, followed by a tease for an upcoming […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s big bonus, Edmundo Sosa’s beginner’s home run robbery, how much of a difference depth makes, and the relative levels of alarm about the shoulder injuries of Reynaldo López, Victor Robles, and Blake Snell. Then (49:14) they talk to MLB.com’s Michael Clair about what it was […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about umpires’ surprising preference for full ABS, Rob Manfred’s take on torpedo bats, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s $500 million extension, players’ frugal behaviors, precedents for Dennis Santana’s short pants, the Giants’ new City Connect jerseys, and (1:14:31) the Dodgers’ White House trip. Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively […]
In a grab-bag episode, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the low league BABIP early in the season, the most interesting standings developments so far (with emphases on the Dodgers, Padres, Braves, and AL Central), Atlanta re-re-re-re-re-re-re-re-acquiring Jesse Chavez, early attendance issues for the A’s, (team-friendly?) extensions for Jackson Merrill, Kristian Campbell, and Ketel […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about several oddities of the early season, including pitcher Ryne Nelson’s single and a drone encounter with an A’s bat boy, then discuss Jurickson Profar’s PED suspension, Garrett Crochet’s extension, and Jonathan Lucroy‘s reaction to Roki Sasaki’s apparent post-start tears, before bantering about whether full ABS would encourage even […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley have an in-depth discussion on all aspects of the sport’s topic du jour: torpedo/bowling-pin/juggling-pin(?) bats. They also banter (59:58) about the abysmal beginning of Rafael Devers’s season, Aaron Judge’s interviews, MLB’s attempt to make up for its MLB.TV outage, the vibes at Blue Jays games, Willson Contreras eating bat tape, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley react to assorted frustrations and delights of Opening Day, then (42:07) conduct the fifth annual Team Fun Draft, in which they draft all 30 teams in order of how fun they expect them to be to follow in 2025. Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes 2, “Effectively Wild Theme 2” Audio outro: El Warren, […]
Ben Lindbergh and FanGraphs writer Dan Szymborski banter about how much spring training stats matter, which players improved their projections the most this spring, whether prospects really have a harder time making the transition to MLB from Triple-A today, their spring training award winners, the five-ish biggest questions/storylines for each of them this MLB season, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Mookie Betts’s unwanted weight loss, new Statcast data on batter positioning, and whether hitters should generally move back in the box, then recap Cal Raleigh’s extension and a smattering of other buzzer-beating transactions before discussing (35:46) some of their favorite moves of the offseason. Then (1:10:31) they talk […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s positional power rankings progress and discuss why MLB is “evaluating” its Diversity Pipeline Program, then for the first time in a while answer listener emails (15:35) about how baseball would be different if swinging hard caused more serious injuries, a high-elevation league/division, inter-game penalties for frivolous end-of-game […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs authors Michael Baumann and Ben Clemens play “College Baseball Player or Musician Who’s Performing at Sea.Hear.Now 2025” (4:53), and then explain the third annual preseason predictions game (11:53) and make 10 bold predictions apiece (18:57) about baseball in 2025, to be voted on by listeners. Audio intro: The Gagnés, “Effectively […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the opening series of the regular season in Japan, then (10:55) discuss the removal (and eventual restoration) of a page about Jackie Robinson on the Department of Defense website, before (39:53) bantering further about breakouts, how player heights dropped (or didn’t!) after players were measured more accurately this […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about completing the season preview series, then preview the 2025 New York Yankees (7:48) with Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News, and the 2025 Chicago White Sox (1:04:41) with Sox Machine’s James Fegan. Audio intro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Cory […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Jacob deGrom dialing down the velo, the Cardinals signing their first free agent of the offseason, David Robertson still being available, the underrated career of Yasmani Grandal, the latest New Era cap confusion, follow-ups on several recent topics, and the newly jacked Mr. Met. Then (57:22) they talk […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a surprising amount of Mo Vaughn content, a rash of spring injuries (including Gerrit Cole‘s Tommy John surgery and other Yankees ailments), the latest A’s and Rays woes, and more. Then they preview the 2025 Los Angeles Dodgers (26:11) with The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya, and the 2025 Colorado […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a baseball flub in medical procedural The Pitt, Lawrence Butler’s extension, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s lofty contract target, how the ball moves differently in the Cactus League, and the value of variety in pitch selection, followed by Stat Blasts (49:20) about the WAR values of letters in player names, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a fresh wave of “breakout candidate” crimes, Jerry Dipoto’s latest Meg-maddening comments, the rise of the “kick change,” how ball/strike calls differ from other boundary calls, Barry Bonds’s comments about Shohei Ohtani, and more. Then they preview the 2025 Atlanta Braves (50:56) with 92.9 The Game’s Grant McAuley, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether the challenge system will inevitably pave the way for full ABS, the degrees of difficulty for two-way Travis Hunter vs. two-way Shohei Ohtani, and (very briefly) reinstating Pete Rose. Then they preview the 2025 Philadelphia Phillies (36:58) with The Athletic’s Matt Gelb, and the 2025 Cleveland Guardians […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the balletic strikeout celebrations of Rockies reliever Jefry Yan, Terry Francona’s selective opposition to ABS this spring, how frequently potential game-ending strikeouts will get challenged, and baseball in Season 2 of Poker Face. Then they preview the 2025 Arizona Diamondbacks (36:00) with The Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro, and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about some members of last year’s Yankees and Dodgers still sniping about the World Series, Max Scherzer’s objection to the challenge system, how ABS has broadly been received so far, and assorted tactical considerations concerning when to challenge. Then they preview the 2025 New York Mets (29:08) with The […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether certain injuries can improve players, old-but-good guys not getting gigs, the offensive disparity between the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues, and Bryce Harper’s Phanatic tattoo. Then they preview the 2025 Boston Red Sox (31:16) with The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, and the 2025 Sacramento Athletics (1:25:13) with Jason […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the end of the Yankees’ beard ban, the potential end of MLB’s business relationship with ESPN, and whether the World Baseball Classic should imitate the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off. Then they preview the 2025 Texas Rangers (50:07) with MLB.com’s Kennedi Landry, and the 2025 Pittsburgh Pirates (1:27:23) with […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the start of spring training games, the charms of Tigers reliever John Brebbia, whether MLB’s uniform pants were always semi-transparent, and Shohei Ohtani’s parallel parking skills. Then they preview the 2025 Seattle Mariners (27:37) with Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times, and the 2025 Cincinnati Reds (1:12:53) with […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a player who signed an extension (Geraldo Perdomo), a player who didn’t sign an extension (Vladimir Guerrero Jr.), a player who’s switching positions (Mike Trout), and a player who’s not switching positions, at least for now (Rafael Devers), plus an update on Meg’s updated beliefs about Shohei Ohtani’s […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s new sound-dampening windows, listener defenses of MLB’s altered two-way-player rule, and the latest intolerable “breakout” pick, followed by Stat Blasts (15:49) about the teams with the most winless, non-lossless pitchers and the all-time past-their-prime/time-travel teams. Then they preview the 2025 Houston Astros (32:41) with The Athletic’s Chandler […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Red Sox signing Alex Bregman, the Padres signing Nick Pivetta, and Anthony Rendon’s latest long-term injury. Then they preview the 2025 Chicago Cubs (29:35) with The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma, and the 2025 San Francisco Giants (1:14:41) with The Athletic’s Grant Brisbee. Audio intro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme” […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Rob Manfred’s Super Bowl cameo, the return of not-terrible uniforms, a new finding in the “familiarity vs. fatigue” debate about the times through the order effect, two more Dodgers signings, and an intriguingly timed alteration to the criteria for two-way-player classification. Then they preview the 2025 Minnesota Twins […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Dodgers’ overstuffed 2025 bobblehead lineup, Ippei Mizuhara’s sentencing, and the Angels’ tireless pursuit of players who were good several seasons ago. Then they preview the 2025 Baltimore Orioles (35:55) with the Baltimore Banner’s Danielle Allentuck, and the 2025 Kansas City Royals (1:08:21) with the Kansas City Star’s […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Mets re-signing Pete Alonso, the Twins signing Harrison Bader, and the compressed standings in the newly released FanGraphs and Baseball Prospectus playoff odds. Then they preview the 2025 Tampa Bay Rays (31:35) with MLB.com’s Adam Berry, and the 2025 Milwaukee Brewers (1:09:55) with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley introduce the 13th annual Effectively Wild season preview series, then banter about the Tigers signing Jack Flaherty to a smaller-than-expected deal, a long-awaited explanation for the gambling-related firing of umpire Pat Hoberg, and the death and legacy of former commissioner Fay Vincent. Then they preview the 2025 Toronto Blue Jays […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Max Scherzer and Jorge Polanco signings, Scherzer vs. Justin Verlander, and the changes in pitcher usage over the course of those pitchers’ careers. Then (20:17) they discuss stricter restrictions on the size of fielders’ gloves, and the merits of a tax in Meg’s county to help pay […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the overwhelming listener response to their previous conversation about cover models for baseball video games, and Ben issues some “Bo Nos” in support of his previous Royals reporting. Then (18:19) they talk about the Rays signing Ha-Seong Kim, Roki Sasaki “prospect” rankings, a recent leaguewide run on relievers, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about some good news and bad news about breakout picks, Junior Caminero’s unbeatable bat flip and home run trot in the LIDOM playoffs, the latest MLB The Show cover model(s) and the lone MLB franchise that hasn’t put a player on the cover of a video game, the Ryan […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s memories of Ichiro and his sensational MLB debut, Ippei Mizuhara’s letter about his work with Shohei Ohtani, Roki Sasaki’s dog, the misleading name of “Sluggball,” Jurickson Profar and the prospect of a Braves rebound, which players will get “shorter” thanks to the challenge system, two new rules […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley bring on FanGraphs senior writer Jay Jaffe to break down the Hall of Fame voting results, from new honorees to one-and-done candidates to trends in support to forecasts for future ballots and much more. Audio intro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Hill report […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley revisit and update their recent discussion on the Dodgers, competitive balance, and what’s good for the game in light of L.A.’s latest additions, then (1:06:18) discuss the Blue Jays’ signing of Anthony Santander and the outlook for Pete Alonso, followed by (1:20:02) a Stat Blast on Bob Uecker and the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley react to the news that Roki Sasaki is signing with the Dodgers (shocker!), breaking down how the posting process played out, the Dodgers’ ridiculous rotation, whether L.A.’s talent-acquisition advantage is good or bad for baseball, the runners-up for Roki, and more. Then they explore how softball and baseball are joining […]
Deaths don’t actually come in threes—unfortunately, there are many more than that—but Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley begin by marking the passings of a trio of notable figures: David Lynch, Bob Uecker, and Tommy Brown. Then (35:27) they talk about the maybe-momentous signing of a Japanese player not named Roki Sasaki (Shotaro Morii), follow up […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a new escalation in “breakout” creep, the Blue Jays signing Jeff Hoffman, risk tolerance in transactions, alternate spellings of names, Roki Sasaki’s effect on the market for international amateur free agents, another example of a team offering a higher salary in arbitration than a player requested, Mets owner […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about salary arbitration, Kyle Tucker, and the unique case of Mike Edwards, then (15:55) kick off a series of interviews about unsung baseball jobs by talking to Rockies bullpen catcher and major league operations assistant (and now, minor league hitting coach) Aaron Muñoz, followed (1:06:09) by former Marlins coordinator […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Ben Clemens banter about the Giants signing Justin Verlander, a plateau in leaguewide slider usage, and why spending on free agents has exceeded expectations so far. Then (20:55) they continue a cherished podcast tradition by conducting the 12th annual Effectively Wild Minor League Free Agent Draft, in which they select […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley rant about the practice of picking “breakout” players who have already broken out, react (22:20) to the Orioles’ Charlie Morton signing and discuss (38:24) Morton as one of the pitchers who best embodies his era, and answer listener emails (52:14) about whether the existence of the minor leagues suggests that […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Patreon supporter Jordan Smith banter about Jordan’s baseball background, the Tigers’ 2025 hopes, the Dodgers signing Hyeseong Kim, and more, then (30:48) answer listener emails about per-game stats, “advanced” stats, televised arbitration cases, an owner playing in games, pit stops on the basepaths, assorted variations on the Golden Batter (and the Golden Batter vs. the zombie runner), relaxing substitution rules, defining “changeup,” and $ per HR.
Audio intro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Seinfeld episode
Link to Seinfeld clip
Link to MLBTR on Kim
Link to Ted Turner story
Link to player/owner story
Link to player/owner post
Link to Ben on arbitration
Link to Sam on lineup resetting
Link to Sam on pits
Link to listener emails database
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As the halfway point of the offseason approaches, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the relative merits of the first half of the offseason vs. the second half of the offseason, assess the weakest projected positions on contending teams and the best remaining free agents, and list MLB stories they’re looking forward to following.
Audio intro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to weak positions sheet
Link to FG team projections
Link to FA projections
Link to SP projections
Link to WAR leaders page
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the latest on Roki Sasaki’s posting process, the NL-AL imbalance, and why the active homer leader doesn’t have more homers, then (50:44) review the team goals from the 2024 season preview series.
Audio intro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Sasaki update
Link to Mains on NL vs. AL
Link to Posnanski post
Link to Jeremy Frank tweet
Link to B-Ref HR page
Link to active HR leaders
Link to season preview predictions
Link to Red Sox prospects
Link to Bryant car story
Link to crotch bump story
Link to crotch bump clip
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Ben Lindbergh, Lindsey Adler, and Hannah Keyser talk about Lindsey and Hannah’s evolving relationships to baseball writing, near-simultaneous Substack-starting, and (ongoing) pursuits of self-discovery and creative fulfillment. Then (45:27) Ben and Hannah analyze the Teoscar Hernández and Corbin Burnes signings and (1:05:49) discuss at least one listener-nominated topic about each National League team that wasn’t previously covered on the podcast in 2024 (plus a real-time reaction to Shohei Ohtani’s announcement that he’s going to be a dad).
Audio intro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)”
Link to Lindsey’s Substack
Link to Hannah’s Substack
Link to MLBTR on Teoscar
Link to Passan on Teoscar
Link to MLBTR on Burnes
Link to Ben C. on Burnes
Link to Gammons on Hazen
Link to Hannah on diving catches
Link to Ohtani’s Insta post
Link to Toglia’s Insta post
Link to Burnes’s Insta post
Link to Snow/Baker video
Link to Shaq meme
Link to MLBTR on Maxwell
Link to Maxwell on EW
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Ben Lindbergh and Michael Baumann play “College Baseball Player or U.S. Army Air Forces Pilot Who Took Part in Operation Vengeance,” banter about Jake Burger’s three consecutive seasons with a .250 batting average, the Tigers signing Gleyber Torres, and how the ruling about Diego Pavia’s NCAA eligibility could affect college (and pro) baseball, then (26:59) discuss least one listener-nominated topic about each American League team that wasn’t previously covered on the podcast in 2024.
Audio intro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes 2, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Operation Vengeance
Link to MLBTR on Torres
Link to FG top 50 FA
Link to over/under draft
Link to AP on Pavia ruling
Link to BA on Pavia ruling
Link to Pavia wiki
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss the career and life of Rickey Henderson, focusing on changes in public perceptions of his play and personality, how underrated he was (even though he was highly rated!), and his impact on the modern game and media, then (41:52) catch up on a flurry of transactions, including a run on first basemen, NL/AL East pitching moves, and predawn newsbreaking.
Audio intro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Ben on Rickey
Link to Bryant on EW
Link to Mays EW episode
Link to FG payrolls page
Link to MLBTR arb salaries
Link to FG SP projections
Link to Marlins revenue sharing
Link to Santana house sale
Link to Rooker tweet
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Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Pebble Hunting’s Sam Miller banter about Michael Lorenzen embracing an Effectively Wild hypothetical, Ben and Sam’s past predictions about baseball in the 2020s, and Paul Skenes and the ERA title, then discuss what will be remembered about baseball in 2024 (plus a postscript).
Audio intro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to EW Episode 2242
Link to Lorenzen article
Link to EW Episode 1512
Link to MLB Vault
Link to Stephen A. vs. Shaq
Link to Sam on qualifying
Link to Sam on 2024 1
Link to Sam on 2024 2
Link to Sam on 2024 3
Link to Sam on past years
Link to Sam on lineup resets
Link to Baumann on Walker
Link to Sosa letter
Link to Sosa story
Link to Newlywed Game clip
Link to Superman clip
Link to EW gift subscriptions
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Cody Bellinger trade, the Yankees’ and Cubs’ next moves, Guaranteed Rate Field changing to Rate Field, and the results of MLB’s inquiry into pitcher injuries. Then (31:39) they bring back A’s slugger Brent Rooker to discuss his monster 2024, his work as a World Series correspondent, misconceptions about hitting, how Sutter Health Park will play, leaving the Coliseum, his future with the A’s, unreported injuries, ballplayer parental leave, his favorite meals of the year, learning chess, his 2025 goals, and much more.
Audio intro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to FG post on Bellinger
Link to Guaranteed Rate wiki
Link to Rate Field announcement
Link to ESPN on the MLB research
Link to Passan on the MLB research
Link to the AP on the MLB research
Link to The Athletic on the MLB research
Link to Ben on pitcher injuries
Link to Ben on too many pitchers
Link to Rooker’s first pod appearance
Link to FG post on Rooker
Link to correspondent announcement
Link to Annie Hall scene
Link to story on surgery
Link to “not trading” tweet
Link to extension story
Link to weddings story
Link to crosswords research
Link to Sutter Health story
Link to park factors
Link to Rooker’s TikTok
Link to Rooker’s Instagram
Link to Rooker’s Twitter
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the qualifications for being a superstar, the Kyle Tucker trade from the Astros’ and Cubs’ perspectives, the Devin Williams trade from the Yankees’ and Brewers’ perspectives, and various other transactions, including the A’s trading for Jeffrey Springs and the Orioles signing Tomoyuki Sugano, plus thoughts on Caleb Durbin’s dimensions, the significance of financial terms in transaction analysis, a possible spending divide stemming from a disparity in TV revenue, and Rob Manfred on restoring the starter.
Audio intro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Joe Sheehan Newsletter
Link to FG post on Tucker trade
Link to Rome on Tucker
Link to FG post on Williams trade
Link to Durbin photo
Link to FG post on Springs trade
Link to Pride Night story
Link to FG payrolls page
Link to Patrick’s post
Link to Manfred’s comments
Link to trial balloon wiki
Link to Langs tweet
Link to “Cody’s Only”
Link to “Superstar”
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the end of the Winter Meetings, then discuss the rest of what down in Dallas: the Max Fried signing and where the Yankees roster stands, the Garrett Crochet trade, referring to a single player as a “Red Sox,” the Andrés Giménez (and Spencer Horwitz) trades, the Rangers re-signing Nathan Eovaldi and trading for Jake Burger, the Nationals landing the no. 1 overall pick in the draft lottery, Washington’s pitching development philosophy, the saga of Braggo Roth, and more, plus a few postscript updates.
Audio intro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Dan S. on Fried
Link to Jaffe on Fried
Link to Clemens on Crochet
Link to Passan tweet
Link to Clemens on Giménez
Link to team DRS
Link to team FRV
Link to Longenhagen on Giménez
Link to Baumann on García
Link to Andrews on Eovaldi
Link to Baumann on Burger
Link to payrolls page
Link to Rule 5 reports
Link to Rizzo quote
Link to Nats spring sign
Link to Nats preview pod
Link to 2023 team Stuff+
Link to 2024 team Stuff+
Link to team fastball velo
Link to team pitching WAR
Link to Braggo bio
Link to Braggo wiki
Link to A’s and Fried
Link to Sheehan on Crochet
Link to EW gift subscriptions
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Roki Sasaki’s destination, follow up on their previous discussion of the Juan Soto signing, and discuss several more transactions, including the Giants signing Willy Adames, multiple Dodgers and Orioles moves, and a trio of starting-pitcher signings, plus reactions to the Hall of Fame elections of Dick Allen and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss all the aspects of Juan Soto signing a record-breaking contract with the New York Mets. That’s it. That’s the episode. Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)” Audio outro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Dan S. on Soto Link to Ben C. on […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a Tigers tweet about future first-pitch timing and other non-topical PSAs, provide a Secret Santa sign-up reminder, consider baseball authority figures who answer fan mail, discuss the impact that the changing economic landscape of college sports could have on MLB drafting and development, react to Danny Jansen’s deal […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the A’s signing Luis Severino and year-end podcast-listening stats, follow up on the golden at-bat and Hall of Fame plaques, and (1:07:46) discuss the history of deferred payments in sports contracts. Audio intro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to FG post on […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about their obliviousness to Juan Soto signing rumors, what should count as a team claiming to have tried to sign someone, a rash of recent real signings, the strength of the free agent market so far, the Dodgers’ accounting tactics and misperceptions about deferrals, the decline in therapeutic use […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a Nolan Arenado rumor, then (5:15) answer listener emails about fandoms that are overrepresented in baseball media, Formula 1-style “pay players” in MLB, whether players should be paid overtime for the postseason, whether MLB will ever classify foreign leagues as “major,” a Disney Channel baseball scene, fan-elected baseball […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley begin with a cold-open reaction to late-breaking news about Blake Snell signing with the Dodgers, then (19:52) banter about gift subscriptions, the Angels signing Yusei Kikuchi, and the Brady Singer–Jonathan India trade, follow up (46:58) on the Rays stadium situation, and, in the Thanksgiving spirit, discuss (56:59) things about baseball […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, Ben Clemens, Michael Baumann, and podcast scorekeeper Chris Hanel convene to play “College Baseball Player or Fictional Republican Politician?” and reveal the victors of the 2024 minor league free agent draft and bold preseason predictions game, including recaps of each prediction. Audio intro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about how much Shohei Ohtani’s teammates helped him win his third MVP award, his incredible four-season stretch, whether Dekopin/Decoy is really his dog, the other MVP and Cy Young results, a Joey Meneses signing, Austin Slater and the virtues of being a team’s “top target,” the Rays’ confounding stadium […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Rich Hill’s latest (and hopefully not last) pitching exploits, then discuss how Rob Manfred’s desire to craft his legacy as commissioner could shape the sport’s direction, why sports commissioners’ tenures last so long, what qualities of the World Series-winning Dodgers rival teams might try to emulate, rumors surrounding […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley solicit listener suggestions for an upcoming podcast series, discuss what they would ask potential employers if they were on a Juan Soto-esque free-agent tour, and banter about the Orioles dismantling “Walltimore,” the far-less-settled-than-expected situations of the A’s and Rays, differing medical evaluations and Brusdar Graterol’s role in the Mookie Betts […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the resolution of the Diamond Sports Group bankruptcy hearing, how declining broadcast revenue could lead to labor strife, and the Pirates’ reward offer for a baseball card that comes with a patch from Paul Skenes’s debut jersey, then (28:42) bring on Patreon supporter Craig Wingbermuehle to discuss his […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley follow up on previous banter about the best title for a president of both baseball and business operations, then deliver fresh banter about how Derrek Lee’s 2005 RBI total was a sign of its time, where the Rays will play in 2025 and beyond, the Marlins’ new manager, and a […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen banter about how to abbreviate Twins executive Derek Falvey’s new dual role as president of both baseball and business operations, then (5:23) discuss Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki from a scouting perspective, touching on how good he could be, how a team could ease him into MLB, what tweaks he could make to his repertoire, the bonus pool system that could help determine where he signs, and more. After that (50:16), Ben and Meg talk to NPB journalist Jim Allen about Sasaki’s posting from a Japan-based perspective, exploring why Sasaki was posted now, how Japanese fans feel about his departure, and what the implications could be for NPB. Finally (1:21:01), Ben does a bonus Stat Blast about baseball overrepresentation in crossword puzzles.
Audio intro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Falvey news
Link to Trueblood’s Falvey tweet
Link to Eric’s Roki update
Link to Eric on Roki in August
Link to Ben’s Roki update
Link to Ben on Roki in 2022
Link to Kiley on Roki
Link to Passan on Roki
Link to Coskrey on Roki
Link to 2024 bonus pools
Link to Cooper on draft picks
Link to Ardaya on courting Ohtani
Link to Ohtani courtship
Link to Jim on Roki’s situation
Link to Jim on the Marines
Link to Jim on Hirooka
Link to Jim on Roki’s future
Link to NPB union article
Link to Jim’s podcast
Link to Hang Up and Listen
Link to latest HUaL
Link to Raymond’s spreadsheet
Link to Rooker EW episode
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a listener proposal to artificially designate (and trade) a two-way player, then (19:28) conduct the 10th annual free agent contract over/under draft, plus closing banter (1:09:45) about the new Sacramento team’s city designation, a Philly front-office shuffle, and POBO priority.
Audio intro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to typing monkeys research
Link to typing monkeys research summary
Link to FB thread
Link to two-way rule
Link to Sam on not swinging
Link to previous over/under draft results
Link to competitions/drafts sheet
Link to MLBTR top 50
Link to FG top 50
Link to A’s name change info
Link to MLBTR on the Phillies
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Ben Lindbergh and FanGraphs writer Ben Clemens banter about the latest batch of Scott Boras puns, position changes for Willson Contreras and Mookie Betts, surgery for Shohei Ohtani, Skip Schumaker’s move to Texas, and Buster Posey’s front-office philosophy, then (47:21) discuss Other Ben’s top 50 free agents list—focusing on Juan Soto, Blake Snell, Corbin Burnes, Pete Alonso, Gleyber Torres, underrated/overrated options, and market trends—and (1:19:12) MLB’s most interesting offseason storylines.
Audio intro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Boras puns
Link to MLBTR on Contreras
Link to MLBTR on Betts
Link to Betts Statcast fielding
Link to Betts Statcast running
Link to MLBTR on Ohtani
Link to MLBTR on Schumaker
Link to MLBTR on Bregman
Link to Baggarly tweet about Posey
Link to Baggarly’s Posey profile
Link to Ben C. on the top 50 FA
Link to Sam on “seeking”
Link to Boras on Soto 1
Link to Boras on Soto 2
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about team/player option/opt-out decisions involving Gerrit Cole, Cody Bellinger, Blake Snell, and Eugenio Suárez, the Royals re-signing Michael Wacha, the players who received qualifying offers, the Minasian brothers as rival GMs (and potential PoBros), Carlos Santana’s historic Gold Glove, an international signing scandal (on multiple levels), evidence of racial bias in player development, a Japan Series upset, and more, plus a postscript.
Audio intro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLBTR on Cole 1
Link to MLBTR on Cole 2
Link to pitcher WAR since 2020
Link to P RA-9 WAR since 2020
Link to MLBTR on Snell
Link to Snell leaderboard
Link to MLBTR on Bellinger
Link to MLBTR on Suárez
Link to Suárez leaderboard
Link to Suárez Stathead search
Link to MLBTR on Wacha
Link to FG on Wacha
Link to qualifying offer list
Link to FG top 50 FA
Link to Rob Arthur article
Link to Rob on racial bias in 2020
Link to Rob on Black catchers in 2020
Link to Ringer scouting reports series
Link to MLBTR on Minasian
Link to LAT on the Minasians
Link to USA Today on the Minasians
Link to Langs Santana stat
Link to ESPN on signing scandal
Link to MLBTR on signing scandal
Link to Rob Arthur article
Link to Rob on racial bias in 2020
Link to Rob on Black catchers in 2020
Link to Ringer scouting reports series
Link to Climax Series wiki
Link to Climax Series bracket
Link to BayStars win 1
Link to BayStars win 2
Link to Jim Allen tweet
Link to Ben on the BayStars
Link to Hank Hill promo
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about offseason EW, Tommy Kahnle’s love affair with changeups, the Yankees’ preparation and fundamentals, Aaron Boone’s managing, the Dodgers as a dynasty, the White Sox hiring Will Venable, Alex Kirilloff’s retirement, two prediction anecdotes, glove flips as the new bat flips, the check-swing challenge system, the Premier12 tournament, the Women’s Pro Baseball League, Eric Adams and the World Series, a Yankees executive keeping things in perspective, a record sum for a historic baseball, Shohei Ohtani trumping One Piece, Dodgers parade comments, a no-show for NPB’s Sawamura Award, and more.
Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to story on Kahnle’s changeups
Link to Kahnle pitch types
Link to pitch types Stat Blast
Link to Boone report 1
Link to Boone report 2
Link to Sherman on the Yankees
Link to 2015 Royals scouting story
Link to Ben on the Dodgers
Link to Dodgers dynasty story
Link to dynasty system
Link to MLBTR on Venable
Link to MLBTR on Kiriloff
Link to Kiriloff’s announcement
Link to Gleeman tweet
Link to elephants/mice info
Link to Fernando prediction tweet
Link to Fernando prediction story
Link to Vientos prediction tweet
Link to Vientos prediction story
Link to glove flip clip
Link to 2012 Chapman story
Link to Baseball for All tweet
Link to WPBL story
Link to WPBL interview
Link to Siegal EW episode
Link to Premier12 roster
Link to Premier12 wiki
Link to challenge system story
Link to challenge system video
Link to Afterman comments
Link to Adams attendance story
Link to Ohtani ball auction
Link to Ohtani ball auction 2
Link to Fat Joe comments
Link to Ohtani shirt response
Link to One Piece story
Link to Sawamura Award story
Link to Sawamura EW episode
Link to Petriello on catching
Link to “Something’s Coming”
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Games 4 and 5 of the World Series, with an emphasis on Game 5’s error-plagued fifth inning, managerial moves and bullpen performance, the significance of the Dodgers’ victory and the future of the franchise, puzzling stats about sweeps and teams that fall behind 3-0 in best-of-seven series, cluttered fun facts, fan interference mishegoss, and much more.
Audio intro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Daniel Lewis, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to FG playoff coverage
Link to Ben on the Dodgers’ win
Link to Game 5 fun facts
Link to Kram on the fifth inning
Link to Will Smiths story
Link to Rogers tweet
Link to fan ban
Link to facial recognition story
Link to Gronk tweet
Link to 3-0 leads story
Link to Ben on predicting sweeps
Link to Paine on sweeps 1
Link to Paine on sweeps 2
Link to fun fact 1
Link to fun fact 2
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about and break down the lopsided first three games of the World Series: what went as expected, what was surprising, Aaron Judge’s postseason struggles, Freddie Freeman’s heroics, Shohei Ohtani’s injury, pivotal plays, Aaron Boone and Nestor Cortes, TV ratings, and much more, followed by (1:06:47) a brief, a not-about baseball voting PSA.
Audio intro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to FG playoff coverage
Link to Sterling call 1
Link to Sterling call 2
Link to Judge interview clip
Link to Stanton play
Link to Boone on the 2004 Red Sox
Link to Ben on Boone and Cortes
Link to Ben on team health
Link to Will Carroll on Ohtani
Link to Jeff Passan on Ohtani
Link to TV ratings info
Link to Langs slams stat
Link to Langs 3-0 stat
Link to Ice Cube video
Link to Fat Joe video
Link to Vote.gov
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Meg Rowley and guest co-host Craig Goldstein, editor-in-chief of Baseball Prospectus, discuss the passing of Fernando Valenzuela, and his importance to both the Dodgers and baseball more generally. Then they preview the 2024 World Series between the Dodgers and the Yankees. They detail the relative strengths and weaknesses of both teams, breaking down the lineups, rotations, and bullpens, and discuss the players who might make the difference, from big stars like Ohtani, Betts, Judge and Soto, to lesser-known arms like Luke Weaver and Brent Honeywell.
Audio intro: Benny and A Million Shetland Ponies, “Benny and A Million Shetland Ponies – Horny EW Theme”
Audio outro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to FanGraphs’ postseason coverage
Link to Eric Nusbaum’s book “Stealing Home: Los Angeles, the Dodgers, and the Lives Caught in Between”
Link to Andy McCullough on Fernando Valenzuela
Link to Craig on how the Dodgers should bullpen Game 1
Link to Craig’s podcast, Five and Dive
Link to Rob Arthur on Ohtani’s effect on attendance
Link to Ben Clemens’ World Series Preview
Link to Mike Petriello on the reliever familiarity effectLink to Michael Baumann on Giancarlo Stanton
Link to Davy Andrews on Aaron Judge
Link to Dan Szymborski on home field advantage in the playoffs
Link to Davy Andrews on the stars of the World Series
Link to Michael Baumann on postseason relievers
Link to Judge and Ohtani in the postseason
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Meg Rowley and guest co-host Eric Longenhagen, FanGraphs’ lead prospect analyst, discuss some of the eliminated playoff teams, Meg’s grand unified theory of Grimace, and a few of the things they are looking forward to in the coming Dodgers-Yankees World Series. Then they discuss what Eric does and doesn’t look for in his Arizona Fall League looks, and how things are going for a few of the Fall League’s big prospects, including Phillies pitcher Andrew Painter, Braves catcher Drake Baldwin, Dodgers outfielder Zyhir Hope, and Padres catcher Ethan Salas. Plus, Eric offers a few tips for those hoping to visit the AFL this year.
Audio intro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to FG playoff coverage
Link to Eric’s first Fall League dispatch (Andrew Painter, Ethan Salas, Zyhir Hope)
Link to Eric’s second Fall League dispatch (Tre’ Morgan, Kemp Alderman)
Link to the Fall League section of The Board
Link to Jay Jaffe on Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge in the postseason
Link to Jay Jaffe on starting pitching in the postseason
Link to FanGraphs 2024 staff predictions
FanGraphs 2024 staff playoff predictions
Link to ZiPS game-by-game World Series Odds
Link to the FanGraphs Playoff Odds
Link to the FanGraphs Playoff Batting and Pitching Leaderboards
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s surprise presence and PitchCom conspiracies, recap the big moments (and big swings) from the end of the ALCS and NLCS, compare and contrast Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton, consider the 2025 outlooks for the Guardians and Mets, discuss the implications of a World Series matchup between big spenders, preview the Series, and share stats about Emmanuel Clase’s postseason implosion, the meeting of Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, and the star-studded-ness of the Yankees’ and Dodgers’ rosters.
Audio intro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to FG playoff coverage
Link to Clerks montage
Link to Ben on SP playoff familiarity
Link to Soto at-bat breakdown
Link to Stanton at-bat
Link to Soto at-bat
Link to Soto quote
Link to BaseRuns standings
Link to Clase query data
Link to listener emails database
Link to Verducci on Dodgers-Yankees
Link to ZiPS WS projections
Link to Sterling clip
Link to Langs stat 1
Link to Langs stat 2
Link to Langs stat 3
Link to Ryan Nelson on Twitter
Link to MLBTR on the Mets
Link to series star data
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Game 3 of the ALCS and Game 4 of the NLCS, follow up (39:05) on replay review, fly-ball classifications, and executive titles, answer listener emails (53:22) about retiring numbers for both home and road teams and correctly labeling bat “flips,” and Stat Blast (1:03:46) about postseason despair, ball […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a report that Jerry Reinsdorf might be willing to sell the White Sox, then (13:22) discuss the tactics and storylines of ALCS and NLCS Game 2, including controversial Vogt decisions, how Yankees fans would perceive a pennant or championship, the importance of Max Muncy, visualizing success, Shohei Ohtani’s […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a mayoral Yankees/Mets cap and the history of politicians flubbing comments about baseball, tease their next playoff livestream, and discuss when it’s acceptable to call a game “winner take all,” the conclusion of the Division Series round, José Ramírez the motivator, the Tigers’ 2025 outlook, nobody believing in […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about not sleeping on the less star-studded but still exciting AL Central Division Series, a David Fry prediction, the reliever familiarity effect, an abhorrent TV shot, the Yankees’ ALDS victory, when the Royals will return to October, the Braves firing a few coaches, the future of Tropicana Field, and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the possibility of players predicting opponents’ home runs, the Mets’ NLDS victory, New York’s title drought, Padres-Dodgers Games 3 and 4, Walker Buehler’s “earned” runs, Manny Machado’s clever, controversial dash, ALDS updates, a green-screen response and broadcast nitpicks, the possibly impending sale of the Twins, whether the ’25 […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the latest home run predictions (by Carlos Estévez and Lawrence Butler), top closers blowing leads, the compelling, competitive postseason, highlights of recent games, broadcasters invoking momentum, replay controversies, and Padres-Dodgers bad blood, plus follow-ups on green screens (or the lack thereof) on baseball broadcasts, fun-fact qualifiers, and the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Pete Alonso’s huge homer off of Devin Williams, the chaos and colorful characters surrounding the Mets, the difficulty of counting the qualifiers in an Alonso fun fact, Alonso’s free agency, the compelling nature of the Division Series matchups, previews of each series, the front-office shake-ups of the Cardinals […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about distracting digital and between-pitch ads and ever-present win probability graphs on playoff broadcasts, the concept of controlling your own destiny, Orlando Arcia hugging Manny Machado, consternation about postseason small samples, Monday’s memorable Mets-Braves doubleheader, Carlos Mendoza’s Edwin Díaz decision, the most compelling postseason storylines, the early exits of the Orioles, Astros, and Braves, the futures of the Orioles and Tigers, MLB’s uniform fixes, Ken Kendrick’s comments about Jordan Montgomery, and the legacy of Pete Rose, plus a postscript (1:49:38).
Audio intro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to FG playoff coverage
Link to Arcia clip
Link to Arcia FB post
Link to Arcia tweets
Link to Ben on 2024 upsets
Link to Díaz quotes
Link to Harvey quotes
Link to September bullpen FIPs
Link to Ghiroli on the O’s
Link to Elias on the payroll
Link to bold preseason predictions
Link to Ben on Sale in 2018
Link to Hinch quote
Link to uniform news
Link to Kendrick/Hazen comments
Link to Just For Men ad
Link to Ben on Rose
Link to Jay on Rose
Link to Drellich on Rose statements
Link to Rose tributes
Link to Alonso fun fact
Link to Iglesias prediction
Link to d’Arnaud homer
Link to bouncing tweet 1
Link to bouncing tweet 2
Link to bouncing tweet 3
Link to bouncing tweet 4
Link to bouncing tweet 5
Link to baseball bouncing tweet
Link to mondegreen wiki
Link to eggcorn wiki
Link to eggcorn origin
Link to Zimmer on eggcorns
Link to eggcorn database
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In (dis)honor of the 2024 White Sox displacing the 1962 Mets atop the modern-era single-season losses leaderboard, Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, FanGraphs’ Ben Clemens, and Yahoo Sports’s Jordan Shusterman conduct a draft of facts and stats about this record-setting Sox season, scored by Sox Machine White Sox reporter James Fegan, who also describes covering the team’s disastrous play.
Audio intro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLB.com on loss 121
Link to Reinsdorf letter
Link to EW Episode 762
Link to EW Episode 1730
Link to Sox season preview pod
Link to worst team hitter WAR
Link to CBS on Sox stats
Link to ESPN on Sox stats
Link to FG payroll page
Link to list of worst records
Link to Sox splits
Link to Getz on Sox last year
Link to Getz on Sox this year
Link to Sox WAR leaderboard
Link to Sox booing 1
Link to Sox booing 2
Link to Sox booing 3
Link to BaseRuns standings
Link to losing streak fact
Link to 2023 FG Sox post
Link to qualified Sox hitters
Link to worst qualified hitters
Link to team OBP laggards
Link to team OBP+ laggards
Link to MLBTR on Zaidi/Posey
Link to MLBTR on Mozeliak/Bloom
Link to uniforms changes
Link to ESPN Rose obit
Link to Washington comments
Link to EW preseason predictions
Link to EW 2163 Stat Blast
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the 50th anniversary of the first Tommy John surgery and how baseball would be different if the procedure had never been pioneered, then (15:14) preview the 2024 postseason by pinpointing the biggest strength and weakness of each AL (21:40) and NL (1:00:17) playoff team.
Audio intro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to TJ 50th anniversary info
Link to John anniversary interview
Link to ris compensation wiki
Link to FG WS odds
Link to Ben C.’s AL difference makers
Link to Ben C.’s NL difference makers
Link to long Judge video
Link to team SP projections
Link to team RP projections
Link to Ben L. on Sale in 2018
Link to Sports Night clip
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about MLB’s oddly extended YouTube highlight videos, the league’s handling of a crucial, rained-out Mets/Brave series, the zombie runner rearing its ugly head in games with playoff implications, teams that are well-positioned for an especially free-for-all October, Emmanuel Clase’s Cy case, the value of top position players vs. top pitchers, and the Pirates’ suspiciously timed ta-ta to Rowdy Tellez. Then (1:02:42) they talk to The Athletic’s Melissa Lockard about the Athletics’ last series in Oakland, the future of the franchise and its fans, the Coliseum’s charms, John Fisher’s inflammatory letter, and much more.
Audio intro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLB YouTube videos
Link to MLB YouTube Shorts
Link to long triple play video
Link to short triple play vid 1
Link to short triple play vid 2
Link to long Ohtani video
Link to long Judge video
Link to Harris quote
Link to NY Post on postponed series
Link to MLB.com on postponed series
Link to Royals zombie-runner win
Link to team offense in September
Link to Dan S. on playoff predictions
Link to Dan’s post last year
Link to Dan on playoffs crapshoots
Link to Ben on playoffs crapshoots
Link to team pitching WAR leaders
Link to team bullpen WPA leaders
Link to lowest RP ERAs
Link to Cleveland’s clinch
Link to Tango on reliever voting
Link to Epstein on reliever voting
Link to single-season pitcher WPA leaders
Link to pitcher cWPA
Link to hitter cWPA
Link to Ben on Britton
Link to top hitter/pitcher data
Link to MLBTR on Tellez
Link to Shelton quote
Link to Cherington quote
Link to Tellez incentives
Link to Tellez splits
Link to best Pirates hitters since June
Link to Defector on Tellez
Link to MLBTR on A’s and Andrus
Link to Allen’s Oakland WAR ranking
Link to best MLB hitters since June
Link to A’s preview episode
Link to Melissa on the A’s
Link to Melissa on the Roots
Link to Rooker rendering
Link to Portland ballpark news
Link to EW Ballers interview
Link to Dan Moore on the Ballers
Link to Fisher letter
Link to Moore on the A’s
Link to Moore on A’s fans
Link to Carig on the A’s
Link to Keown on the A’s
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s return from vacation, Corbin Burnes’s cutter comeback, the demotion of CJ Abrams, the no-longer-dynamic duo of Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, the firing of Reds manager David Bell, the Tigers promoting Jackson Jobe, Shota Imanaga’s post-NPB performance, teams refusing to use injuries as an excuse, Charlie Blackmon’s career and home-road splits, Matt Chapman’s long, non-homer hits, and whether to discount Shohei Ohtani’s power-speed exploits for 2024’s scoring environment.
Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)”
Audio outro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Orr on Burnes
Link to Kostka on Burnes
Link to Burnes monthly splits
Link to Burnes at Brooks Baseball
Link to ESPN on Abrams
Link to Abrams monthly splits
Link to Verlander update
Link to Scherzer update
Link to 44/60 aging study
Link to MLBTR on Bell
Link to AP on Bell
Link to FG on Bell
Link to Bell ejections story
Link to 2023 BaseRuns records
Link to 2024 BaseRuns records
Link to Reds offseason review
Link to projected record changes
Link to MLB.com on Jobe
Link to BP on Jobe
Link to Jobe/Price story
Link to Sussman on Imanaga
Link to DeltaGraphs
Link to “no excuse” quote
Link to BP IL Ledger
Link to MLBTR on Blackmon
Link to Blackmon home/road splits
Link to biggest splits (OPS points)
Link to biggest splits (%)
Link to Coors hangover article 1
Link to Coors hangover article 2
Link to Coors hangover article 3
Link to Coors hangover article 4
Link to Coors hangover article 5
Link to Rockies road pre-2020
Link to Rockies home pre-2020
Link to Rockies road post-2020
Link to Rockies home post-2020
Link to non-Rockies road post-2020
Link to non-Rockies home post-2020
Link to Blackmon road pre-2020
Link to Blackmon home pre-2020
Link to Blackmon road post-2020
Link to Blackmon home post-2020
Link to Chapman homer
Link to Chapman game story
Link to non-HR distance leaderboard
Link to Jason Bernard’s Twitter
Link to latest HUAL
Link to highest one-game RE24
Link to RE24 glossary
Link to power-speed number wiki
Link to power-speed number by year
Link to adj. power-speed leaders 1
Link to adj. power-speed leaders 2
Link to adj. power-speed data 2
Link to adj. power-speed leaders 3
Link to adj. power-speed data 3
Link to Ken Williams history
Link to 1920s hitter WAR leaders
Link to Superman hair info
Link to EW on sliding
Link to SIS sliding story
Link to 2018 Angels sliding story
Link to Bud Black video
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Ben Lindbergh and FanGraphs’ Ben Clemens dissect the glorious game in which Shohei Ohtani founded the 50-50 and 51-51 Clubs, Ohtani’s most awe-inspiring feats, and his future, followed (29:51) by banter about the state of defensive stats, the mystery of Salvador Perez’s swing decisions, questionable kudos for Bud Black, whether Victor Robles made the worst steal attempt of all time, and MLB’s Players of the Game. Then (1:19:55) Ben talks to trailblazing journalist Melissa Ludtke, author of Locker Room Talk: A Woman’s Struggle to Get Inside, about the landmark 1970s Ludtke v. Kuhn case that opened MLB team clubhouses to women.
Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes 2, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Ben C. on Ohtani
Link to Ohtani highlights
Link to Ohtani single-game stats
Link to Mookie quote
Link to study on exit velo
Link to Lebron tweet
Link to power/speed number wiki
Link to most Total Bases
Link to 50-homer seasons
Link to 70-steal seasons
Link to Sheehan on Shohei
Link to Ben C. on Ohtani odds
Link to various Ohtani fun facts
Link to OptaSTATS fun fact
Link to Terminator 2 quote
Link to Tango on defensive stats
Link to Judge on defensive stats
Link to BP DRP
Link to previous Salvy EW discussion
Link to Sarris on not swinging
Link to Choi on not swinging
Link to SEAGER explainer
Link to latest SEAGER article
Link to SEAGER leaderboards
Link to SwRV explainer
Link to more on SwRV
Link to PLV explainer
Link to PLV swing decisions
Link to Robert Orr’s Twitter
Link to Drew Haugen’s Twitter
Link to Kyle Bland’s Twitter
Link to Bud Black tweet
Link to Black’s manager page
Link to Rockies managers page
Link to Leyland Rockies wiki
Link to Ben on pitching coaches
Link to Julio/Arozarena play
Link to Julio/Arozarena article
Link to Andrews on Robles
Link to Baumann on Robles
Link to AP on Robles
Link to Robles video clip
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
Link to Ryan’s stealing-home data
Link to 2023 post on stealing home
Link to 2020 “steal”
Link to MLB Player of the Game
Link to FG Player of the Game
Link to Melissa and Cosell
Link to Locker Room Talk
Link to Constance Baker Motley wiki
Link to Constance Baker Motley book
Link to Ludtke v. Kuhn decision
Link to Angell’s New Yorker feature
Link to Angell centennial EW episode
Link to Emma at SI on Melissa
Link to Melissa on Melissa
Link to Melissa’s TEDx talk
Link to Melissa’s website
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In a bonus EW episode, Ben Lindbergh talks to screenwriter and former editor-in-chief of The Onion Robert Siegel about his classic Onion opinion piece, “In My Day, Ballplayers Were For Shit,” how The Onion used to approach sports coverage, the importance of headlines and stock photos, satirizing baseball vs. satirizing other sports, why The Onion hasn’t lost its fastball, and more, plus (55:53) a postscript.
Audio intro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to “In My Day” article
Link to “Take Me Out” song
Link to The Onion baseball archive
Link to Siegel’s IMDb
Link to Siegel’s wiki
Link to 2003 Yankees story
Link to Counsell story
Link to Brock AB story
Link to warehouse fire story
Link to “No Way to Prevent This”
Link to Congress/Capitol story
Link to Ripken story 1
Link to Ripken story 2
Link to Little Leaguer story
Link to T-ball headline
Link to Onion popularity story
Link to Our Dumb Century
Link to ODC archive
Link to “Heartbreaking” photo wiki
Link to Ben on Sloan
Link to Facebook favorites thread
Link to Reddit favorites thread
Link to NotGraphs favorites post
Link to Angell’s boyhood memories
Link to Ben on talent over time
Link to Ottavino claim
Link to Tungsten Arm article
Link to Dunne at Fanatics Fest
Link to Ben on Marvel stans
Link to Grantland on dying baseball
Link to SI on dying baseball
Link to Ohtani futures bet photo
Link to first-pitch injury
Link to Chourio prediction
Link to Holliday prediction
Link to Shania song
Link to Ryan’s Twitter thread
Link to CV wiki
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Ben Lindbergh and Joe Sheehan banter about high school, the persistent, befuddling allure of Craig Kimbrel, the Orioles’ recent struggles, the playoff-fumble potential of four teams that previously possessed 90-plus-percent playoff odds, their prediction philosophies, the potential for legislation to curb the excesses of sports betting, and what the surprise “retirement” of Adrian Wojnarowski says about the difference between baseball’s biggest newsbreakers and those of other sports, plus a postscript (1:16:30) about the history of hating intentional walks.
Audio intro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to JUG explainer 1
Link to JUG explainer 2
Link to Regis JUG Night
Link to Joe Sheehan Newsletter
Link to MLBTR on Kimbrel
Link to Jaffe on Kimbrel
Link to McCann clip
Link to Ben C. on the odds 1
Link to Ben C. on the odds 2
Link to 538 predictions check
Link to Silver on randomness
Link to Birnbaum on randomness
Link to Ben on postseason sweeps
Link to Chass on “digital dandy”
Link to Dan on “digital dandy”
Link to MLBPA lawsuit
Link to SAFE Bet Act info 1
Link to SAFE Bet Act info 2
Link to Slow Boring on sports betting
Link to Premier League ad ban
Link to Wrigley sportsbook article
Link to UK celebrity ad ban
Link to Craggs on sports betting
Link to Woj retirement tweet
Link to ESPN Woj news
Link to The Ringer on Woj
Link to Schefter quote
Link to Ben on newsbreaking
Link to insider scandals
Link to Sharpe apology
Link to Schumaker clip
Link to Abe Simpson clip
Link to A Game of Inches
Link to Strike Four
Link to Game of Inches on the IBB
Link to Posnanski on the IBB
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Ben Lindbergh and FanGraphs’ Dan Szymborski banter about Ben’s timing in respect to Declan Cronin’s homerless streak, the perils of podcasts, predictions, and regression to the mean, the White Sox cutting payroll and their projections for the rest of this season, next season, and beyond, Gerrit Cole’s ignominious intentional walk, Alex Cora’s seeming admission that the Red Sox threw at Aaron Judge, Farhan Zaidi’s future in San Francisco, Heliot Ramos’s historic splash hit, Mike Trout’s possible position change, the Dodgers’ injury-plagued pitching staff, and the breakout of Bowden Francis. Then (1:21:27) Ben talks to Tigers TV voice Jason Benetti about how Detroit has made a late run despite selling at the trade deadline, the franchise’s outlook, and Jason’s job change, plus a postscript (1:58:10).
Audio intro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Cronin on EW
Link to Wood’s homer
Link to text from Cronin
Link to Leo’s Declan post
Link to White Sox payroll report
Link to Sox payroll page
Link to MLB payrolls
Link to Getz quotes
Link to playoff odds page
Link to BaseRuns records
Link to thread on Sox simulations
Link to Dan on outlier teams
Link to Tango on outlier teams
Link to Sox losses update
Link to 1916 A’s page
Link to Cole IBB story
Link to Dubuque on Cole
Link to Bello ball 1 to Judge 1
Link to Bello ball 2 to Judge
Link to Cora comments
Link to Post report on Cora
Link to later Cora report
Link to The Athletic on Chapman deal
Link to The Chronicle on Chapman deal
Link to Rosenthal on Zaidi
Link to Ben on ex-player GMs
Link to splash hits list
Link to MLB.com on Ramos HR
Link to Ramos Savant page
Link to Sam on splash hits 1
Link to Sam on splash hits 2
Link to Trout quotes
Link to 2018 Trout workout
Link to full-time-DH penalty
Link to Rosenthal on the Dodgers
Link to TJS data
Link to pitcher injury totals
Link to Rhoads on Twitter
Link to Dodgers depth chart
Link to Friedman’s comments
Link to Daugherty’s tweet
Link to Dan on innings eating
Link to Ben on innings eating
Link to BP on Francis
Link to Francis fun fact
Link to Francis FIP-WAR leaderboard
Link to Francis RA9-WAR leaderboard
Link to Late Heavy Bombardment wiki
Link to Dan on the zombie runner
Link to Rocky IV montage
Link to Rocky IV quote
Link to team records since 7/1
Link to team records since 7/30
Link to team records since 8/1
Link to RP WAR since 8/1
Link to SP innings since 8/1
Link to “Gnomes” wiki
Link to Space Mountain wiki
Link to plane boarding article
Link to Tigers trade activity
Link to Tigers pitcher usage article
Link to McGwire’s comments
Link to Jason’s podcast
Link to framing/cheating post
Link to Tony the Tiger wiki
Link to The Ringer-Verse
Link to Hang Up and Listen
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Ben Lindbergh and R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports debate whether Jackson Holliday, Jackson Chourio, or Jackson Merrill will be the best player long term, discuss the addition of ads to batting helmets and continued MLB ad creep, and ponder the possibility of publicly owned ballclubs. Then (55:52) Ben talks to Mojo Hill about covering Derek Bender, the Twins minor league catcher who was released for telling opposing hitters which pitches were coming. Finally (1:27:09), Ben brings on Frequent Stat Blast Correspondent Ryan Nelson for Blasts about runs scoring on three consecutive wild pitches, players who faced the same opponent with the most teams in a single season, the most and least consistent start lengths, team games with the same number of hits, walks, and runs, and bad bullpen support.
Audio intro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Horny)”
Link to FG paywall post
Link to CBS Jacksons debate
Link to FG preseason top 100
Link to FG Trade Value ranking
Link to Dan S. on sophomore slumps
Link to Dubuque on sophomore slumps
Link to 21-and-under hitter WAR
Link to Jacksons projections
Link to Jacksons listener poll
Link to Ben on minors/majors gap
Link to new minors/majors gap story 1
Link to new minors/majors gap story 2
Link to MLB helmets release
Link to AP on the helmets
Link to Clemente Award release
Link to Craig’s ads thread
Link to Kepner on helmet ads
Link to sponsor revenue story
Link to jersey ad revenue
Link to patch revenue info
Link to R.J.’s public ownership feature
Link to previous public ownership story
Link to BP on Atlanta’s finances
Link to ESPN’s Bender report
Link to BA on Bender
Link to Cooper tweet about Bender
Link to McDaniel tweet about Bender
Link to Bull Durham clip
Link to Mojo’s Bender thread
Link to Mojo’s @UnfortunateMLB tweet
Link to Mojo’s Bender feature
Link to Mojo’s hiring announcement
Link to article on grooving pitches
Link to wild pitches list
Link to Baumann game log
Link to The Athletic on Hawk
Link to Skenes game log
Link to pitcher start length data
Link to Cooney SABR bio
Link to Stathead query 1
Link to Stathead query 2
Link to Stathead query 3
Link to Stathead query 4
Link to relief stats by starter data
Link to Episode 1852 Stat Blast wiki
Link to listener emails database
Link to Roberts interview clip
Link to ballpark meetup forms
Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh and FanGraphs’ Michael Baumann play a game of “College Baseball Player or Vuelta a España Stage Winner?”, discuss Kumar Rocker’s potential and path to the majors, and (17:38) meet major leaguers Tyler Jay and Richard Fitts, before talking (39:33) to checks notes Marlins reliever Big Mike Baumann about becoming the second major leaguer ever to play for five teams in one season. After that (1:05:10), Ben chats with Baumann’s teammate Declan Cronin about how he’s held hitters homerless all season, the high-BABIP blues, the latest trends in pitching development, player paperwork, and more. Then (1:39:52) Ben brings on writer Lakshmi Gandhi to discuss Rocker’s significance as the first MLB player of Indian descent, before finishing (1:55:39) with several follow-ups.
Audio intro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 3: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Vuelta a España wiki
Link to Wheelysports
Link to Baumann on Rocker
Link to MLBTR on Rocker
Link to MLB on Rocker
Link to BP on Rocker
Link to Rocker/Leiter Vandy doc
Link to Rocker MiLB highlights
Link to MLB Pipeline Top 100
Link to B-Ref new debuts
Link to post-ASB team pitching WAR
Link to Fitts story 1
Link to Fitts story 2
Link to Fitts story 3
Link to Fitts interview
Link to Red Sox top prospects
Link to 2024 White Sox splits
Link to Baumann’s White Sox post
Link to The Athletic on Baumann
Link to Drake on EW
Link to MLBTR on Gose
Link to Suits: L.A. wiki
Link to first Cronin pod appearance
Link to FG RP WAR
Link to ERA-FIP leaders
Link to pitcher defensive support
Link to highest BABIP allowed
Link to post on homerless Cronin
Link to Tread Athletics
Link to MLBTR on Marlins moves
Link to Buck’s Big Mac call
Link to Laschmi’s 2021 article
Link to NPR’s 2021 article
Link to Texas South Asians site
Link to MLB on Rocker’s background
Link to Dallas News on Rocker
Link to Lakshmi’s website
Link to Rocker debut Ks
Link to Doris Day article 1
Link to Doris Day article 2
Link to 50-homer SB leaders
Link to The Athletic on Sacramento
Link to Chronicle on Sacramento
Link to BA MiLB park factors
Link to velo/K leaderboards
Link to EW Episode 2213
Link to updated Stat Blast spreadsheet
Link to EW listener emails database
Link to EW Episode 2215
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Link to zoomed-in screenshot
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss the solution to a Carlos Estévez prediction cold case, share a baseball-sicko experience prompted by the band Hinds’s new single, put actors on baseball-movie Mount Rushmore (in honor of the late, great, James Earl Jones), scrutinize two suggestions for HBP policing, assess the risks and history of ceremonial first pitches, Nora Ephron’s fandom, and the “first ball” in the movie My Blue Heaven, and banter about a White Sox ad for MLB.TV, the call-up of Jasson Domínguez, Gerrit Cole’s return to form, whether Corbin Burnes’s free agency could play out like Blake Snell’s and Jordan Montgomery’s, the Mets-Braves wild card race, Francisco Lindor, Trea Turner, and fan ovations, the unsung A’s offense, Jerry DiPOBO’s Seattle staying power, and more.
Audio intro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to player predictions EW wiki
Link to Estévez story
Link to Estévez game
Link to Estévez radio call
Link to McMahon homer
Link to Aaron Muñoz Insta
Link to Dollar Dogs article 1
Link to Dollar Dogs article 2
Link to Dollar Dogs article 3
Link to “Boom Boom Back”
Link to Viva Hinds album
Link to Hinds wiki
Link to 1933 Elmer the Great nickname
Link to Boom-Boom Beck SABR bio
Link to Elmer, the Great wiki
Link to Time on Elmer, the Great
Link to NYT on Elmer, the Great
Link to JEJ NYT obit
Link to Joe E. Brown wiki
Link to Ken Medlock wiki
Link to Baseball: The Movie
Link to Gittell on EW
Link to The Sandlot scene
Link to Merrifield Athletic article 2
Link to FB ABS HBP post
Link to HBP replay review rules
Link to Bethune first pitch report
Link to Koike injury report
Link to Baylor injury report
Link to My Blue Heaven first ball clip
Link to My Blue Heaven Padres scene
Link to Sleepless in Seattle scene
Link to My Blue Heaven wiki
Link to info president pitches
Link to The Winning Team wiki
Link to first pitches wiki
Link to first pitch/ball history
Link to Ephron on Tekulve
Link to story on Robinson
Link to The Naked Gun clip
Link to White Sox ad
Link to MLBTR on Domínguez
Link to pitcher WAR since 8/1
Link to Ben C. on Braves-Mets
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to FG SP projections
Link to team SP WAR
Link to Megill velo story 1
Link to Megill velo story 2
Link to Megill velo story 3
Link to Lindor ovation story
Link to Turner doc story
Link to team batting post-ASB
Link to squandered GSc>= 50
Link to squandered GSc>= 60
Link to squandered GSc>= 65
Link to squandered GSc>= 75
Link to M’s starts of GSc>= 75
Link to MLBTR on Dipoto report
Link to BP on Dipoto
Link to Mariners playoff appearances
Link to Hyden’s five-albums test
Link to listener emails database
Link to Machado homer story
Link to Banda punch story
Link to Bird Bones song
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the impressiveness of a prediction by Carlos Estévez, how to say the score from the losing team’s perspective, and getting hit in the head by a hot dog. Then (23:13) they discuss getting hit in the head (or the hands) by a baseball: how often it happens, how dangerous it is, and whether (as Whit Merrifield argues) MLB must act to discourage it. Then (58:28) they brainstorm about visiting teams’ first-inning disadvantage and answer listener emails (1:08:42) about Triple-A teams as playoff warm-up acts, an obscure Rich Hill record, post-PitchCom performance in past sign-stealing situations, headfirst sliding vs. feet-first sliding (and whether running more can cause one to slump at the plate), the concept of a “natural position,” and the ethics of a UCL exclusivity deal.
Audio intro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Estévez story
Link to Estévez game
Link to Estévez game highlights
Link to McMahon homer
Link to Estévez game story
Link to 2022 Merrifield HBP
Link to Merrifield Athletic article 1
Link to Merrifield Athletic article 2
Link to Ben on HBP in 2021
Link to Mains on HBP in 2021
Link to Arthur on HBP and batters 1
Link to Arthur on HBP and batters 2
Link to FG on HBP in 2022
Link to HBP per PA by year
Link to HBP per pitch by year
Link to avg. HBP velo
Link to avg. FB HBP velo
Link to HBP FB% by year
Link to avg. HBP height
Link to avg. FB HBP height
Link to HBP in danger zones by year
Link to Shadow Zone HBP by year
Link to HBP in the strike zone by year
Link to BP Recovery Dashboard
Link to Rosenthal on command
Link to Sarris on command
Link to BP on hitter injuries
Link to Mains on HFA by inning
Link to Smith on first-inning HFA 1
Link to Smith on first-inning HFA 2
Link to Japanese baseball rules
Link to 2015 Japan Times column
Link to Ben C. on playoffs layoffs
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Link to runner-on-second offense
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Link to injury rates on slides
Link to Andrews on Cruz
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Giants extending Matt Chapman and Manny Machado’s pursuit of Nate Colbert’s Padres home run record, Stat Blast (20:42) about Luis Arraez’s extreme three-true-outcome avoidance, Ben Joyce’s potentially unprecedented pitch speeds, and whiff-averse flamethrowers, and then discuss (54:31) the Yankees’ left-field dilemma(?) involving Alex Verdugo and Jasson Domínguez, the Brewers’ expectations-surpassing success, and NPB’s suspicious power outage, before finishing with several follow-ups (1:33:35).
Audio intro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLBTR on Chapman
Link to Rosenthal on Chapman/Boras
Link to Dan S. on Chapman in 2022
Link to 3B defense leaders
Link to Colbert Stat Blast
Link to Stat Blast song cover
Link to Levitt Arraez tweet
Link to Ben on Arraez
Link to Arraez batting title article
Link to FG + stats
Link to Arraez IBB game
Link to Madlock trivia
Link to TTO%+ sheet
Link to TTO% by season
Link to TTO% leaders
Link to MLB.com on Joyce
Link to ESPN on Joyce
Link to Joyce pitch-type splits
Link to Chapman pitch-type splits
Link to 2024 FAv leaders
Link to FBv and K%+ at FG
Link to Ben on Joyce in 2012
Link to velo sheet 1
Link to velo sheet w/xK%
Link to velo sheet (95+ mph)
Link to Jeff on Capps 1
Link to Jeff on Capps 2
Link to Verdugo/Domínguez article 1
Link to Verdugo/Domínguez article 2
Link to Verdugo/Domínguez article 3
Link to Verdugo/Domínguez article 4
Link to LF defense leaders
Link to BaseRuns/Pythag page
Link to Jeff on team depth
Link to NEIFI on team depth
Link to team Def Eff
Link to team defense at FG
Link to Petriello team projections
Link to Pacific League at B-Ref
Link to Central League at B-Ref
Link to MLB velo by year
Link to DeltaGraphs
Link to Ben on DeltaGraphs
Link to Jim Allen’s Twitter
Link to Jason Coskrey’s Twitter
Link to Jim on small ball
Link to Tony Adams tweet
Link to Swanson on EW
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuña Jr., and quantifying power/speed excellence and the White Sox somehow playing way worse under Grady Sizemore, follow up on hippos, A-Rod’s relationships, double plates/bases, 40-something hitters, player predictions, and one-pitch first strikeouts, and react to a new kind of bases-loaded walk and private equity’s incursion into youth sports. Then (52:12) they talk to Matthew DeSantis and Ramon Riesgo of the Bhutan Baseball & Softball Association about the origins, development, and future of baseball in Bhutan and the Hudson Valley Renegades’ recent Bhutan Night.
Audio intro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to power-speed number wiki
Link to EW Episode 2057
Link to MUTO wiki
Link to Cranston promo 1
Link to Cranston promo 2
Link to article on Angels and Ohtani
Link to Ohtani/Dekopin first pitch
Link to on-pace projections
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to Grant’s White Sox tweet
Link to hippo etymology
Link to quotes about A-Rod
Link to PA by 40+ hitters
Link to Chourio video
Link to Adames video
Link to Adames article
Link to Seitzer game account
Link to Seitzer game at Retrosheet
Link to Seitzer game at B-Ref
Link to MiLB IBB game
Link to IBB list
Link to Seager IBB details
Link to Bloomberg on youth sports
Link to EW Episode 2168
Link to Drellich on MiLB PE
Link to EW Episode 1860
Link to Renegades wiki
Link to 2023 MLB.com Bhutan story
Link to 2024 MLB.com Bhutan story
Link to Bhutan Baseball website
Link to Bhutan Night video
Link to more Bhutan Night video
Link to Yankee Stadium video
Link to Bhutan wiki
Link to country elevations
Link to Buddha statue wiki
Link to Baseball5 wiki
Link to Darwin’s finches wiki
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Link to Angels Ohtani graphic
Link to Sox losing streak tweet
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Juan Soto’s free agency and Aaron Judge’s ego, follow up on in-season exhibition games, and (18:51) answer listener emails about the possibility of adding games to the baseball season, bullpen pitchers robbing a home run robbery, redrawing (or enforcing) coach’s boxes, pronouncing “wRC+,” programming ABS to help starters go deeper into games, Joey Votto vs. Lance Berkman, boycotting A’s games on the road, installing a second home plate (and/or double bases), replacing “bullets in the arm” with “throws of the dice,” using pitch counts instead of innings counts, and player development during suspensions.
Audio intro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Passan’s FA preview
Link to Judge/Soto story
Link to highest player AAVs
Link to longest contracts
Link to extension rejection story
Link to radio host on Judge
Link to laser pointers story
Link to Sosa 1998 exhibition
Link to new UEFA format
Link to story on shortening season
Link to Jankowski robbery
Link to Jankowski waiver news
Link to coach’s box wiki
Link to coach’s box rule
Link to MLB rules
Link to Yanks/Jays incident
Link to Yanks/Jays video
Link to Ben on the strike zone
Link to 1B JAWS
Link to LF JAWS
Link to double 1B story 1
Link to double 1B story 2
Link to double 1B story 3
Link to innings vs. pitches data
Link to Orelvis suspension
Link to suspended player rules
Link to rehab rules
Link to listener emails database
Link to MLBTR on Pasquantino
Link to Picollo quote
Link to hippos article 1
Link to hippos article 2
Link to hippos article 3
Link to hippos article 4
Link to hippos article 5
Link to hippos article 6
Link to hippos article 7
Link to hippos article 8
Link to hippos article 9
Link to hippos article 10
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about ad proliferation on podcasts and make a sheepish plea for listener support, then discuss the reversal of offensive fortunes for first basemen and shortstops and Oneil Cruz’s move to center field before following up (35:33) on the Mariners’ managerial hiring and the Selig Rule, a Rich Hill record (and dueling Hill fun facts), the effect of equidistant fences, Carlos Santana’s milestone ball, single-organization Futures Games, and broadcaster BSing, and then Stat Blasting (1:11:40) about Félix Hernández and high HR:hit ratios by bad hitters, Ernie Clement and high-pitch homers, mid-plate-appearance big-league debuts, and small-sample, leaguewide scoring fluctuations (and also semi-meeting major leaguers Ryan Zeferjahn, Jeff Criswell, and Brady Feigl).
Audio intro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to EW’s Patreon
Link to WSJ on pod ads
Link to Patreon iOS app news
Link to McCartney lyrics pod
Link to Ben on HUAL
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Link to Kirschner on 1B
Link to Sherman on 1B
Link to Epstein on 1B
Link to Verducci on 1B
Link to Jaffe on 1B
Link to Keyser on DHs
Link to 1B/SS data
Link to B-Ref positional splits
Link to Dan S. on awards voting
Link to Haywood clip
Link to Andrews on Cruz
Link to MLB.com on Cruz
Link to Benz on Cruz
Link to Cruz defensive stats
Link to tallest shortstops
Link to MLB.com on the Selig Rule
Link to Taylor on manager diversity
Link to Ben C. on the fences
Link to EW Episode 2201
Link to EW Episode 2030
Link to Becker’s Hill tweet
Link to Browne’s Hill tweet
Link to Ben on ex-player GMs
Link to MLB.com Santana story
Link to follow-up Santana report
Link to Futures at Fenway wiki
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Link to Royals-Chasers story
Link to Mays at Norfolk
Link to 2001 NYT story
Link to Tides-O’s exhibition
Link to Tides history
Link to Nats Futures Game news
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Link to Cruz fly ball
Link to Pirates radio clip
Link to Stat Blast song cover
Link to Félix slam video
Link to Félix Stathead query
Link to Gant article
Link to Gant/McDonald query
Link to high-pitch homers
Link to Kubel homer
Link to Higashioka homer
Link to Clement homer
Link to Zeferjahn debut clip
Link to Zeferjahn story 1
Link to Zeferjahn story 2
Link to Zeferjahn story 3
Link to Red Sox prospect rankings
Link to 1-pitch Ks
Link to EW Episode 2187
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Link to official baseball rules
Link to Rule 9.16(h) 1
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Link to at-bat rule
Link to MLBTR on Criswell
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Link to first Criswell game
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Link to Rockies prospect ranking
Link to Feigl debut clip
Link to AP on Feigl’s debut
Link to Feigl wiki
Link to Lexington Legends wiki
Link to Legends rebranding story
Link to Legends re-rebranding story
Link to other Feigl retirement post
Link to Sheehan’s “Collapse” post
Link to offense fluctuations data
Link to latest six-day period
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Derek Jeter‘s (and Aaron Judge’s) championship-or-bust rhetoric, Alex Rodriguez’s date night, Judge’s home-run robberies, Judge’s offensive prowess compared to Babe Ruth and Barry Bonds, how clutchness (or the lack thereof) could affect the AL MVP race, Juan Soto’s defense, how the trajectory of Seattle’s season may have sealed Scott Servais’s fate, the Royals’ valuable durability, Michael Kopech as a Dodger, Dallas Keuchel’s latest destination, the new, old Jacob deGrom, and Jordan Montgomery’s and Blake Snell’s contrasting takes on Scott Boras. Then (1:14:39) they bring back Sports Reference software developer (and primary developer of Baseball-Reference.com) Kenny Jackelen to describe the work that went into ensuring that Danny Jansen’s unique two-teams-in-one-game performance diddn’t break B-Ref.
Audio intro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Jeter quote
Link to 2019 Judge quote
Link to 2023 Judge quote
Link to 2023 Judge quote 2
Link to story on 2009 reunion
Link to duck tour incidents
Link to A-Rod date night 1
Link to A-Rod date night 2
Link to Babe Ruth Award wiki
Link to FG batting paces
Link to FG WAR leaderboard
Link to single-season wRC+ leaders
Link to single-season batting leaders
Link to hitting leaders since 5/1
Link to SIS Judge stat
Link to Judge robbery article
Link to “locked in” quote
Link to “locked in” quote 2
Link to Judge’s splits
Link to Tango on Judge’s clutchness
Link to FG Clutch leaderboard
Link to batting WPA leaders
Link to pitching WPA leaders
Link to batting cWPA leaders
Link to pitching cWPA leaders
Link to spring Soto play
Link to EW on Soto’s play
Link to Bradley/Soto article
Link to Soto’s defensive history
Link to Ben on Harper’s defense
Link to Selig Rule article
Link to Wilson wiki
Link to Sheehan on the Royals
Link to BP IL Ledger
Link to 2024 team batting age
Link to Jaffe on Kopech
Link to Sox Machine on Kopech
Link to Keuchel signing article
Link to Carmen Sandiego theme song
Link to deGrom rehab article 1
Link to deGrom rehab article 2
Link to deGrom rehab article 3
Link to Montgomery comments
Link to Snell comments
Link to MLBTR on Montgomery/Snell
Link to MLBTR on Montgomery’s agent
Link to Jaffe on the Boras Four
Link to @mattomic tweet
Link to Kenny’s first EW appearance
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Mariners firing Scott Servais, the Angels not firing Perry Minasian, Joey Votto’s career and retirement, the continued collapse of Craig Kimbrel, NPB players pushing for a faster path to domestic and international free agency, and the NWSL abolishing its draft. Then (42:45) they’re joined by Patreon supporter Sam Horton to answer listener emails about active future Hall of Fame pitchers, Mike Trout and Bryce Harper, major and minor leaguers swapping parks, a desperate outfield tactic, penalizing catcher glove movement, and the ethics of returning milestone homers to hitters, followed (1:48:30) by a postscript Stat Blast about scoring at least 11 unanswered runs.
Audio intro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2”
Audio outro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)”
Link to MLBTR on Servais
Link to The Athletic on Servais
Link to MLBTR on Minasian
Link to MLBTR on Votto
Link to Dan S. on Votto
Link to C. Trent on Votto
Link to Votto’s retirement post
Link to McGrath on Votto
Link to Votto quotes
Link to Buchanan on Votto
Link to 2016 Votto story
Link to Votto in the booth
Link to Votto on media offers
Link to Baltimore Sun on Kimbrel
Link to post-ASB RP WAR
Link to post-ASB RP WPA
Link to RP WPA since 2019
Link to Drellich on NPB players
Link to NWSL news
Link to Sam on HoF players
Link to Petriello on HoF pitchers
Link to Jaffe on HoF pitchers
Link to SP JAWS
Link to highest career K rates
Link to EW Episode 282
Link to EW Episode 771
Link to EW Episode 867
Link to EW Episode 2159
Link to Kiermaier deke play
Link to Tango on glove movement 1
Link to Tango on glove movement 2
Link to Tango on glove movement 3
Link to story on Santana’s HR
Link to tweet about Santana’s HR
Link to listener emails database
Link to story on Ohtani HR ball
Link to Ohtani bobblehead
Link to MLBTR on Waldron
Link to Reds-Jays game
Link to Stephenson quote
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
Link to 2006 game
Link to 1922 game
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the stretch run, the “championship season,” the surprising solidity of the playoff picture, and how the playoff field could change before the end of the season. They also discuss the turnarounds of Jeff McNeil and Corbin Carroll, the return on the Rangers’ pitching blueprint, and whether A’s fans should consider supporting other MLB teams. Then (1:02:30) they Stat Blast about hitters who hogged pitches in an inning, Kris Bryant’s Colorado decline, and a claim about catchers and infield hits, with diversions into whether HR-reliant lineups are inconsistent scorers, whether Bryant or Anthony Rendon has been the bigger disappointment, and why broadcasters say the darndest things.
Audio intro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to “championship season”
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to BaseRuns standings
Link to Baumann on the M’s
Link to O’s hydration station
Link to Clemens on Carroll
Link to JJH episode
Link to Stat Blast song cover
Link to Russell on HR-reliance
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
Link to pitch-count % data
Link to Rockies/Bryant data
Link to Blum on Bryant
Link to FB Bryant/Rendon post
Link to Sam’s Bryant tweet
Link to Casali play
Link to Krukow clip
Link to Jason Bernard’s Twitter
Link to sprint speed table
Link to study on bad-team hitters
Link to Ben on hustle singles
Link to Ben on catcher fatigue
Link to Tim Kniker on catcher fatigue
Link to 2023 C IFH total
Link to all IFH% early
Link to all IFH% late
Link to C IFH% early
Link to C IFH% late
Link to non-C IFH% early
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether the custom-painted bats featured during Players’ Weekend should be usable all season, Alex Verdugo’s batting-glove allergy, Rich Hill’s predictable-yet-curious choice of team, where the Rookie of the Year races stand, how the Pirates should handle Paul Skenes down the stretch, the magnitude of the Skenes Day attendance boost, the active player who possibly best embodies replacement level, a (slightly) better proposal to promote pitcher’s duels, the unsung skills of Carlos Santana and José Soriano, the pros and cons of this season’s post-superteam standings, and more, plus a postscript.
Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to custom bats roundup
Link to another bats roundup
Link to bat company article
Link to Players’ Weekend explainer
Link to Players’ Weekend wiki
Link to Verdugo article
Link to compression neuropathy
Link to Trumbo bathtub post
Link to Ringer on Caped Crusader
Link to MLBTR on Hill
Link to Episode 1780 Stat Blast
Link to rookie hitter WAR leaders
Link to rookie pitcher WAR leaders
Link to pitcher WAR since 5/11
Link to Dunne’s Skenes cosplay
Link to Rosenthal on Skenes
Link to Skubal usage info
Link to team SP WAR
Link to Ben on pitcher draws
Link to FG on Merrill
Link to MLBTR on McKinney
Link to Tango on Bloomquist
Link to Jeff on Bloomquist
Link to ESPN on six-inning starts
Link to Sheehan on six-inning starts
Link to Sheehan on pitcher’s duels
Link to Santana’s Savant page
Link to 1B OAA leaders
Link to end of end of Pujols SB streak
Link to projected team wins
Link to Neil’s Substack
Link to Passan’s tweet
Link to Jaffe on struggling top teams
Link to MLBTR on Freeman
Link to MLBTR on Riley
Link to prior plaque talk
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the White Sox walking Juan Soto to face Aaron Judge, how Judge’s season could’ve been even better, the world’s untapped baseball talent, Shohei Ohtani’s run at a 50-50 season, ways to discourage intentional walks, a proposal to mandate six-inning outings for starting pitchers, a changing of the guard atop the FanGraphs farm system rankings, the extraordinary defense of Austin Hedges, and the nature vs. nurture debate about MLB fathers and sons. Then (1:10:07) they meet major leaguers Daniel Robert, Yilber Diaz, and Michael Petersen, plus (1:34:35) several postscript updates.
Audio intro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Judge/Soto article 1
Link to Judge/Soto article 2
Link to Judge/Soto article 3
Link to Judge mechanical changes
Link to Ohtani splits by month
Link to Ohtani pitching progress
Link to listener emails database
Link to six-inning-starts article
Link to tweet about six-inning starts
Link to would-be-disqualified starts
Link to Ben on bullpenning
Link to Ben on pitcher roster limits
Link to FG farm rankings
Link to Pipeline farm rankings
Link to Baez homer
Link to Trueblood on Hedges
Link to Hedges BP player card
Link to BP catcher defense leaderboard
Link to “framing chances” definition
Link to Hedges PitchCom article
Link to Ben on Hedges in 2015
Link to BP C defense since 2015
Link to Molina framing montage
Link to Yadi running-game graph
Link to Ben on framing improvements
Link to fathers/sons data
Link to LaRoche retrospective
Link to B-Ref new debuts
Link to Kenny Jackelen’s Twitter
Link to Robert article 1
Link to Robert article 2
Link to Diaz article 1
Link to Diaz article 2
Link to Diaz strawberries photo
Link to Petersen article 1
Link to Petersen article 2
Link to Petersen debut game log
Link to Petersen interview clip
Link to Petersen UK tweet
Link to MLBTR on Hill
Link to EW 1780 Stat Blast
Link to Hill on EW
Link to Hill/Anthony tweet
Link to Fitzgerald play
Link to Fitzgerald article 1
Link to Fitzgerald article 2
Link to Fitzgerald plays data
Link to RE charts
Link to Melvin clip
Link to The Sandlot audio clip
Link to The Sandlot video clip
Link to Space Jam clip
Link to The Benchwarmers video clip
Link to 1955 newspaper clip
Link to Torgeson vs. Spahn
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about how Jorge López has done since his release from the Mets, Juan Soto‘s underrated dominance, George Springer’s post-replay rage, whether the Rangers are a candidate for Angels-esque August waiver shenanigans, whether Dodgers pitchers are particularly prone to Tommy John surgeries, and the divisive value of Salvador Perez. Then (41:58) they welcome high-school student Bailey Hall, who won an award for the best poster presentation at SABR 52, for a guest Stat Blast about scoring after leadoff walks vs. leadoff singles, followed by (1:10:23) a postscript on recent team TJ totals.
Audio intro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Lopez EW episode
Link to Lopez ERA leaderboard
Link to team RP WAR
Link to Judge on Soto
Link to best post-Bonds seasons
Link to WAR through age 25
Link to Springer clip
Link to MLB.com on Springer
Link to BP piece on HBP replays
Link to Becker on the Rangers
Link to Rosenthal on the Rangers
Link to MLBTR on Ryan
Link to Dodgers thread
Link to TJ data
Link to Baumann on Perez
Link to Jaffe on Perez
Link to Perez Reddit post
Link to Ben on HoF framing
Link to Stat Blast song cover
Link to SABR 52 info
Link to SABR post on Bailey
Link to Bailey’s poster
Link to tweet about Bailey
Link to Tango on Bailey
Link to past research 1
Link to past research 2
Link to past research 3
Link to past research 4
Link to past research 5
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the 30th anniversary of the 1994 strike and how nice it is not to have the season end in August, the unusual extension of Victor Robles, Tanner Rainey, Patrick Corbin, and the remnants of the 2019 Nationals, Will Wagner and whether the debuts of sons of big leaguers make us feel old partly because big leaguers have kids earlier than average, how MLB could accommodate the 2028 Olympics, changes in BBWAA awards voting patterns and the suddenly competitive MVP races, the return of Mookie Betts, whether the end of pitcher hitting affects pitcher pitching, Seth Lugo vs. Tarik Skubal, Jarren Duran’s suspension, his heckler, and how well one could hit a baseball with a tennis racket, and listener-suggested additions to the Hierarchy of Versatility.
Audio intro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Craig C. on the strike
Link to Rosenthal on Robles
Link to MLBTR on Robles
Link to FG on Rainey
Link to Sam on Corbin
Link to Wagner debut video
Link to Craig on Wagner
Link to MLB father/son data
Link to story on eldest sons
Link to dad age 1
Link to dad age 2
Link to dad age 3
Link to dad age 4
Link to dad age 5
Link to dad age 6
Link to dad age 7
Link to dad age 8
Link to ESPN on the Olympics
Link to Passan tweet
Link to WNBA break
Link to NHL break
Link to World Cup of Hockey
Link to Olympics transportation
Link to Ben on the WBC
Link to Mookie HR
Link to Dan S. on MVP races
Link to FIP-based WAR leaderboard
Link to RA/9-based WAR leaderboard
Link to Lugo comments
Link to DH and HBP research
Link to Duran story
Link to more on Duran
Link to heckle
Link to Heart & Hustle Award
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Link to tennis baseball video
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the appeal of deflected balls caught on the fly, the lack of variety in MLB.TV highlights, Aaron Judge’s bases-empty intentional walks, the Braves falling out of playoff position (for now), and the surprising team with a trio of young, above-average, qualified hitters. Then (40:44) they rank the types of baseball versatility and Stat Blast (56:18) about the decline of switch-hitting, Maury Wills and switch-hitter slumps, how often managers are fired following a loss, and whether intra-division trades are getting more common.
Audio intro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Rockies-Mets play
Link to Bogaerts/Kelly play
Link to Stark on Judge
Link to Tango on Judge
Link to Jaffe on the Braves
Link to Ben C. on depth
Link to Ben C. on depth 2
Link to Ben C. on depth on EW
Link to preseason playoff odds
Link to BP IL Ledger
Link to young hitters query
Link to query without minimums
Link to Ben on Twins.com
Link to Twins.com sale news
Link to Venditte rule article
Link to Mike Temple Stat Blast cover
Link to Athletic SH article
Link to Fox Sports SH article
Link to WSJ SH article
Link to LAT SH article
Link to youth sports specialization
Link to switch-hitting data
Link to SH graph 1
Link to SH graph 2
Link to Ben on bad switch-hitters
Link to FG on bad switch-hitters
Link to Mullins article 1
Link to Mullins article 2
Link to Mullins article 3
Link to Victorino article 1
Link to Victorino article 2
Link to Victorino article 3
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
Link to Steiner/Wills clip
Link to Wills SH OPS graph
Link to switch-hitter correlations
Link to stat stabilization points
Link to Dr. Dog album
Link to Ferguson SABR bio
Link to Ferguson wiki
Link to “Death to Flying Things”
Link to SH origin story 1
Link to SH origin story 2
Link to previous SH Stat Blast
Link to 2024 switch-hitters
Link to Twins Daily on SH
Link to Crashfish Boxes on SH
Link to 1985 LAT article on SH
Link to Year of the Balk article
Link to Berkman/Jones SH quotes
Link to MLB Showalter ad
Link to Ben on caliber of play
Link to managerial firings data
Link to manager data by decade
Link to managers fired after Ws
Link to trades data
Link to interleague trades data
Link to interleague trading history
Link to trades graph 1
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the White Sox and the etiquette and timing of firing the manager of one of the worst teams of all time, Logan O’Hoppe and performance anxiety, Brusdar Graterol and the most demoralizing kind of injury, the return of Anthony Gose, next season’s scheduled game at Bristol Motor Speedway, other unorthodox potential locations for MLB games, and why baseball fields are deepest in center, Aroldis Chapman’s freakish velocity and durability, Craig Kimbrel, Grayson Rodriguez, and the outlook for the Orioles’ rotation, the recent performances of Jackson Holliday, Jackson Chourio, and Jackson Merrill, what Bobby Witt Jr.’s progression says about the aging curve, and more.
Audio intro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Fegan on the Grifol firing
Link to MLBTR on the firing
Link to Grifol record tweet
Link to McCloskey wiki
Link to O’Hoppe tweet
Link to O’Hoppe article
Link to Abreu article
Link to Graterol injury story
Link to Senga injury story
Link to MLBTR on Marquez
Link to Fowler injury article
Link to Yount wiki
Link to BP IL Ledger
Link to article on Gose’s return
Link to Motor Speedway game
Link to aircraft carrier HR derby
Link to Carrier Classic wiki
Link to outdoor NHL games
Link to Reddit thread on deeper CF
Link to sidespin/spray graph
Link to Polo Grounds wiki
Link to track cycling wiki
Link to velodrome wiki
Link to Chapman velo article
Link to pitcher aging curves
Link to Sheehan on Kimbrel
Link to MLBTR on Rodriguez
Link to Holliday leaderboard
Link to Sawchik on Holliday
Link to EW preseason predictions
Link to leaderboard since 6/1
Link to Holliday HR streak
Link to B-Ref Jacksons tweet
Link to Jacksons HR highlights
Link to best age-20 seasons
Link to best rookie age-20 seasons
Link to FG combined WAR leaderboard
Link to aging curve article
Link to aging curve article 2
Link to Ohio Cup wiki
Link to Be the Match website
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Jesús Sánchez and the (perhaps) surprising longest-homer hitters of the Statcast era, the hot hitting of Victor Robles, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Tyler Fitzgerald, the competitive race for the (nonexistent) utility player of the year award, what lessons should be learned from the 2024 Padres’ clutchness correction, whether the Guardians have a clutchness correction coming too, whether we could have seen this White Sox season coming (and the mood of Miguel Vargas), follow-ups on team rivalry trophies and Mike Trout’s durability, and a question about ways to disrupt a Patreon pattern.
Audio intro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Sánchez homer
Link to Marlins salaries
Link to HR distance leaderboard
Link to Mazara record HR
Link to signature significance article
Link to study on single batted ball
Link to Statcast park factors
Link to BP piece on Robles
Link to wRC+ since 6/5
Link to wRC+ since 6/20
Link to Kikuchi changes article
Link to Rogers O’s tweet
Link to Castro positions tweet
Link to Rafaela positions tweet
Link to Ben on positional versatility
Link to Russell on switching positions
Link to wRC+ since 5/1
Link to wOBA-xWOBA since 6/20
Link to team wRC+ since 7/1
Link to World Series odds
Link to BaseRuns records
Link to Ben on the 2023 Padres
Link to EW on Padres postmortems
Link to Padres postmortem 1
Link to Padres postmortem 2
Link to FG Clutch stat
Link to Russell on one-run records
Link to Rob on one-run records
Link to Rob on one-run records 2
Link to Neil on the Guardians
Link to Vargas clip
Link to preseason win projections
Link to playoff odds changes
Link to Dan S. on the Sox
Link to Lone Star Series wiki
Link to Silver Boot press release
Link to Crosstown Cup Trophy wiki
Link to Pearson Cup wiki
Link to more on Pearson Cup
Link to Bay Bridge Series wiki
Link to MLBTR on Bean
Link to Bean EW episode
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Mike Trout’s latest season-ending injury, the Orioles’ latest top-prospect promotion, and a tweak to the postseason schedule, and answer listener emails (24:20) about ex-player umpires, eavesdropping on pitchers’ thoughts between pitches, whether and how they’d reintroduce baseball to a world without it, awarding belts or trophies for team rivalries, the viability of a pitcher who can’t field, how a player could win MVP in both leagues in the same season, how MLB would work if it were Patreon-supported, how international soccer’s transfer system would apply to MLB, and referring to a type of player by saying “a [player name]”, plus (1:29:48) a few follow-ups.
Audio intro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Jim Downey meme
Link to The Athletic on Trout
Link to MLB.com on Trout
Link to Trout’s tweet
Link to SuperPretzel EW episode
Link to EW Trout hypotheticals
Link to MLBTR on Mayo
Link to postseason schedule
Link to ex-player umps
Link to Scully movie clip
Link to mic’d up Manoah
Link to Ben on Yesterday
Link to Vedder Cup article
Link to Mayor’s Trophy wiki
Link to Babe Ruth Award wiki
Link to Gary’s Old Towne Tavern
Link to Sam on playing in a game
Link to listener emails database
Link to Snell quote
Link to White Sox streak tweet
Link to playoff ratios tweet
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the end of a historic Clayton Kershaw streak, pitcher errors and unearned runs, the lack of top prospects traded at the deadline, the short-handed Marlins vs. the stripped-down Rays, the latest sign of the White Sox apocalypse, the resurgent Blake Snell, Brett Phillips the full-time pitcher, and whether the percentage of pulled homers is increasing. Then (52:11) they talk to Sports Reference software developer (and primary developer of Baseball-Reference.com) Kenny Jackelen about the possibility that catcher Danny Jansen could break B-Ref by having played for both the Blue Jays and Red Sox in a single game, how Kenny might prevent that problem, and other anomalies that B-Ref has had to adjust for, followed by (1:23:36) a few postscript updates.
Audio intro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Kershaw K streak story 1
Link to Kershaw K streak story 2
Link to no-K Kershaw game
Link to BA on traded prospects
Link to Marlins salaries
Link to Grifol tweet
Link to Rub-a-dub-dub
Link to farm system rankings
Link to Snell leaderboard
Link to Kirby knuckler
Link to Fletcher game log
Link to Phillips clip
Link to Phillips TikTok
Link to Dubuque on homers
Link to pulled FB %
Link to pulled barreled FB%
Link to FB HR pulled %
Link to Ben Clemens on Paredes
Link to Tango on spray angle
Link to Sam on homer highlights
Link to Ohtani Houston HR
Link to Ohtani L.A. HR
Link to ScoringChanges Jansen thread
Link to Boston Herald on Jansen
Link to suspended game story
Link to 2024 MLB rules
Link to reentry rule
Link to post on Holman
Link to AAA/NBA tweet
Link to courtesy runners page
Link to Ben on the 60-game season
Link to Soto suspended game HR
Link to JDM Silver Sluggers
Link to B-Ref newsletter
Link to B-Ref job listing 1
Link to B-Ref job listing 2
Link to Trout news story
Link to Mauer plaque
Link to plaque video 1
Link to plaque video 2
Link to plaque video 3
Link to Trout news story
Link to Cruz play 1
Link to Cruz play 2
Link to EW 2145
Link to Grant’s Haas tweet
Link to “Du Hast”
Link to “Box Elder”
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley recap the 2024 MLB trade deadline, discussing their big-picture takeaways, breaking down individual deals they found impressive, surprising, or perplexing, and examining the actions of the teams that drove the deadline by adding or subtracting, and the inaction of teams that didn’t do much.
Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Horny)”
Audio outro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to FG deadline roundup
Link to Ringer winners/losers
Link to FG transaction tracker
Link to Ben’s deadline spreadsheet
Link to Neil Paine’s deadline data
Link to Sheehan on early action
Link to Rosenthal on the Rays
Link to Kikuchi trade
Link to Kikuchi sleep tweet
Link to Fedde trade
Link to White Sox report
Link to Wash/Trout tweets
Link to Trout update tweet 1
Link to Trout update tweet 2
Link to 2020 McGuire news
Link to Sox-Rox brawl
Link to postgame simmering
Link to Jansen scoring issue
Link to Mears tipping story
Link to Yanks/Flaherty report
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Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Ben Clemens break down the Randy Arozarena, A.J. Puk, James Paxton, and Austin Hays trades (plus real-time reactions to the Yimi García and Zach Eflin deals), Stat Blast (29:21) about the most WAR ever dealt at a trade deadline, banter (54:45) about Garrett Crochet’s extension desire and the MVP cases of Francisco Lindor and Bobby Witt Jr. (and Witt’s/the Royals’ home-road splits), and discuss (1:12:27) the toughest calls, biggest snubs, and process changes in Other Ben’s annual Trade Value ranking.
Audio intro: Michael Baumann, “What Did Jerry Dipoto Do?”
Audio outro: Michael Baumann, “What Did Jerry Dipoto Do?”
Link to FG on Arozarena
Link to FG on the Phils-O’s trade
Link to MLBTR on Paxton
Link to MLBTR on Puk
Link to MLBTR on García
Link to MLBTR on Eflin
Link to Arozarena’s splits
Link to Puk’s splits
Link to Lindor’s splits
Link to leaders since 6/1
Link to FG WAR leaderboard
Link to Stat Blast cover
Link to Ben on the White Sox
Link to trade deadline data
Link to Kenny Jackelen’s Twitter
Link to Updike quote
Link to MLBTR on Crochet
Link to Witt splits tweet
Link to largest team splits
Link to largest batter splits
Link to park factors
Link to Trade Value intro
Link to Trade Value top 10
Link to Trade Value chat
Link to Ben on pitching prospects
Link to SP depth charts
Link to RP depth charts
Link to ballpark meetup forms
Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Mason Miller’s hand fracture, the extremely slow pitches of Ildemaro Vargas, a Dylan Cease no-hitter, the punchless Mariners, the impending return of Rich Hill, what the teams with the toughest decisions at the trade deadline should do, updates on Clayton Kershaw (good!) and Mike Trout (not good!), Christian Yelich’s back, the ageless Carlos Santana, Juan Yepez as the new Joey Meneses, follow-ups on Aaron Judge’s zone rate and Oneil Cruz, a CBA change to mitigate the effects of the cable bubble bursting, and more. Then (1:21:55) they talk to Richie Flores, second VP of the National Beep Baseball Association and player for the Bayou City Heat, about the development of the sport and the league, and the Beep Baseball World Series.
Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2”
Audio outro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Kotsay quote
Link to reporter clarification
Link to ESPN on Miller
Link to MLBTR on Arozarena
Link to Vargas pitches
Link to Vargas clip
Link to Holt’s slowest pitch
Link to list of slowest pitches
Link to Petriello tweet
Link to Fast on slowest pitch
Link to Simmons tweet
Link to Tyson tweet
Link to Quora on slowest pitch
Link to Cease stats
Link to highest pitch counts
Link to MLBTR on Hill
Link to Hill on EW
Link to Hill Stat Blast
Link to Trout story
Link to Yelich story
Link to Santana/Martinez story
Link to previous Judge banter
Link to Judge before
Link to Judge after
Link to previous Cruz banter
Link to Drellich on TV revenue
Link to previous beep episode
Link to NBBA.org
Link to World Series info
Link to NBBA teams
Link to NBBA board
Link to NBBA on Twitter
Link to NBBA on YouTube
Link to NBBA on Facebook
Link to Richie’s podcast
Link to Beep book
Link to Beep book Q&A
Link to article on Richie
Link to Texas Monthly on beep ball
Link to news clip 1
Link to news clip 2
Link to MLBTR on Puk
Link to ballpark meetup forms
Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the likenesses, word counts, and stat citations on Hall of Fame plaques, what would happen if all past stats disappeared, the impending returns of Mike Trout and Clayton Kershaw (and the recent return of J.T. Realmuto), the end of James Paxton’s time with the Dodgers, Jo Adell’s breakout fakeout and Jarren Duran’s belated breakout, Francisco Vicioso and Shaq Thompson, the morphing meme of Nick Castellanos, and the Brewers, the Mariners, and the challenge and payoff of rostering pretty good players.
Audio intro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Mauer plaque
Link to Mauer hair commercial
Link to Beltré plaque
Link to Helton plaque
Link to McGriff plaque
Link to Leyland plaque
Link to Ruth plaque
Link to DiMaggio plaque
Link to Mantle plaque
Link to Fingers plaque
Link to FB post on plaques
Link to article on Cobb’s hits
Link to WAR through age 27
Link to Robinson statue article
Link to rebuilt Robinson statue
Link to The Onion stats article
Link to CME wiki
Link to MLB reboot episode
Link to MLBTR on Realmuto
Link to MLB.com on Realmuto’s return
Link to MLBTR on Trout
Link to MLB.com update on Trout
Link to Jaffe on Adell
Link to EW on Adell in May
Link to Sam on Duran
Link to Gomes on Dodgers pitching
Link to Reddit post on Vicioso
Link to Vicioso footage
Link to Shaq Thompson wiki
Link to Ben on Shaq in 2012
Link to Shusterman on Shaq
Link to Ben on Castellanos
Link to Apstein on playoff Castellanos
Link to Petriello on playoff Castellanos
Link to Levine on Castellanos
Link to McCarthy on Castellanos
Link to Levi on Castellanos
Link to Castellanos incidents tweet
Link to Castellanos incidents thread
Link to Jeff on avoiding the awful 1
Link to Jeff on avoiding the awful 2
Link to leading Brewers by PA
Link to Sheehan on the Brewers
Link to ballpark meetup forms
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the BBWAA’s new sports gambling regulations, then (11:22) discuss the stories they’re most interested in following for the rest of the MLB season (plus, the implications of a bearded Aaron Judge).
Audio intro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to tweets about BBWAA code
Link to EW about journalist betting
Link to Paine’s questions post
Link to Kram’s power rankings
Link to rookie pitcher leaderboard
Link to rookie hitter leaderboard
Link to Sheehan on Skenes
Link to Ben’s preseason prediction
Link to Yankees hair link 1
Link to Yankees hair link 2
Link to Yankees hair link 3
Link to Yankees hair link 4
Link to Yankees hair link 5
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the highlights of the All-Star Game, a hypothetical Evan Longoria unretirement scenario, the newly announced 2025 regular-season schedule (featuring Tokyo contests and a “Rivalry Weekend”), a baseball movie-mention conspiracy theory, players possessed by Gameday 3D, the timing of Martín Maldonado’s DFA, and the potential effect of moving the foul lines. Then (36:54) they bring on FanGraphs lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen to break down the standout trends, teams, and players of the amateur draft, the demographics of amateur baseball, trading draft picks, and more.
Audio intro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)”
Audio outro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Skenes ASG highlights
Link to Ohtani ASG highlights
Link to 2025 schedule
Link to featured rivalries
Link to Cubs promo video
Link to Longoria quote
Link to Superman news
Link to Caught Stealing
Link to Ben on movie sequels
Link to Gittell on EW
Link to Gittell’s book
Link to A Quiet Place scene
Link to Gameday 3D explainer
Link to possessed player clip 1
Link to possessed player clip 2
Link to Maldonado leaderboard
Link to MLBTR on Maldonado
Link to Ben on the foul lines
Link to Eric’s Day 1 recap
Link to Eric’s Day 2 recap
Link to Condor HR record
Link to college offense article 1
Link to college offense article 2
Link to Nightengale tweet
Link to ESPN top 100 athletes
Link to Manfred on draft picks
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Home Run Derby, the Futures Game and skills competition, Globe Field Field, All-Star uniforms, and more reflections from All-Star Week, then (34:18) discuss a challenge-system-driven change to broadcast K-zone displays, Chris Sale’s aversion to pitch-calling, quantifying game-calling, David Fletcher’s latest knuckleballing, using a position-player pitcher against a hitter who’s going for homer history, the shorthanded Dodgers rotation, a prediction about Aaron Judge, and a strikeout-rate plateau.
Audio intro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Manfred on the unis
Link to K-zone story
Link to K-zone tweet
Link to Manfred ABS comments
Link to Sale interview
Link to EW on game-calling
Link to Fletcher game log
Link to Fletcher investigation
Link to BP on Stubbs
Link to Dodgers depth chart
Link to MLBTR on May
Link to Ryan call-up
Link to Wells prediction
Link to Wells tweet
Link to Wells tweet 2
Link to non-pitcher K rates
Link to Picard clip
Link to preseason predictions update
Link to ballpark meetup forms
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Ben Lindbergh talks to Sam Miller of Pebble Hunting about the increase in IL stints at the All-Star break and Sam’s obsession with the evolving strategy of first-and-third situations. Then (41:29) Ben talks to Iowa state representative and Sioux City Explorers pitcher J.D. Scholten about his incredible baseball comeback at age 44, his baseball background, balancing baseball and politics, and his efforts to end MLB blackouts. Finally (1:20:14), Ben and The Athletic’s Evan Drellich talk to former NBC Sports and The Baseball Network president Ken Schanzer about the 30th anniversary of TBN, the first U.S. TV network owned by a pro sports league.
Audio intro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Calcaterra on Glasnow
Link to Devers shoulder story
Link to ASB IL placement data
Link to Sam on first-and-third 1
Link to Sam on first-and-third 2
Link to Clemens clip
Link to Clemens gamer
Link to Manny’s cutoff
Link to Russell on post-2013 changes
Link to Pebble Hunting
Link to Scholten call
Link to Scholten clip
Link to Scholten pitching
Link to Scholten local news clip
Link to Scholten’s B-Ref page
Link to Scholten’s wiki
Link to Gazette story on Scholten
Link to WaPo on Scholten
Link to SI on Scholten
Link to Honkbal wiki
Link to Congressional Baseball Game EW
Link to The Gazette on the blackouts bill
Link to Offerman on Field of Dreams
Link to EW on Field of Dreams
Link to canceled Field of Dreams series
Link to Scholten’s Substack
Link to Scholten’s campaign site
Link to Evan on EW 2168
Link to Evan on a national TV deal
Link to 1994 TBN theme song
Link to 1994 ASG at B-Ref
Link to The Baseball Network wiki
Link to ’93 WaPo story on Ken
Link to 1993 most powerful people
Link to 1991 most powerful people
Link to The Baseball Network sources
Link to Schanzer retirement story
Link to rookie All-Star SP
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about homerless White Sox second basemen, the recent history of teams with homerless positions, and the upsides and downsides of the trend toward focusing on present-season performance in All-Star selections, then (37:11) answer emails about an award for utility players, a player’s debut age matching his debut number, whether an infielder could rob a home run, whether fatigue would make a four-player batting order of stars worse than a regular, nine-player lineup, whether championships reside with a city or a franchise, whether umpires could wear shorts, the definition of a “clean inning,” what it means for a throw/tag to be “not in time,” and the requirements for breaking out of a slump, plus closing banter (1:33:23) about Paul Skenes as an All-Star starter.
Audio intro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to 2B HR leaderboard
Link to White Sox 2B
Link to 2B projections
Link to White Sox 2B tweet
Link to Neil Paine’s Substack
Link to Neil graphic
Link to ASG roster rules story
Link to WAR and ASG story
Link to 1989 Canseco/Schmidt story
Link to Reddit post
Link to Pujols/Miggy ASG
Link to Castro selection story
Link to Castro record tweet
Link to debut age/number sheet
Link to Kenny Jackelen’s Twitter
Link to HR hang time comment
Link to sprint speed leaderboard
Link to Elly speed quote
Link to 1917 Stanley Cup info
Link to World Series doc thread 1
Link to World Series doc thread 2
Link to 2019 umpire manual
Link to umpire shorts forum post
Link to EW on pants-splitting
Link to Dickson on “clean inning”
Link to Pudge/Eno underwear ad
Link to Julio power slump story
Link to Friends hair scene
Link to NL pitcher WAR
Link to Skenes gamer
Link to Jones max-effort story
Link to listener emails database
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s daughter coining a baseball term, how the on-screen strike-zone plot (slightly) delays the rest of the broadcast, Jose Miranda and the surprising 12-consecutive-hits club, David Robertson’s elite relief career, whether Shohei Ohtani should stop pitching, an attempt to quantify players’ smiles, how this season stacks up in terms of total team days at .500, and the latest player to break a bone punching a wall, followed (1:31:24) by Ben and Jessie Barbour performing the song, “Will the Bird Bones Be Unbroken?”
Audio intro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to DeMarsico episode
Link to DeMarsico episode wiki
Link to pickoff attempt 1
Link to pickoff attempt 2
Link to Miranda hit
Link to MLB.com on Miranda
Link to Episode 1964 wiki
Link to Dropo SABR bio
Link to Higgins SABR bio
Link to SABR on Higgins streak
Link to streaks wiki
Link to Twins Miranda tweet
Link to FG Plus stats
Link to Robertson ERA+
Link to reliever FIP-
Link to Lindsey on Ohtani
Link to Betteridge’s Law
Link to smiles study
Link to SMILE+ leaderboard
Link to facial-recognition bias
Link to .500 percentage graph
Link to story about Brewer
Link to Brewer photo
Link to list of fractures
Link to Ben and Jessie’s song
Link to song lyrics
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a genuine, no-foolin’ instance of “Strategy” (aka a mid-PA pitching change), Christian Walker’s affinity for Dodger Stadium, a Triple-A Waxahachie Swap, the Nationals optioning EW legend Joey Meneses, the Marlins DFA’ing Tim Anderson, and the latest Royce Lewis injury, plus follow-ups about bullpen-cart-driver tipping and fan catches. Then (36:10) they bring on Patreon supporter Wayne Teeger to discuss responses to recent discussions about K-Zone, ABS, and the challenge system and answer emails about ABS at lower levels, broadcasts missing pickoff attempts, green-screen issues (and other ad problems) on broadcasts, whether the path a champion takes through the playoffs matters to fans, pinch-hitting to negate a mound visit, and tracking 10K games for pitchers. Next, they Stat Blast (1:41:13) about the most major leaguers ever to play for a non-major-league team, followed by (1:48:53) a Future Blast from 2187.
Audio intro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to “Strategy” game
Link to Banda pitch
Link to Lovullo clip
Link to Ben on “Strategy”
Link to Girardi on “Strategy”
Link to Walker article
Link to Twins Triple-A Swap
Link to Ben on the Swap
Link to MLBTR on Meneses
Link to Ben on Meneses
Link to MLBTR on Anderson
Link to lowest wRC+ since 2023
Link to Ottavino video
Link to bullpen-cart driver EW
Link to O’s fan catch
Link to O’s fan pitch
Link to Lewis clip
Link to Lewis quote
Link to MLBTR on Lewis/Lee
Link to Twins prospect list
Link to Wayne’s LinkedIn
Link to KBO ABS article
Link to baserunning leaderboard
Link to Giamatti Rhino scene
Link to pitcher wins article
Link to Stat Blast cover
Link to 2024 Mexican League
Link to 2024 Diablos Rojos
Link to 2022 River Cats
Link to 2013-14 Tigres del Licey
Link to 2009 Bears
Link to listener emails database
Link to Future Blast wiki
Link to Future Blast text
Link to Rick Wilber’s site
Link to Alan Smale’s site
Link to Episode 2074 Future Blast
Link to Episode 2093 Future Blast
Link to Updike article
Link to Williams HR video 1
Link to Williams HR video 2
Link to Gowdy call
Link to Mays catch video
Link to Future Blast sound samples
Link to ballpark meetup forms
Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Phillies reliever José Ruiz threatening Ryan Webb’s career record for games finished without a save, Aaron Judge’s Hall of Fame case, the Mariners having a .540 winning percentage, just as Jerry Dipoto foretold (sort of), Dallas Keuchel being back in the big leagues, the White Sox, weirdly, dictating the trade deadline, and the collective performance of the Boras Four (or Five), then (54:27) answer a listener email about catchers fooling pitchers into issuing bad challenges under the challenge system, and (1:01:13) meet major leaguers Spencer Bivens, Jake Bloss, and Jacob Bosiokovic.
Audio intro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to GF with no saves leaders
Link to Webb/Albers wiki
Link to Ben on Webb/Albers
Link to Webb/Albers on EW
Link to Triple Crown redundancy EW
Link to EW on Dipoto and .540
Link to Dipoto clip
Link to Dipoto follow-up
Link to .540 spreadsheet
Link to MLBTR on Montgomery
Link to MLBTR on Luzardo
Link to MLBTR on Flaherty
Link to 2023 ABS article 1
Link to 2023 ABS article 2
Link to 2024 ABS article
Link to MaML wiki
Link to B-Ref’s new debuts/a>
Link to Buchanan on Bivens
Link to Bivens on Twitter
Link to Bivens on Insta
Link to Bloss call-up article
Link to Eric’s Astros prospects
Link to Georgetown major leaguers
Link to “Hoya Saxa” explainer
Link to MLBTR on Bosiokovic
Link to MLB.com on Bosiokovic
Link to Dispatch on Bosiokovic
Link to ballpark meetup forms
Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the one (and only one) case where the zombie runner was warranted, why pitchers throw strikes to Aaron Judge (10:00), and MLB’s new Home Run Derby rules (21:11), then answer listener emails about how different baseball would be if runners didn’t have to tag up (34:49), the best arguments for full ABS over the challenge system (49:56), and what would happen if ejected players couldn’t be replaced (1:11:16), plus a few follow-ups (1:22:57).
Audio intro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Rockies-Sox game
Link to Doyle’s catch
Link to zone rate leaderboard
Link to Judge’s zone rates
Link to Petriello on Judge
Link to Judge’s 40-game streak
Link to Judge’s 50-game streak
Link to lineup-protection explainer
Link to new Derby rules
Link to Calcaterra on the HRD
Link to Levi on the HRD
Link to Judge’s Derby victory
Link to Strike Four
Link to Sheehan on ABS 1
Link to Sheehan on ABS 2
Link to strike zone changes
Link to Triple-A ABS change
Link to Meg on the penalty box
Link to John Poff’s fundraiser
Link to ballpark meetup forms
Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a player/league/umpire spat over on-screen strike-zone plots, whether “K-Zone” and its ilk have had a harmful effect on the game, where they stand on a hitter vs. pitcher dispute about the mid-game use of advanced pitching machines, the promotion of Nationals top prospect James Wood (and the future of Orioles top prospect Jackson Holliday), and Byron Buxton’s recent success. Then (59:08) they identify and discuss the teams, hitters, and pitchers that have most surpassed or fallen short of their preseason projections halfway through the regular season.
Audio intro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Drellich on zone plots
Link to Reddit thread on plots
Link to BP piece on plots
Link to ESPN on pitching machines
Link to Ben on pitching machines
Link to Ben on moving the mound
Link to Ben on roster limits
Link to MLBTR on Wood
Link to Nationals depth chart
Link to FG’s The Board
Link to MLB Pipeline top 100
Link to AAA wRC+ leaders
Link to Holliday’s game logs
Link to O’s prospect list
Link to Orioles depth chart
Link to Buxton’s sprint speeds
Link to sprint speed leaderboard
Link to team projections sheets
Link to hitter projections sheets
Link to pitcher projections sheets
Link to preseason team projections
Link to preseason hitter projections
Link to preseason pitcher projections
Link to MLBTR on Phils injuries
Link to Sam on Duran
Link to Laurila on Hauck
Link to Sox pitching piece 1
Link to Sox pitching piece 2
Link to Sox pitching piece 3
Link to Sox pitching piece 4
Link to team DRS leaderboard
Link to Paine on the Cubs
Link to McKenzie feature
Link to Peña interview clip
Link to Ben on in-game interviews
Link to ballpark meetup forms
Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Nolan Schanuel’s aversion to day games, the Astros reaching .500 and coming for the Mariners, Houston’s weekend opponent (the Mets) making it back to .500 and nearing a playoff spot, the success (and good fortune) of Reynaldo López, the bad fortune of Adam Duvall, and how “expected” stats have changed perceptions of performance, Hunter Greene and vomiting on the mound, a Dodgers bat…man’s clutch catch, Shohei Ohtani’s RBI streak, Ohtani’s dog’s backpack, and pedantic questions (1:20:55) about leaving the bases loaded, when a game is “all” one team, and how umpires signal a full count.
Audio intro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Washington quote
Link to Schanuel splits
Link to Sam on Schanuel power
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to ESPN SoS
Link to BaseRuns standings
Link to BP on Brown’s sinker
Link to Mets Grimace story
Link to McDonald’s wiki
Link to Grimace wiki
Link to pitcher wOBA-xWOBA
Link to hitter wOBA-xWOBA
Link to lowest ERAs
Link to xERA-ERA sheet
Link to xHR-HR
Link to Duvall on cans of poop
Link to CBS on Greene
Link to Reynolds video
Link to BP on Reynolds
Link to Greene water tweets
Link to Ben on sick starters
Link to Herrera’s play
Link to Dodgers batmen story
Link to Ohtani RBI story
Link to SABR on longest streaks
Link to longest streaks wiki
Link to Ohtani and dog pic
Link to pet Randoseru
Link to Randoseru video
Link to Randoseru article
Link to Randoseru Reddit thread
Link to listener emails database
Link to Montgomery PitchCom clip
Link to O’s fan interview
Link to ballpark meetup forms
Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Edwin Díaz’s sticky-stuff suspension, a new name for the internal brace alternative to Tommy John surgery, Blake Snell’s latest setback, the success and extension of Cristopher Sánchez (and the Phillies’ excellence), Shota Imanaga’s regression and Meg’s preseason prediction about Imanaga vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Kyle Finnegan’s first-of-its-kind clockoff, the respective impressiveness of starts by Bailey Ober and Pablo López, a follow-up Steven Kwan-versation, the much-improved Guardians offense, an incredible catch by a Baltimore fan, the latest slow start by Julio Rodríguez, and (1:27:17) Ben’s pedantic report about brand-new baseball movie Ultraman: Rising.
Audio intro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Díaz incident
Link to UCL surgery sheet
Link to internal brace explainer
Link to Snell comments
Link to “slapdick” story
Link to Giants depth chart
Link to P fWAR since 5/11
Link to Dombrowski comments
Link to Dan S. on the extension
Link to MLBTR on the extension
Link to preseason predictions pods
Link to Finnegan play
Link to Finnegans Wake wiki
Link to violations leaderboard
Link to clockoff game log
Link to clockoff gamer
Link to shrimp post
Link to Sam on walk-off errors
Link to Sam on walk-off strikeouts
Link to Langs pitch-count stat
Link to Stathead on Ober games
Link to first Kwanconversation
Link to article on Guardians whiffs
Link to recent Kwan profile
Link to Cleveland wind tunnel
Link to fan’s catch
Link to Julio’s splits
Link to Julio’s swing changes
Link to Neil on Julio’s starts
Link to wOBA-xWOBA
Link to Ultraman wiki
Link to Ultraman: Rising wiki
Link to Ken’s stats screenshot
Link to 400+ HR sheet
Link to .500-est teams
Link to Turner’s helmet play
Link to Sam on helmets
Link to ballpark meetup forms
Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the highlights of the MLB at Rickwood Field game and broadcast, Mike Trout’s unsurprisingly slow return from knee surgery, Matt Waldron’s sustained success, the incredible Royce Lewis, the challenge system’s continued ascendance over full ABS, Barry Bonds as a baseball ambassador, Elly De La Cruz’s stolen-base slump, the Yankees-Orioles AL East race, Michael Jordan and subjective stats, Buck Showalter’s scouting criteria at the MLB Draft Combine, and Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge as MVP candidates.
Audio intro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Jackson clip
Link to full Jackson appearance
Link to retro broadcast clip
Link to Smoltz-Alexander trade
Link to Trout update
Link to EW 2158 Trout intro
Link to BP IL Ledger
Link to Waldron leaderboard
Link to Lewis leaderboard
Link to Lewis WAR/600
Link to ABS/challenge story
Link to Bonds/Griffey clip
Link to Bonds allegations
Link to EW 2165 on Elly
Link to Sam on Elly
Link to Trueblood on Elly
Link to Becker on the Reds
Link to Becker on Yanks-Orioles
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to team SP projections
Link to Haberstroh on Jordan
Link to DiMaggio streak scoring
Link to HR rules changes
Link to book on Babe’s HR
Link to errors/scoring Stat Blast
Link to Draft Combine page
Link to Showalter clip
Link to Jim’s Dwight impression
Link to FG WAR leaders
Link to Petriello on Judge
Link to ballpark meetup forms
Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh, Rany Jazayerli, and Neil Paine discuss the death of Willie Mays, Mays as the last legendary link to an earlier era, the statistical cases for Mays as the greatest all-around player and greatest player, period in major league history, and (36:45) baseball’s new greatest living player, plus (46:02) banter about Kansas courting the Royals with public funding and (50:38) the competitive trajectories of the Royals and Mets. Then (1:01:08) Ben brings on frequent Stat Blast correspondent Ryan Nelson for Blasts about teams that hover near .500, pitchers replacing same-surnamed pitchers, prolific umpire-player ejection combos, the most players with the same first name in the same game, and Alex Verdugo’s grounders.
Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Rany’s Mays article
Link to Neil’s Mays article
Link to FG’s Mays obit
Link to Mays statement
Link to Manfred statement on Mays
Link to Carig on Mays
Link to Mays fielding slump
Link to EW 1927 on Mays
Link to Mays stumble story 1
Link to Mays stumble story 2
Link to B-Ref career WAR leaders
Link to Ben on quality of competition
Link to Posnanski on the GLP
Link to EW 2161 on public funding
Link to Kansas funding details
Link to deMause on Kansas funding
Link to race to the bottom wiki
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to BP playoff odds
Link to BaseRuns standings
Link to Grimace explainer
Link to Neil on team true talent
Link to Neil on Witt and Brett
Link to Neil’s Substack
Link to Podracing podcast
Link to Kauffman Corner podcast
Link to Mike Conte’s Stat Blast cover
Link to Wolf of Wall Street quote
Link to Langs on .500 teams
Link to Ben on .500 teams
Link to .500 teams/Ryne Stat Blast
Link to Kelly/Alexander game
Link to Retrosheet ejections data
Link to ejections Stat Blast data
Link to ejections-per-G graph
Link to SABR on ejections
Link to Evers wiki
Link to “Baseball’s Sad Lexicon”
Link to “Luis” game
Link to The Bob Emergency
Link to same-names data
Link to swimmer David Young
Link to 2024 grounder leaders
Link to 2021-4 grounder leaders
Link to 2019-24 grounder leaders
Link to ballpark meetup forms
Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether Nike’s City Connect uniforms have run their course, the Dodgers’ double whammy of injuries to Mookie Betts and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (and Kyle Bradish going back on the IL), the approaching returns of Gerrit Cole, Max Scherzer, and Clayton Kershaw, Carlos Correa’s hot streak, Elly De La Cruz and the excitement of scoring unexpectedly, a better way to handle a hypothetical hitter who only hits grand slams, David Fletcher’s strange season and transition to true two-way play, the potential fallout from umpire Pat Hoberg’s gambling scandal, a dead ball in NPB, and how pitching phenom Roki Sasaki’s lack of durability could affect his future free agency.
Audio intro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Meg’s tweet
Link to Facebook post
Link to Dodgers uni
Link to Mets uni explainer
Link to City Connect wiki
Link to new FG player pages
Link to FG post on the Dodgers
Link to MLBTR on Mookie
Link to combined WAR leaders
Link to hamate study 1
Link to hamate study 2
Link to MLBTR on Yamamoto
Link to Passan on Yamamoto
Link to MLBTR on Bradish
Link to MLBTR on Cole
Link to MLBTR on Scherzer
Link to MLBTR on Miller/Kershaw
Link to EW on Kershaw book
Link to Elly play
Link to slams hypothetical
Link to Vieira intentional balk
Link to Jansen intentional balk
Link to Sam on balks
Link to Bois on balks
Link to EW episode on Hoberg
Link to WaPo on Fletcher
Link to Fletcher batting game log
Link to Fletcher pitching game log
Link to Cosart fine info
Link to MLBTR on Waldrep
Link to MLBTR on Hoberg
Link to EW episode on Hoberg
Link to NPB ball scandal
Link to Allen on old ball scandal
Link to Allen on Sasaki
Link to Allen’s tweet
Link to Ben on NPB pitchers
Link to WaPo on Sasaki
Link to MLBTR on Sasaki
Link to JPPL offense
Link to ballpark meetup forms
Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley answer listener emails about Kyle Schwarber batting leadoff, teams paying their players not to do in-game, on-field interviews, the phrase “potential World Series preview,” a team purchasing and privatizing a valuable public baseball website, a player who can’t hit anything except grand slams, a player who homers in every game he plays but is usually injured, Justin Verlander’s Hall of Fame plaque cap, and what constitutes a “teammate” (plus a real-time reaction to the Astros releasing José Abreu). Then (1:06:33) Ben meets major leaguers Daniel Schneemann and Jamie Westbrook and (1:17:58) briefly reacts to news about MLB disciplining “perfect” umpire Pat Hoberg for gambling.
Audio intro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Jake on Schwarber
Link to MLB.com on Schwarber
Link to NBCS on Schwarber
Link to Inquirer on Schwarber
Link to Reddit on Schwarber
Link to Phillies batting orders
Link to Schwarber splits
Link to most HR since 2022
Link to 2023 P/PA leaderboard
Link to 2024 P/PA leaderboard
Link to Ben on interviews
Link to mic’d-up Maldonado
Link to FG WS odds
Link to MLBTR on Ramírez
Link to CapFriendly
Link to Sportico on CapFriendly
Link to RMNB on CapFriendly
Link to Athletic on CapFriendly
Link to ESPN on CapFriendly
Link to THN on CapFriendly
Link to PuckPedia
Link to Texas Leaguers
Link to Hit Tracker
Link to Chamberlain’s stats
Link to Orr’s stats
Link to Christopher book
Link to Posnanski on Christopher
Link to bases-loaded splits
Link to Tabler Stathead
Link to SI on Tabler
Link to NYT on Tabler
Link to Tabler blog post
Link to McCartney clip
Link to MLBTR on Abreu
Link to Verlander option info
Link to A-Rod/Judge post
Link to listener emails database
Link to B-Ref new debuts
Link to MLBTR on Schneemann
Link to Forbes on Schneemann
Link to MLB.com on Schneemann
Link to Deseret on Schneemann
Link to Triple-A wRC+ leadersr
Link to Triple-A xWOBA leaders
Link to Guardians prospects list
Link to Elias stat
Link to MLBTR on Westbrook
Link to MLB.com on Westbrook
Link to MLB.com on Westbrook 2
Link to Westbrook’s Insta
Link to Constellation Energy League
Link to Athletic on Hoberg
Link to ESPN on Hoberg
Link to MLBTR on Hoberg
Link to EW episode on Hoberg
Link to Ump Scorecards ranking
Link to perfect game tweet
Link to ballpark meetup forms
Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about this season’s giant cluster of wild card contenders, the potential for an inactive trade deadline, the role the White Sox will play, whether the compression of the standings is good or bad for baseball, and expanded-playoffs incentives. Then (33:46) they talk to NPR producer Alana Schreiber, creator and executive producer of the NPR/MLB podcast Road to Rickwood, about the history of the park that’s hosting its first MLB game this month, plus a postscript (1:17:48) about a postseason mid-PA appearance pitching change.
Audio intro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLBTR on the Biggio trade
Link to Ben on preseason projections
Link to Sheehan on parity
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to MLB standings
Link to Road to Rickwood
Link to Road to Rickwood site
Link to MLB on RtR
Link to NPR on RtR
Link to HoF on Rickwood
Link to Wickwood wiki
Link to MLB at Rickwood wiki
Link to MLB’s Rickwood page
Link to Bull Durham anecdote
Link to Shelton on EW
Link to EW Episode 1887
Link to 1991 ALCS game
Link to ALCS game log
Link to 1991 article page 1
Link to 1991 article page 2
Link to Ben on mid-PA changes
Link to ballpark meetup forms
Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Bryce Harper pandering to Londoners, Kiké Hernández booting a ball during an in-game interview, banning player scouting cards to lower BABIP, the effect on home runs of widening the foul lines, Yusei Kikuchi, Tyler Soderstrom, and a foul-territory hypothetical, crediting managers for sacrificial ejections, Aaron Judge’s scalding hot streak, Luis Gil performing like Gerrit Cole, the Yankees’ candlelit clubhouse, Matt Waldron as the small-sample best pitcher in baseball, the dynamic duo of Tarik Skubal and Cole Ragans, follow-ups about non-hated dynasties, the Angels’ resilient attendance, a mid-PA pitching change, and pterodactyls and dinosaurs, plus closing banter about Buster Olney’s hacked-Twitter Luis Robert Jr. trade rumors.
Audio intro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Harper pandering article
Link to Harper’s slide
Link to Harper’s bat
Link to AP on Kiké’s interview
Link to Roberts on the error
Link to video of error
Link to Ben on in-game interviews
Link to Kikuchi collision
Link to Servais ejection
Link to Raley’s bunt
Link to Raleigh’s slam
Link to Episode 2033 Stat Blast
Link to Judge leaderboard
Link to rained-out stats
Link to BP on Gil
Link to Apstein on candles
Link to Waldron leaderboard
Link to pitching fWAR leaders
Link to tweet about Boone mixup
Link to Ben on mid-PA changes
Link to pterosaur wiki
Link to pterodacytl wiki
Link to quetzalcoatlus wiki
Link to grackle wiki
Link to cassowary wiki
Link to Olney article 1
Link to Olney article 2
Link to Olney article 3
Link to OF leaderboard
Link to ballpark meetup forms
Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s recent resurgence, then answer listener emails about what a dynastic team could do to avoid being widely hated, a mid-plate-appearance batting change, widening the foul lines to increase offense, whether reducing pitcher injuries would be worth bringing back pitcher hitting, the popularity of a perfect ump, the fairness of unintentional foul tips, and which Mario Kart power-up would be best in baseball, plus additional banter about the Angels’ surprisingly small post-Ohtani attendance drop and ((1:09:51) a Stat Blast (with Michael Mountain) about championship win probability MVPs, combining regular-season and postseason stats, and more.
Audio intro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Vlad leaderboard
Link to Ben on the Dodgers
Link to Paine on the Giants
Link to Ben on mid-PA changes
Link to PH penalty post
Link to foul lines article 1
Link to foul lines article 2
Link to foul lines article 3
Link to foul lines article 4
Link to Ben on pitcher hitting 1
Link to Ben on pitcher hitting 2
Link to Hoberg EW segment
Link to Mario Kart items
Link to previous Mario question
Link to Caldwell article 1
Link to Caldwell article 2
Link to listener emails database
Link to Sam’s Angels tweets
Link to team attendance changes
Link to ESPN strength of schedule
Link to Michael’s Stat Blast cover
Link to Sam on postseason stats
Link to Michael’s cWPA spreadsheet
Link to yearly cWPA leaders
Link to Kiner and Rickey article
Link to Ben on Britton
Link to Ben on pitch-clock history
Link to 1970 GCL batting
Link to 1970 GCL Pirates
Link to Andino headshots
Link to Curse of the Andino
Link to Sam on single-play WAR
Link to ballpark meetup forms
Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the showdowns between Paul Skenes and Shohei Ohtani, Skenes’s strengths and weaknesses as a pitcher and an entertainer, the least and most exciting types of strikes, and more. They then discuss the improbable longevity of Aroldis Chapman’s triple-digit pitch speeds, whether the risk of losing the most games ever should stop the White Sox from selling, whether outfield positioning is suppressing offense more than the shift ever did, the less lively but far-from-dead ball, the end of Atlanta’s shutout streak, Adam Duvall’s beer-cup throw as proof of concept for a skills competition, MLB’s latest curious sponsor, an unsightly London Series shirt, and a potential Kyle Tucker nickname. They also assess bears, sharks, pterodactyls, and other natural predators.
Audio intro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Ohtani-Skenes video
Link to “Paulk” Skenes video
Link to Sam on Skenes
Link to Bonds vs. Gagne
Link to R.J. on Skenes
Link to Skenes postgame interview
Link to Skenes HR reaction
Link to Ohtani-Skenes-Chapman game
Link to Skenes Baseball Savant page
Link to Heart zone data
Link to Chase zone data
Link to article on Skenes fastball
Link to info on foul-ball rates
Link to Longenhagen on Skenes
Link to Woodward on Skenes
Link to Chapman max speeds
Link to Cooper on Chapman
Link to Chapman Instagram story
Link to EW Episode 1
Link to MLBTR on the Sox
Link to Passan on the Sox
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to BaseRuns standings
Link to Russell on OF defense
Link to Rob on playing deeper
Link to Rob on OF defense
Link to Episode 1907 wiki
Link to 1907 Unglaub arc article
Link to Ben on moving the mound
Link to EW on time-traveling GM
Link to Teoscar batted ball tweet
Link to Chapman reaction
Link to longest no-shutout streaks
Link to Duvall video
Link to Paine on Duvall
Link to buildsubmarines.com
Link to buildsubmarines.com release
Link to Good Sam Club release
Link to Camping World release
Link to Doosan release
Link to EW on beer/cerveza
Link to beer/cerveza follow-up
Link to London shirt tweet
Link to London shirt tweet 2
Link to Reed tweet
Link to split scarves tweet
Link to Reed/shirt post
Link to Dan Flashes meme
Link to mother is mothering meme
Link to shark-punching article
Link to lowest team OBPs
Link to lowest team wRC+
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss MLB’s clearing of Shohei Ohtani and banning of five other players for betting on baseball (including Tucupita Marcano’s permaban), touching on MLB’s culpability (or lack thereof), gambling ads, the future, and more. Then (39:32) they banter about the latest instance of Tommy Pham going aggro, which demotion is more surprising, Spencer Torkelson’s or Edouard Julien’s, leaguewide parity and a purported lack of good teams, a Garrett Crochet trade rumor, a memorable Brewers-Phillies game, a skills competition at the Futures Game, the Rangers’ resistance to Pride Night (1:16:18), a suggested Kyle Tucker nickname, a Reed Garrett update, a decrease in position-player pitching, why mid-PA pitching changes haven’t caught on, and SABR’s new determination about which Negro Leagues were major-league quality.
Audio intro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Davy Andrews, “Edouard Julien, Are You Gonna Rule Again?”
Link to MLBTR on Ohtani
Link to MLB bans press release
Link to Marcano MaML
Link to Baumann on the ban
Link to 2015 Cosart story
Link to naming rights story
Link to regulation article 1
Link to regulation article 2
Link to regulation article 3
Link to regulation article 4
Link to regulation article 5
Link to Weaver on Pham
Link to latest Pham play
Link to Statcast on the send
Link to 2022 Pham play
Link to Pham-Pederson dispute
Link to Pham wiki
Link to Pham tweet
Link to Pham on the Mets
Link to Pham in AZ info 1
Link to Pham in AZ info 2
Link to Dan S. on Tork/Julien
Link to preseason Julien post
Link to preseason projections
Link to MLBTR on Suwinski
Link to Sam tweet
Link to Sheehan on the ALC
Link to end of Pac-12 baseball
Link to indy Oregon team
Link to Ben on team mediocrity
Link to EW on team mediocrity
Link to Ben on Morgan quotes
Link to FJM
Link to Crochet rumor
Link to Hoskins/Dahl game
Link to skills comp info
Link to KBO bunt derby clip
Link to Levi on the website slogan
Link to Levi on Pride Night
Link to Ghiroli on Pride Night
Link to AP on Pride Night
Link to LAT on Pride Night
Link to Rob Mains on PPP
Link to article on Tucker
Link to Clemens on mid-PA changes
Link to Ben L. on mid-PA changes
Link to SABR on the Negro Leagues
Link to Lester/Thorn on EW
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley bring on FanGraphs associate editor Matt Martell to discuss the scenes at Citi Field that kicked off the Mets’ Jorge López saga, the resulting DFA and fallout, and what this silly/sad sequence of events suggests about the potential for player intent to be lost in translation, how off-the-field issues can manifest on the field, and the line between LOLMets and more serious situations. Then (42:00) Ben and Meg are joined by Trout-tier Patreon supporter Andrew Simard to explore the podcast as a sleep aid and answer listener emails about a jack-of-all-trades team vs. a specialist team, learning baseball lingo and the “double out,” the need for a nickname for Kyle Tucker, Anthony Rizzo and batter’s-box mobility, strike-zone multipliers, and spending surplus wins on playoff power-ups.
Audio intro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to López comments
Link to López glove throw
Link to Matt’s thread
Link to DiComo tweet
Link to DiComo thread
Link to Beverley ball throw
Link to Beverley pod incident
Link to Mintz López column
Link to López Insta Story
Link to López Insta post
Link to MLBTR on López
Link to MLBTR on Díaz
Link to 2023 López IL stint
Link to Mets Reddit thread
Link to Mrs. Met story
Link to Hechavarría video
Link to Hechavarría story
Link to Becker on the Mets
Link to Baseball Sleep Radio
Link to Sleep Baseball host on EW
Link to lineup makeup research
Link to Ben on Trial By Content
Link to Ben on House of R
Link to Tucker HR robbery
Link to King Tuck’s Court video
Link to King Tuck’s Court Twitter
Link to King Felix’s Court
Link to recent EW on Tucker
Link to darts “double out”
Link to B-Ref career WAR leaders
Link to new Rizzo adjustment
Link to previous Rizzo adjustment
Link to Ben on moving the mound
Link to HBP penalty email
Link to Golden Batter rule
Link to Cosmic Baseball story
Link to listener emails database
Link to Ben on Button Mash
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Simeon Woods Richardson’s podcast-approved use of written notes, whether David Fry or Jurickson Profar has the most delightfully surprising stats, Kevin Pillar’s post-White Sox hot streak, MLB’s offensive outage in May, Blake Snell and other slow-starting late-starting starters, Matt Waldron’s knuckleball usage and Jeremiah Estrada’s strikeout streak, and the worst way for the zombie runner to end a game. Then (45:35) they talk to Keith Morrisroe, Nationals bullpen cart driver, about the finer points of bullpen-cart operation and receiving a tip from reliever (and rider) Steven Okert.
Audio intro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian Philips, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to notes tweet
Link to FG Profar post
Link to FG Fry post
Link to Fry faceplant tweet
Link to preseason projections
Link to top wRC+, min. 120 PA
Link to top May wRC+, min. 60 PA
Link to MLBTR on Sox and Pillar
Link to MLBTR on Angels and Pillar
Link to Sheehan on May offense
Link to Savant drag dashboard
Link to Baumann on late-signing SP
Link to AP Snell gamer
Link to MLBTR on Clevinger
Link to Waldron knuckler usage
Link to MLB.com on Estrada
Link to Phillies-Giants game
Link to walk-off sac flies
Link to previous Okert tip pod
Link to Okert article 1
Link to Okert article 2
Link to Keith’s GMU page
Link to Keith’s LinkedIn
Link to Okert ballpark splits
Link to Twins Daily on Keith
Link to previous Fletcher pod
Link to Fletcher investigation news
Link to Fletcher box score
Link to Fletcher line
Link to Fletcher pitch data
Link to Fletcher K pitch
Link to Kieschnick Jr. news
Link to ballpark meetup forms
Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Simeon Woods Richardson’s podcast-approved use of written notes, whether David Fry or Jurickson Profar has the most delightfully surprising stats, Kevin Pillar’s post-White Sox hot streak, MLB’s offensive outage in May, Blake Snell and other slow-starting late-starting starters, Matt Waldron’s knuckleball usage and Jeremiah Estrada’s strikeout streak, and the worst way for the zombie runner to end a game. Then (45:35) they talk to Keith Morrisroe, Nationals bullpen cart driver, about the finer points of bullpen-cart operation and receiving a tip from reliever (and rider) Steven Okert.
Audio intro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian Philips, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to notes tweet
Link to FG Profar post
Link to FG Fry post
Link to Fry faceplant tweet
Link to preseason projections
Link to top wRC+, min. 120 PA
Link to top May wRC+, min. 60 PA
Link to MLBTR on Sox and Pillar
Link to MLBTR on Angels and Pillar
Link to Sheehan on May offense
Link to Savant drag dashboard
Link to Baumann on late-signing SP
Link to AP Snell gamer
Link to MLBTR on Clevinger
Link to Waldron knuckler usage
Link to MLB.com on Estrada
Link to Phillies-Giants game
Link to walk-off sac flies
Link to previous Okert tip pod
Link to Okert article 1
Link to Okert article 2
Link to Keith’s GMU page
Link to Keith’s LinkedIn
Link to Okert ballpark splits
Link to Twins Daily on Keith
Link to previous Fletcher pod
Link to Fletcher investigation news
Link to Fletcher box score
Link to Fletcher line
Link to Fletcher pitch data
Link to Fletcher K pitch
Link to Kieschnick Jr. news
Link to ballpark meetup forms
Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the career and competitive implications of Ronald Acuña Jr.’s latest season-ending injury, the retirement of infamous ump Angel Hernandez, the aesthetics of umps issuing warnings, the Brewers’ success sans Craig Counsell and David Stearns, a new unwritten rule against any(?) bunting, White Sox players vs. White Sox skipper Pedro Grifol, Tim Anderson’s offense, Aaron Judge’s defense, and team meetings prior to Patrick Corbin starts. Then (1:02:12) they talk to official MLB historian John Thorn and Negro Leagues researcher Larry Lester about MLB adding Negro Leagues stats to its official major league historical record, pensions for surviving Negro Leagues players, the East-West Classic, and more, plus a few follow-ups (1:43:07).
Audio intro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to FG on Acuña
Link to Dan S. on Atlanta
Link to EW on modeling depth
Link to Acuña injury video
Link to MLB.com on Acuña injury
Link to MLB.com on ATL returns
Link to MLBTR on ATL OF help
Link to The Athletic on Hernandez
Link to USA Today on Hernandez
Link to Athletic Hernandez profile
Link to BP on Hernandez
Link to ump pointing pre-PCA HR
Link to Counsell boos
Link to BP on Counsell homecoming
Link to Lindor chants tweet
Link to Lindor boos tweet
Link to more Lindor
Link to Smith Berry beef
Link to bunting Stat Blast
Link to Sam on unwritten rules
Link to FG on the Guardians
Link to BaseRuns standings
Link to Grifol story
Link to Anderson errors video
Link to Anderson errors story
Link to BP on Judge
Link to Judge barrels
Link to Judge’s 20 games
Link to Janes tweet
Link to 2023 meeting story
Link to Sam on Corbin
Link to MLBTR on Robles
Link to John’s website
Link to Larry’s website
Link to AP on stat integration
Link to Seamheads database
Link to Retrosheet data
Link to Athletic stats story
Link to MLB.com stats story
Link to pensions story
Link to East-West story
Link to MLB at Rickwood Field
Link to Ben’s 2020 report 1
Link to Ben’s 2020 report 2
Link to shift violation
Link to shift violation rule
Link to Cueto Windbigler video
Link to Cueto Windbigler story
Link to Moon Hound on Bandcamp
Link to ballpark meetup forms
Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about which slow-starting 2023 pennant winner (Diamondbacks or Rangers) is more likely to get back on track to return to October, explain (9:37) the saga of Dick Windbigler, the rare pitcher who actually hurt himself by pausing mid-delivery (featuring an appearance by Dick’s widow, Melba Windbigler), then (30:04) answer listener emails about the requirements for claiming to have seen a game played in every MLB ballpark, the funniest MVP chant alternatives, changing the penalty for shift violations, and clustering hits and outs, meet major leaguers (1:01:44) Ryan Loutos and Jacob Hurtubise, and Stat Blast (1:14:50) about the least productive hitting streaks and more (plus a postscript).
Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)”
Audio outro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to playoff odds changes
Link to 1973 Windbigler article
Link to Windbigler HoF page
Link to induction story
Link to obit
Link to UT Martin baseball alumni
Link to delayed Mets game
Link to phantom players wiki
Link to Sam on NoPAPH
Link to EW on obscure awards
Link to shift violation
Link to interference call play
Link to Close Call Sports post
Link to Rogers tweet
Link to story on MLB response
Link to listener emails database
Link to B-Ref new debuts
Link to WashU baseball alumni
Link to Loutos on FGA
Link to MLB.com on Loutos
Link to MLBTR on Loutos
Link to Student Life on Loutos
Link to BA on Loutos
Link to West Point baseball alumni
Link to Hurtubise FG interview
Link to Hurtubise article 1
Link to Hurtubise article 2
Link to Hurtubise article 3
Link to Hurtubise article 4
Link to Hurtubise article 5
Link to Cards prospect list
Link to Reds prospect list
Link to Kyle Cripps Stat Blast cover
Link to lowest-OPS hitting streaks
Link to Kenny Jackelen’s Twitter
Link to triples-only games
Link to longest walk-less streaks
Link to longest ND streaks
Link to longest BB + ND streaks
Link to Verdugo clip 1
Link to Verdugo clip 2
Link to Verdugo clip 3
Link to Elly clip
Link to Adolis clip
Link to one-team-players post
Link to one-team-players data
Link to Paine on revolving-door teams
Link to TCU highlight
Link to Ben on mid-PA changes
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the end of the Orioles’ sweep-less streak, Oneil Cruz’s mismatch between top-tier tools and pedestrian production, the Phillies’ strength of schedule, Steven Okert and the etiquette of tipping one’s bullpen-cart driver, Kyle Hendricks and the decline of the 2016 Cubs’ core, and some Shohei Ohtani real-estate news. Then (47:14) they talk to The Athletic senior writer Evan Drellich about Rob Manfred’s press conference on Thursday, the uncertainty surrounding MLB’s broadcast/streaming future, the possibility (and potential ramifications) of nationalizing the sport’s media rights, a private-equity takeover of the minor leagues, and more, plus (1:27:57) several postscript follow-ups.
Audio intro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2”
Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to O’s sweep story
Link to team records during streak
Link to Cruz tweet 1
Link to Cruz tweet 2
Link to Cruz tweet 3
Link to Cruz’s Savant page
Link to ESPN SoS
Link to Defector on SoS
Link to FG projected SoS
Link to Okert article 1
Link to Okert article 2
Link to MLBTR on Hendricks
Link to 2016 team batting age
Link to 2016 team pitching age
Link to Russell article 1
Link to Russell article 2
Link to L.A. Ohtani house
Link to L.A. house 2
Link to Hawaii Ohtani house
Link to Hawaii house 2
Link to Evan on Manfred comments
Link to sickos meme
Link to Evan on national TV
Link to broadcast/streaming split
Link to article on churn
Link to Evan on Diamond Sports
Link to Evan on the other Diamond
Link to Steinbrenner comments
Link to Sheehan on Steinbrenner
Link to Winning Fixes Everything
Link to Manfred on framing
Link to first Ballers win
Link to EW Ballers episode
Link to GF w/o save leaders
Link to Ben on mid-PA changes
Link to Shildt game
Link to MLBTR on Baumann trade
Link to WDJDD song
Link to Phiten tweet
Link to ballpark meetup forms
Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the hype surrounding Paul Skenes starts and how Skenes has leveled up since he was drafted, whether Kyle Tucker could finally shed his “most underrated player” label, Gunnar Henderson vs. Bobby Witt Jr. (and the Orioles’ infield/outfield future), the resurgent Royals, Jo Adell’s (maybe?) breakout, Joey Gallo’s ever-stranger stats, the Yankees’ success without Gerrit Cole, the powerhouse Phillies, Chris Sale’s bounceback, Ketel Marte’s unspectacular hitting streak (and Orlando Cabrera’s unspectacular on-base streak), disputes about pitch usage featuring Framber Valdez and Jhoan Duran, Alek Manoah’s strong starts, pitchers facing themselves via advanced pitching machines, Javy Báez tags, stripping out luck from batter WAR, and more.
Audio intro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Longenhagen on Skenes
Link to Woodward on Skenes
Link to top 100 prospects update
Link to Baumann on Tucker
Link to combined WAR leaderboard
Link to Rome on Tucker
Link to Sheehan on shortstops
Link to Sheehan on shortstops 2
Link to Ben on Machado/Arenado
Link to EW on Freeman/Goldschmidt
Link to Holliday CF rumor
Link to Clemens on Ortiz
Link to Sheehan on the Royals
Link to BaseRuns standings
Link to Sheehan on the Phils
Link to Phillies smooches
Link to Tango on net FA spending
Link to Jaffe on Sale
Link to Jaffe on Adell
Link to Adell wall ball
Link to Cole update
Link to team framing
Link to Ben on Gallo in 2014
Link to Gallo’s Savant page
Link to Marte streak story
Link to longest 1-hit streaks
Link to Cabrera streak post
Link to tweets about Valdez
Link to story on Duran
Link to blog about Duran
Link to Duran curve xWOBA
Link to Duran pitch values
Link to team fastball %
Link to pitch sequencing post
Link to Rob Arthur on pitch usage
Link to Rob on pitch usage 2
Link to Angels pitching machines
Link to Ben on pitching machines
Link to BABIP explainer
Link to Tango on xWOBA
Link to Richard on “on deck”
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the hype surrounding Paul Skenes starts and how Skenes has leveled up since he was drafted, whether Kyle Tucker could finally shed his “most underrated player” label, Gunnar Henderson vs. Bobby Witt Jr. (and the Orioles’ infield/outfield future), the resurgent Royals, Jo Adell’s (maybe?) breakout, Joey Gallo’s ever-stranger stats, the Yankees’ success without Gerrit Cole, the powerhouse Phillies, Chris Sale’s bounceback, Ketel Marte’s unspectacular hitting streak (and Orlando Cabrera’s unspectacular on-base streak), disputes about pitch usage featuring Framber Valdez and Jhoan Duran, Alek Manoah’s strong starts, pitchers facing themselves via advanced pitching machines, Javy Báez tags, stripping out luck from batter WAR, and more.
Audio intro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Longenhagen on Skenes
Link to Woodward on Skenes
Link to top 100 prospects update
Link to Baumann on Tucker
Link to combined WAR leaderboard
Link to Rome on Tucker
Link to Sheehan on shortstops
Link to Sheehan on shortstops 2
Link to Ben on Machado/Arenado
Link to EW on Freeman/Goldschmidt
Link to Holliday CF rumor
Link to Clemens on Ortiz
Link to Sheehan on the Royals
Link to BaseRuns standings
Link to Sheehan on the Phils
Link to Phillies smooches
Link to Tango on net FA spending
Link to Jaffe on Sale
Link to Jaffe on Adell
Link to Adell wall ball
Link to Cole update
Link to team framing
Link to Ben on Gallo in 2014
Link to Gallo’s Savant page
Link to Marte streak story
Link to longest 1-hit streaks
Link to Cabrera streak post
Link to tweets about Valdez
Link to story on Duran
Link to blog about Duran
Link to Duran curve xWOBA
Link to Duran pitch values
Link to team fastball %
Link to pitch sequencing post
Link to Rob Arthur on pitch usage
Link to Rob on pitch usage 2
Link to Angels pitching machines
Link to Ben on pitching machines
Link to BABIP explainer
Link to Tango on xWOBA
Link to Richard on “on deck”
Link to ballpark meetup forms
Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Rays running out of mound visits and various visit-related hypotheticals, then (21:00) answer listener emails about “due up” vs. “on deck,” strikes vs. pitches in the strike zone, whether focusing on wins instead of runs makes WAR less intuitive, Quinn Priester and FIP-based pitcher WAR, Ronald Acuña Jr.’s ping-ponging strikeout rate, whether the ball-strike challenge system hampers strikeout celebrations, how much infielders help control the running game, advanced pitching machines and the minors-to-majors transition, why there aren’t more major league trick plays, cathartic uniform-burning, and timeout-induced injuries.
Audio intro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Rays mound visit story
Link to mound visits rule
Link to story on get-back coaches
Link to OnDeck Capital wiki
Link to Birnbaum on runs vs. wins
Link to lowest K-BB%
Link to highest HR/9
Link to defense behind pitcher
Link to FG RA/9 WAR
Link to Jaffe on Acuña
Link to Dan S. on zStats
Link to Petriello on Acuña’s Ks
Link to ESPN on Báez tags
Link to BP on tags
Link to Ben on pitching machines
Link to Rosenthal on MiLB-MLB gap
Link to Ben on MLB-MiLB in 2015
Link to Skunk in the Outfield
Link to Grand Illusion play
Link to KK play
Link to Skenes gamer
Link to Fletcher story
Link to EW on equipment destruction
Link to uni-burning story
Link to listener emails database
Link to ballpark meetup forms
Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a fake Ronel Blanco tweet about a fake Ronel Blanco quote, Meryl Streep’s sports apps, how four expected-to-contend teams’ injury-depleted rotations are faring so far, Josh Hader’s multi-inning outings, fêting Erick Fedde, Elly De La Cruz’s pursuit of 100 stolen bases, an Austin Hedges bruise, a possible benefit of catchers crouching close to hitters, players reinjuring themselves right after returning from injury, Kyle Bradish’s non-surgical comeback, whether a Ted Williams blast really reached the red seat at Fenway, a fatal catch(?) from 1906, Connor Joe and cheat-sheet creep, Ron Washington passing the buck on a bunt, and David Fletcher’s floater future.
Audio intro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to “Mother’s Little Helper”
Link to fake Blanco tweet
Link to MLBTR on Blanco
Link to Streep photo
Link to FG team SP WAR
Link to Hader’s game log
Link to Pillar tweet
Link to active SB leaderboard
Link to Sam on Elly
Link to Passan on Elly
Link to EW on Wills
Link to Elly’s 4 SBs
Link to Hedges bruise
Link to catcher bruises story
Link to Tanner Swanson tweet
Link to Swanson on EW
Link to MLBTR on Friedl
Link to MLBTR on Manning
Link to tweet about Soler
Link to Soler video
Link to FG on Giants injuries
Link to MLBTR on Bradish
Link to story on Bradish PRP
Link to Petriello on Williams
Link to Rybarcyzk on Williams
Link to Hagerty’s Hicks tweet
Link to Hicks report 1
Link to Hicks report 2
Link to Hicks report 3
Link to Hicks report 4
Link to Hicks report 5
Link to Pitcairn wiki
Link to Pitcairn doc
Link to Davis/West story
Link to West on EW
Link to Connor Joe’s card
Link to C wristbands video
Link to Kiermaier card story
Link to Washington’s comments
Link to failed squeeze video
Link to Washington’s presser
Link to Guillorme bunts
Link to Guillorme failed bunts
Link to Tango on the squeeze play
Link to Moneyball clip
Link to Moniak’s failed squeeze
Link to Fletcher knuckler video
Link to Fletcher knuckler stats
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the “effectively wild” debut of Paul Skenes and the Pirates’ bases-loaded walkathon, an in-development TV series about Ippei Mizuhara, the demotion of Craig Kimbrel and possible trade dangling of Mason Miller, the continued success of Davis Schneider, the impact of replay review on the increase in catcher’s interference calls, and whether teams should go back to rearranging their rotations based on opponent quality, then (39:14) bring on Mike Petriello of MLB.com to explain and discuss the present and future of MLB’s new Statcast-based bat-tracking metrics, plus (1:27:51) a few follow-ups.
Audio intro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Grandal interview
Link to Skenes gamer
Link to Skenes game box score
Link to 1959 game box score
Link to Ippei show story
Link to Uncut Gems wiki
Link to Kimbrel story 1
Link to Kimbrel story 2
Link to Sheehan on Kimbrel
Link to Rosenthal on Miller
Link to Schneider Reddit post
Link to Schneider article
Link to SIS on CI calls
Link to Craig Wright on SP opponents
Link to EW Episode 812
Link to Darius Austin on SP opponents
Link to Matt Berry saying “bat”
Link to Mike on EW in 2022
Link to Mike on new metrics
Link to bat-tracking leaderboard
Link to fastest bats
Link to team leaders
Link to Contreras story
Link to Yankees slugger stats
Link to Ohtani bat stats
Link to Passan on bat stats
Link to Eno on bat stats
Link to Matan on bat stats
Link to Ben C. on bat stats
Link to Ben C. on bat stats 2
Link to Ben on second-guessing
Link to Tango on switch-hitters
Link to Tango on predictiveness
Link to Dril tweet
Link to KK play story
Link to EW on the KK play
Link to new fake-out catch
Link to Ryan Nelson tweet 1
Link to Ryan Nelson tweet 2
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Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh talks to Rays pitcher Zack Littell (4:33) about his expectation-surpassing conversion from relieving to starting and his affinity for cruise ships. Then (23:33) Ben brings on author and film critic Noah Gittell to discuss his new book about baseball movies and American culture, Baseball: The Movie, followed by six Stat Blasts with frequent Stat Blast correspondent Ryan Nelson (1:16:14).
Audio intro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2”
Link to Ben Clemens on Littell
Link to MLBTR on Littell
Link to underrated-Rays post
Link to Rays WAR leaders
Link to Littell pitch usage
Link to Littell cruises article
Link to Rays pitcher dev info
Link to more on Rays pitcher dev
Link to even more on Rays dev
Link to down-the-middle pitching
Link to Rays catching technique
Link to Orioles catching technique
Link to Royals catching technique
Link to Little Big League scene
Link to Little Big League wiki
Link to Baseball: The Movie
Link to Noah’s website
Link to Noah’s Substack
Link to Brad Lesley tweet
Link to Passion baseball article
Link to more Ben on baseball movies
Link to Guy Russo’s Stat Blast cover
Link to ballpark cycles sheet
Link to 1-0 losses sheet
Link to Mets perspective gamer
Link to Pirates perspective gamer
Link to Breslin’s Mets book
Link to Ks plus ER sheet
Link to post on Feller start
Link to Ryan Nelson on Twitter
Link to cLI explainer
Link to cLI sheet
Link to Kenny Jackelen on Twitter
Link to first hits allowed sheet
Link to Cox MLB.com story
Link to Cox post 1
Link to Cox post 2
Link to Blanco stat
Link to Michael Eisen on Twitter
Link to listener emails database
Link to ballpark meetup forms
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Pirates calling up top pitching prospect Paul Skenes, Mookie Betts’s shortstop defense, Willson Contreras, the causes of increasingly common catcher’s interference calls, and catcher technique in an ABS world, rampant reliever shuffling, Chase Anderson as a Phiten necklace “endling,” two ways in which amateur prospects are possibly being exploited or disrupted, Ippei Mizuhara’s guilty plea, Shohei Ohtani’s WAR and two-way future, and a momentous mid-plate-appearance pitching change that never was. Then (1:16:53) they talk to The Athletic writer Andy McCullough about his new book, The Last of His Kind: Clayton Kershaw and the Burden of Greatness.
Audio intro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLBTR on Skenes
Link to SS DRS leaders
Link to BP fielding leaderboard
Link to Petriello on Mookie’s defense
Link to Hancook commercial 1
Link to Hancook commercial 2
Link to Pedroia commercial
Link to Contreras injury video
Link to tweet about Contreras move
Link to The Athletic on Contreras catching
Link to Woodward on Contreras catching
Link to Sam on CI last year
Link to Sam on CI this year
Link to CI totals
Link to old EW on CI 1
Link to old EW on CI 2
Link to Tanner Swanson on EW
Link to Ben on moving the mound
Link to BP on disposable pitchers
Link to Russell on disposable players
Link to Ben on pitcher limits
Link to latest MiLB FA draft
Link to endling wiki
Link to story on Anderson’s Phiten
Link to Sam on Phiten
Link to escaped zebra story
Link to EW on youth baseball expense
Link to The Athletic on Perfect Game
Link to ESPN on draft evasion
Link to MLBTR on Ippei’s plea
Link to combined WAR leaderboard
Link to FG hitter projections
Link to Savant trending players image
Link to Kershaw pen session
Link to The Last of His Kind
Link to book excerpt 1
Link to book excerpt 2
Link to Woodward/Trump story
Link to Sam on Kershaw mistakes
Link to Ben on Kersh in 2013
Link to Ben on Kersh in 2020
Link to Ben on pitcher deception
Link to MLBTR on Hill
Link to Ben’s Hill cover mockup
Link to Kershaw career pitch usage
Link to Ward/Wade wiki
Link to The Atlantic on stadium subsidies
Link to ballpark meetup forms
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Riley Greene’s latest pants-related wardrobe malfunction, the Padres-Marlins Luis Arraez trade, the continued scuffling of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., a C.B. Bucknor bit, and more. Then (52:30) they’re joined by Neil deMause, author of Field of Schemes, and J.C. Bradbury, author, stadium-funding researcher, and professor of economics, finance, and quantitative analysis at Kennesaw State University, to discuss the latest wave of attempts by teams to obtain public funding for ballpark projects and whether the public is belatedly pushing back, plus a follow-up postscript (1:28:29)
Audio intro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)”
Link to first Greene pants tear
Link to latest pants tear
Link to Greene’s mom’s quote
Link to uniforms press release
Link to Other Ben on Arraez trade
Link to DotF on the trade
Link to Rosenthal on the trade
Link to KLaw on the trade
Link to pulled prospect story
Link to Bendix on the trade
Link to Ben on Arraez
Link to Bucknor call/story
Link to EW on ump decisions
Link to Stroman and strikes story
Link to Manfred comments
Link to Neil’s first appearance
Link to Neil on Manfred’s comments
Link to Field of Schemes blog
Link to Field of Schemes book
Link to J.C.’s professor page
Link to J.C.’s social channels
Link to J.C.’s books
Link to J.C.’s research
Link to ProPublica story
Link to Guardians team shop story
Link to EW Episode 2160
Link to Ben’s House of R appearance
Link to Button Mash episodes
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a recent uptick in base stealing and why Mike Trout’s loyalty to the Angels is criticized more than it’s celebrated. Then (16:39) they’re joined by Patreon supporter Alex Levy to discuss Alex’s background as a podcast listener, baseball fan, and mail carrier and answer emails (43:49) about a Mario approach to chemistry in baseball, back-to-back homers, providing players with a destructible piece of equipment, probabilistic robo umps, umps as neutral (but not infallible) arbiters, and the correct pronunciation of “summer sausage.”
Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Woodward on SBs
Link to Jaffe on home runs
Link to first SB conversation
Link to Ben’s preseason predictions
Link to Rosenthal on Trout
Link to Calcaterra on Trout
Link to February EW on Trout
Link to MLBTR on Buxton
Link to Mario baseball game 1
Link to Mario baseball game 2
Link to “back-to-back” definition
Link to Mackenzie tweets
Link to Zimmer’s website
Link to Zimmer’s WSJ column
Link to compound stress rule
Link to Youglish clips
Link to compound stress PDF 1
Link to compound stress PDF 2
Link to Simpsons clip
Link to listener emails database
Link to Thistl
Link to MLBTR on Arraez
Link to MLBTR on Ruiz
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s unexpected experience at the bee-delayed Diamondbacks game, Shota Imanaga’s hot start, Reed Garrett and the phenomenon of pop-up relievers, Steven Kwan appreciation, how Mike Trout’s and Bryce Harper’s careers will be remembered, José Abreu being optioned to the minors, and a declined penalty in baseball, plus follow-ups about convoluted fun facts, promotion/relegation, and alternatives to “group Maddux.”
Audio intro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Chase fitness club info
Link to Bee Guy article 1
Link to Bee Guy article 2
Link to Bee Guy article 3
Link to bee delay announcement
Link to Bee Guy ovation
Link to Bee Guy on scoreboard
Link to Bee Guy’s card
Link to Bailey’s Imanaga tweet
Link to Meg’s preseason projections
Link to Clemens on Garrett
Link to Kwan’s Savant page
Link to story about Guardians power
Link to Ben on Arraez
Link to MLBTR on Trout’s injury
Link to EW on Trout/Griffey
Link to Paine on Trout’s legacy
Link to B-Ref career WAR leaders
Link to MLBTR on Abreu
Link to Shildt game story
Link to Tango on Shildt
Link to Williams fun fact
Link to NOBLETIGER reddit post
Link to County Championship wiki
Link to Audubon story 1
Link to Audubon story 2
Link to ballpark meetup forms
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After a podcast preface by Ben Lindbergh about Mike Trout’s knee injury (sigh), Ben and Meg Rowley banter (4:19) about a weekend White Sox sweep, the overdue news that Nike is supposedly fixing the much-maligned MLB uniforms, follow-ups about rule rollbacks, ballplayer dirt ingestion, the “group Maddux,” and promotion/relegation, and the Twins’ summer sausage. Then (50:37) they talk to FanGraphs’ Ben Clemens about when it’s safe to evaluate changes in player performance and which hitters and pitchers have changed his mind the most (either positively or negatively) so far this season, plus a postscript (1:45:05).
Audio intro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Ted Berg, “Small Sample Size Song”
Audio outro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLBTR on Trout’s knee
Link to BP Recovery Dashboard
Link to Trout baby announcement
Link to Trout hypotheticals
Link to Trout video
Link to uniform memo report
Link to The Athletic on unis
Link to Greene pants tear
Link to Drellich on MLBPA/Fanatics
Link to Ben on pitcher limits
Link to group Maddux response
Link to summer sausage wiki
Link to AP on the sausage
Link to Athletic on the sausage
Link to EW guest leaderboard
Link to signature significance info
Link to batted-ball predictiveness info
Link to Russell on hitter stats
Link to Russell on pitcher stats
Link to Carty on hitter stats
Link to Carty on pitcher stats
Link to Dolinar on sample size
Link to Russell on stability 1
Link to Russell on stability 2
Link to Ben C.’s riser picks
Link to Ben C.’s faller picks
Link to Orr on Abrams
Link to Ringer preseason predictions
Link to FG preseason top 100
Link to Clemens on Musgrove
Link to FG on Realmuto
Link to Tango on Realmuto
Link to Flaherty strikeouts story
Link to outfielder box article
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether they believe the projections that peg the White Sox as merely a run-of-the-mill terrible team, this season’s sophomore slumps (so far), and more on ballplayer dirt consumption and replay review protocol, then (30:09) answer listener emails about promotion and relegation in professional baseball, the definition of “getaway day,” the value of pitcher fielding, how hard it would be for big leaguers to be bad intentionally, whether pitchers could give away pitch selection on a pickoff throw, and recent MLB rules changes that could or should be rolled back (plus additional discussion of some injury news).
Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)”
Audio outro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Dan S. on the White Sox
Link to Neil Paine on the Sox
Link to Dubuque on the Sox
Link to Dan S. on the 2023 A’s
Link to Tango on the 2023 A’s
Link to EW on the 2023 A’s
Link to MLBTR on Lee
Link to MLBTR on Pham
Link to BaseRuns standings
Link to Dubuque on sophomore slumps
Link to The Athletic on promotion/relegation
Link to ESPN on promotion/relegation
Link to NYT on the Super League
Link to Scherzer on ump relegation
Link to team P DRS range
Link to team P plays made range
Link to Episode 2030 Stat Blast
Link to Baumann on Ohtani
Link to MLB rules changes
Link to Ben on faking to third
Link to Ben on the Waxahachie Swap
Link to article on Rendon
Link to MLBTR on Rendon
Link to MLBTR on Miley
Link to MLBTR on Luzardo
Link to listener emails database
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about how much dirt MLB players ingest in a season, the second-most-encouraging stat about Mike Trout’s season, Shohei Ohtani, Earl Webb, and the single-season doubles record, Cody Bellinger and whether the Cubs should pad the walls at Wrigley Field, whether replay review should privilege the call on the field, Matt Waldron’s knuckleball, the disparate seasons of Elly De La Cruz and Oneil Cruz, Francisco Lindor’s superstar status, José Ruiz’s pursuit of Ryan Webb’s record for games finished without a save, and Tigers broadcaster Jason Benetti’s request for a baseball plus/minus stat (and whether baseball would be better with more player-interaction effects).
Audio intro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to dirt-consumption info
Link to FG post on Trout’s running
Link to BP on Trout’s swings
Link to Trout’s pitch-type performance
Link to Trout’s plate-discipline stats
Link to Trout’s sprint speeds
Link to Posnanski on Ohtani
Link to Webb SABR bio
Link to Maris Jr. article 1
Link to Maris Jr. article 2
Link to Bellinger play
Link to Bellinger quote
Link to Bellinger IL news
Link to MLBTR on Bellinger
Link to 1991 Wrigley padding article
Link to info on the ivy
Link to info on Veeck’s role
Link to article on Reiser
Link to second Reiser article
Link to ballpark homogenization info
Link to Adell play
Link to Sheehan on replay
Link to replay review rules
Link to Waldron article
Link to BP on Waldron’s latest
Link to Waldron game highlights
Link to Thrice band wiki
Link to Ben on knuckleballs
Link to Jannis EW appearance
Link to Lindor’s big game
Link to post-2020 hitter WAR
Link to Webb/Albers wiki
Link to Webb/Ruiz leaderboard
Link to plus/minus wiki
Link to MLB defense plus/minus
Link to hockey plus/minus problems
Link to NBA plus/minus problems
Link to Russell on lineups
Link to Ben on batter vs. pitcher stats
Link to catcher ERA article
Link to more on catcher impact
Link to article on Jeter studies
Link to all-22 film info
Link to Jeff on time of possession
Link to Trial By Content pod
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Link to meetup organizer form
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Rockies (and their charter pilots) running afoul of the FAA, Jackson Holliday’s slow start, whether the Astros or Twins has hurt their division-title chances more, two embarrassing umpire incidents, offense being down relative to last season, the concept of a “combined Maddux,” Shohei Ohtani’s WAR as a DH, the Blue Jays’ self-funded ballpark renovations, new research on Tommy John surgeries in Japan, and more.
Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2”
Audio outro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Rockies plane video
Link to AP on the Rockies
Link to new flight deck rule
Link to Blum on Holliday
Link to O’s prospects joke
Link to Animorphs meme
Link to white guys selfie meme
Link to article on Scott
Link to story on Mays start
Link to story on Mantle start
Link to change in division odds
Link to García injury update
Link to RP fWAR
Link to Dan S. on the Astros
Link to Boone ejection video
Link to EW on ump-heckling
Link to CNN on Boone ejection
Link to SI on Boone ejection
Link to KBO ABS incident
Link to offense through 4/22
Link to Joe Sheehan on offense
Link to BallparkPal thread
Link to “Maddux” glossary entry
Link to “combined Maddux” mention
Link to WAR leaderboard
Link to Jaffe on the Dodgers
Link to Cardinals funding post
Link to more on Cards request
Link to article on Jays funding
Link to Diamondbacks statement
Link to Jim Allen TJ research
Link to archived version
Link to SABR on Tippy’s pickoffs
Link to Tippy video
Link to Tippy call
Link to ballpark meetup forms
Link to meetup organizer form
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Amid a wave of pitcher injuries, Ben Lindbergh talks to Dr. Rich Nye (4:20), a former major leaguer whose career-ending injury became a career-beginning injury when he decided to become an exotic-animal veterinarian (among other occupations). Then (1:07:09) Ben talks to prolific TV creators/writers/producers Tom Fontana and Julie Martin about what might have been for Baseball Wives, a long-lost HBO baseball drama that was canceled after its pilot episode was produced in 2002. Lastly (1:43:25), Ben brings on Frequent Stat Blast Correspondent Ryan Nelson to deliver eight Stat Blasts, plus (2:23:13) follow-ups.
Audio intro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLB.com on Freeland
Link to Freeland on EW
Link to Rockies airline story
Link to Meulens video
Link to The Athletic on McKenzie
Link to MLBTR on Stephenson
Link to MLBTR on Hurt
Link to MLBTR on Tiedemann
Link to The Athletic on Suárez
Link to 1969 Cubs-Giants broadcast
Link to Nye’s SABR bio
Link to 1967 rookie pitcher WAR
Link to Nye’s vet bio
Link to Nye wiki
Link to Nye’s debut game
Link to Nye’s 1970 game
Link to 1976 Nye Tribune article
Link to Seinfeld squirrel clip
Link to Nye’s woodturning site
Link to Kessinger on EW
Link to Hands on EW
Link to Ben’s Olerud interview
Link to The Wire Triandos clips
Link to SatC Yankee Stadium clip
Link to Ben on media exclusivity
Link to 2002 HBO AP article
Link to Race for the Pennant promo
Link to Fontana on IMDb
Link to Martin on IMDb
Link to Fontana WaPo profile
Link to Fontana Buffalo archive
Link to Baseball Wives wiki
Link to Baseball Wives article 1
Link to Baseball Wives article 2
Link to Baseball Wives article 3
Link to Baseball Wives article 4
Link to Baseball Wives article 5
Link to more info on Baseball Wives
Link to 2011 Baseball Wives
Link to Footballers’ Wives
Link to Ben on unaired pilots
Link to Stat Blast song cover
Link to Ryan’s previous appearance
Link to Stat Blast wiki
Link to article on Day no-no
Link to HoF on Feller no-no
Link to team BA spreadsheet
Link to lineup names sheet
Link to outs on bases sheet
Link to SABR on Tippy’s pickoffs
Link to Tippy pickoffs video
Link to lefty-starters sheet
Link to Russell on SP order
Link to Rockies lefties record
Link to “Darvishes” spreadsheet
Link to first BF screenshot
Link to first BF spreadsheet
Link to games played spreadsheet
Link to Calcaterra quote
Link to McCutchen steal
Link to Craig Wright on stealing home
Link to stealing home sheet
Link to listener emails database
Link to Bellinger on Boras
Link to Boras facility brag
Link to Sterling HR call ranking
Link to Yakkertech tweet
Link to Neil Paine on the White Sox
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Carlos Correa’s nerdiness, the Pirates pulling phenom Jared Jones after 59 effective pitches, the zombie runner, what Jontay Porter’s lifetime NBA ban portends for MLB, Shohei/Ippei conspiracy theories and Shohei Ohtani’s hitting and tax loophole, Michael Busch and the Dodgers’ outfield offense, the legacy of Whitey Herzog’s “Whiteyball,” and the power and prospects of two-way college star Jac Caglianone, plus follow-ups on MLB Blazes, IMG Academy, and Reynaldo López, then (1:13:48) answer listener emails about unsigned pitchers ramping up for the start of the season, whether all of the A’s could be traded to other teams, pitcher arm injuries in Japan, foul tips with fewer than two strikes, and MLB attendance/finances vs. NFL attendance/finances.
Audio intro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Benny and the Jeffs, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Correa on Dune: Part Two
Link to Correa Marvel post
Link to Correa Star Wars post
Link to article on Correa’s dogs
Link to Correa the stathead
Link to Correa wRC+ video
Link to Reylo wiki
Link to BP on Jones
Link to Jones Strike % stat
Link to Mikolas start
Link to Jones game story
Link to Pirates pitching plan
Link to Ben on workloads
Link to velo leaders
Link to Miller injury info
Link to NBA Porter announcement
Link to The Athletic on Porter
Link to Ohtani taxes article
Link to political baseball language
Link to team OF wRC+
Link to FG Dodgers OF post
Link to FG Busch post
Link to NYT Erskine obit
Link to NYT Herzog obit
Link to Whiteyball wiki
Link to Posnanski on Whiteyball
Link to Miklasz on Whiteyball
Link to Cranston MLB promo
Link to Caglianone article
Link to Gators Statcast tweet
Link to top MLB draft prospects
Link to longest MLB homers
Link to Mazara HR
Link to Boras facilities article
Link to Finley/Kuhn article
Link to EW Episode 1621
Link to Japan/U.S. pitchers study
Link to Richard Hershberger’s book
Link to EW Episode 627
Link to listener emails database
Link to IMG Academy wiki
Link to most-streamed 2023 shows
Link to Vulture on Bluey
Link to Slate on Bluey
Link to John/Jack explainer
Link to Caillou explainer
Link to Oops! All Berries explainer
Link to tick-tock explainer
Link to “Am I so out of touch?” meme
Link to Catherine Lowe wiki
Link to Wade/Ward wiki
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about MLB jerseys as Fremen stillsuits, an update on Blake Snell the self-perceived strike-thrower, Brent Suter and being the “best teammate,” which MLB team is last in the league in vibes, the struggling Marlins demoting the not-struggling Max Meyer, whether teams are working minor league pitchers (such as Paul Skenes) too lightly, and (1:02:49) the career and retirement of Yankees radio voice John Sterling and fan affection for long-lasting local broadcasters, then (1:29:31) meet major leaguers Spencer Arrighetti, Blaze Alexander, and Jorge Barrosa, plus postscript follow-ups (1:51:25).
Audio intro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLB stillsuit article
Link to sweat stains quote
Link to sweaty Yankees jerseys
Link to Snell quote
Link to Elly’s catch
Link to Suter article
Link to article on eco-conscious Suter
Link to Suter’s impressions
Link to 2016 LaRoche article
Link to 2021 LaRoche retrospective
Link to Freeland play
Link to article on Meyer demotion
Link to McCarthy tweet
Link to Sheehan on pitcher usage
Link to BP on Skenes in college
Link to Ben on TNSTAAPP
Link to MLB.com on Sterling
Link to The Athletic on Sterling
Link to Brosius call
Link to Camp call
Link to BP on the Camp game
Link to list of Sterling calls
Link to Sterling “fangraph” comment
Link to flubbed Sterling call
Link to last Sterling HR call
Link to “Something Sort of Grandish”
Link to 2011 Sterling NYT profile
Link to Warner Wolf wiki
Link to Meet a Major Leaguer wiki
Link to B-Ref new debuts page
Link to The Athletic on Arrighetti
Link to Longenhagen on Arrighetti
Link to MLB.com on Arrighetti
Link to Blazes on B-Ref
Link to 2018 Alexanders article
Link to 2019 Alexander article
Link to Barrosa call-up article
Link to March Barrosa article
Link to Longenhagen on player heights
Link to non-pitcher height query
Link to pitcher height query
Link to Burke break article
Link to EPL history wiki
Link to 1884 World Series wiki
Link to Saber Seminar
Link to Kite Person on Bandcamp
Link to Kite Person on SoundCloud
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the lack of an uptick in stolen bases this season, which of the teams that are off to surprisingly hot or cold starts has changed their minds the most, analogs to baseball’s epidemic of UCL tears in tennis and women’s soccer, whether MLB would/should allow a hypothetical UCL-strengthening steroid, and whether MLB will ever reboot its continuity, then Stat Blast (1:02:31) about players with inside-the-park homers and over-the-fence homers in the same game, games in which one team threw many pitches faster than its opponent’s fastest pitch, and the highest player winning percentages in starts.
Audio intro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Ben C. on stolen bases
Link to birds and bees study
Link to playoff odds changes
Link to BaseRuns standings
Link to MLBTR on Schumaker option
Link to team defense projections
Link to Jontay Porter story
Link to NPR on tennis injuries
Link to WaPo on soccer injuries
Link to NYT on soccer injuries
Link to article on soccer cleats
Link to UEFA initiative
Link to artificial ligament wiki
Link to Mark McGwire comments
Link to Andy Pettitte comments
Link to EW on sports history authority
Link to comic-book reboots wiki
Link to EW on “modern era”
Link to AFI movies list wiki
Link to tweet about Babe Ruth’s wife
Link to EW listener emails database
Link to Garrett Krohn’s Stat Blast cover
Link to Langs tweet about Elly
Link to OptaSTATS tweet about Elly
Link to Ryan Nelson on Twitter
Link to inside-the-park graph 1
Link to inside-the-park graph 2
Link to Statcast Era both HR list
Link to both HR, both sides list
Link to story on Nimmo game
Link to inside-the-parker data
Link to both HR types leaderboard
Link to Lucas Apostoleris on Twitter
Link to Foley tweet
Link to lopsided team velos sheet
Link to player winning percentage sheet
Link to Craig Wright on Lou Klein
Link to Moonfall wiki
Link to add EW on YouTube Music
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley react to news about Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara being charged with bank fraud, discuss the revelations in the government’s stunning, detailed complaint, and assess the implications for Ohtani and MLB. Then (1:06:58) they banter about Jordan Montgomery changing agencies after his offseason Boras debacle, a Juan Soto fan-pandering update, Jackson Holliday’s Orioles debut, Tyler Glasnow and the allure of a 21-strikeout game, a Driveline quote about training for velocity, and an A’s giveaway (and dubious pledge to spend more on players), plus (1:35:15) a few follow-ups.
Audio intro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Greene pants seam tear
Link to U.S. Attorney’s Office press release
Link to criminal complaint
Link to NYT report
Link to MLB statement
Link to @Yankees betting tweet
Link to Ippei surrendering tweet
Link to Baumann on gambling scandals
Link to MLBTR on Montgomery
Link to Soto spikes
Link to Glasnow game
Link to Sam on a 21-strikeout game
Link to MLBTR on Holliday
Link to Dan S. on the Tides
Link to Olney tweet story
Link to video of young Holliday
Link to Twins kiss
Link to 2023 Albies/Arcia kiss
Link to 2024 Albies/Arcia kiss
Link to Adler pitcher injuries article
Link to A’s giveaway tweet
Link to Rosenthal on A’s spending
Link to ESPN on the A’s move
Link to Belt on chicken tenders
Link to hitting at Rogers Centre
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about White Sox manager Pedro Grifol’s anti-eclipse eyewash, the shrinking moon, an eyebrow-raising quote by Blake Snell, the latest signature Elly De La Cruz game, the hot starts of Mike Trout, Anthony Volpe, and Tyler O’Neill, how this season’s converted relievers (including Garrett Crochet and Jordan Hicks) are faring, and more, then (38:57) discuss and debate the latest rash of pitcher injuries, the pitch clock as a culprit or a scapegoat, and possible solutions to the injury problem, plus (1:27:32) an 1892 complaint about position-player pitchers and a few follow-ups.
Audio intro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Grifol quote
Link to Sox Machine on Grifol
Link to Ben on the 2017 eclipse
Link to tweet about eclipse coincidence
Link to story on shrinking moon
Link to story on end of eclipses
Link to more on moon shrinking
Link to Nick Gordon comment
Link to Adler on eyewash
Link to Snell quote
Link to zone rate stats
Link to Elly homers
Link to Elly fun fact 1
Link to Elly fun fact 2
Link to article on Volpe swing
Link to Sox pitch usage story
Link to Sox Run Prevention Unit
Link to FG post on Sox pitching
Link to FG post on Rafaela
Link to FG post on Hicks
Link to Ben on pitcher injuries
Link to MLBTR top stories screenshot
Link to MLBPA statement
Link to MLB statement
Link to Cole comments
Link to Verlander comments
Link to Taillon/Wood comments
Link to Scherzer comments
Link to Passan on pitcher injuries
Link to Sawchik tweet
Link to Dan S. on the clock
Link to BP on the clock
Link to story on Bieber’s offseason
Link to cricket bowling rules
Link to cricket and TJS
Link to EW on speed limits
Link to mound height study
Link to Ben on pitcher roster limits
Link to Rich Hill surgeries
Link to 1892 article
Link to Bookforum Oyler review
Link to Imanaga presser
Link to The Athletic on Imanaga
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Link to Kelenic comment
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the earthquake in the Northeast, Juan Soto’s choice of walk-up song, J.J. Hardy building a ballpark in his Arizona backyard, the pluses and minuses of living in or near a ballpark, and how Shohei Ohtani relates to the Tower of Babel, then (1:04:21) answer listener emails about the Moneyball A’s vs. the 116-win Mariners, Joey Votto and players’ skill with cursive script, how long a ceremonial first pitch thrower could potentially delay a game, the value of consistently throwing from multiple arm slots, and how much better a team would be if its opponents knew nothing about it in advance.
Audio intro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to NYT on the earthquake
Link to Gleyber’s BP
Link to Soto song tweet
Link to “Empire State of Mind”
Link to Correa Dior store quote
Link to Hardy yardwork report
Link to Olerud tree story
Link to Target Field view
Link to Minneapolis apartment building
Link to converted Indianapolis ballpark
Link to Indy stadium lofts
Link to converted Osaka Stadium
Link to The Athletic on the Dodgers ball
Link to Dodgers follow-up article
Link to Ohtani video clip
Link to Ireton profile
Link to Tower of Babel wiki
Link to Votto tweet
Link to NPR on cursive
Link to The Atlantic on cursive
Link to NYT on cursive
Link to Rangers first pitch
Link to Padres exhibition game
Link to Ben on rookie pitcher comments
Link to research on MLB debuts
Link to listener emails database
Link to Strider article
Link to Ben on pitcher injuries
Link to info on “misles”
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Athletics’ intermediate move to Sacramento, the Royals’ failed public funding referendum, a Davis Schneider self scouting report, a wild Diamondbacks-Yankees game that ended with a pitcher at the plate, whether a DH day is really like a partial day off, whether the Triple-A Norfolk Tides are better […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a grab of topics, including a team meeting after two games, early bad blood and benches-clearing incidents, the continued terribleness of the new uniforms, a Bryce Harper blooper, a missing first-base coach, an A’s conspiracy, Juan Soto as instant True Yankee, new lights at Chase Field, the Dairy […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Opening Day naps, a Bryce Harper pandering update, Nelson Cruz’s Mariners retirement and the one-day-contract tradition, and Yusei Kikuchi’s latest intriguing revelation, then (21:16) share some highlights and lowlights of Opening Day action, report the results of listener voting on the preseason predictions game, analyze Will Smith’s extension, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley remind people to vote in their preseason predictions game, discuss the completion of the season preview series, and then (10:15) analyze Shohei Ohtani’s remarks from Monday and preview the rest of the 2024 Los Angeles Dodgers season with The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya, followed (1:15:31) by a 2024 Colorado Rockies preview […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs authors Michael Baumann and Ben Clemens play “Character Who Appears in Shōgun the Novel (but Not the TV Series) or International Amateur Baseball Player” (3:13), banter about an MLBPA power struggle (8:37) and the life of late Orioles owner Peter Angelos (16:51), and then explain the second annual preseason […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the J.D. Martinez and Michael Lorenzen signings, Eury Pérez‘s elbow, Jackson Holliday not making the O’s Opening Day roster, and MLB’s crowded, mediocre middle, then preview the 2024 New York Yankees (16:49) with The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner, and the 2024 Washington Nationals (1:14:13) with The Washington Post’s Andrew […]
In an in-depth discussion that became a bonus episode, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley explore the state of the sports-betting scandal surrounding Shohei Ohtani and his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, breaking down the stakes, the most pressing sources of uncertainty, and the many possible outcomes and consequences. Audio intro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: […]
After a brief preamble about the betting scandal surrounding Shohei Ohtani and interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the first game of the regular season, whether gloves have gotten more permeable, the odds of a DH-only Ohtani MVP season, Ohtani’s lucrative endorsements, whether the addition of in-app gambling info to NBA […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Giants signing Blake Snell, whether Snell is now underrated, San Francisco’s offseason, Scott Boras’s offseason, leaguewide spending, an MLBPA power struggle, and (39:03) a 150-year-old message about baseball players in spring, then preview the 2024 Atlanta Braves (45:42) with 92.9 The Game’s Grant McAuley, and the 2024 […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Dylan Cease trade, the post-trade outlooks for the Padres and White Sox, and the incomparably chaotic Padres POBO A.J. Preller, then (31:22) discuss who the best pitcher in baseball is with Gerrit Cole on the shelf, Shohei Ohtani’s wife reveal (41:33), and (49:34) ESPN’s planned on-screen win […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the latest on Gerrit Cole’s elbow and how his uncertain status might affect free agents Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, then preview the 2024 Houston Astros (23:42) with The Athletic’s Chandler Rome, and the 2024 Oakland (for now?) Athletics (1:12:15) with The Athletic’s Melissa Lockard. Audio intro: Ian Phillips, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the uncertain state of Gerrit Cole’s elbow (and the larger UCL scourge), the Giants controversially releasing J.D. Davis, and the Dodgers’ Mookie Betts/Gavin Lux infield switcheroo, then preview the 2024 Seattle Mariners (29:12) with The Seattle Times’ Ryan Divish, and the 2024 Kansas City Royals (1:08:53) with The […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the retirement of Meg favorite Mike Zunino, some teams’ mismatched gray jerseys and pants, whether Blake Snell is still unsigned in part because his pitching isn’t fun to watch (and whether he walks batters by accident or on purpose), and Joey Votto’s minor league deal with the Blue […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the A’s Las Vegas ballpark renderings, Brayan Bello’s extension with the Red Sox, and MLB’s Spring Breakout games, provide an update on EW listeners’ MLB ballpark meetup events, then preview the 2024 Baltimore Orioles (28:59) with The Baltimore Banner’s Danielle Allentuck, and the 2024 San Francisco Giants (1:04:38) […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Phillies’ Zack Wheeler extension, the Giants’ Matt Chapman signing, and a Scott Boras quote about free agency, then (17:35) bring on Patreon supporter Jay Wade Edwards to answer listener emails (26:41) about see-through players (and see-through pants), how different baseball would be if instead of a lineup […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley talk to FanGraphs writer Ben Clemens about the site’s ongoing efforts to model team depth and factor it into projections, then preview the 2024 Toronto Blue Jays (30:46) with The Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath, and the 2024 Cincinnati Reds (1:16:31) with The Athletic’s C. Trent Rosecrans. Audio intro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme” […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Shohei Ohtani’s surprise marriage announcement (5:15), and Portia of Ohtani fan account @shoheisaveus returns (18:13) to tell Ben how the news was received by the Shobae community. Then Ben and Meg Stat Blast (36:49) about the biggest year-to-year changes in WAR produced by different players who wore the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Cubs signing Cody Bellinger, Scott Boras’s offseason, and what Bryce Harper’s walk year could portend for Juan Soto’s. Then (33:27) Ben and Meg talk to Ben Kramer and Robert Toner of the Anchorage Sports Association about the Fur Rendezvous Festival snowshoe softball tournament and the finer points […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Boras Four behind the scenes, Hyun Jin Ryu’s salary-cap-skirting KBO contract, and a study on the effectiveness of complaining about umps, plus a Stat Blast (22:51) about an inaccurate, unkillable Greg Maddux fun fact and more musings (34:52) on transparent pants. Then they preview the 2024 Minnesota […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about MLB’s semi-transparent-pants problem and the Nike/Fanatics uniform mess that’s swallowed spring training, a “down the dick” etymology follow-up, Kodai Senga’s injury, Mitch Keller’s extension, the Marlins signing Tim Anderson, and a minor league free agent draft update. Then they preview the 2024 Arizona Diamondbacks (38:13) with The Arizona […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about recent headline-generating comments by Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon, a Padres position change, and the possibility of another Ronald Acuña Jr. extension. Then (34:11) they bring on Patreon supporter Sean Saxe and answer listener emails (40:13) about the best substitute for Babe Ruth in a remake of The […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Rob Manfred’s announcement that he’ll step down as commissioner after his current term. Then they preview the 2024 St. Louis Cardinals (26:01) with The Athletic’s Katie Woo and the 2024 Cleveland Guardians (1:09:24) with MLB.com’s Mandy Bell, plus a postscript (1:44:43). Audio intro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about injuries at spring training (specifically the Orioles’) and Jorge Soler and the Giants’ offseason, Stat Blast (21:04) about Kenley Jansen and the age of active career leaders in pitching appearances and recording five or six hits in a game against five or six different pitchers, and then talk […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a difference between baseball and football (as illustrated by the Super Bowl), the lowering of the limit on players per organization, and umpire Jen Pawol’s ascent toward the majors (and history). Then they preview the 2024 Texas Rangers (22:28) with MLB.com’s Kennedi Landry and the 2024 Chicago Cubs […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about former Mets GM Billy Eppler’s suspension for fabricating injuries, then Stat Blast (15:25) about players who amassed the most WAR for their secondary, tertiary, quaternary (etc.) teams, Hall of Famers who played with their hometown teams, and uniform numbers assigned to different players with the same surname on […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about surprising playoff odds, the Astros extending Jose Altuve (26:40), the Brewers signing Gary Sánchez (34:57), the forthcoming Netflix docuseries about the 2024 Red Sox (38:49), a baseball equivalent of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift (45:17), and how trailblazing former first-round draftee Carter Stewart has fared in Japan (55:29). […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley introduce the 12th annual Effectively Wild season preview series, then banter about the Royals extending Bobby Witt Jr., the Dodgers reuniting with Clayton Kershaw (and Ryan Brasier), the Red Sox (sort of) reuniting with Theo Epstein, and the latest hitter who’s converting to pitching. Then they preview the 2024 Miami […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley break down the Corbin Burnes trade between the Orioles and Brewers, then (23:19) talk to 81-year-old Don Kessinger, former six-time All-Star shortstop for the Cubs, about being an amateur multi-sport star, learning to switch-hit after making the majors, playing in Sandy Koufax’s perfect game, hitting in the low-offense 1960s, facing […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Baseball Prospectus editor-in-chief Craig Goldstein and managing editor Patrick Dubuque banter about editing, discuss the Orioles’ impending change in ownership (10:25), examine the newly released Baseball Prospectus 2024 (22:01), and then play a guessing/Remembering Some Guys game in which they each read aloud book comments about six unidentified players apiece, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about what would happen if top prospects could promote themselves, the Mariners-Twins trade involving Jorge Polanco, Photoshop mockups of players in their new teams’ uniforms, Byron Buxton returning to center field, the Blue Jays signing Justin Turner, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as an MLB The Show cover model, the surprising […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley unleash another rant about the Orioles’ inaction (prompted by Mike Elias quotes about their aggressiveness) and banter about the David Robertson and Joc Pederson signings and baseball in Masters of the Air, then (33:51) answer listener emails about whether the Diamondbacks still qualify as a young franchise, injury stoppage time […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley follow up on the contract over/unders draft and the “death ball,” banter about the signings of Rhys Hoskins and Matt Moore, weigh their current confidence levels in the A’s actually moving to Las Vegas, and consider a suggestion for a “pulling the goalie”-style tweak to baseball. Then (35:44) they talk […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the “death ball,” a curveball variant that could be baseball’s next sweeper-esque pitch-design innovation, and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of separate classifications for “new” pitches that are subsets of other pitches, and the importance of continuing education among fans and media members. Then (39:23) they talk about […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the offseason doldrums and this winter’s free-agent activity compared to last year’s, the Josh Hader and Robert Stephenson signings (with a contract over/under draft update), a bleak week in sports (and non-sports) media, pitcher/catcher technique and the automated strike zone, and the invasion of players named Jackson, followed […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Patreon supporter Nick Taber banter about Nick’s baseball background and MLB’s most hated teams, then (19:41) answer listener emails about baseball’s newsbreakers as secret newsmakers, a baseball mercenary who plays for multiple teams in the same city (or who has it out for one particular opponent), whether we would remember […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about where Blake Snell and Cody Bellinger should/will sign, excoriate the Orioles for their offseason inaction, marvel at Alex Anthopoulos’s lengthy extension, discuss the Giants’ Jordan Hicks signing as part of a trend toward reliever-starter reverse conversions, consider the etymology of “innings eater” and how pitcher usage is like […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and listener Michael Mountain banter about Michael’s proposal for Effectively Wild listener ballpark meetups during the 2024 MLB season, followed by (7:24) Michael’s guest Stat Blasts about the best non-award-winning players, his all-time player tiers, and Hall of Famers (and HoF candidates) who excelled or flopped at leading their leagues at […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s unlikely recovery in the contracts over/under draft, the Cubs signing Shota Imanaga, the trailblazing Rachel Balkovec moving from the dugout to the Marlins’ front office, and (18:37) whether the new horror film Night Swim is a baseball movie. Then (35:53) they talk to Oakland A’s All-Star Brent […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Teoscar Hernández signing with the Dodgers, how other teams can compete with L.A., and the Mets signing Sean Manaea. Then (33:07) they answer listener emails about whether the Royals or Tigers will win more games in 2024, the basis for believing the Cardinals will bounce back from their […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about multiple Mariners trades and follow up on a previous conversation about teams with the most work to do before Opening Day, then (21:07) talk to Pebble Hunting author (and former host) Sam Miller about what (if anything!) will be best remembered about the 2023 baseball season. Audio intro: Daniel […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the cruelty of the gift Ben gave his Effectively Wild Secret Santa recipient, which MLB team has the most pressure on it to finish the offseason strong (15:23), Chris Sale’s extension, and the Mets signing Harrison Bader. Then (36:36) they answer listener emails about which mascots would be […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley recap news and transactions from over the holidays, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s thoughts on San Francisco and Yu Darvish’s thoughts on the Dodgers signing his WBC teammates, the Mariners signing Mitch Garver, the Reds signing Frankie Montas, a smattering of Blue Jays and White Sox signings, the Estevan Florial trade, and […]
Ben Lindbergh is joined by Hannah Keyser and Zach Crizer, formerly of Yahoo Sports and the Bandwagon podcast, to discuss at least one listener-nominated, previously overlooked topic from 2023 about each MLB team. Audio intro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to The Bandwagon Link to Hannah’s Yahoo archive Link to […]
With this year’s MLB free agent market enlivened by international players, Ben Lindbergh talks to three guests about three baseball-rich countries. First, Jeeho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency joins to discuss the response in South Korea to Jung Hoo Lee 이정후’s signing, Shin-Soo Choo 추신수’s forthcoming retirement, the legendary career of Choi Dong-won, and […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs’ Ben Clemens continue a cherished podcast tradition by conducting the 11th annual Effectively Wild Minor League Free Agent Draft, in which they select 10 minor league free agents each and compete to see whose roster will accumulate the most combined MLB playing time in 2024. Audio intro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively […]
Ben Lindbergh and Baseball Prospectus editor-in-chief Craig Goldstein discuss all the fallout from the Dodgers’ record-breaking signing of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, including how it affects fan perceptions of the Dodgers, whether it’s good for MLB to have a heel, whether there’s a more virtuous way to win, the terms of the contract and their expectations for […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether MLB should implement an NHL-esque holiday transaction freeze, then (5:53) answer listener emails about Bryce Harper, Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow, and tampering, abandoning the Angels, what to do after visiting every MLB and MiLB ballpark, when the last-place finishers of 2023 will be 90-win true-talent teams, “prep” […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, FanGraphs’ Michael Baumann and Ben Clemens, and Chris Hanel play a quick round of “College Baseball Player or U.S. Space Shuttle Astronaut,” banter about the Braves’ series of recent, red-paper-clip-style trades (5:21) and the Diamondbacks re-signing Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (14:13), and then revisit, dissect, and score their bold preseason predictions from […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Shohei Ohtani’s introductory press conference and getting closure on contract/canine questions, the audience verdict on how to handle Ohtani in the free-agent-contract over/under draft (20:22), the Dodgers-Rays Tyler Glasnow trade (32:09), the latest Royals signings (Michael Wacha, Hunter Renfroe), the Tigers adding Jack Flaherty, and the AL Central, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley call for a listener referendum on how to treat Shohei Ohtani’s unprecedented contract in the EW free-agent-contract over/under draft, then (20:43) banter about the Royals’ recent pitching additions and a wizardly Will Smith. After that (33:32), they talk to FanGraphs lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen about the players from Asian […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the implications of Shohei Ohtani’s unprecedentedly deferred contract structure, whether the Ohtani signing and Juan Soto trade portend MLB imbalance driven by the bursting cable bundle (21:42), whether the Dodgers will ever be bad again (28:06), media hang-wringing over Friday’s false reports (35:58), and the Tyler O’Neill trade […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley react to Shohei Ohtani signing a titanic 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers, covering every aspect of the news. Then (57:07) they recount the even-funnier-in-retrospect rumor-related frothing on Friday, when it briefly looked like Ohtani was en route to Toronto to become a Blue Jay. Audio intro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a lackluster punning performance by Scott Boras at the Winter Meetings, then (12:03) dissect the momentous trade of a big Boras client, Juan Soto, from both the Yankees’ and Padres’ perspectives. After that (1:04:00), they discuss Eduardo Rodríguez bolstering the Diamondbacks’ rotation, Jeimer Candelario joining the Reds’ overcrowded […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley (at the Winter Meetings in Nashville) banter about how the secrecy surrounding Shohei Ohtani’s free agency is breaking baseball media members’ brains, what makes free agency fun for fans, the advisability of a winter transaction deadline and whether it’s OK for baseball to just be boring sometimes, and the latest […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and top-tier Patreon supporter Kevin Peskuric banter about and quantify the difference between the receptions to an @MLB tweet about a Shohei Ohtani cat encounter and an @Yankees tweet about Henry Kissinger. Then (18:48) they talk about Kevin’s background as a baseball fan and EW listener, answer listener emails (32:13) about […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about listeners’ end-of-year podcast stats, the reported “progress” in Padres-Yankees trade talks concerning Juan Soto, some recent Reds and Mets moves, a possible extension for Brewers prospect Jackson Chourio and the track record of extensions signed before a player’s MLB debut, and several end-of-season MLB awards (past and present) […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Eugenio Suárez trade and the Mariners’ payroll, the Cardinals signing Sonny Gray, the Tigers signing Kenta Maeda, the Dodgers re-signing Jason Heyward, and whether an outfielder can be said to “pick it.” Then (50:07) they follow up on listener responses to their latest email episode, focusing on […]
Ben Lindbergh talks to Portia, proprietor of super-popular Shohei Ohtani fan account @shoheisaveus, about her Ohtani superfan origin story, life as a self-described “Shobae,” Ohtani’s popularity compared to other athletes and celebrities, following Ohtani from 15 time zones away, stanning a private person, the many mysteries of Ohtani, where the Shobaes would prefer for Ohtani […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the proper pluralization of “POBO,” then (7:12) answer listener emails about baseball with a five-second pitch clock, how long fans will continue to boo pickoff attempts, what it would take for a team to pay a particular fan to attend (or not attend) its games, Freddie Freeman’s base […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Phillies re-signing Aaron Nola, the Braves signing Reynaldo López, trading for Aaron Bummer, and rearranging their roster, the Cardinals signing Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson, the Padres hiring Mike Shildt, Shohei Ohtani swearing teams to secrecy about his free-agent visits, and NHK’s Ohtani documentaries. Then (53:16) they […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the possible significance of this year’s unanimous award votes, the public unveiling of Shohei Ohtani’s dog, what they learned (and didn’t learn) from the new ESPN documentary Shohei Ohtani: Beyond the Dream (21:42), and where they’d prefer for Ohtani to sign (1:01:16). Then (1:10:42) they conduct the ninth […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss MLB owners unanimously approving the Athletics’ move to Las Vegas, new time-saving measures slated for 2024, the respective salaries of David Stearns and Craig Counsell, and private flights as a potential perk to entice MLB free agents, then examine an upstart Dubai-based baseball league called Baseball United (55:07) and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a low-suspense awards week, the vastly varying paths to being a major league manager, the latest sign of the Angels player-development apocalypse, Brian Cashman on Giancarlo Stanton, the death of Padres owner Peter Seidler, Michael Jordan’s baseball career on For All Mankind, how much holding runners matters, and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about norovirus derailing the GM meetings, leftover Boras quotes, and the baseball players deemed sexiest by People magazine, Stat Blast (18:47) about a possible bunting comeback and whether age is correlated with pitch-clock violations, and then (43:39) talk to FanGraphs writer Ben Clemens about the free-agent market and his […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s experience covering the GM meetings and broadcasting an AFL game, with an emphasis on Brian Cashman’s testy exchanges with reporters, Meg’s interaction with Jerry Dipoto, and Scott Boras’s wordplay, plus listener emails (1:01:04) about “electing” free agency, whether the pitch clock has lowered the average age of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether whether they’d watch the winning team celebrate if they lost the World Series, then (17:09) discuss a trio of managerial moves (the Cubs poaching Craig Counsell from the Brewers, the Guardians hiring Stephen Vogt, and the Mets hiring Carlos Mendoza), the Marlins hiring the Rays’ GM, and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the difficulty of watching Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the Japan Series, the last time an MLB pitcher threw as many as 138 pitches in a game, their hopes for Joey Votto’s next act, and the Brewers trading Mark Canha to the Tigers, then (32:13) answer listener emails about Silver […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about which MLB franchise will win its first championship next, the postseason “second-chance issue,” Clayton Kershaw’s shoulder surgery and other Dodgers decisions, a change in Astros primary catchers, the Braves re-signing Joe Jiménez, and Nelson Cruz’s career and retirement, then (1:05:20) discuss the stories they’re most interested in following […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s experience covering the World Series in Arizona, then discuss the most interesting aspects of the series, what (if anything) teams could learn from the Rangers’ success, the futures of the Rangers and Diamondbacks, the entertainment value of the 2023 playoffs, and much more. Audio intro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about saying the wrong episode number in the intro to Episode 2077 and the definition of a title drought, then answer listener emails (18:45) about whether it would make sense to choose a bye in the playoffs if your opponent got to draft a player from the team it […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the end of the NLCS, discuss the discourse surrounding the improbability of and fallout from the Diamondbacks-Rangers World Series matchup, banter about the Brewers always losing in the playoffs to eventual pennant winners, preview the World Series, postulate a conspiracy surrounding this postseason’s lack of extra-inning games, and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss assorted ALCS and NLCS action and playoff takeaways and trends, with an emphasis on Adolis García’s heroics, the Rangers vanquishing the Astros, MLB’s handling of Bryan Abreu’s suspension, and Craig Kimbrel’s career (plus reactions to the Giants hiring Bob Melvin as their manager). Audio intro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about ALCS and NLCS action, the definition of an “unanswered run,” and a forthcoming documentary about Shohei Ohtani, then (51:16) answer listener emails about a playoff hot-hand theory, how bad an underdog would have to be for a postseason upset to shock them, and a pitcher with two right […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the lack of pitch-clock violations in the postseason, an on-field Phillies smooch, the Phillies’ 2-0 lead on the Diamondbacks in the NLCS, a pivotal offseason for the Brewers, how MLB newsbreakers differ from NBA newsbreakers, the rising percentage of pitchers who’ve had Tommy John surgery, and how different […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the abrupt end of Kim Ng’s tenure as the general manager of the Miami Marlins, Alyssa Nakken interviewing for the Giants’ manager job, the Rangers taking a 2-0 lead on the Astros in the ALCS, and the new Netflix documentary The Saint of Second Chances. Then (48:12) Ben […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the career of the incomparable Bryce Harper, more “Attaboy” blowback, the end of the Phillies-Braves NLDS, scoring and competitiveness in the postseason as a whole, a Phillies homer-prediction contest, the pitch clock in the postseason, the Championship Series matchups, their most desired World Series matchups, why we say […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Diamondbacks’ victory and the Dodgers’ defeat, more musings on playoff randomness, Bryce Harper, Orlando Arcia, and the silliest sports/sports-media controversy of the year, the Astros advancing to the ALCS again (at the Twins’ expense), the all-Texas ALCS, and more. Audio intro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Andy […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss some renewed fretting about playoff formats, long layoffs, and upsets, recap (31:44) Clayton Kershaw’s playoff career and consider how (if at all) it will affect his legacy, and then examine (55:25) the latest action in each Division Series, plus follow-ups (1:29:49) on multiple topics from the preceding episode (including […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a failing effort to make peanuts a ballpark staple in Japan, preview the various Division Series (10:32), discuss the deep, enduring desire of former GM Paul Richards to trade his team for an entire other team (47:48), answer listener emails (1:06:50) about postseason “sweeps” and traitorous base coaches […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about their takeaways from sweeps week in the wild card round (how sweep it is!) and pick the division series they’re most excited about, then examine Mariners POBO Jerry Dipoto’s comments about aspiring to win 54 percent of games over a decade (46:04) and provide updates on the results […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Mariners, the Cubs, and other teams that just missed the playoffs, discuss the firings of Giants manager Gabe Kapler and Mets manager Buck Showalter (19:21), and then (32:51) bring on FanGraphs writers Michael Baumann and Ben Clemens to assemble an ultimate playoff team by drafting components of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Shohei Ohtani’s (finally) leagues-leading jersey sales, Mets grounds crew shenanigans, and shrinking minor leaguers, then (28:18) answer listener emails about restructured pitching staffs on which everyone would throw 3-to-4 innings at a time, a speed limit for pitches, displaying error bars for WAR, allowing outfielders only a certain […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether Ronald Acuña Jr.’s historic strikeout-rate reduction is as impressive as his historic power-speed combination, the Acuña-Mookie Betts NL MVP race, the enduring defensive excellence of the late Brooks Robinson, Josh Hader’s insistence on one-inning outings and the degree to which players should dictate their own usage, the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about The Rolling Stones’ credentials as a baseball band, Mike Trout’s slow healing, more Padres reporting and one-run-game whiplash, the Mariners’ rough stretch, how well this year’s playoff teams are built for October, and the most bonkers stats of the season, plus a few follow-ups. Audio intro: Dave Armstrong and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Yusei Kikuchi’s (and other players’) sleep habits and the possibility of a three-way AL West tie with no tiebreaker game, then (28:28) answer listener emails about surprising team assignments in Baseball-Reference headshots, a player who replicates the talent of the player who started in the same lineup spot […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the five-year anniversary of a Twitter wager about Adalberto Mondesi and Shohei Ohtani, then compare and contrast two in-depth articles about the problems supposedly plaguing the Padres and discuss how convincing they find those reports’ explanations for the team’s disappointing season (plus additional banter about the possible reasons […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about precedents for 50-year-old Bartolo Colon retiring as a Met, whether it’s better for a player to go out on top or be humbled a bit before the end, the ramifications of the Rays’ deal for a new ballpark in St. Petersburg, whether each team is on track to […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Patreon supporter Max Harris banter about Ben’s problems remembering Orioles rookie Heston Kjerstad’s name, Baltimore’s lookalike offensive core, and Max’s history with the podcast and baseball, then (18:22) answer listener emails about seat fillers at MLB games, hypothetical players “Mr. Repeat” and “Mr. First Time,” centralizing MLB R&D, systemic vs. […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the firing of Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom and the extension of Nationals president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo, injuries to Max Scherzer and Sandy Alcantara and MLB’s UCL scourge, and a proposed tier system for the Hall of Fame and single-season awards, then Stat Blast […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about baseball comps for the season-ending injury of quarterback Aaron Rodgers four snaps into his New York Jets career, the Rip Van Winkle-esque return of Orioles starter John Means after Tommy John surgery, the Mariners’ rough stretch, Meg’s pennant-race anxiety, and George Kirby’s comments about not being pulled earlier […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the NL wild card race and Dodgers starting pitching, then (17:24) answer listener emails about league-sanctioned spies, the best second jobs for an MLB player, a clairvoyant catcher, celebrating obscure records, switch-hitters and pitchers with reverse splits, existential fandom crises, selective fun-fact framing, oddly aligned MLB logos on […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss listener responses to their banter about surprising Statcast throwing speeds, then (12:42) discuss Nick Ahmed’s unsung great glovework, the A’s turning out to be (slightly) less historically terrible than they initially seemed, the AL West race, and how the Rangers missing the playoffs would reinforce conflicting narratives about baseball. After that (57:24), they answer listener emails about Mookie Betts overtaking Mike Trout in career WAR, how to tell when a team gets good at player development, and where it would be easiest to hide a smaller base among bigger bases, plus a Future Blast (1:32:26) from 2056.
Audio intro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to just-noticeable difference
Link to Ahmed DFA story
Link to Lawlar call-up story
Link to study on Gold Gloves
Link to DRS leaderboard
Link to OAA leaderboard
Link to Fielding RV leaderboard
Link to Nichols’ Law
Link to Dan S. on the A’s in May
Link to Tango on the A’s in May
Link to EW on the A’s in May
Link to worst run differentials
Link to BaseRuns records
Link to Fisher interview
Link to Fisher’s notepad
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to Kram on the AL West
Link to Astros HR fact 1
Link to Astros HR fact 2
Link to FG payroll ranking
Link to Ben on spending and wins
Link to highest WARs through 30
Link to those players post-30
Link to Driveline dev study 1
Link to Driveline dev study 2
Link to pitching lab story 1
Link to pitching lab story 2
Link to pitching lab story 3
Link to pitching lab story 4
Link to listener emails database
Link to Rick Wilber’s website
Link to Future Blast wiki
Link to visual acuity research
Link to Sam on Hamilton
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss listener responses to their banter about surprising Statcast throwing speeds, then (12:42) discuss Nick Ahmed’s unsung great glovework, the A’s turning out to be (slightly) less historically terrible than they initially seemed, the AL West race, and how the Rangers missing the playoffs would reinforce conflicting narratives about baseball. After that (57:24), they answer listener emails about Mookie Betts overtaking Mike Trout in career WAR, how to tell when a team gets good at player development, and where it would be easiest to hide a smaller base among bigger bases, plus a Future Blast (1:32:26) from 2056.
Audio intro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to just-noticeable difference
Link to Ahmed DFA story
Link to Lawlar call-up story
Link to study on Gold Gloves
Link to DRS leaderboard
Link to OAA leaderboard
Link to Fielding RV leaderboard
Link to Nichols’ Law
Link to Dan S. on the A’s in May
Link to Tango on the A’s in May
Link to EW on the A’s in May
Link to worst run differentials
Link to BaseRuns records
Link to Fisher interview
Link to Fisher’s notepad
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to Kram on the AL West
Link to Astros HR fact 1
Link to Astros HR fact 2
Link to FG payroll ranking
Link to Ben on spending and wins
Link to highest WARs through 30
Link to those players post-30
Link to Driveline dev study 1
Link to Driveline dev study 2
Link to pitching lab story 1
Link to pitching lab story 2
Link to pitching lab story 3
Link to pitching lab story 4
Link to listener emails database
Link to Rick Wilber’s website
Link to Future Blast wiki
Link to visual acuity research
Link to Sam on Hamilton
Sponsor Us on Patreon
Facebook Group
Twitter Account
EW Subreddit
Effectively Wild Wiki
iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)
Get Our Merch!
Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a Statcast-standout throw by Brenton Doyle, a Statcast-standout homer by Ronald Acuña Jr., and how closely Statcast data matches the eye test in various aspects of performance, the surges or resurgences of Cole Ragans, Blake Snell, and Trea Turner, a Julio Rodríguez fun fact, Royce Lewis’s grand slam streak, David Fry’s ironman position-player-pitching appearance, Kodai Senga’s strong season and Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s free agency, the second arrest (and possible second suspension) of Julio Urías (55:43), updates on Jake Diekman and Kolten Wong (1:06:06), a name for Gunnar Henderson’s non-cycle, the end of a Terrance Gore era, a study on the decreasing durability of pitchers, and more, plus (1:27:05) a Future Blast from 2055.
Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic Version)”
Audio outro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to story on Doyle’s throw
Link to García throw
Link to story on Acuña’s homer
Link to FG post on Ragans
Link to MLB Network video on Ragans
Link to best pitchers since 7/15
Link to Eno on Ragans
Link to best pitchers since 5/25
Link to Joe Sheehan on Snell
Link to highest single-season LOB%
Link to best hitters since 8/5
Link to pitch-type performance since 8/5
Link to BP on Turner’s fan reception
Link to ESPN on Turner’s leave
Link to story on 25-25 Julio
Link to BP on Lewis’s slams
Link to MLB.com on Lewis’s slams
Link to Lewis fun fact 1
Link to Lewis fun fact 2
Link to Lewis fun fact 3
Link to story on Fry’s outing
Link to FG post on the rookie class
Link to rookie pitcher WAR leaders
Link to MLBTR on Urías
Link to story on Wong’s changes
Link to Wong’s Triple-A homer
Link to Wong’s MLB homer
Link to Gore’s EW interview
Link to Rays signing Hamilton
Link to BJOL closing announcement
Link to Bill James pitching study
Link to FG post on Hendricks
Link to Rick Wilber’s website
Link to Future Blast wiki
Sponsor Us on Patreon
Facebook Group
Twitter Account
EW Subreddit
Effectively Wild Wiki
iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)
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Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a new browser game called Homer Hindsight, where all the players placed on waivers ended up, the White Sox promoting Chris Getz and the continued comeback of the ex-player GM, Brandon Lowe’s Yankees trash talk, whether load management has diminished the grind, updates to the strike zone and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s voice and the potential for an ambidextrous superstar who blends the skill sets of Shohei Ohtani and Pat Venditte, then discuss all the implications of the Angels (and a few other teams) placing prominent players on outright waivers right before the deadline for postseason eligibility. After that […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about classifying throws by infielders that are actually made in the outfield, imagine a multi-sport two-way Shohei Ohtani, and belatedly acknowledge Scott Cooper’s singular cycle, discuss Kyle Schwarber’s possible sub-replacement-level 40-homer season, break down the NL MVP race featuring Ronald Acuña Jr., Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman, pat Kyle […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about how late it is in the season and a fan’s exuberant reaction to the only known unassisted outfield triple play in major or minor league history, answer listener emails (15:17) about Shohei Ohtani 2.0 and whether “bulk guys” could stave off extinction for 300-game winners, Stat Blast (38:11) […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley lament and discuss Shohei Ohtani’s UCL injury and its ramifications for the rest of his season, his two-way future, his free agency, the Angels, and the continued happiness of baseball fans and podcast co-hosts, followed by conversations about Stephen Strasburg’s retirement (59:17), Wander Franco’s placement on administrative leave (1:11:30), and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s week away, Julio Rodríguez’s hot streak and the Mariners’ surge, and the White Sox firing Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn, plus a grab bag of topics that caught Ben’s attention while he was in Sweden: the Dodgers signing Kolten Wong; a Cubs adult-diaper ad; an oddly ricocheting […]
Baseball Prospectus’ editor-in-chief Craig Goldstein joins the show to discuss the surging Dodgers (5:26) and what led to their recently concluded win streak, the call-ups of Masyn Winn and Nolan Schanuel (28:07), and the optimal timing of the trade deadline and the draft (44:43), and why Craig doesn’t want to move it back. Plus, Meg […]
With Ben Lindbergh still in Sweden, FanGraphs’ Michael Baumann takes the co-host chair for a spin. He and Meg Rowley begin (2:10) by delighting in a picture of Lance Lynn and Enrique Hernández from Dodgers photo day, then take advantage of Ben’s absence to discuss (7:30) college baseball and how conference realignment might affect the […]
With Ben Lindbergh in Sweden on Ringer business, FanGraphs’ Ben Clemens joins Meg Rowley for a turn in the co-host chair. Ben and Meg begin (1:40) by discussing the disturbing allegations made against Rays shortstop Wander Franco over the weekend. They then banter (5:00) about the experience of watching baseball while on vacation, before turning […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Patreon supporter Samuel Giddins banter about Samuel’s baseball background and history with Effectively Wild, before (9:52) discussing a Juan Soto quote and the type of disappointing team that’s most frustrating. Then (21:35) they answer listener emails about randomizing on-field decisions, the legibility of player autographs, whether teams should employ designated […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether the plight of running backs in the NFL is analogous to any data-driven developments in MLB, the benefits and drawbacks of more or fewer off days during postseason series (and the problem with pluralizing “series”), the White Sox going 0-11 in games when they’ve struck out 14 […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Tim Anderson–José Ramírez fight and White Sox clubhouse culture, John Angelos benching Orioles broadcaster Kevin Brown, the Angels’ post-deadline slump (and the Mariners’ rise), the return of Gary Sánchez‘s power bat, updates on the MLB injury rate, the pitch clock, and the zombie runner, Charlie Culberson’s re-reunion […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Robin Ventura truthers defending Ventura on the 30th anniversary of his brawl with Nolan Ryan, Shohei Ohtani‘s 2023 WAR matching his full-season 2021 WAR and whether this Ohtani season would’ve won him an MVP award in 2022, the Yankees’ handling of Anthony Rizzo’s belatedly diagnosed post-concussion syndrome, whether […]
After the trade-deadline dust settles, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley break down the big deals from deadline eve and deadline day, starting with high-level trade-season takeaways (reunions, top prospects, hitters vs. pitchers, missing star power) and then zooming in on almost every team as they discuss the Justin Verlander trade, the AL West arms race, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Charlie Culberson’s surprising staying power as a barely-playing big leaguer, then break down the first batch of trades preceding the trade deadline, including deals involving Max Scherzer, Jordan Montgomery, Chris Stratton, Jordan Hicks, Nicky Lopez, Randal Grichuk, and C.J. Cron. They also discuss the lack of impact hitters […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a silly kerfuffle involving Miles Mikolas, Willson Contreras, and Ian Happ, Triston Casas’s hot streak and previous unwritten-rules run-in, Bullet Rogan vs. Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge’s return and the Yankees’ underlying issues, the Mets trading David Robertson to the Marlins and the White Sox sending Lance Lynn and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about watching Shohei Ohtani play while they podcast, the Angels’ decision not to trade Ohtani and subsequent trade for Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo López, whether the Cubs should buy or sell, the Guardians’ and Dodgers’ perplexing Amed Rosario-for-Noah Syndergaard swap, the Brewers acquiring Carlos Santana, and Rob Manfred’s extension. […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a J.P. France postgame quote and ballplayer clichés, the death of first overall pick Mike Ivie, and how Masataka Yoshida’s debut season stacks up to the MLB rookie years of other ex-NPB stars, answer emails (36:57) about Mike Trout’s and Shohei Ohtani’s futures, a Trout/Hunter Renfroe trade deadline […]
In a 21-guest salute to Shohei Ohtani trade hypotheticals, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley are joined by a multitude of friends for a role-playing exercise in convincing the Angels to trade Ohtani to the other 20 contending (or quasi-contending) teams. Ben and Meg begin by explaining how it will work, and then the game begins […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s strategies for coping with record heat in Phoenix, revisit an earlier conversation about whether the pitch clock has boosted MLB attendance (and reminisce about when the cause of increased game times was still considered unclear), celebrate their recent wish about camera angles on broadcasts coming true, discuss […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Christian Encarnacion-Strand and whether record compound names deserve an asterisk, the appeal of a Legends Home Run Derby, the origins of (and long-ago backlash to) the trade deadline, the greatness of NPB phenom Roki Sasaki, and the new balance of power among pitch types, then (1:03:41) answer listener […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the 2024 regular-season schedule, the baseball relevance of a study about humans’ hunger for useless information, and the storylines they’re most looking forward to following over the remainder of the season, then (36:00) answer emails about a total solar eclipse during a Guardians game, sliding into a base […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s spectator experience at the All-Star Game, whether it’s good or bad that the MVP was a player as obscure as Elias Díaz, the increase in the number of All-Stars per season, other All-Star highlights and lowlights, complaints about All-Star uniforms, perennial requests for a skills competition, Rob […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s experiences at the Futures Game, the draft, and the Home Run Derby, Derby highlights, the Derby on TV vs. in person, Elly De La Cruz’s mad dash, and the Yankees switching hitting coaches, plus a Future Blast (49:12) from 2031. Then (54:25) Ben talks to FanGraphs lead […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s All-Star Week plans, play “Would you rather?” with the White Sox and Cardinals, the Padres and Mets, Carlos Rodón and Alek Manoah, and the Rangers and Diamondbacks, compare the values of Pablo López and Luis Arraez (26:25), discuss starting pitchers who might be available at the trade […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether Mike Trout‘s injury makes the Angels more likely to trade birthday boy Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ rotation depth without Dustin May and Clayton Kershaw, bad news for Thairo Estrada and oldsters Nelson Cruz and Adam Wainwright (and the Cruz/Joe Ryan trade revisited), James Paxton‘s comeback, Mariners All-Star […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about All-Star-roster minimums and maximums, what the Aroldis Chapman trade tells us about the how teams value prospects, Jake Diekman’s exploits with the Rays, Evan Longoria’s late-career contributions, and the same-named siblings of Carlos Pérez, Carlos Pérez, Wilmer Flores, Wilmer Flores, Wander Franco, Wander Franco, and Wander Franco. Then […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley attempt to create a hierarchy of highlights, then (21:36) mark the midpoint of the regular season by reviewing the most salient storylines of the first half, the teams and players who’ve most underperformed or overperformed their preseason projections, and what they’re most looking forward to in the second half, plus […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Andrew McCutchen’s latest “furries” tweet, the Pirates playing through a high AQI and the need for a safety standard, Domingo Germán’s perfect game and the state of the Yankees, Yandy Díaz turning back into Ground Beef, Shohei Ohtani lapping his league and strangely struggling at the plate with […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the three Taylor Wards, the truth and multiple untruths about Elly De La Cruz’s twin brother, the dominance of 20-year-old Eury Pérez and the Marlins’ usage dilemma, Luis Arraez’s plate predictions, MVP odds, and underestimation as a prospect, the Mets’ struggles and Buck Showalter’s morbid mind, the Orioles’ […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley are joined by FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen and Michael Baumann to banter about the Phillies’ outlier legal name, Dave Martinez and the dying art of the theatrical managerial ejection, the benching of Wander Franco, whether the Diamondbacks’, Reds’, and Orioles’ surprising seasons are attributable to MLB’s new rules, and whether bad […]
Ben Lindbergh addresses an interview upgrade on the preceding episode, chats with FanGraphs’ Dan Szymborski about Luis Arraez’s chances of batting .400, Stat Blasts (22:36) about extremes in team winning and losing streaks, welcomes in David Lewis (28:00) for the final Past Blast, and talks to prolific science fiction (and baseball science fiction) author Rick […]
Ben Lindbergh and Russell Carleton of Baseball Prospectus banter about the return of Joey Votto, the suddenly exciting Cincinnati Reds, the NL Central and NL West races, and more, then (25:52) discuss several of the developments chronicled in Russell’s new book, The New Ballgame: The Not-So-Hidden Forces Shaping Modern Baseball, including the impact of the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Shohei Ohtani’s latest exploits and career-best WAR pace, the Angels’ playoff hopes, Corbin Carroll’s physique, and Mickey Moniak’s fluky-but-fun hot streak, then (20:55) answer listener emails about how big a scandal it would be if Ohtani turned out to be two twins, when managers would choose to take […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley review the most disappointing teams of 2023, ultimately anointing one team as the most disappointing and trying to identify which of the contenders for the “most disappointing” title is most likely to turn things around by the end of the season. Then (32:21) they discuss A’s fans’ reverse boycott, the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Shohei Ohtani leading MLB in WAR and the number of times his hitting has leapfrogged his pitching or vice versa, the EW audience’s verdict on who won the pod’s recent 26-under-25 draft, the suddenly-quite-competitive A’s-Royals race for the worst record in baseball, a painful ending to a college […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Patreon supporter Reggie Deal banter about Reggie’s background as a baseball fan and Effectively Wild listener, his email correspondence with MLB and Rob Manfred, accessibility issues he’s encountered while following baseball as a blind person, and A’s fans’ upcoming “reverse boycott” event, then (22:25) answer listener emails about angry Aaron […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Mets, the Padres, and the AL Central, Jacob deGrom’s UCL, Mike Trout’s slow (by his standards) start, and a Phillies pitch-clock controversy, then (23:32), in honor of Elly De La Cruz, draft the 26 best players under 25 years old (see link below to vote!), followed by […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s voice, the arrival of Elly De La Cruz, the similarities between the up-and-coming Reds and Pirates, whether we need a “super-error,” Aaron Judge’s ball- and wall-smashing abilities, the plights of Alek Manoah and Stephen Strasburg, the wonder of Luis Arraez, whether this year’s trade deadline will be […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s 500th EW episode, the architectural concept of the “Thomasson,” a forthcoming HBO documentary about Barry Bonds, the rebound of Juan Soto, common misconceptions about WAR, the declines of Noah Syndergaard and Kris Bryant, the NL West, MLB broadcasting Padres games, an MLB-MLBPA ad deal, a rules update, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s 500th EW episode, the architectural concept of the “Thomasson,” a forthcoming HBO documentary about Barry Bonds, the rebound of Juan Soto, common misconceptions about WAR, the declines of Noah Syndergaard and Kris Bryant, the NL West, MLB broadcasting Padres games, an MLB-MLBPA ad deal, a rules update, Francisco Álvarez’s defense, the return of Jordan Walker, Shohei Ohtani’s bat grip, a slowdown in injuries, and a D-III team that wins with HBPs, plus a Past Blast from 2014 (1:32:52), player responses to the Dodgers’ Pride Night, and follow-ups.
Audio intro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Thomasson thread
Link to Thomasson wiki
Link to Thomasson at B-Ref Bullpen
Link to Thomasson podcast episode
Link to Bonds doc info
Link to A-Rod doc story
Link to A-Rod gum disease segment
Link to Trout/Griffey FB thread
Link to FG’s WAR explainer
Link to Syndergaard quote
Link to Syndergaard hypnosis story
Link to December Syndergaard story
Link to FG on Syndergaard’s 2022
Link to Rumpelstiltskin wiki
Link to MLBTR on Bryant
Link to Ben C. on MLB/DSG
Link to Sheehan on MLB/DSG
Link to Ginny Searle on MLB/DSG
Link to MLB-MLBPA partnership
Link to more info on partnership
Link to Ben C. on new rules
Link to Sheehan on new rules
Link to Jay on Álvarez
Link to MLBTR on Walker
Link to Ohtani tweet
Link to injuries tweet
Link to Jake on Misericordia
Link to 2014 Past Blast source
Link to other 2014 source
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to story about Pride Night
Link to story about player comments
Link to Buckley column
Link to “allies” lineup
Link to Abreu/Acton tweet
Link to hot mic video
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Pete Alonso‘s, um, emergency swing, the activations (6:25) of four players (Liam Hendriks, Michael Soroka, Paul Blackburn, and Royce Lewis), the small leads in most divisions (12:03) and the leveling out of the league (A’s aside), José Abreu‘s first homer “trot” of the season, and an umpire comment caught on a hot mic. Then (40:15) they answer a listener email about the ball’s liveliness and follow up on a few other email answers, bring on Rob Mains (57:35) of Baseball Prospectus to Stat Blast about the zombie runner’s impact on home field advantage and discuss the origins of the DL’s rechristening to “injured list” (1:18:45), and follow a Past Blast from 2013 (1:27:27) with banter about Andrew McCutchen’s request for a new rule, plus a postscript (1:37:58).
Audio intro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Alonso clip
Link to Meg on Bradley
Link to Meg on Lind
Link to EW on Hernández
Link to Passan on Hendriks
Link to MLBTR on McCullers
Link to Rob Mains on 2022 inequality
Link to Rob Arthur on 2022 balance
Link to story on the Reds
Link to EW Wiki on the Reds
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to preseason predictions pod
Link to Abreu’s “trot”
Link to ump video
Link to ump post
Link to Marte’s homer
Link to HR/Contact graph
Link to ball-drag dashboard
Link to last email show
Link to Lemon on “prime”
Link to listener emails database
Link to Topps Now cards
Link to Rob on HFA
Link to HFA across sports
Link to HFA research
Link to more HFA research
Link to Ben on HFA
Link to Rob on the DL/IL
Link to 2013 Past Blast source
Link to another 2013 source
Link to Grant on catcher collisions
Link to EW Stanky Draft
Link to McCutchen article
Link to positional aging curves
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to 2016 sliding changes
Link to Hendriks gamer
Link to Soroka gamer
Link to Lewis gamer
Link to EW on TV exit speeds
Link to Fatsis on Wambsgans(s)
Link to Sam on Succession
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s prediction concerning the Padres’ and Rangers’ rest-of-season performance with runners in scoring position, then (14:08) answer listener emails about the ultimate Quadruple-A player, leaving runners on base for the opposing team, immaculate-inning edge cases, tanking for Shohei Ohtani, setting up a lifelong Google Alert for a player, the 2020 season’s impact on Hall of Fame cases, and Barry Bonds with an extra-short bat, followed by (1:12:43) Stat Blasts about the frequency of in-game position switches and the most players on a team who had previously played on the same former team, plus (1:40:06) a Past Blast from 2012 and a few follow-ups.
Audio intro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to lowest tOPS+ w/RISP
Link to lowest OPS w/RISP
Link to highest tOPS+ w/RISP
Link to highest OPS w/RISP
Link to OPS w/bases empty
Link to Petriello on the Rangers
Link to Odor HR
Link to preseason predictions pod
Link to latest MiLB FA draft
Link to Gonny Jomes wiki
Link to old EW on immaculate innings
Link to Oviedo’s inning
Link to info on Mavs tanking
Link to article on Wemby tanking
Link to Waddell SABR bio
Link to McLaughlin wiki
Link to McLaughlin feature
Link to Posnanski on DiMaggio
Link to Bois on Bonds
Link to listener emails database
Link to Topps Now cards
Link to Ryan Nelson on Twitter
Link to positional permutations
Link to position-switch sheet
Link to second Stat Blast doc
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to America Magazine article
Link to other Dodgers/SPI links
Link to Calcaterra newsletter
Link to Alonso clip
Link to Sabathia periods source
Link to more on C.C./CC
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the major leagues’ sudden influx of 24-year-old right-handed pitchers with the surname “Miller,” the Rays’ surprisingly precarious position in the AL East (7:48), and the Cubs, the Brewers, and the state of the NL Central (12:45), before focusing their bat-resuscitating powers on Trea Turner (17:22), with almost immediate effect. Then they talk to David Raymond, the original Phillie Phanatic performer, Gritty co-conceiver, frequent team mascot consultant, and founder of the Mascot Boot Camp and Mascot Hall of Fame, about all of their mascot questions, the mascot design process, and what it’s like to be inside a mascot costume, plus updates and a Past Blast from 2011 (1:26:54).
Audio intro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to FG preseason top prospects
Link to The Board
Link to article about Bryce Miller
Link to LPGA naming convention
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to BP on the Rays-Jays blowout
Link to BaseRuns standings
Link to high-leverage pitching splits
Link to FG pitching clutch
Link to pitching LOB%
Link to Turner quote
Link to Meg’s mascot rant
Link to NYTM on Raymond
Link to Gritty on Twitter
Link to info on Slider
Link to Dinger assault story
Link to Dandy wiki
Link to Mascot HoF wiki
Link to Mascot HoF ballot
Link to Raymond Entertainment site
Link to David’s speaking site
Link to David’s book
Link to 2011 Past Blast source
Link to 2012 HS bat change
Link to more info on bat change
Link to latest college HR uptick
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Turner’s homer
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Yordan Alvarez kissing Martín Maldonado, Will Brennan’s birdslaughter (12:33), the Guardians’ slow start (23:12), Madison Bumgarner’s reported reluctance to alter his pitching approach (32:49), Mike Trout passing Ken Griffey Jr. in career Baseball-Reference WAR (45:56), whether the A’s will end up historically bad or rebound to being merely abysmal (1:03:38), the firing of A’s broadcaster Glen Kuiper (1:21:17), and the Dodgers’ Pride Night debacle (1:40:34), plus a Past Blast from 2010 (1:48:05).
Audio intro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Yordan kiss image
Link to Yordan kiss video
Link to Pudge kiss image
Link to Brennan bird video
Link to other Brennan bird clip
Link to Brennan tweet
Link to baby pigeons info
Link to Gomes story
Link to playoff odds changes
Link to Buchanan on Bumgarner
Link to Mason Saunders story
Link to Trout/Griffey thread
Link to B-Ref career WAR leaders
Link to Dan S. on the A’s
Link to Tango on the A’s
Link to Sheehan on the A’s
Link to tremendous content meme
Link to Kuiper firing story
Link to other Kuiper story
Link to 2023 Kuiper clip
Link to 2020 Kuiper clip
Link to first Kuiper apology
Link to Braden explanation
Link to Pride Night story
Link to 2010 Past Blast source
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Mets lasagna story
Link to Brennan’s bird gesture
Link to Brennan press conference
Link to A’s stadium update
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley follow up with additional details about the Cardinals’ cheeseburger phone, banter about the hot hitting of Ronald Acuña Jr. and Aaron Judge, answer listener emails (31:13) about home run rituals and the unwritten rules, a prophylactic procedure to prevent Tommy John surgery, whether a runner could be safe because of his beard, the percentage of players who could be on the same statistical list as a Hall of Famer, whether pitchers fan batters or vice versa, a rapid player promotion, and making fan interference part of the game, react to a Luke Voit “beef” reference, meet Major Leaguers Josh Walker and Garrett Acton (1:13:46), Stat Blast about entire divisions being better than entire other divisions, players batting without a position, and streaks of starting pitchers with the same handedness (1:27:39), plus follow-ups and a Past Blast from 2009 (1:42:22).
Audio intro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Goold on phone details
Link to burger image
Link to burger GIF
Link to home run rituals
Link to Lawless bat flip
Link to “beanball” wiki
Link to FG WAR leaderboard
Link to xWOBA leaderboard
Link to other Ben on Acuña
Link to Sheehan on Acuña/Judge
Link to story about prophylactic TJ
Link to more on TJ
Link to even more on TJ
Link to bearded Napoli slide
Link to Speier tweet
Link to Episode 1426
Link to spirit week explainer
Link to listener emails database
Link to story on Walker
Link to more on Walker
Link to even more on Walker
Link to MLBTR on Walker
Link to Walker interview
Link to Acton debut story
Link to Acton’s first K
Link to BA on Acton
Link to FG on Acton
Link to background on Acton
Link to Ben on pitcher deception
Link to new MLB debuts
Link to Voit video
Link to Topps Now cards
Link to ALE/ALC standings
Link to tweet about “nothings”
Link to SABR on “nothings”
Link to most “nothing” PA
Link to most “nothing” runs created
Link to Russell on SP handedness
Link to 2009 Past Blast source
Link to more on Ripken’s site
Link to even more on the site
Link to video on the site
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to long hair article
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the sesame-seer Cardinals using a cheeseburger phone to predict home buns (er, runs) by hitters who are dialed in, the varying fortunes of three offseason big spenders (the Mets, Padres, and Rangers) and the stakes of their success, Kumar Rocker’s Tommy John surgery, Dustin May’s flexor strain, the proliferation of ranked prospects, Jackson Holliday, the Orioles’ infield future, and what it takes for tanking to be justified, the need for a Lab League to test the pre-tacked ball, José Abreu’s power outage, Zac Gallen’s bird omen, and more, plus a Past Blast (1:38:22) from 2008 and a few follow-ups.
Audio intro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Wainwright interview
Link to burger image
Link to burger GIF
Link to home run rituals
Link to Mets celebration article
Link to Mets comeback homers
Link to Machado injury info
Link to FG post on Heim
Link to Rocker Pipeline thread
Link to SAL leaderboard
Link to article on pre-tacked ball
Link to Bird Bath Splash Zone info
Link to Gallen bird video
Link to asterisk-ball display
Link to 2008 Past Blast source
Link to MLB replay wiki
Link to article on David’s catch
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to competitions/drafts sheet
Link to Episode 201 draft
Link to Modesto game box score
Link to Modesto game thread
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Shohei Ohtani’s near-cycle and newly hot hitting on days when he’s pitched, the Cardinals reinstating Willson Contreras at catcher (and Zac Gallen’s comments on the Cardinals Way), the Sean Murphy/William Contreras/Esteury Ruiz trade revisited, post-peak Christian Yelich and the breakout of Brent Rooker, the dominant Rays’ possible vulnerability, Aaron Judge peeking while at the plate, the verdict on the shift restrictions so far, the confounding seasons of the Red Sox, Cubs, and Padres, MLB app notifications about old games, mini-reviews of two new documentaries about Yankees icons, and more, plus a Past Blast (1:26:36) from 2007 and follow-ups.
Audio intro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Ohtani quotes
Link to Ohtani homer
Link to Ohtani’s yearly splits
Link to Ohtani’s career splits
Link to Ohtani Stat Blast
Link to post on Chisholm’s defense
Link to news on Chisholm’s injury
Link to Marmol’s Contreras quote
Link to Post-Dispatch on Contreras
Link to The Athletic on Contreras
Link to Nightengale on Contreras
Link to Woodward on Contreras
Link to Gallen comments
Link to FG on William Contreras
Link to Rooker story
Link to Rooker interview
Link to Jay on the Rays
Link to Judge story
Link to Judge video
Link to Tango on the shift
Link to Ben on the Red Sox
Link to BaseRuns standings
Link to story about Pint promotion
Link to Reggie
Link to It Ain’t Over
Link to 2015 greatest players
Link to Crane lawsuits info
Link to Mays doc episode
Link to 2007 Past Blast source
Link to article about 756 sale
Link to asterisk info
Link to article about 762 ball
Link to Hample incident info
Link to Hample banning tweet
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Jays-Yanks story
Link to Rosenthal on tipping
Link to Casas clip
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Akil Baddoo taking a baseball to the beans, broadcasters describing groin shots, and players deciding whether to wear cups. Then they compare a resurgent Joey Gallo and a slumping Andrew Benintendi (20:25), recall reliever Zack Littell’s affinity for cruise ships (33:22), forecast MLB’s international future (37:22), consider the Dodgers’ secret Ugandan academy (47:06), discuss an update on MLB’s integration of Negro Leagues stats (1:13:40), and assess their levels of anxiety about game-fixing in light of two college gambling scandals (1:30:21), plus a Past Blast (1:42:35) from 2006.
Audio intro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Baddoo play
Link to first cup tweet
Link to second cup tweet
Link to MLB nutshots compilation
Link to another nutshots video
Link to swinging nutshot video
Link to Ben Clemens on Gallo
Link to Ben L. on Gallo in 2014
Link to Gallo’s juggle catch
Link to Gallo on New York
Link to Gallo on New York again
Link to Littell article
Link to old Littell EW episode
Link to MLB international plans
Link to South Korea game info
Link to Uganda academy article
Link to info on Dodgers’ DR academy
Link to info on academies’ impact
Link to prospect exploitation report
Link to Horace Wilson article
Link to article on Negro Leagues stats
Link to Ben on MLB’s reclassification
Link to Ben on reclassification again
Link to Baumann on the Ala. scandal
Link to Sheehan on the Ala. scandal
Link to Iowa scandal story
Link to Iowa State info
Link to 2006 Past Blast source
Link to 2022 article on Jones
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Rasmussen info
Link to 2022 Megill story
Link to 2023 Megill story
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s recovery from COVID and the belated release of the CBA, predict how well White Sox cast-off Jake Diekman will pitch for the Rays, discuss injuries to Luis Garcia, Max Fried, Tyler Mahle, and more pitchers and investigate forearm/flexor strains as potential precursors to Tommy John surgery, react to Jack Flaherty’s comments about his diminished velocity, assess the state of the Astros’, Mets’, and Braves’ rotations, celebrate the call-up of Marlins prospect Eury Pérez and speculate about the call-up of hard-hitting Reds prospect Elly De La Cruz, laud the new, old Kenley Jansen, review what the “insiders” say about Shohei Ohtani’s upcoming contract, evaluate the needs of the Orioles and Mariners, and more, plus a Past Blast (1:42:35) from 2005.
Audio intro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to CBA
Link to Diekman news
Link to Sam’s Rays tweet
Link to Conte EW episode
Link to forearm strain study
Link to SI on velo and injuries
Link to Dan S. on Atlanta injuries
Link to Fried forearm strain
Link to Márquez forearm strain
Link to Mahle forearm strain
Link to Senzatela forearm strain
Link to Miller forearm strain
Link to Flaherty quote
Link to Dan on Flaherty
Link to more Dan on Flaherty
Link to Tango on Flaherty
Link to Flaherty’s max velos
Link to velo change study
Link to study on velo and injury
Link to more on velo and injury
Link to Ben on pitcher restrictions
Link to Sheehan on the Mets
Link to team pitching age
Link to Pérez call-up info
Link to FG post on Yandy
Link to Pérez call-up tweet
Link to De La Cruz hit speeds
Link to cat chonker chart
Link to Miley’s Kershaw quote
Link to Petriello on Jansen
Link to reliever JAWS
Link to ESPN on Ohtani
Link to BP on the Mariners
Link to MLBTR on the Mariners
Link to O’s offseason review
Link to Adley extension post
Link to team payrolls
Link to 2005 Past Blast source
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Sam’s bat article
Link to M’s bat video
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Ben Lindbergh talks to Will Leitch about the Cardinals’ horrendous start, their baffling decision to bar big free-agent addition Willson Contreras from catching, how Yadier Molina’s legacy looms over the franchise, how Oli Marmol and John Mozeliak have handled the team’s struggles, how the rest of the season might go, and more, along with the Effectively Wild connection in Will’s new novel, The Time Has Come. Then (54:51) Ben talks to David Hrusovsky about wearing a SpongeBob costume to Guardians games and David’s ongoing effort to map every high school baseball field in the country and document the weirdest ones. After that (1:19:58), Ben brings on frequent Stat Blast consultant Ryan Nelson to deliver several Stat Blasts, followed by (1:51:35) a Past Blast from 2004 and a few follow-ups.
Audio intro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Katie Woo on Contreras
Link to Katie on Contreras again
Link to Rosenthal on Contreras
Link to playoff odds changes
Link to Marmol-Bucknor feud
Link to Marmol on Contreras
Link to Marmol on booing
Link to more Marmol on booing
Link to Posnanski on Marmol
Link to Jay Jaffe on the Cardinals
Link to Will’s Cardinals podcast
Link to Will’s newsletter
Link to The Time Has Come
Link to EW wiki on weird fields
Link to David/SpongeBob video
Link to David/SpongeBob article
Link to Gonzalez/SpongeBob article
Link to David’s HS fields site
Link to weird field % by state
Link to Uni Watch on David
Link to MLB field sizes
Link to ballpark homogenization info
Link to Topps NOW cards
Link to Ryan’s first EW episode
Link to EW guest data
Link to Stat Blast results/data
Link to Santander Reddit thread
Link to Russell on fouls
Link to 2004 Past Blast source
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Royals Pasquatch ad
Link to Pasquatch footage
Link to MLBTR on Greiner
Link to tall-catchers EW episode
Link to Anton’s MLB birthday data
Link to relative age effect wiki
Link to article on MLB RAE
Link to Shane on M’s broadcast
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about more examples of players whose names describe what they do (like Colin Holderman), the return of Justin Verlander, Juan Soto’s overdue hot streak, Keynan Middleton calling out Carlos Correa, the difference between Craig Kimbrel’s leverage and results, and how success lowers the boo threshold, then (16:22) react to excerpts from Ben’s conversation with an MLB exec about rules changes and strikeouts. After that (37:38), they bring on top-tier Patreon supporter Mack Mashburn to discuss his background as a podcaster listener and baseball fan and answer listener emails about the pitch clock and suspense, the next step for home run celebrations, narrowing fair territory at high elevations, the competitive advantage of cloud seeding, whether relievers all long to be starters, whether Baseball Zen isn’t zen enough, MLB Gameday’s recent redesign, why lefties tend to throw slower than righties, the causes of increasing injury rates, the effects of improved pitching machines, a wizard who makes players shorter every time they get hits or strikeouts, and Aristides Aquino’s DRS, plus a Past Blast from 2003 (1:58:40) and follow-ups (2:01:56).
Audio intro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Holderman immaculate inning
Link to Wynn headline 1
Link to Wynn headline 2
Link to Wynn headline 3
Link to Webb comments
Link to Verlander gamer
Link to Middleton comments
Link to low-WPA relievers
Link to high-leverage relievers
Link to Muncy walk-off
Link to Cardinals booing
Link to baseball drag measurements
Link to Sam on the pitch clock
Link to Sheehan on the pitch clock
Link to Emma on HR celebrations
Link to info on NPB HR celebrations
Link to Grant on “beast mode”
Link to Franco’s ball toss
Link to Sam on unwritten rules
Link to foul lines article
Link to more foul lines info
Link to foul lines column
Link to foul lines verdict
Link to Tal’s Hill story
Link to cloud seeding wiki
Link to McClellan EW interview
Link to “failed starters” Stat Blast
Link to Baumann on Fulmer
Link to Baseball Zen videos
Link to Baseball Zen article
Link to Gameday redesign info
Link to Ben on lefty velo
Link to FG on lefty velo
Link to average LHP velo
Link to average RHP velo
Link to Ben on pitching machines
Link to leg-lengthening story
Link to more on leg lengthening
Link to listener emails database
Link to It’s Christmastown
Link to 2022 RF DRS leaders
Link to Aquino catch 1
Link to Aquino catch 2
Link to Aquino catch 3
Link to Aquino catch 4
Link to 2003 Past Blast source
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Peacock broadcast info
Link to pitch counts Stat Blast
Link to Turner’s quote
Link to Speier tweet
Link to Zimmer’s velo column
Link to Rickey’s ’51 Williams report
Link to 1886 “velo” use
Link to ESPN on Alabama betting
Link to The Athletic on Alabama betting
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about players being paid for on-field, in-game interviews, pitcher injuries and pitcher call-ups, how low Oakland’s attendance could go (and whether the team might bungle its move to Las Vegas), the NL West race, the AL East’s strength compared to the AL Central’s, which team invented the in-dugout home run ritual, whether the Angels should sign Gary Sánchez, Bryce Harper’s return, the Marlins’ record in one-run games, Colin Holderman and nominative determinism, and more, plus a Past Blast (1:18:13) from 2002.
Audio intro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to report about player payments
Link to Emma on in-game interviews
Link to Ben on in-game interviews
Link to article on Rockies trying
Link to FG’s prospect rankings
Link to Millers game
Link to lowest 2023 attendance
Link to lowest 2022 attendance
Link to lowest 1990-2019 attendance
Link to ’97 White Sox game story
Link to Passan’s A’s tweet
Link to 2014 Dodgers bubbles story
Link to 2013 A’s tunnel story
Link to 2023 HR celebrations
Link to Twins HR celebration
Link to Sam on WS dogpiles
Link to Sam on walk-off celebrations
Link to Mariners trident story
Link to article on AL East strength
Link to depth charts standings
Link to playoff odds
Link to Jay Jaffe on the Yankees
Link to Yankees IL tweet
Link to combined WAR leaderboard
Link to MLBTR on Sánchez
Link to catcher depth charts
Link to Sánchez’s Savant page
Link to article on Sánchez’s defense
Link to Angels coaches tweet
Link to Ben C. on Harper
Link to BaseRuns records
Link to Holderman’s game log
Link to 2002 Past Blast source
Link to 2002 source, cont’d.
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the podcast’s naming conventions, the EW reverse jinx boosting Byron Buxton, the stress of observing Jacob deGrom’s high-wire act, Drew Maggi’s first major league hit (off of Hobie Harris!), high-scoring, high-altitude baseball in Mexico City, MLB editing (and later restoring) an A’s highlight, White Sox fan unrest, Jazz Chisholm Jr. being mic’d up on a broadcast while batting, the standouts toward the top of the combined WAR leaderboard one month into the season, and more, then (1:12:00) Stat Blast about the lowest-career-WAR players ever to lead a team in WAR in one season, the most players ever used in one game at each position, and how the pitch clock has made games not only much shorter, but also much less variable in duration, plus (1:41:32) a Past Blast from 2001 and a few follow-ups and closing thoughts (1:43:39).
Audio intro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to deGrom injury info
Link to Ben Clemens on deGrom
Link to Maggi hits video
Link to article on Maggi being optioned
Link to Ben on baseball in Mexico City
Link to Mexico City game stats
Link to Susan’s humidor tweet
Link to Susan’s Mexico City gamer
Link to Susan’s Game 2 gamer
Link to tweet about A’s highlight
Link to Ben on in-game interviews
Link to mic’d up Maldonado
Link to White Sox fan rant
Link to James Fegan on Sox fans
Link to James on the Roberts benching
Link to Jay on the White Sox
Link to combined WAR leaderboard
Link to article on Chapman’s defense
Link to FG post on Cole
Link to Topps NOW cards
Link to Episode 1952 Stat Blast
Link to worst WAR leaders
Link to most players at position links
Link to Ben on the Waxahachie Swap
Link to all-position players
Link to April 25 games
Link to 1969 time-of-game article
Link to 2001 Past Blast source
Link to contraction plan details
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Twins HR celebration
Link to Sam on WS dogpiles
Link to Sam on walk-off celebrations
Link to 2019 Nats celebrations
Link to 2019 Nats article
Link to 2023 HR celebrations
Link to White Sox walk-off gamer
Link to Passan division tweets
Link to A’s walk-off gamer
Link to A’s winless SP record
Link to Ohtani homer
Link to Cruz triple
Link to CBA/start times thread
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In the fourth incarnation of a time-honored tradition that recurs every 500-ish episodes, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley are joined by former co-hosts Sam Miller and Jeff Sullivan, and The Athletic’s Grant Brisbee, to draft assorted things that they like about baseball, followed (1:37:06) by a Past Blast from 2000.
Audio intro: Benny and the Jeffs, “Effectively Wild”
Audio outro: Sam Miller, “Effectively Wild Theme (Ken Maeda’s Nice ‘n’ Easy Remix)”
Link to Episode 500
Link to Episode 996
Link to Episode 1500
Link to Barmes injury article
Link to silly injuries
Link to more silly injuries
Link to even more silly injuries
Link to still more silly injuries
Link to silly injuries again
Link to article on Hill’s dream
Link to Torkelson injury
Link to Sam on “around the horn”
Link to NYT on Mets broadcasts
Link to pitch-clock countdown
Link to SNY “ghost runner”
Link to Grant’s Wills card
Link to minor league team naming
Link to the Murphy card
Link to Grant on the Ripken card
Link to Grant on time between pitches
Link to Conlan’s SABR bio
Link to Sam on the strike zone
Link to no-umps spring game
Link to Giannis video
Link to collected King articles
Link to 1999 Past Blast source
Link to more on the baseball testing
Link to Ben on the Steroid Era
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Drew Maggi’s major league debut and whether there should be a way for other journeyman minor leaguers to make the majors more easily, the story of short-lived Mariners mascot Spacey the Space Needle, the causes of a dramatic uptick in occurrences of catcher’s interference, Shohei Ohtani’s anti-pitch-tipping prowess, Jordan Walker’s demotion to the minors, the slow starts of the Cardinals and White Sox, and more, plus (1:17:03) a Past Blast from 1999 and a question about celebrities on major league rosters.
Audio intro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to video of Maggi’s debut
Link to article about Maggi’s debut
Link to Reddit post about Spacey
Link to 1990 Spacey article
Link to other 1990 Spacey article
Link to 1999 Spacey article
Link to video of stilts pitching
Link to video of stilts hitting
Link to Ben on pitcher roster limits
Link to Jay Jaffe on Ray
Link to interference spreadsheet
Link to CI at B-Ref
Link to CI rule info
Link to Jeff on CI in 2017
Link to Jeff on Ellsbury
Link to Emma on Senzel
Link to reach-on-error article
Link to Ben on one-knee framing
Link to knee-down catching info
Link to Grandal on CI
Link to Grandal on CI again
Link to Jake & Jordan on CI
Link to 2022 2-CI inning
Link to 2023 2-CI inning
Link to pitch-tipping post
Link to Suarez tweet
Link to other Suarez tweet
Link to 2019 Suarez article
Link to Walker pitch types
Link to article on Walker demotion
Link to other Walker article
Link to FG on the Cardinals OF
Link to playoff odds changes
Link to 1998 Past Blast source
Link to Past Blast source, cont’d.
Link to AP piece on Brooks
Link to B-Ref Bullpen on Brooks
Link to Sam on baseball embarassment
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a good time to be a Pirates fan, whether the red-hot Rays or the ice-cold A’s will regress more toward the mean over the rest of the season, Rob Manfred’s comments about A’s fans, Logan O’Hoppe’s injury and Brandon Marsh’s hot streak, whether Bryce Harper has Wolverine’s healing factor, a Byron Buxton catch-22, the Twins’ lack of stolen bases, rosin’s real effects, the early-season injury rate, and more. Then (1:00:20) they Stat Blast about the one pitcher who won’t let the pitch clock rush him, Mookie Betts and the latest-career starting-shortstop debuts, and MLB trends in paternity leave, plus (1:37:41) the surprising origin of “velocity” as an alternative term for “speed” in baseball, a Past Blast (1:45:22) from 1998, and a few follow-ups (1:48:42).
Audio intro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLBTR on Reynolds
Link to MLBTR on Shelton
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to MLBTR on Maggi
Link to CNN on Maggi
Link to old EW episode on Maggi
Link to Maggi video
Link to worst season-starting run diff
Link to worst 23-game run diff
Link to best season-starting run diff
Link to best 23-game run diff
Link to Manfred on the A’s
Link to A’s attendance by year
Link to 1991 A’s payroll
Link to story on Lacob and the A’s
Link to Joe Pompliano on the A’s
Link to Sam Blum on O’Hoppe
Link to Jay Jaffe on O’Hoppe
Link to FG catcher depth charts
Link to story on Harper’s return
Link to Wolverine origin story
Link to Twins Daily on Buxton
Link to Buxton on DHing
Link to Buxton collision
Link to Birnbaum on the DH penalty
Link to Russell on the DH penalty
Link to BP on Rockies/Twins SB
Link to Gleeman on the Twins’ running
Link to MLBTR on pre-tacked balls
Link to Southern League pitcher tweet
Link to Laurila tweet
Link to rosin wars info
Link to Pages From Baseball’s Past
Link to Rob on rosin and spin
Link to Ben on sticky-stuff effects
Link to BP on early injuries
Link to Passan on early injuries
Link to new Topps NOW cards
Link to Topps NOW archive
Link to Isaac’s GitHub
Link to Gus’s GitHub
Link to 36-game sequences
Link to list of longest streaks
Link to Ryan Nelson on Twitter
Link to pitch tempo leaderboard
Link to pitch tempo spreadsheet
Link to Pivetta on the clock
Link to FG violations leaderboard
Link to FG post on Mookie
Link to story on Mookie’s SS debut
Link to Mookie’s SS dream
Link to most G before first SS start
Link to list without DH/PH/PR
Link to Kenny Jackelen on Twitter
Link to 1982 Evans article
Link to story on Martin’s debut
Link to paternity-leave data
Link to Murphy/Esiason story
Link to 2011 Lewis story
Link to 2011 paternity-leave story
Link to Jaffe on Muncy mashing
Link to 2019 article on paternity leave
Link to 2011 paternity-leave story
Link to 2022 paternity-leave story
Link to another paternity-leave story
Link to Carey Price on paternity leave
Link to speed vs. velocity
Link to speed vs. velocity sources
Link to 1998 Past Blast source
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Buxton/Twins win
Link to Reds mascots page
Link to “Honey Bun” lyrics
Link to Craig Edwards on relievers
Link to Ben Clemens on relievers
Link to dilly dally/lollygag
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the podcast’s semi-official new nickname for Yandy Díaz, what Mookie Betts playing shortstop says about the Dodgers, and Andrew McCutchen’s hot start, then (15:29) answer emails about the Reds’ many mascots, why we stop at “Quadruple-A,” how good today’s 26th men would be if they traveled back in time, sticky stuff on a tacky ball, and whether MLB would ever privatize publicly accessible Statcast data, followed (47:48) by a Stat Blast about Ross Stripling and the ultimate swingmen, the longest identical sequences of team wins and losses, and whether working the count to get pitchers out of games is still all it’s cracked up to be, plus a recap (1:23:03) of the first time the A’s played MLB games in Las Vegas and a Past Blast (1:30:27) from 1997.
Audio intro: Benny and the Jeffs, “Effectively Wild”
Audio outro: Jacket Thor, “My Patron Saint”
Link to FG post on Mookie
Link to Mookie’s play at short
Link to Eric Stephen on Mookie
Link to Smyly/Gomes play
Link to MLB mascots wiki
Link to Reds mascots page
Link to Ben on Triple-A strength
Link to Clay D. on league strength
Link to Ben on caliber of play
Link to MLBTR on pre-tacked balls
Link to Topps NOW cards
Link to Seinfeld clip
Link to Stripling on EW
Link to MLBTR on Stripling
Link to Slusser tweet about Stripling
Link to swingmen GS/GR ratio
Link to Ryan Nelson on Twitter
Link to travelling salesman problem
Link to Graham’s tweet
Link to Turner’s quotes
Link to Tango on 3-2 counts
Link to WP when SP doesn’t go 5
Link to 2018 opener article
Link to 1996 articles on A’s in Vegas
Link to Cashman Field wiki
Link to 1997 Past Blast source
Link to NYT on radical realignment
Link to Tribune on radical realignment
Link to Grant on radical realignment
Link to B-Ref on radical realignment
Link to Hendriks announcement
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the continued Yandy Díaz breakout and listeners’ suggestions for his new beef-related nickname, the greatness of post-peak Clayton Kershaw and the end of Diamondbacks Madison Bumgarner, the Oakland A’s (almost) officially leaving for Las Vegas, a Scott Boras metaphor about Juan Soto, Max Scherzer’s sticky suspension, the return of Fernando Tatis Jr., Rob Manfred’s comments about contract-length limitations, the Marlins walking back a Bartman promotion, the existence of Hoby Milner, the usage of batted-ball exit speeds on broadcasts, and the many twists and turns of the Jarred Kelenic, Edwin Díaz, and Robinson Canó trade, plus a Past Blast (1:24:00) from 1996.
Audio intro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ivan Julian, “Sticky”
Link to 2017 Kershaw article
Link to Ben on Kershaw in 2018
Link to Baumann on Kershaw
Link to Baumann on the Trash Pandas
Link to Soviet poster
Link to Ben on Kershaw in 2019
Link to Kershaw K streak
Link to MLBTR on Bumgarner
Link to Bumgarner-Contreras video
Link to MLBTR on the A’s
Link to Las Vegas report
Link to Boras baking metaphor
Link to Boras/Cuzzi comments
Link to suspension explanation
Link to Scherzer video
Link to Manfred’s contract comments
Link to Bartman promo story
Link to Bartman’s 2016 comments
Link to Escobar/Fogo story
Link to Jeff on the Kelenic trade
Link to 1996 Past Blast source
Link to 1996 NYT source
Link to FG on the zone and pace
Link to Jon Roegele on the zone
Link to Ben on the zone and Ks
Link to Dune kid clip
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Atlantic League experiments
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether a remedy for former Yankees slugger Moose Skowron might help current Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton, Cody Bellinger’s rebound and ovation violation, Domingo Germán’s sticky start, Juan Soto’s pitch-clock problem, Bryce Harper, hitting machines, and the future of minor-league rehab stints, whether Yandy Díaz’s “Ground Beef” nickname no longer applies, the reduced drag of the baseball and the overall offensive environment this season, the Atlantic League’s new experimental rules, the rules about rundowns on third pickoff attempts, a few injuries, extensions, and call-ups, the Marlins’ mediocrity despite their trades for top pitchers, Anthony Bass’s viral popcorn complaint, and more. Then (1:29:19) they do a Meet a Major Leaguer segment on Hobie Harris and Hogan Harris, check in on the Sean Murphy/Esteury Ruiz/William Contreras trade, and close with a Past Blast (1:50:06) from 1995 and a few follow-ups.
Audio intro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Monk Turner, “Beef Release”
Link to article on Skowron
Link to Stanton’s yoga videos
Link to article on Skowron’s swimming
Link to more on Skowron’s swimming
Link to FG post on Stanton
Link to research on static stretching
Link to EW Bellinger roundtable
Link to Voros’s Law
Link to Bellinger ovation
Link to Germán article
Link to Beck tweet about Germán
Link to Beck EW episode
Link to Soto pitch-clock tweet
Link to article on Harper’s rehab
Link to Ben on pitching machines
Link to Emma on rehab unis
Link to BP on Díaz
Link to Rob on baseball drag
Link to Baseball Savant drag values
Link to 2023 MiLB experiments
Link to Atlantic League experiments
Link to info on courtesy runners
Link to article on double-hook DH
Link to Ben on pitcher limits
Link to Harrison’s pickle expertise
Link to Sam Blum on Neto
Link to article on Arraez and López
Link to Baumann on Arraez
Link to FG post on López extension
Link to FG post on Webb extension
Link to FG post on Woodruff injury
Link to Sam Blum on Neto
Link to Bass tweet
Link to Bois on the Bass tweet
Link to article about Bass tweet
Link to Meet a Major Leaguer wiki
Link to B-Ref new debuts page
Link to Emma’s Battenfield tweet
Link to article on Hobie’s name
Link to Landrith obit
Link to Harris scouting report
Link to Mets-A’s box score
Link to Mets-A’s gamer
Link to possum story
Link to worst debut ERAs
Link to worst team ERA starts
Link to FG post on A’s pitching
Link to framing leaderboard
Link to Contreras defense article
Link to more on Contreras
Link to article on Brewers framing
Link to 1995 Past Blast source
Link to 1995 Past Blast source, cont’d.
Link to pensions article
Link to more info on pensions
Link to 2020 pensions column
Link to Teasley episode wiki
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to new Correa quote
Link to “Dior store” quote
Link to Wade/Ward wiki
Link to Sam’s 512 intro
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about an NPB matchup between Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, those aces’ current talent levels and MLB futures, how velocity has climbed in NPB compared to MLB, and how stealing bases seems to be the one thing Shohei Ohtani (and, for that matter, Mike Trout) can’t do. Then (18:52) they follow up on earlier conversations about Cast Away, playing baseball on top of a tall building, and a pitcher who throws an unhittable pitch, discuss partial runs (26:53), a strange MLB survey question (37:10), whether Rob Manfred is suddenly based (44:34), Jim Bowden’s pro-ownership stance (55:17), and why teams aren’t stealing third base more often (1:06:45), followed by Stat Blasts (1:12:43) about the most first major league hits in one game, teams with the most players who had career years, the biggest years for prominent retirements at each position, and mascot clothing, plus a reaction to an assault on Rockies mascot Dinger (1:42:04), a Past Blast (1:48:04) from 1993, concerns about ESPN micing up Martín Maldonado during a game (1:50:28), and a few follow-ups (1:54:47).
Audio intro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Kelley Stoltz, “Memory Collector”
Link to Yamamoto/Sasaki story
Link to Yamamoto/Sasaki lines
Link to Yamamoto/Sasaki highlights
Link to DeltaGraphs NPB data
Link to 0 SB players
Link to Sam Blum on Angels steals
Link to Sam Miller on Trout steals
Link to Ohtani “by the way” line
Link to Burj al-Arab tennis
Link to Tom Cruise climbing scene
Link to MLB survey screenshot
Link to Manfred on blackouts
Link to Bowden on opt-outs
Link to 2023 basestealing stats
Link to Petriello on basestealing
Link to Rob Mains on going for 3rd
Link to Topps NOW cards
Link to info on Julien debut
Link to 1938 Feller game
Link to 1938 debuts game
Link to 1947 debuts game
Link to first-hits data
Link to best-seasons data
Link to best-seasons summary
Link to player-retirements data
Link to mascots survey
Link to Dinger attack video
Link to article on wanted man
Link to Charmin’ bear ad
Link to Ben’s bidet article
Link to Abbott Elementary reference
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
Link to EW emails database
Link to Maldonado news
Link to Ben on in-game interviews
Link to Manoah video
Link to Cortes/Trevino video
Link to 1994 Past Blast source
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Dinger arrest news
Link to Dinger summons
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the hot start by Jarred Kelenic and when to believe in a breakout, Jo Adell and the mystery of quadruple-A players, the odds of no Marlin hitting for the cycle until Luis Arraez did it this week, the Rays’ record-tying 13th straight win, new reports about new rules, and more. Then (51:12) they answer listener emails about the best urban, non-ballpark setting for baseball, the MLB player they would most want to be stranded with on a desert island (with a digression on Matt Strahm and ballpark beer sales), a pitcher with one unhittable pitch per game, and a black-box outfield, plus a Past Blast (1:26:19) from 1993.
Audio intro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Chicano Batman, “Cycles of Existential Rhyme”
Link to Kelenic homer
Link to Passan tweet
Link to article on Kelenic’s swing
Link to Verducci on Kelenic
Link to article on Adell
Link to Arraez cycle video
Link to cycles since 1993
Link to team cycles since ’93
Link to one-team cycle odds
Link to league-wide cycle odds
Link to Rays streak stats
Link to Springs injury story
Link to Rays rally
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to Baumann on Lodolo
Link to FG violations report
Link to new B-Ref rules report
Link to aircraft-carrier diagram
Link to aircraft-carrier derbies
Link to Mikolas lizard story
Link to AP story on beer sales
Link to Astros beer news
Link to Strahm comments
Link to Manfred on concessions
Link to BA on concessions
Link to Crain’s on concessions
Link to Strahm’s YouTube channel
Link to EW emails database
Link to 1993 Past Blast source
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a wave of injuries around MLB, affecting Oneil Cruz, Adam Duvall, Ian Anderson, and several other players, the Rays’ undefeated start, the hot starts of James Outman, Miguel Vargas, and Jason Heyward, the sensual stance of J.D. Davis, silly team celebrations, the Rocket City Trash Pandas’ no-hit loss, a downturn in pitch spin, the lack of a downturn in position player pitching, pickoff attempts and game theory, running out the clock on an intentional walk, whether the clock could change perceptions of MLB’s competence, the clock and concessions, a Royals OF shift, a ball-kid collision, a Ronald Acuña Jr. base grab, and more, plus a Past Blast (1:31:32) from 1992.
Audio intro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Fujiya & Miyagi, “Ankle Injuries/Electro Karaoke”
Link to Dan S. on Cruz
Link to video of Cruz slide
Link to story on Kelly
Link to Jay Jaffe on Duvall
Link to MLBTR on Anderson
Link to 2022 25 under 25
Link to Jay on the Rays
Link to Stathead on 10-0 starts
Link to Joe Sheehan on the Rays
Link to record career-starting hit streak
Link to Jay on L.A.’s outfield
Link to info on Heyward
Link to Davis thrust
Link to Angels homer helmet
Link to cheesehead celebration
Link to dong bong
Link to Baumann on the Trash Pandas
Link to Trash Pandas montage
Link to Grant on the Hawkins game
Link to Joe on position player pitching
Link to article on Eaton
Link to Ben on active pitcher limits
Link to Rob Arthur on spin
Link to Tango on pickoffs
Link to Rob Mains on stolen bases
Link to Chen’s pickoff attempts
Link to Manfred on concessions
Link to BA on concessions
Link to Crain’s on concessions
Link to Manfred on concessions
Link to article on concessions cutoffs
Link to Silver/Manfred on pace
Link to Sam on spectator attention
Link to Andrus shift violation
Link to Royals OF alignment
Link to Tango on the Royals’ results
Link to Tango on two-man outfields
Link to Ben C. on the Royals’ shift
Link to Chen’s pickoff attempts
Link to ball-kid collision
Link to ball-kid pace info
Link to Acuña base article
Link to breakaway bases
Link to bat-carrying article
Link to 1992 Past Blast source
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to AP on warming study
Link to 2012 McCarver comments
Link to 2012 Nathan analysis
Link to 11-game record run differential
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a Star Wars emergency and (5:17) an nVenue Apple odds update, then (8:57) answer listener emails about how good a team has to be to convince people that it’s cheating, a hypothetical Mike Trout ultimatum about Shohei Ohtani, whether MLB would ban a real-life Sidd Finch, whether not having to bat makes pitchers more likely to hit batters, which teams will have the most and fewest pitch-clock violations, clock-defeating schemes using baseballs and beach balls, the speediest strikeout, and mascot polling, followed by Stat Blasts (1:23:57) about the biggest velo differences in a game and on back-to-back pitches, the longest streaks of pitching appearances with a decision, the hardest-hit liners caught in the infield, and the latest in a season a division has gone without any team falling out of first for good, and a Past Blast (1:38:00) from 1991.
Audio intro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Daniel Chin on Star Wars
Link to nVenue episode
Link to NBA Launchpad info
Link to more Launchpad info
Link to Jeff on baseball LeBron
Link to Rob Mains on hitting batters
Link to Machado ejection
Link to Anderson ejection
Link to Ohtani violations
Link to Rob on age and pace
Link to pitch tempo page
Link to Pitching Ninja video
Link to 2023 velo uptick
Link to mascot poll
Link to Mariner Moose info
Link to Slider info
Link to listener emails database
Link to Stat Blasts page
Link to MPH differences sheet
Link to decision-streak queries
Link to Pederson liner
Link to hardest-hit liner
Link to Acuña liner
Link to hardest-hit-liner leaders
Link to corner liner leaders
Link to simple division analysis
Link to complex division analysis
Link to 2006 NL West graph
Link to 1991 Past Blast source
Link to 1992 article
Link to 1992 article continued
Link to 2014 article
Link to Hall obit
Link to bases website
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether Ben should apply for a full-time job covering Shohei Ohtani, MLB seeking a pitch-clock sponsor, the brilliance of Sandy Alcantara, clock violations leading to ejections, post-Opening Day call-ups for top prospects (most notably Grayson Rodriguez), Alcantara compared to Jacob deGrom, the feud between Tyler O’Neill and Oli Marmol, whether teams in last place will stay there, early playoff odds changes, neither overreacting nor underreacting to early-season stats, and more, plus a Past Blast (1:18:31) from 1990.
Audio intro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: SAVAK, “Reaction”
Link to Ohtani job listing
Link to clock-sponsor story
Link to Ben on pitch-clock history
Link to Ben on Alcantara
Link to Machado ejection
Link to Anderson ejection
Link to Ohtani violations
Link to Ohtani and Hoberg
Link to Elias on Rodriguez
Link to Rodriguez debut video
Link to story on O’Neill and Marmol
Link to tweet about Bader/Marmol
Link to Ben C. on Ohtani’s stuff
Link to playoff odds changes
Link to Joe Sheehan on stats so far
Link to quotes about ball
Link to study on spring training stats
Link to Rob Arthur on batted balls
Link to James on signature significance
Link to “whelmed” quote
Link to 1990 Past Blast source
Link to 1989 Hadley paper
Link to Sale scissors story
Link to Turn Ahead the Clock
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to drag dashboard
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Ben Lindbergh and Noah Woodward of the newsletter The Advance Scout discuss Noah’s front-office career, the impact of the MLB rules changes on pace/time of game, the running game, and hitting and defense so far, how players may adapt, the questions Ben and Noah still have about the rules’ long-term effects, Rob Manfred’s characterization of analytics as “an arms race to nowhere,” and more. Then (1:00:26) Ben brings on LJ Rader of the Twitter/Instagram account Art But Make It Sports to explain how he cleverly juxtaposes sports scenes with images of paintings and sculptures, whether baseball lends itself well to his work, and his best baseball images, plus a Past Blast (1:40:16) from 1989 and a few closing thoughts (1:46:42).
Audio intro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to Noah’s Substack
Link to Noah’s BP archive
Link to Noah on changeups
Link to Noah on back-picks
Link to Noah on pickoffs
Link to Noah on pickoff substitutes
Link to article on clock momentum
Link to Jaffe on late-season momentum
Link to Dan S. on playoff momentum
Link to Russell on momentum
Link to Mariners-fan countdown
Link to Sam on Corbin
Link to Baumann on Orioles running
Link to Ben C. on steals
Link to Volpe SB article
Link to Jeff on Lester
Link to Jayson Stark on OF shifts
Link to new “sweeper” classification
Link to Ben on the pitch clock
Link to Ben on pitcher limits
Link to Ben on mound moving
Link to Tango on game times
Link to Petriello on BABIP
Link to Passan on stat changes
Link to Manfred on analytics
Link to Lewie Pollis on EW
Link to Lewie on leaving a dream job
Link to Lewie’s follow-up piece
Link to R.J. on front-office brain drain
Link to MLB Closed Captioning
Link to @UnfortunateMLB
Link to Umpire Scorecards
Link to Would it Dong?
Link to Art But Make it Sports Insta
Link to Art But Make it Sports Twitter
Link to Art But Make it Sports website
Link to Araujo EW episode
Link to SI on LJ
Link to LJ’s Bednar post
Link to LJ’s proposal post
Link to LJ’s Ventura/Ryan post
Link to LJ’s Siri post
Link to LJ’s Muncy post
Link to LJ’s Murphy post
Link to 1989 Past Blast source
Link to 1989 Hadley paper
Link to 1992 Hadley paper
Link to 1993 Hadley paper
Link to 1991 MLB payrolls
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Ward/Wade wiki
Link to Arcia prediction story
Link to Turner mic’d up
Link to Ben on mic’d up players
Link to McKenna/Duvall video
Link to Stathead on Duvall
Link to Pagliaroni game
Link to errors preceding walkoffs
Link to EW on Shamsky
Link to EW on Shamsky again
Link to Bowie Baysox meetup
Link to Caught Steelin’ band
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the joy of Opening Day and other news, including early reactions to the new rules, Rob Manfred’s comments about the ball-strike challenge system, Aaron Judge’s first homer, the Angels’ Tungsten Arm game, a good/bad Hunter Renfroe no-look catch, a Taylor Ward name mix-up, the Giants’ latest new left fielder, a Cristian Pache press release, Buck Martinez, George Santos’s message for the Mets, the minor league CBA, an on-field proposal gone wrong (but also sort of right), and more. Then (58:21) they conduct the third annual Team Fun Draft, in which they draft all 30 teams in order of how fun they are to follow in 2023, plus a Past Blast (1:56:25) from 1988 and a few follow-ups.
Audio intro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Needy Visions, “Havers of Fun”
Link to Opening Day press release
Link to Opening Day stats
Link to Manfred on the zone
Link to Judge homer
Link to Ward/Wade wiki
Link to story on Giants LF
Link to info on Ohtani outing
Link to Tungsten Arm story
Link to Renfroe’s catch
Link to Renfroe catch probability
Link to Pache press release
Link to Buck’s booth return
Link to Buck impression
Link to MLBTR on Verlander
Link to Santos video
Link to info on the CBA
Link to CBA ratification news
Link to Baumann on the CBA
Link to Russell on Cost in 2012
Link to Russell on cost in 2013
Link to Russell on cost in 2021
Link to proposal video 1
Link to proposal video 2
Link to TMZ on the proposal
Link to Cruz homer
Link to Bard anxiety story
Link to 1988 Past Blast source
Link to Triple-A Classic wiki
Link to Triple-A Alliance wiki
Link to Sam on 1988
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Ben on the pitch clock
Link to Ben’s preseason predictions
Link to Meg’s preseason predictions
Link to EW prediction voting results
Link to double-draft episode
Link to before/after WS odds
Link to FanDuel OD WS odds
Link to DraftKings OD WS Odds
Link to EW drafts/competitions sheet
Link to expanded playoffs incentives
Link to Forbes on Ohtani
Link to sped-up Trout/Ohtani video
Link to side-by-side Trout/Ohtani 1
Link to side-by-side Trout/Ohtani 2
Link to The Sun on Angelos
Link to Sun editorial on Angelos
Link to Angelos radio quotes
Link to Defector on Angelos
Link to The Shirey Brothers Bandcamp
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Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs authors Michael Baumann and Ben Clemens play “SEC Baseball Player vs. Figure Involved in the Lincoln Assassination,” banter about two umpire faux pas (3:45) and MLB’s tweaks to replay reviewing (9:45), and then (17:32) each make 10 predictions about baseball in 2023 to be voted on by listeners, followed (1:40:16) by two Past Blasts from 1987.
Audio intro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Baseball Project, “All Future and No Past”
Link to listener voting form
Link to Realmuto ejection
Link to AP on Realmuto
Link to Romo outing
Link to Stark on replay reviews
Link to story on Zoom replay reviews
Link to Dave Cameron on slide reviews
Link to Cameron on transfers
Link to Vogelbach/Showalter spot
Link to Clay Davenport on SBs
Link to MLBTR on Giménez’s extension
Link to Stark on the pie slice
Link to Bloomberg on match-fixing
Link to more on match-fixing
Link to snooker match-fixing story
Link to tennis match-fixing story
Link to FanGraphs playoff odds
Link to Past Blast piece on brawls
Link to Pont Past Blast source
Link to more on Pont
Link to Pont’s wiki
Link to Pont’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Chris Hanel’s Twitter
Link to Chris Hanel’s website
Another link to listener voting form
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about prospects who have (Jordan Walker, Anthony Volpe) and haven’t (Grayson Rodriguez, Brett Baty) made Opening Day rosters and MLB’s player-centric PSAs about the new rules, then complete their 2023 season preview series by discussing the Atlanta Braves (15:07) with Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game, and the Colorado Rockies (53:50) with Danielle Allentuck of The Denver Gazette, plus a Past Blast from 1986 (1:26:07), trivia answers (1:30:00), a Stat Blast (1:31:34) about the biggest WAR gaps between Opening Day starters, the worst pitchers ever to start on Opening Day, and the best pitchers and hitters never to start on Opening Day, and a postscript (1:41:09).
2023 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | HOU | | BOS | CLE | LAA | | NYY | DET | OAK | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Benny and A Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)”
Audio interstitial: Simon Waldram, “What Were You Thinking?”
Audio outro: Benny and A Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Horny)”
Link to MLBTR on Volpe
Link to MLBTR on Walker
Link to Mains on Cardinals PECOTA
Link to MLBTR on Turang
Link to MLBTR on Baty/Vientos
Link to FG post on Vientos
Link to MLBTR on Rodriguez
Link to Elias on Rodriguez
Link to Ben on 2022 OD promotions
Link to Ben on 2022 debuts
Link to MLB rules PSA hub
Link to Snell/Anderson spot
Link to Vogelbach/Showalter spot
Link to Cranston spot
Link to FanGraphs playoff odds
Link to FG payroll breakdown
Link to Braves offseason tracker
Link to Braves depth chart
Link to MLB Pipeline rankings
Link to From The Diamond
Link to Rockies offseason tracker
Link to Rockies depth chart
Link to Sam’s Rockies essay
Link to article on hangover effect
Link to article on curing the hangover
Link to Sarris on McMahon
Link to Danielle’s author archive
Link to Past Blast source
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Braves-Rockies trivia answers
Link to Stat Blast spreadsheet 1
Link to Stat Blast spreadsheet 2
Link to article about LBJ’s first pitch
Link to Brown/Cole source 1
Link to Brown/Cole source 2
Link to Brown/Cole source 3
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
Link to Woodward on changeups
Link to EW on seam-shifted wake
Link to Forbes valuations
Link to Mains on Forbes data
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the advisability of suspending the pitch clock in certain high-stakes situations, some last-minute spring-training tweaks to the clock’s operation, and MLB’s marketing campaign about the new rules, then continue their 2023 season preview series by discussing the San Diego Padres (30:15) with AJ Cassavell of MLB.com, and the Cincinnati Reds (1:15:40) with C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic, plus a Past Blast from 1985 (1:54:31), trivia answers (1:59:57), and a few followups (2:01:33).
2023 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | HOU | | BOS | CLE | LAA | | NYY | DET | OAK | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: Anthony Parker, “Cloud 9”
Audio interstitial 2: Steve Wynn, “Sustain”
Audio outro: Manther, “1985”
Link to Nitkowski thread
Link to Trout’s HRD call to Ohtani
Link to Schoenfield article
Link to Drellich article
Link to ESPN on the clock tweaks
Link to MLBTR on the clock tweaks
Link to Darren Baker video
Link to Darren Baker rule
Link to Cranston ad
Link to Cranston on Hot Ones
Link to FanGraphs playoff odds
Link to FG payroll breakdown
Link to Padres offseason tracker
Link to Padres depth chart
Link to story on Cruz’s eye
Link to AJ on position battles
Link to Seidler on sustainability
Link to article on Forbes valuations
Link to Forbes valuations
Link to Reds offseason tracker
Link to Reds depth chart
Link to Trent’s author archive
Link to Trent on Castellini
Link to Trent on India
Link to Trent on Greene
Link to farm system improvement
Link to Sidd Finch story
Link to story about Finch story
Link to Sidd Finch wiki
Link to April 15 followup
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Padres-Reds trivia answers
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
Link to “The Comeback” Seinfeld clips
Link to “The Burning” Seinfeld clips
Link to 20-80 scale explainer
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter euphorically about the unbelievable ending of the World Baseball Classic, from Japan’s semifinal game against Mexico, to the climactic showdown between Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout in the USA-Japan final, to what made the whole WBC such a success. Then (52:02) they close the book on meeting major leaguers from 2022 by talking to James Bailey, author of Major League Debuts: 2023 Edition, about his new series of annual books about every player who makes the majors, his process for researching rookies, whether there are too many major leaguers, and 2022 debutants Jason Delay, Ben DeLuzio, and Donny Sands, followed by a Stat Blast (1:24:15) about Ichiro Cano and the highest-WAR combined baseball names, plus a Past Blast (1:33:14) from 1984.
Audio intro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Sun, “In Perfect Time”
Link to Zach Kram on the WBC
Link to Ben on the WBC
Link to Ohtani pitch grade stat
Link to Trout-Ohtani video
Link to Japanese broadcast call
Link to 120 percent quote
Link to more than 100 percent wiki
Link to Arozarena trash talk
Link to Ohtani trash talk
Link to Ohtani’s speech
Link to Arozarena HR robbery
Link to Arozarena autographing
Link to Randy autographing again
Link to Sasaki candy story
Link to Yoshida homer
Link to Murakami walkoff
Link to Ohtani double
Link to WBC press release
Link to All-Tournament Team
Link to Meet a Major Leaguer wiki
Link to book website
Link to buy the book
Link to B-Ref’s new debuts page
Link to Ichiro Cano post
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
Link to Stat Blast data
Link to 1984 Past Blast source
Link to 1984 Past Blast source, cont’d
Link to EW on Florida baseball books
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to EW on RSNs
Link to local-revenue article
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Team USA’s WBC quarterfinal and semifinal victories and Jose Altuve’s injury, then continue their 2023 season preview series by discussing the New York Yankees (28:17) with Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, and the Washington Nationals (1:06:41) with Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post, plus a Past Blast from 1983 (1:47:29), trivia answers (1:52:16), and an initial reaction to a stone-cold classic Japan-Mexico WBC semifinal (1:53:33).
2023 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | HOU | | BOS | CLE | LAA | | NYY | DET | OAK | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: The Moaners, “Yankee on My Shoulder”
Audio interstitial 2: Krestovsky, “National Spark”
Audio outro: Keenan The First and RandiVision, “Big Game”
Link to Rosenthal on Turner’s homer
Link to Nightengale on Turner’s homer
Link to Trout reaction GIF
Link to Wainwright quote
Link to Quijada’s pitch
Link to article about Bard
Link to Rosenthal on the mound visit
Link to FG post on Profar
Link to FanGraphs playoff odds
Link to FG payroll breakdown
Link to Yankees offseason tracker
Link to Yankees depth chart
Link to Ben Clemens on Cole
Link to story on in-flight wifi
Link to framing leaderboard
Link to Higashioka analysis
Link to Woodward on back-picks
Link to Brendan’s spring preview
Link to Brendan’s author archive
Link to Rosenthal on Judge
Link to Nationals offseason tracker
Link to Nationals depth chart
Link to Jesse on Cavalli
Link to Jesse on Strasburg
Link to Jesse on Robles
Link to Jesse’s author archive
Link to Ben on Meneses
Link to Svrluga on the Nats
Link to 1983 Pirates article
Link to 1983 Phillies article
Link to baseball exceptionalism wiki
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to trivia answers
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
Link to Cashner beard article
Link to other Cashner beard article
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the WBC’s TV ratings in Japan and (8:56) possible consequences of MLB’s RSN shake-up, then continue their 2023 season preview series by discussing the New York Mets (21:08) with Deesha Thosar of Fox Sports, and the Oakland Athletics (1:00:11) with Matt Kawahara of The SF Chronicle, plus a Past Blast from 1982 (1:39:53) and trivia answers (1:52:11).
2023 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | HOU | | BOS | CLE | LAA | | NYY | DET | OAK | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: The Beets, “Watching Television”
Audio interstitial 2: Goodbye Kumiko, “Oakland”
Audio outro: Superare, “Sunglasses”
Link to report about WBC ratings
Link to Twitter thread about ratings
Link to Super Bowl ratings
Link to highest WS ratings
Link to MLB WBC press release
Link to co-exclusive partner banter
Link to Sheehan’s newsletter
Link to MLBTR on Diamond
Link to Premier League history
Link to teams’ local revenue
Link to FanGraphs playoff odds
Link to FG payroll breakdown
Link to Mets offseason tracker
Link to Mets depth chart
Link to Deesha on Díaz
Link to Jay Jaffe on Díaz
Link to Mets trumpet taps video
Link to Deesha on Álvarez and Baty
Link to Deesha on the farm system
Link to Deesha’s author archive
Link to Athletics offseason tracker
Link to Athletics depth chart
Link to Nimmo video
Link to Nimmo article
Link to West Wing scene
Link to Eck’s Pirates comments
Link to Vogt hiring story
Link to Matt on CF
Link to story on Pache in LF
Link to Dan Moore on the A’s park
Link to Matt’s spring hitting preview
Link to Matt’s spring pitching preview
Link to Matt’s author archive
Link to 1982 article source
Link to Opti-Web glove
Link to BP on Mizuno
Link to article on baseball sunglasses
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Edwin Díaz’s season-ending injury at the WBC and the anti-WBC sentiment it engendered, then (20:33) bring on top-tier Patreon supporter Michael Eisen to discuss his history with Effectively Wild and baseball and how his scientific research is analogous to baseball research, before answering listener emails (31:23) about the best way to use an ambidextrous pitcher, reenacting a specific baseball game, what it would be like if baseball players were worse than they used to be, mutual pitch-calling, a league with only hitters or pitchers, a possible upside of cheating, the pitch clock and the hidden-ball trick, whether MLB games used to be closer, ending the Yankees’ facial-hair policy, a “pitch jingle,” and even bigger bases, plus a Past Blast (1:48:05) from 1981.
Audio intro: Andy Ellison, “Accident Waiting to Happen”
Audio outro: Jeff Eliassen, “Michael”
Link to “arrow in the knee” wiki
Link to Baumann on Díaz
Link to Jon Tayler on the Díaz game
Link to Díaz injury video
Link to MLBTR on Díaz injury
Link to Ohtani throwing 102
Link to story on upcoming WBCs
Link to Michael’s UC Berkeley page
Link to Michael’s blog
Link to Michael’s wiki
Link to “The Impossible Dream” video
Link to FG pitcher stuff stats
Link to Cijntje story
Link to Cijntje video
Link to Ben on baseball talent
Link to EW about baseball talent
Link to Ben on hitters and pitchers
Link to so-called hidden ball trick
Link to Sam on close games
Link to Rob Mains on comebacks
Link to Rob Arthur on mismatches
Link to 1999 story on Vaughn and Reds
Link to retrospective on Vaughn
Link to Yankees policy history
Link to story about policy’s legality
Link to more on policy’s legality
Link to more on the legality
Link to Wilson story
Link to McCutchen’s comments
Link to just-noticeable difference wiki
Link to Dick Trueman episode
Link to listener emails database
Link to 1981 Past Blast source
Link to 2019 Visalia article
Link to 1995 Harrisburg article
Link to Harrisburg Senators wiki
Link to fan-owned baseball teams
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Saber Seminar scholarships
Link to Saber Seminar submissions
Link to Andy Ellison’s website
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about recent WBC highlights, whether the WBC should be held more often (7:44), extensions for Corbin Carroll and Keibert Ruiz (19:50), MLB preparing to take over streaming for some teams amid the Diamond Sports bankruptcy (21:22), Trevor Bauer departing for Japan (31:17), and an Effectively Wild theme song contest (35:43), then continue their 2023 season preview series by discussing the Tampa Bay Rays (42:57) with Adam Berry of MLB.com, and the Detroit Tigers (1:15:04) with Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic, plus a Past Blast from 1980 (1:53:29) and trivia answers (1:57:34).
2023 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | HOU | | BOS | CLE | LAA | | NYY | DET | OAK | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Jaquan Grant, “Baseball Rich”
Audio interstitial 1: David Lawrence, “I Wander On”
Audio interstitial 2: Camden, “You Little Tiger”
Audio outro: Gilles Cardoni, “Super 80”
Link to Puerto Rico “perfect game”
Link to Mitch Bratt story
Link to Meneses homers
Link to Zach Buchanan on Meneses
Link to Ohtani homer
Link to Ohtani strikeout
Link to story on Satoria
Link to Satoria interview
Link to Pool A tiebreak story
Link to “change my mind” meme
Link to Caribbean Series wiki
Link to Baseball World Cup wiki
Link to MLBTR on Carroll
Link to Buchanan on Carroll
Link to tweet about Carroll
Link to MLBTR on Ruiz
Link to story on Diamond and MLB
Link to MLBTR on Bauer
Link to Jim Allen on Bauer
Link to story about P-G strike
Link to union info about strike
Link to strike fund
Link to FanGraphs playoff odds
Link to FG payroll breakdown
Link to Rays offseason tracker
Link to Rays depth chart
Link to Emma B. on Brady Williams
Link to Adam’s spring preview
Link to Adam’s author archive
Link to Tigers offseason tracker
Link to Tigers depth chart
Link to Dan S. on breakout hitters
Link to Cody’s spring preview
Link to Cody on Comerica dimensions
Link to Cody on Maton
Link to Cody on injury prevention
Link to Cody on Turnbull
Link to Cody’s author archive
Link to Cody’s Tigers podcast
Link to 1980 article source
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
Link to Damon on the Bananas
Link to MLBTR on Diamond
Link to EW episode on sharting
Link to Hernández tweet
Link to Shane McKeon’s Twitter
Link to Shane’s website
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the exciting beginning of the WBC, early indications in spring training that MLB’s rules changes are having the intended effects, and a classic unprecedented occurrence in a baseball game, then continue their 2023 season preview series by discussing the Houston Astros (17:49) with Chandler Rome of The Houston Chonicle, and the Pittsburgh Pirates (59:39) with Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, plus a Past Blast from 1979 (1:30:38), preview trivia answers (1:37:36), and a farewell to editor Dylan Higgins.
2023 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | HOU | | BOS | CLE | LAA | | NYY | DET | OAK | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Sloan, “So Far So Good”
Audio interstitial 1: The Black Crowes, “Houston Don’t Dream About Me”
Audio interstitial 2: Mason Jennings, “Pittsburgh”
Audio outro: Hockey Dad, “Dylan’s Place”
Link to Castillo catch
Link to runner’s celebration mistake
Link to last play of Australia-Korea
Link to Nootbaar catch
Link to Ohtani highlights
Link to story on Ohtani
Link to Passan tweet
Link to Lewie Pollis on the shift
Link to Tom Tango on stolen bases
Link to Cooper on game times
Link to Johnson’s bird snuff film
Link to You’re Wrong About on snuff films
Link to FanGraphs playoff odds
Link to FG payroll breakdown
Link to Astros offseason tracker
Link to Astros depth chart
Link to Passan on Click and Crane
Link to Chandler on Brown
Link to Chandler’s spring preview
Link to Chandler’s author archive
Link to Pirates offseason tracker
Link to Pirates depth chart
Link to Jason’s spring Pirates preview
Link to Jason on Keller
Link to Jason on catching prospects
Link to Jason on strike-throwing
Link to Jason’s author archive
Link to 1979 article source
Link to Belgium gambling news
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley welcome back former co-host Sam Miller to banter about his return to public baseball writing, his current relationship with baseball, and his new Substack, Pebble Hunting. Then (17:10) Ben, Meg, and Sam talk about a 1913 article about unprecedented events at the ballpark, the cliché about seeing something new at every game, the supreme examples of that phenomenon from any point in baseball history, games they attended, and games they paid attention to, and examples they hope to see in 2023. After that (1:18:27), Ben and Meg talk to WBC Central host Shawn Spradling about the biggest storylines of the World Baseball Classic, including the format and schedule, the favorites and dark horses, the surprising players, the challenge of putting on an international baseball tournament, how and when to watch, and more, followed by (1:56:57) a Past Blast from 1978.
Audio intro: May Erlewine, “Song for Sam”
Audio interstitial: Supergrass, “The Return Of…”
Audio outro: Field Medic, “Tournament Horseshoe”
Link to Sam’s Substack
Link to first Substack story
Link to 1913 Phelon article
Link to Sam on seeing new things
Link to Sam on pitching lines
Link to Craig Wright on Caldwell
Link to Mariners triple play
Link to Clemens-Piazza article
Link to article on ALDS G2
Link to Ben’s ALDS G2 oral history
Link to video of Martin-Choo play
Link to EW ALDS G2 draft
Link to Dale Scott EW episode
Link to Ben on “Strategy”
Link to Dario email episode
Link to Shawn’s team infographics
Link to Shawn’s power rankings graphic
Link to Shawn’s power rankings
Link to Shawn’s YouTube channel
Link to Shawn’s podcast feed
Link to Zach Kram’s WBC primer
Link to Cliff Corcoran’s WBC primer
Link to 1978 Past Blast source
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about catcher Grayson Greiner’s height, Shohei Ohtani’s titanic homers, tight t-shirt, and pepper-grinding in WBC exhibitions, and a few preview-related trivia questions, then continue their 2023 season preview series by discussing the Toronto Blue Jays (15:02) with Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic, and the Kansas City Royals (55:25) with Anne Rogers of MLB.com, plus a Past Blast from 1977 (1:23:45) and trivia answers (1:32:46).
2023 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | HOU | | BOS | CLE | LAA | | NYY | DET | OAK | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Yo La Tengo, “Shades of Blue”
Audio interstitial: The Joy Formidable, “Into the Blue”
Audio outro: Don Gibson, “Blue, Blue Day”
Link to tall-catchers EW episode
Link to Sam’s Substack
Link to first Ohtani dinger
Link to longer dinger video
Link to second Ohtani dinger
Link to side view of first swing
Link to side-by-side swings
Link to Japan News on homers
Link to MLB.com on the homer
Link to 2022 pepper-grinder story
Link to Nootbaar WBC story
Link to other Nootbaar story
Link to Ohtani’s tight t-shirt
Link to “Shoebae” account
Link to FanGraphs playoff odds
Link to FG payroll breakdown
Link to Blue Jays offseason tracker
Link to Blue Jays depth chart
Link to Kaitlyn’s spring preview
Link to Kaitlyn on the OF dimensions
Link to Travis on the OF dimensions
Link to Statcast park factors
Link to Kaitlyn’s author archive
Link to Royals offseason tracker
Link to Royals depth chart
Link to 2022 rookie PA by team
Link to profile of Quatraro
Link to story on throwing strikes
Link to Anne on “Raid the Zone”
Link to Anne on Royals pitchers
Link to story on KC ballpark sites
Link to 1977 article source
Link to Five Seasons on Goodreads
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
Link to Ward on pitch-calling
Link to Richard Hershberger’s book
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Kenta Maeda pitching well despite PitchCom giving away his signs, spring training injuries (5:26), the upsides and downsides of pitchers beginning to call their own pitches with PitchCom (9:03), and the reasons why hitters collectively seem to swing more often than they should (20:18). Then they continue (and pass the halfway point of) their 2023 season preview series by discussing the Los Angeles Dodgers (40:01) with Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, and the Chicago Cubs (1:19:32) with Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, plus a Past Blast from 1976 (2:07:56).
2023 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | HOU | | BOS | CLE | LAA | | NYY | DET | OAK | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Faye, “Swing State”
Audio interstitial 1: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, “Requiem K. 626 – Lux Aeterna”
Audio interstitial 2: Andy Fairweather Low, “Halfway to Everything”
Audio outro: Lucy Dacus, “Triple Dog Dare”
Link to ESPN on Maeda
Link to Turner-Hernández video
Link to EW shart discussion
Link to Rob Arthur on sign-stealing
Link to article on training w/o games
Link to Greinke calling own pitches
Link to Maddux calling own pitches
Link to old EW on calling own pitches
Link to Scherzer on PitchCom legality
Link to ESPN on pitchers calling pitches
Link to article on Padres pitch calls
Link to article on Burnes pitch calls
Link to article on Giants pitch calls
Link to tweet about Ohtani pitch calls
Link to article on Cole pitch calls
Link to article on Severino pitch calls
Link to video of Scherzer pitch calls
Link to hitter run values on swings
Link to Tom Tango thread on swings
Link to Devan Fink on swings
Link to Eno Sarris on swings
Link to Swing decision Run Value
Link to Vargas not swinging
Link to Tango on approaches by count
Link to Tango on sliders
Link to Tom Verducci on sliders
Link to Rob on playing deeper
Link to Rob on BABIP/defense
Link to Russell on OBP > BA
Link to FanGraphs playoff odds
Link to FG payroll breakdown
Link to Dodgers offseason tracker
Link to Dodgers depth chart
Link to Fabian on Syndergaard
Link to article on Heyward’s swing
Link to Fabian’s spring preview
Link to Dodgers first-round picks
Link to Fabian’s author archive
Link to Cubs offseason tracker
Link to Cubs depth chart
Link to EW preview series wiki
Link to 2019 Pitch Lab piece
Link to 2022 Pitch Lab piece
Link to Sahadev on Hendricks
Link to Sahadev on Ricketts
Link to Sahadev on Bellinger
Link to Sahadev on Madrigal
Link to Sahadev on Taillon
Link to Sahadev on sweepers
Link to EW Bellinger roundtable
Link to Woodward on back-picks
Link to Sahadev’s spring preview
Link to Sahadev’s author archive
Link to 1976 article source
Link to HoF site on the shorts
Link to Paul Lukas on the shorts
Link to Chris Creamer on the shorts
Link to Costanza uniforms video
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to MLBTR on Painter
Link to CPBL triple-digit uniform
Link to triple-digit ump uniforms
Link to Spaceman uni source
Link to Lee wearing 337
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley begin with a little loose talk about Kiké Hernández’s revelation that he sharted during the 2020 NLDS, and pin down the precise instant of the accident with audio evidence. Then (23:59) they banter about whether it’s oxymoronic for MLB to have multiple “co-exclusive” official betting partners, MLB hiring local media execs to prepare for an RSN collapse (30:27), how the Blue Jays could make use of ex-Astros GM James Click (33:37), MLB lobbying state governments for exceptions to minimum-wage laws (39:51), a wave of injuries in spring training (44:30), and an umpire-less inning (48:06). After that (51:06), they answer listener emails about whether a Triple-A team in midseason form could defeat a pre-spring-training average MLB team or team of MLB all-stars, forgetting player handedness, the fluky debut of Livan Soto, whether Barry Bonds could still hit home runs, triple-digit uniform numbers, changing one’s mind about boycotting MLB, “hitter” vs. “position player,” the effects of starting separate unions for pitchers and hitters, and what a “partial shift” means in 2023, plus a Past Blast from 1975 (1:43:31) and a follow-up on the Past Blast from 1974 (1:46:37), featuring Gregg Trueman, son of sabermetric pioneer Richard E. (Dick) Trueman.
Audio intro: Billy Bragg, “Accident Waiting to Happen”
Audio outro: Monsters of Folk, “Ahead of the Curve”
Link to Red Sox Twitter video
Link to the instant of the shart
Link to 2020 NLDS G1 at B-Ref
Link to Meg on Bradley
Link to new “co-exclusive” press release
Link to 2021 “co-exclusive” press release
Link to MLB’s local media hirings
Link to Drellich on MLB and RSNs
Link to article on Click’s hiring
Link to article on Click and Crane
Link to Ben on front-office secrecy
Link to Seeking Rents on MLB lobbying
Link to Drellich on MLB lobbying
Link to EW on possible book bans
Link to Lux injury video
Link to thread on umpire-less baseball
Link to Handley’s framing
Link to MLB on the umpire-less inning
Link to ESPN on the umpire-less inning
Link to EW on unnecessary 9th innings
Link to EW listener emails database
Link to Soto/Bouchard leaderboard
Link to Voros’s Law
Link to Soto’s record on Stathead
Link to article about Bonds’s cycling
Link to Bonds on Strava
Link to Adler on uniform numbers
Link to Neshek on SABRCast
Link to 2020 Keyser column
Link to revised MLBPA logo
Link to MLB on “strategic” shifts
Link to 1975 Past Blast source
Link to high school expanded DH
Link to “Ohtani rule”
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to 1974 Past Blast
Link to Trueman’s 1974 article
Link to Trueman’s 1959 article
Link to Pete Palmer wiki
Link to Earnshaw Cook wiki
Link to The Numbers Game
Link to 1964 SI article
Link to SABR’s Mills data
Link to Palmer on Player Win Averages
Link to Dick Trueman archive
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Manny Machado’s extension, whether the Padres have spending constraints, and what the team’s future might look like, then (18:51) discuss their impressions of the pitch clock in spring training so far and offer a brief update on their podcast editor search (30:42). After that, they continue their 2023 season preview series by discussing the St. Louis Cardinals (33:55) with Katie Woo of The Athletic, and the Arizona Diamondbacks (1:09:31) with Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, plus a Past Blast from 1974 (1:44:41).
2023 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | HOU | | BOS | CLE | LAA | | NYY | DET | OAK | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Robyn Hitchcock, “1974”
Audio interstitial 1: Ween, “Stay Forever”
Audio interstitial 2: Rotten Mind, “Serpent Eyes”
Audio outro: David Crosby, “1974”
Link to Dan S. on Machado
Link to MLBTR on Machado
Link to WaPo on the Padres
Link to payroll breakdown
Link to next year’s FA class
Link to Colbert Stat Blast
Link to game-ending violation video
Link to game-ending violation story
Link to Sawchik’s game-time thread
Link to Ben on spring training
Link to Jeff on spring training pace
Link to FanGraphs playoff odds
Link to Cardinals offseason tracker
Link to Cardinals depth chart
Link to Katie’s spring preview
Link to Katie on players to watch
Link to Katie on bounceback players
Link to Katie’s author archive
Link to D-backs offseason tracker
Link to Diamondbacks depth chart
Link to BJOL regression article
Link to Nick’s spring preview
Link to Nick’s author archive
Link to 1974 article source
Link to 1959 article source
Link to Trueman’s CSUN page
Link to Trueman’s book
Link to Trueman’s other book
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Britton on Mets pickoffs
Link to Woodward on Mets pickoffs
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley announce that they’re hiring a new podcast editor and solicit applications for the position, then (9:40) banter about another zombie-runner-related update to dictionary.com, MLB’s latest crackdown on sticky stuff, displaying the pitch clock on broadcast score bugs, Albert Pujols’s 10-year personal services contract with the Angels, and Rays pitcher Ryan Thompson’s comments about the arbitration process. After that, they continue their 2023 season preview series by discussing the Philadelphia Phillies (50:09) with Matt Gelb of The Athletic, and the Baltimore Orioles (1:26:47) with Nathan Ruiz of the Baltimore Sun, plus a double Past Blast from 1973 (2:05:42).
2023 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | HOU | | BOS | CLE | LAA | | NYY | DET | OAK | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Girlpool, “Hire”
Audio interstitial 1: The House of Love, “Philly Phile”
Audio interstitial 2: The Felice Brothers, “Baltimore”
Audio outro: Emitt Rhodes, “Really Wanted You”
Link to updated “automatic runner” entry
Link to current “ghost runner” entry
Link to original “ghost runner” entry
Link to 1985 “automatic runner” reference
Link to other ’85 reference
Link to Hang Up and Listen episode
Link to Stark on sticky stuff
Link to Eno on sticky stuff
Link to Eno on sticky stuff again
Link to info on crows
Link to info on score bugs
Link to Blum on Pujols
Link to Thompson’s Twitter thread
Link to Thompson’s agency site
Link to Rosenthal on arbitration
Link to BP’s Arbitration Showdown
Link to FG post on arbitrators
Link to Rays Pride Night story
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to FG payroll rankings
Link to Phillies offseason tracker
Link to Phillies depth chart
Link to Middleton comments
Link to Matt’s spring training preview
Link to Matt on Painter
Link to ESPN on Song
Link to Matt on Song
Link to Matt on Thomson
Link to Matt’s author archive
Link to Orioles offseason tracker
Link to Orioles depth chart
Link to Plexiglass Principle info
Link to MLB.com regression article
Link to Sun sign removal tweet
Link to Nathan on the Sun sign
Link to Nathan on Angelos
Link to Nathan on Orioles team models
Link to story on throwing over plate
Link to more on throwing over plate
Link to BA on throwing over plate
Link to Angelos MLK Day story
Link to Angelos open books story
Link to story on throwing over plate
Link to Nathan’s author archive
Link to 1973 article source
Link to MLB 3-team doubleheaders
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to 1973 potential tie source
Link to 1973 potential tiebreaker source
Link to 1973 “NL Least” source
Link to story on 1973 race
Link to Ben on a 5-way tie
Link to Russell on a 5-way tie
Link to EW episode on a 5-way tie
Link to Jay Jaffe’s team entropy requiem
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Prospect Week at FanGraphs, a misleading email, and Ben’s daughter’s cold, then discuss Alex Rodriguez as a budding book author, social-media maven, and flawed (anti)hero (9:19), non-revelatory news about Shohei Ohtani’s future (24:07), a secret Mets spring training drill (32:07), and Ben’s reviews of two baseball books that were recently under consideration to be banned in Duval County, Florida (46:07). After that (1:10:59), they bring on FanGraphs lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen to discuss the site’s ranking of the Top 100 (well, 112) prospects in baseball, touching on the relative thinness of the top of the class, evaluating injured pitchers (including Daniel Espino), prospects who could make impacts in 2023 (such as Eury Pérez and Andrew Painter), Gunnar Henderson vs. Corbin Carroll, fast-rising prospects, players Eric is higher on than the consensus, how rule changes affect prospect rankings, notable farm systems, the most interesting prospects to evaluate, and Noah Song joining the Phillies, followed by a Past Blast from 1972 (2:04:31).
Audio intro: The Plimsouls, “Dangerous Book”
Audio interstitial: The Notorious B.I.G. (Feat. 112), “Sky’s the Limit”
Audio outro: Billy Joel, “Zanzibar”
Link to Phoenix population story
Link to U.S. media market ranking
Link to A-Rod’s “book” image
Link to A-Rod’s bubble-bath image
Link to A-Rod’s mirror kiss
Link to ESPN’s Ohtani story
Link to Evan’s Mets tweet
Link to Eagles push play
Link to article on banning the play
Link to Woodward on the Mets drill
Link to Mets spring WS celebration
Link to info on Henry Aaron’s Dream
Link to buy Henry Aaron’s Dream
Link to story of Aaron’s spring debut
Link to Tavares on the book’s language
Link to Roberto Clemente on Goodreads
Link to Thank You, Jackie Robinson
Link to Clemente’s debut game
Link to Clemente’s 3000th hit
Link to 2022 story about possible bans
Link to story about book removal
Link to Duval County on law compliance
Link to Jacksonville Today on Duval
Link to Steven Goldman on hiding history
Link to story about books under review
Link to thread about books under review
Link to Tavares’s Twitter reply
Link to PredictIt Presidential odds
Link to Stop WOKE Act Wiki
Link to The Guardian on the act
Link to The Guardian on act injunctions
Link to The Guardian on book bans
Link to WaPo on book bans
Link to NYT on book bans
Link to CBS poll on book bans
Link to Jemele Hill tweet @MLB
Link to story about book approval
Link to Duval County response
Link to FG’s Top 100 list
Link to Top 100 chat
Link to Ben on 2023 prospect debuts
Link to Ben on pitching prospects
Link to MLBTR on Espino’s injury
Link to Baumann on the “Rolen Zone”
Link to ESPN on Song
Link to 1972 story source
Link to The Boys of Summer
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Topkin on Manfred’s comment
Link to Rob Mains on PPP
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the USA World Baseball Classic roster’s so-so starting pitching, the difficulty of recruiting top pitchers for the tournament, and Japan’s staff, Meg’s college baseball weekend and Juan Soto sighting, Orioles owner John Angelos’s latest comments, and MLB’s new Economic Reform Committee, plus a Stat Blast (31:56) about the greatest players who were never the best player on their team and an observation about the spread of projected win totals in the AL and NL. Then they continue their 2023 season preview series by discussing the Milwaukee Brewers (41:34) with Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Miami Marlins (1:21:34) with Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald, plus Past Blasts from 1971 (1:58:43) and a postscript (2:05:13).
2023 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | HOU | | BOS | CLE | LAA | | NYY | DET | OAK | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Willie Nelson, “Second Fiddle”
Audio interstitial 1: Slade, “Don’t Blame Me”
Audio interstitial 2: Sci-Fi Soldier, “I Am in Miami”
Audio outro: Camera Obscura, “The False Contender”
Link to USA WBC roster
Link to DR roster breakdown
Link to Japan roster breakdown
Link to SP projections
Link to Rosenthal on recruiting pitching
Link to L.A. Times on WBC insurance
Link to Ben on WBC injuries
Link to Wash U on WBC injuries
Link to draft prospect rankings
Link to unrecognized Greinke
Link to Angelos comments
Link to Middleton comments
Link to Drellich on new committee
Link to Stat Blast spreadsheet
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to Brewers offseason tracker
Link to Brewers depth chart
Link to Todd’s spring training preview
Link to Todd’s author archive
Link to Burnes comments
Link to Jay Jaffe on Burns
Link to Burnes’s 2022 splits
Link to team payroll rankings
Link to Marlins offseason tracker
Link to Marlins depth chart
Link to Jordan on Pérez and Alcantara
Link to Jordan’s author archive
Link to “Marlins Will Soar”
Link to MLBTR on De La Cruz
Link to MLB.com on De La Cruz
Link to 1971 article source
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to sportslogos site
Link to bannermark article
Link to second bannermark article
Link to third bannermark article
Link to fourth bannermark article
Link to fifth bannermark article
Link to sixth bannermark article
Link to 1984 MVP trophy
Link to Phillies redesign logo
Link to ’76 centennial logo
Link to more on centennial logo
Link to info on Pepsi logo
Link to FG’s LF projections
Link to FG on Grossman signing
Link to FG’s 2B projections
Link to Randy Johnson comment
Link to Henry Q&A
Link to other Henry Q&A
Link to info on NESN edits
Link to Werner on booing
Link to Rosenthal on arbitration
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the release of FanGraphs’ playoff odds and the biggest differences between the FanGraphs and Baseball Prospectus playoff and World Series odds, then continue their 2023 season preview series by discussing the Seattle Mariners (18:31) with Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times and the Chicago White Sox (1:03:54) with The Athletic’s James Fegan, plus a Past Blast (1:49:16) from 1970 and a postscript.
2023 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | HOU | | BOS | CLE | LAA | | NYY | DET | OAK | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Spiritualized, “Do it All Over Again”
Audio interstitial: Superchunk, “Low F”
Audio outro: The Stooges, “1970”
Link to FG playoff odds announcement
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to Ben C. on the playoff odds
Link to PECOTA-based odds
Link to odds differences spreadsheet
Link to MASN statement
Link to Mariners offseason tracker
Link to Mariners depth chart
Link to Ryan’s spring training preview
Link to Ryan’s author archive
Link to 2023 draft order
Link to Vogt hiring news
Link to White Sox offseason tracker
Link to White Sox depth chart
Link to The Athletic’s offseason grades
Link to James’s spring training preview
Link to James’s author archive
Link to FG’s 2B projections
Link to 1970 article source
Link to 1970 Winter Meetings info
Link to SABR’s source
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to McCarver’s NYT obit
Link to Angell’s McCarver profile
Link to Angell on McCarver again
Link to FG’s Negro Leagues stats
Link to info on racetrack
Link to info on photography
Link to more info on photography
Link to third photography article
Link to fourth photography article
Link to fifth photography article
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the temperature in Phoenix, writers taking photos of bases, and Meg taking photos of the writers, then discuss Meg’s takeaways from MLB’s presentation to media members about this season’s new rules, MLB.TV adding minor league games, the Padres signing Michael Wacha (and changing their revenue-sharing classification), and early pitcher injuries, followed by (29:32) a Stat Blast about how much major league talent comes from a typical farm system. After that (46:44), they talk to The Athletic’s Evan Drellich about his new book about the Astros, the sign-stealing scandal, and modern front-office culture, Winning Fixes Everything: How Baseball’s Brightest Minds Created Sports’ Biggest Mess, plus Past Blasts from 1969 (1:34:25) and a few follow-ups.
Audio intro: The Waterboys, “Bigger Picture”
Audio interstitial: The Rolling Stones, “Winning Ugly”
Audio outro: Dag, “The Bigger Picture”
Link to Levi’s tweet about deGrom
Link to Levi on the Arizona weather
Link to Defector on base photos
Link to Nightengale’s first photo
Link to Meg’s photos
Link to Reddit post of Meg’s photo
Link to Meg’s clock buzzer photo
Link to AP story on new rules
Link to Bleed Cubbie Blue on new rules
Link to Noah Woodward on pickoffs
Link to Russell on throwing over
Link to Russell on the pitch clock
Link to Jeff Passan on balks
Link to Zach Buchanan on balks
Link to Sam Miller on balks
Link to Jon Bois on balks
Link to new MLB.TV features
Link to Manfred on blackouts
Link to MLBTR on Wacha
Link to story on Padres revenue
Link to MLBTR on Strasburg
Link to MLBTR on Montas
Link to Ben on spring pitching injuries
Link to retired-numbers Stat Blast
Link to retired-numbers spreadsheet
Link to Johnson’s comment on Ichiro
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
Link to Ryan on future All-Stars
Link to future All-Stars spreadsheet
Link to data on future major leaguers
Link to Bill James study
Link to KG on managing expectations
Link to Winning Fixes Everything
Link to Winning Fixes Everything excerpt
Link to Winning Fixes Everything on Cora
Link to Evan on the Astros in 2014
Link to Rob Arthur on the banging scheme
Link to Bagwell comments
Link to Passan on Click and Crane
Link to Fresh Air on Jack Welch
Link to Bando NYT obit
Link to Bando SABR bio
Link to Craig Wright on Bando
Link to Jay Jaffe on Bando
Link to 3B JAWS leaders
Link to TSN on Bando
Link to TSN on Bando, continued
Link to TSN on DiMaggio
Link to “baseball is dying” article
Link to Bryan Curtis on dying baseball
Link to Emma B. on dying baseball
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Jaffe on PPP rules
Link to EW wiki on Jaso
Link to NYT on Jaso
Link to SABR on the high five
Link to ESPN on the high five
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley lament the newly codified permanence of the zombie runner, rededicate themselves to “ghost runner” reeducation, and banter about a new position-player-pitching limitation, Andrew Chafin’s surprisingly modest contract, Derek Jeter joining Fox Sports, baseball’s leading newsbreakers vs. the leading newsbreakers in other sports, baseball officiating vs. football officiating, the schedule for Triple-A robo umps, and a 1937 proposal for baseball photo finishes. Then they continue their 2023 season preview series by discussing the Cleveland Guardians (35:09) with MLB.com’s Mandy Bell and the Texas Rangers (1:12:18) with The Athletic’s Levi Weaver, plus Past Blasts (1:55:08) from 1873 and 1968 and a few follow-ups.
2023 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | HOU | | BOS | CLE | LAA | | NYY | DET | OAK | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Dawes, “Everything is Permanent”
Audio interstitial 1: 10cc, “I’m Mandy Fly Me”
Audio interstitial 2: Levi Weaver, “Dark Clay”
Audio outro: Dr. Dog, “Ebenezer Scrooge”
Link to rules announcements
Link to extra-innings pace study
Link to Ben on TLOU
Link to Eric Stephen thread
Link to Eno on pos. player pitchers
Link to WaPo on PPP
Link to Royals Review on PPP
Link to MLBTR on Chafin’s option
Link to MLBTR on Chafin’s signing
Link to Stathead on leading LHRP
Link to Leo Morgenstern on Chafin
Link to Jake Mailhot on LHRP
Link to Sheehan on NFL/MLB calls
Link to Super Bowl holding play
Link to MLB.com on Jeter
Link to Katie Baker on Fox pregames
Link to robo ump schedule
Link to Max Bishop SABR bio
Link to Craig Wright on Bishop
Link to 1937 photo finish source
Link to article on photo-finish camera
Link to film development source
Link to other film development source
Link to FG team projections
Link to payroll rankings
Link to Guardians offseason tracker
Link to Guardians depth chart
Link to Rangers offseason tracker
Link to Rangers depth chart
Link to Levi’s wins prediction
Link to Levi’s author archive
Link to FG’s SP projections
Link to FG’s LF projections
Link to 2022 LF WAR by team
Link to Bochy’s W-L record
Link to 1873 article source
Link to Rob Arthur on OF shifts
Link to Rob on OF depth
Link to 1968 article source
Link to second ’68 article source
Link to third ’68 article source
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to CBA AAV rule
Link to NHL contract rules
Link to old CPBL logo
Link to Brännboll wiki
Link to Brännboll video
Link to 1796 proto-baseball text
Link to baseball exceptionalism wiki
Link to A Christmas Carol ending
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Yu Darvish’s extension, then continue their 2023 season preview series by discussing the Los Angeles Angels (10:11) with The Athletic’s Sam Blum and the Boston Red Sox (59:32) with The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, plus a Past Blast (1:47:29) from 1967, an impromptu chat between Ben and former MLB umpire Joe West about whether/why West edited his own Wikipedia page (1:50:12), and a few follow-ups (2:11:42).
2023 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | HOU | | BOS | CLE | LAA | | NYY | DET | OAK | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: Lord Huron, “Not Dead Yet”
Audio interstitial: The Thrills, “This Year”
Audio outro: Frank Sinatra, “Maybe This Time”
Link to MLBTR on Darvish
Link to MLBTR on Yamamoto
Link to Baumann on FA pitchers
Link to FG team projections
Link to payroll rankings
Link to Angels offseason tracker
Link to Angels depth chart
Link to Sam on Neto
Link to Sam’s previous EW episode
Link to Petriello on the Angels
Link to Heyman on Moreno
Link to Sam’s author archive
Link to Red Sox offseason tracker
Link to Red Sox depth chart
Link to Alex’s author archive
Link to Alex on Devers
Link to Alex on the bullpen
Link to Alex on Yoshida
Link to Eno on the volatile Sox
Link to Homegrown
Link to 1967 article source
Link to other 1967 article source
Link to Stanky Draft EW episode
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Joe West Reddit thread
Link to West’s Wikipedia page
Link to Crewchief22 talk page
Link to Carew ejection story
Link to NFLPA logo
Link to baseball exceptionalism wiki
Link to guest/predictions spreadsheet
Link to prediction averages spreadsheet
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Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Effectively Wild listener/Patreon supporter Alana Crockett banter about Alana’s baseball background, pitcher representation in the MLB and MLBPA logos, and former umpire Joe West allegedly editing his own Wikipedia page, then (26:44) answer listener emails about a “cheap team tax” in trades, a pitching coach superpower, trading for the Rays’ front office, batters tossing the ball to themselves, a reboot of The Baseball Bunch, batters predicting pitch types, and called strikeouts on pitches straight down the middle, plus a Stat Blast (1:22:21) about Fernando Valenzuela and players with the best statistical cases to have their numbers retired, a Past Blast (1:47:21) from 1966, and a few follow-ups.
Audio intro: Cowboy Joe West, “Out at Home”
Audio outro: Mates of State, “Everyone Needs an Editor”
Link to new MLBPA logo
Link to MLB logo origin story
Link to NBA logo origin story
Link to Joe West Reddit thread
Link to Joe West wiki
Link to Crewchief22 talk page
Link to Hershiser game box score
Link to Hershiser game video
Link to other Hershiser game video
Link to EW emails database
Link to SP/RP velo study
Link to exit velo breakdown
Link to The Baseball Bunch wiki
Link to The Baseball Bunch oral history
Link to story about other Gary Cohen
Link to other Cohen’s IMDb page
Link to LaRoche retrospective
Link to latest Votto video
Link to Votto’s top hat
Link to Trevino video
Link to Rob on the banging scheme
Link to the Nichols Law
Link to Harry’s game-calling study
Link to EW episode with Harry
Link to Cameron’s game-calling study
Link to EW episode with Cameron
Link to Cameron’s Guardians tweet
Link to catcher RDTD K leaders
Link to catcher fastball RDTD K leaders
Link to pitcher RDTD K leaders
Link to story on Valenzuela
Link to Stat Blast spreadsheet
Link to Ryan Nelson on Twitter
Link to list of retired numbers
Link to story on Dodgers candidates
Link to story on Garvey’s number
Link to story on Mussina’s number
Link to Berkman commercial
Link to 1963 Past Blast source
Link to CICL MLB alumni
Link to 1966 story source
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Nugget’s Instagram
Link to Reddit study on Klentak
Link to article on Earth’s core
Link to “Go west, young man” wiki
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley introduce the 11th annual Effectively Wild season preview series, then kick things off by previewing the 2023 San Francisco Giants (13:03) with The Athletic’s Grant Brisbee and the 2023 Minnesota Twins (55:48) with The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman, plus a Past Blast (1:33:43) from 1965.
2023 EW Season Preview Series AL
| BAL | CHW | HOU | | BOS | CLE | LAA | | NYY | DET | OAK | | TBR | KCR | SEA | | TOR | MIN | TEX |
NL
| ATL | CHC | ARI | | MIA | CIN | COL | | NYM | MIL | LAD | | PHI | PIT | SDP | | WSN | STL | SFG |
Audio intro: The Bevis Frond, “And Away We Go”
Audio interstitial: Woods, “Twin Steps”
Audio outro: Justin Townes Earle, “Here We Go Again”
Link to preview series wiki
Link to guest/predictions spreadsheet
Link to FG team projections
Link to The Athletic farm rankings
Link to ESPN farm rankings
Link to payroll rankings
Link to The Athletic offseason grades
Link to Giants offseason tracker
Link to Giants depth chart
Link to Grant’s author archive
Link to Twins offseason tracker
Link to Twins depth chart
Link to Aaron’s author archive
Link to Correa WBC news
Link to The Hustler’s Handbook
Link to SI book preview
Link to Chicago Tribune book ad
Link to Veeck As in Wreck
Link to Ben on Veeck As in Wreck
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to MLBTR on Guzmán
Link to Stanky Draft EW episode
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about pre-Opening Day milestones and the upcoming EW season preview series, then (7:59) draft and discuss their favorite offseason transactions (and non-transactions), followed by a Past Blast from 1964 (1:16:19) and a Stat Blast addendum (1:21:18) about Pinky Higgins, Roxie Lawson, and hits-related records.
Audio intro: Marshall Crenshaw, “You’re My Favorite Waste of Time”
Audio outro: Ward White, “1964”
Link to Red Sox Truck Day
Link to Guardians Truck Day
Link to Phillies Truck Day
Link to season preview series wiki
Link to 2021 preview podcasts
Link to list of transactions
Link to Ben on K.C.’s outfield
Link to FG on the Varsho trade
Link to Ben Clemens on Varsho
Link to Ben L. on the Mets and Correa
Link to FG on the Twins and Correa
Link to FG SP depth charts
Link to Heyman’s Correa report
Link to FG on the Cruz signing
Link to FG on the McCutchen signing
Link to FG on the Hill signing
Link to FG on the Bogaerts signing
Link to FG on the Turner signing
Link to FG on the Devers extension
Link to story on NESN and boos
Link to FG on Murphy/Contreras
Link to ESPN on the Arenado decision
Link to FG on the Syndergaard signing
Link to The Athletic on Syndergaard
Link to FG on the Renfroe trade
Link to FG on the Anderson signing
Link to FG on the Estévez signing
Link to FG on the Contreras signing
Link to FG on the Green signing
Link to The Athletic team grades
Link to 1964 story source
Link to SABR on the ’64 Meetings
Link to commissioner’s powers paper
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to news on YouTube TV and MLBN
Link to story on Orioles lease
Link to Dan Moore EW episode
Link to Bradbury thread on Camden
Link to FG team projections
Link to The Core Stat Blast episode
Link to Higgins vs. Lawson H2H
Link to story on consecutive hits
Link to story on hits recordholders
Link to story on Higgins record
Link to other mention of Higgins record
Link to first story about spiking
Link to second story about spiking
Link to third story about spiking
Link to fourth story about spiking
Link to Craig Wright on spikings
Link to Higgins SABR bio
Link to Lawson SABR bio
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley issue a sexiness-comment correction and banter about Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s MLB: The Show cover-model credentials, the 2023 Opening Day schedule, more ways in which baseball is and isn’t different from other sports (14:35), Chad Green’s convoluted contract (31:35), and their appreciation of Zack Greinke. Then (43:49) Ben chats with former All-Star Shawn Green about his cameo in 2003 sci-fi film The Core and his dominant stats against fellow The Core cameo-maker Mike Hampton, followed by a conversation (56:55) between Ben and The Athletic features writer Jayson Jenks about Jenks’s three oral histories of Greinke’s career, the best Greinke stories, Greinke’s singular skills, personality, and reputation, Greinke’s future in the game, and more. Finally, Ben and Meg conclude with a Past Blast from 1963 (1:36:31), plus a few follow-ups.
Audio intro: Sleater-Kinney, “Male Model”
Audio interstitial: Fruit Bats, “My Unusual Friend”
Audio outro: TUNS, “Keeping Options Open”
Link to Correa tweet
Link to fake Jazz tweet
Link to Chisholm cover reveal
Link to cover athlete analysis
Link to Jazz on his cover spot
Link to Jazz on last year’s game
Link to 2023 schedule announcement
Link to fraternization rule video
Link to Ben on baseball failure
Link to baseball exceptionalism wiki
Link to FG post on Green
Link to MLBTR on Green
Link to Green options flow chart
Link to The Core Stat Blast episode
Link to The Core wiki
Link to story on the real core
Link to The Core baseball scene
Link to Green vs. Hampton H2H
Link to 2004 Green vs. Hampton story
Link to lopsided batter-pitcher matchups
Link to ’99–’02 top position players
Link to Randall Munroe on the shuttle
Link to Green vs. pitchers
Link to Greinke vs. hitters
Link to Green vs. Greinke H2H
Link to MLB 2004 wiki
Link to Green’s book
Link to Jay on Greinke re-signing
Link to story on Greinke’s cutter
Link to above-average low-K%+ SP
Link to 2022 SP by K%+
Link to Posnanski on Greinke
Link to first Greinke oral history
Link to second Greinke oral history
Link to third Greinke oral history
Link to fourth Greinke oral history
Link to 2019 thread of Greinke stories
Link to Greinke calling his own signs
Link to Greinke at game in stands
Link to list of best-hitting pitchers
Link to Jayson’s author archive
Link to 1963 story source
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to ESPN on the tennis exhibition
Link to “Battle of Surfaces” video
Link to tennis serve clock story
Link to 2022 RP WAR leaders
Link to John Adams obit
Link to Adams Guardians induction
Link to Hilda Award
Link to Baseball Reliquary episode
Link to turf definition
Link to artificial turf wiki
Link to “Was the Grink There?” tweet
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about players being in the sexiest shape of their lives, Rockies owner Dick Monfort’s comments about the Padres’ spending, and how Diamond Sports Group’s bankruptcy might affect the future of baseball broadcasting, then (28:09) discuss more ways in which baseball stands out from other sports. After that (35:35), they answer listener emails about misspelled Cy Young awards, why timeouts are called timeouts, “offensive environment” vs. “scoring environment” and “run environment,” scoring more runs for hitting a foul pole, rodeo-style “shark cages” in the outfield, how teams can quickly change their vibes, whether anyone will ever throw a 110-mph pitch, players excelling on certain surfaces, a team with unlimited 1.0 WAR players, how bigger bases could affect bang-bang plays, and an every-way Shohei Ohtani. They finish (1:40:29) with Stat Blasts about the newly retired Darren O’Day, the unusual reliever-to-starter conversion of Jeffrey Springs, and a Mike Hampton–Shawn Green matchup from the 2003 movie The Core, plus (2:08:56) a Past Blast from 1962.
Audio intro: Tom Verlaine, “Down on the Farm”
Audio outro: Bettie Serveert, “Sundazed to the Core”
Link to Helfand tweet
Link to Hayes tweet
Link to Pratt tweet
Link to Warne tweet
Link to Ben on BSOHL
Link to Hamels comeback blog
Link to Monfort’s 2020 prediction
Link to latest Monfort comments
Link to Bloomberg on RSNs
Link to BP on RSNs
Link to Travis Sawchik on RSNs
Link to Ben Clemens on RSNs
Link to baseball exceptionalism wiki
Link to sac fly definition
Link to awards photos
Link to Hoch tweet
Link to timeouts story source
Link to EW Episode 1381
Link to rodeo shark cage video
Link to EW Episode 265
Link to 110-mph pitcher video
Link to fastest recorded pitches
Link to Ben on past FB speeds
Link to yearly average pitch speeds
Link to Baumann on artificial turf
Link to Pinstripe Alley on bigger bases
Link to Russell on defensive movers
Link to THT on defensive movers
Link to listener emails database
Link to O’Day retirement tweet
Link to O’Day Stathead query
Link to Dave Brown at B-Ref bullpen
Link to reliever-starter converts
Link to Ben on Wright
Link to the “Rule of 17”
Link to FG on the Springs extension
Link to Rays Pride Night story
Link to Ryan Nelson on Twitter
Link to The Core wiki
Link to story on the real core
Link to The Core baseball scene
Link to Green vs. Hampton H2H
Link to 2004 Green vs. Hampton story
Link to lopsided batter-pitcher matchups
Link to ’99–’02 top position players
Link to Randall Munroe on the shuttle
Link to Higgins vs. Lawson H2H
Link to Kenny Jackelen on Twitter
Link to 1962 story source
Link to B-Ref East-West Game account
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Kent on Survivor
Link to L.A. Times on Kent
Link to Kent’s salaries
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Orioles owner John Angelos reneging on his offer to show reporters the team’s financial information, the O’s acquiring Cole Irvin, the Astros hiring the Braves’ Dana Brown as their new GM, and the Twins trading for Michael A. Taylor to be Byron Buxton’s backup, plus more ways in which baseball is different from other sports (27:12), a mini Stat Blast about Jeff Kent’s ability to turn the double play (46:32), and a Past Blast from 1961 (55:58). Then (1:03:55) they bring on Joseph L. Price, professor emeritus at Whittier College, to discuss the past, present, and future of the Baseball Reliquary and the Shrine of the Eternals (a.k.a. “The People’s Hall of Fame”), as well as Whittier’s Institute for Baseball Studies and Price’s prolific National Anthem career.
Audio intro: Sherry Davis, “Broken Promises”
Audio interstitial: Jeff Buckley, “Eternal Life”
Audio outro: Alasdair Roberts, “Roomful of Relics”
Link to Rays prospects list
Link to Angelos-Connolly exchange
Link to Connolly on the exchange
Link to Connolly on the books
Link to MLBTR on Irvin
Link to Carrie Mathison’s fallow yellow
Link to Dana Brown announcement
Link to MLBTR on Brown
Link to New York Post on Bagwell
Link to Houston Chronicle on Bagwell
Link to Passan on Crane and Click
Link to Ben Clemens on Taylor
Link to CF DRS leaders since 2015
Link to baseball exceptionalism wiki
Link to “The Hockey Song”
Link to “The Hockey Song” wiki
Link to mound visit rules
Link to Ray Ratto on the HoF
Link to Posnanski on Kent
Link to Slusser on Kent
Link to 2B ISO+ leaders
Link to 2B wRC+ leaders
Link to Morosi on Kent
Link to Russell’s Kent stats
Link to Russell on 1B fielding credit
Link to 1961 story source
Link to 1961 Winter Meetings (SABR)
Link to David Lewis’s Twitter
Link to David Lewis’s Substack
Link to Past Blast wiki
Link to Hall of Stats
Link to Hall of Stats EW episode
Link to BBTF Hall of Merit
Link to Prof. Price’s Whittier page
Link to Annie Savoy’s monologue
Link to Dalkowski EW episode
Link to Shelton EW episode
Link to Baseball Reliquary website
Link to Baseball Reliquary wiki
Link to Institute for Baseball Studies
Link to NYT on the Reliquary
Link to Daily News on the Reliquary
Link to LAist on the Institute
Link to O.C. Register on the Reliquary
Link to Dock Ellis induction
Link to Nancy Faust wiki
Link to Price’s Rounding the Bases
Link to ESPN on Price’s singing
Link to video on Price’s singing route
Link to Price’s Perfect Pitch
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Scott Rolen’s election to the Hall of Fame, Billy Wagner, Andy Pettitte, and relievers vs. starters as Cooperstown candidates, the Adalberto Mondesi trade (and a wager about Mondesi and Shohei Ohtani), and (32:40) more ways in which baseball stands out from other sports. Then (45:00) they talk to FanGraphs senior writer (and The Cooperstown Casebook author) Jay Jaffe about Rolen’s trajectory, the rest of the voting results, the typical ballot in 2023, the election outlook for 2024, frustrating Hall of Fame arguments, and more. After that (1:21:36), they end with a follow-up about extra players on the field and an in-person Past Blast from 1960 (and Jacob Pomrenke).
Audio intro: Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris, “Rollin’ On”
Audio interstitial: Van Morrison, “Dweller on the Threshold”
Audio outro: Joel Plaskett, “Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin’”
Link to HoF voting results
Link to Petriello on HoF 3B
Link to parents’ reaction video
Link to Rolen’s Reddit spoiler
Link to Griffey/Piazza Reddit spoiler
Link to Rolen Stathead query
Link to B-Ref newsletter
Link to Ben on not voting
Link to Ben on not voting again
Link to Jeff Passan on not voting
Link to Andy McCullough on not voting
Link to Mark Armour tweet
Link to reliever JAWS list
Link to FG on the Mondesi trade
Link to B.J. on Mondesi in 2018
Link to B.J. tweet about MVP Mondesi
Link to Ohtani signing reaction episode
Link to Meg/Barnwell/Adler episode
Link to @OldTakesExposed
Link to baseball exceptionalism wiki
Link to curling scoreboard info
Link to golf scoreboard photo
Link to Jay on the results
Link to Jayson Stark on the results
Link to Ben on Mauer
Link to Rob Parker tweet
Link to Ron Cook column
Link to Verducci video
Link to The Cooperstown Casebook
Link to Hershberger story source
Link to 1960 story source
Link to 1960 Winter Meetings (SABR)
Link to SABR on MLB schedule changes
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Past Blast wiki
Link to Shapiro quotes
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the yips, more ways in which baseball is different from other sports, big leaguers playing against kids, and Rogers Centre’s new dimensions, plus a Past Blast (36:49) from 1959. Then (41:54) they talk to Sam Blum and Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic and Pedro Moura of Fox Sports about how the Angels have neglected their Spanish-language broadcasts, the legacy of newly retired, legendary Dodgers broadcaster Jaime Jarrín, the difference in the ways in which MLB’s Los Angeles franchises have served (or underserved) their Spanish-speaking audiences, the impact those disparate efforts and investments have had on the two teams, what ails the Angels, the future of Shohei Ohtani, and much more, followed by an update (1:25:05) on the Angels’ surprising non-sale.
Audio intro: Robyn Hitchcock, “The Yip Song”
Audio interstitial: Ry Cooder (Feat. Lalo Guerrero), “Barrio Viejo”
Audio outro: Pixies, “Jaime Bravo”
Link to The Athletic on Maher
Link to blocked kick
Link to ESPN on Maher
Link to baseball exceptionalism wiki
Link to soccer video
Link to other soccer video
Link to Bonds trampoline video
Link to Ohtani facing himself
Link to article on new dimensions
Link to Statcast park factors
Link to 1957 story source
Link to EW sign-stealing episode
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
Link to Fabian’s engagement post
Link to Sam’s story on Tolentino
Link to 2020 WS call
Link to Dodgers video on Jarrín
Link to Jarrín in the press box
Link to L.A. Times video on Jarrín
Link to L.A. Times feature on Jarrín
Link to Dylan Hernández on Jarrín
Link to NBC News on Jarrín
Link to NPR on Jarrín
Link to Chavez Ravine history
Link to more on Chavez Ravine
Link to OC Register on Fernandomania
Link to L.A. Times on Fernandomania
Link to Jay Jaffe on Fernandomania
Link to Dodgers City Connect unis
Link to article on Arte’s sombrero
Link to article on Angels minor leaguers
Link to Sam on Angels remote broadcasts
Link to Pedro’s book
Link to Sam on the non-sale
Link to MLBTR on the non-sale
Link to WaPo on the Nats’ non-sale
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about 53-year-old Dae-Sung Koo 구대성 pitching in Australia, provide a final(?) update on Brandon Belt’s beloved Toronto chicken tenders, discuss the invisible strike zone as a feature that sets baseball apart from other sports (along with listener responses to other differentiating factors), bemoan the results of a Reddit poll about what to call the extra-inning runner, and marvel at investigations into the effect of the orientation of the baseball on its path to the plate and the predictiveness of ERA vs. FIP. Then (47:25) they answer listener emails about home run robberies vs. home run larcenies, a wrinkle in the calculation of a contract’s competitive-balance-tax cost, the competitive impact of 2023’s balanced schedule (and the Orioles’ impressive prospect rankings), how many defenders a team of 15-year-olds would need to field to keep a game against big leaguers close, ways to make other sports more like baseball, why so many arbitration cases are still unsettled, Henry Rowengartner’s velo in Rookie of the Year, and the best forgettable players, plus a real-time reaction to the Luis Arraez–Pablo López trade, a Stat Blast (1:39:44) about Adam Duvall and the latest-career moves to a premium position, and a Past Blast (1:54:53) from 1958.
Audio intro: Crosby, Stills & Nash, “Anything at All”
Audio outro: Built to Spill, “Center of the Universe”
Link to Twitter video of Koo
Link to Koo on YouTube
Link to article about Koo
Link to Koo’s SABR bio
Link to Koo vs. Johnson
Link to Bois doc on Koo
Link to Belt on chicken tenders
Link to KNBR Belt interview
Link to Ritz chef appearance
Link to Ray/Friedman interview
Link to ball orientation study
Link to ERA/FIP study
Link to BABIP/FIP study
Link to Reddit poll
Link to baseball exceptionalism wiki
Link to Bo-taoshi wiki
Link to EW emails database
Link to Speier on Devers
Link to robbery definition
Link to larceny definition
Link to Szymborski on the schedule
Link to Petriello on the schedule
Link to Guardians prospect list
Link to article on O’s prospects
Link to BP top 101
Link to BA top 100
Link to Sam on derby fielders
Link to requested arb salaries
Link to Ben on arb and extensions
Link to Rookie of the Year wiki
Link to Marlins ZiPS post
Link to Duvall’s first CF game
Link to Duvall’s first CF start
Link to defensive spectrum wiki
Link to Russell on the def. spectrum
Link to 2022 age by position
Link to oldest first-time CF/SS
Link to late movers spreadsheet
Link to Ryan Nelson on Twitter
Link to Russell on position changing
Link to Adam D. on position changing
Link to Russell on emergency catchers
Link to MLBTR on the MIA-MIN trade
Link to Ben C. on the MIA-MIN trade
Link to MLBTR on Chisholm
Link to 1958 story source
Link to Rosie Reds website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about passing the halfway point of the offseason, another way in which baseball is unusual among team sports, a few minor transactions, and (11:15) recent PR missteps by the Reds and Orioles owners’ respective sons. Then (39:16) they talk to writer Dan Moore about his reporting on public stadium subsidies, the financial cost of keeping teams in a city and the intangible cost of letting them leave, the architectural and economic legacies of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the soaring valuations of sports franchises, and the A’s ballpark situation, followed by (1:25:49) a Past Blast from 1957 and mascot banter.
Audio intro: The Bootheels, “Halfway There”
Audio interstitial: Television, “Elevation”
Audio outro: Pit Pony, “Profit”
Link to Kyle’s halfway-point post
Link to Smyth’s halfway tweet
Link to Sam on the pit
Link to Castellini’s 2022 comments
Link to new Castellini comments
Link to projections fact-check
Link to C. Trent on Castellini
Link to Rosie Reds website
Link to story on Orioles donation
Link to Angelos lawsuit info
Link to Connolly on Angelos
Link to Angelos video
Link to Angelos transcript
Link to Forbes team valuations
Link to Sportico team valuations
Link to Dan on team moves
Link to Dan on Camden Yards
Link to Dan on team valuations
Link to WaPo on the Nats’ sale
Link to Will Carroll report
Link to $1.2 billion Baltimore fund
Link to more info on fund
Link to Oakland grant news
Link to A’s CBA deadline
Link to latest on the Royals’ park
Link to Missouri legislator comments
Link to 2022 in stadium funding
Link to Field of Schemes
Link to Dan’s Oakland Roots article
Link to Dan’s website
Link to 1957 story source
Link to Emmett Kelly wiki
Link to Gritty wiki
Link to Dandy article
Link to other Dandy article
Link to Bronxie article
Link to Blooper and Duvall’s son
Link to Buoy the Troll
Link to post about Caillou
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about players snacking on the field and a baseball equivalent of the EGOT before (23:01) Ben brings on Ron Shelton, the Oscar-nominated writer and director of Bull Durham and the author of The Church of Baseball: The Making of Bull Durham, to reminisce about Shelton’s minor league career, how conditions in the minors have evolved, the future big leaguers he played with, why Crash Davis didn’t stick in the majors, sports-movie verisimilitude, how he wrote Annie Savoy, Kevin Costner and Susan Sarandon, why Bull Durham almost didn’t get made, the golden age of baseball movies, Bull Durham as a TV series, an MLB game in Durham, his other baseball projects, and more. Then (1:04:02), Ben and Meg talk to well-traveled 45-year-old pitcher Chris Oxspring of the Australian Baseball League’s Sydney Blue Sox about his baseball origin story, his path through indy ball, affiliated ball, Japan, South Korea, and the Olympics, culture shock and the language barrier, his cup of coffee with the Padres, the development of baseball in Australia, the knuckleball’s future, being a player-coach, the toll being a baseball player takes on one’s family, Australian slang, and how long he can keep pitching. Finally (1:50:04), they end with a Past Blast from 1956 and a few follow-ups.
Audio intro: Fruit Bats, “The Ruminant Band”
Audio interstitial 1: Concrete Blonde, “It’ll Chew You Up and Spit You Out”
Audio interstitial 2: Toner, “Ox ’45”
Audio outro: Frazey Ford, “One More Cup of Coffee”
Link to EGOT Facebook thread
Link to EGOT winners
Link to Academy Juvenile Award
Link to Historic Achievement Award
Link to Lou Brock Award
Link to The Church of Baseball
Link to Shelton’s B-Ref page
Link to Shelton’s IMDb page
Link to ’69 Ports article 1
Link to ’69 Ports article 2
Link to ’69 Ports article 3
Link to Everybody Wants Some!!
Link to Everybody Wants Some!! pod
Link to Ben’s Remake Necessity Score
Link to Ben on movie analytics
Link to story on minor league owners
Link to private equity minors story
Link to players born in Australia
Link to Joe Quinn’s SABR bio
Link to Oxspring’s SABR bio
Link to Oxspring’s B-Ref page
Link to Oxspring’s Blue Sox page
Link to Oxspring’s Instagram
Link to Oxspring’s MLB clips
Link to 2014 story on Oxspring
Link to Kent-Oxspring Cup story
Link to story about leaving Lotte
Link to Ben on the knuckleball
Link to Australian slang
Link to Ben on international The Bachelor
Link to 1956 story source
Link to EW on Mays documentary
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
Link to Belt on chicken tenders
Link to Ritz opening story
Link to Pirates job tweet
Link to Pirates job posting
Link to laser measurements story
Link to LIDAR post
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a “Dear Abby” baseball column, Andrew McCutchen’s return to Pittsburgh, Nelson Cruz signing with San Diego, the Dodgers reacquiring Miguel Rojas, catcher deking and the ball-strike challenge system, and inaccurate outfield-fence distances, follow up on Toronto chicken tenders (and how a new Canadian law could affect the Blue Jays), the tendency for fans to view baseball from the batter’s perspective, and a few more ways in which baseball is unusual among sports, followed (57:04) by a Stat Blast update on Brandon Crawford, Brandon Belt, and prolific putout tandems, a new Stat Blast about J.J. Hardy, Scott Rolen, and players who only ever played one defensive position, and a Past Blast from 1955. Then (1:21:28) they talk to Mike Petriello of MLB.com about the effects he thinks MLB’s new positioning restrictions will have, how to determine whether the shift ban “worked,” how he thinks teams will play defense, whether hitters should adjust their approaches, which individual hitters and teams could be helped or hindered, and his thoughts on the other new rules changes.
Audio intro: The Smithereens, “Dear Abby”
Audio interstitial: Smith Westerns, “Only One”
Audio outro: Lyres, “Swing Shift”
Link to “Dear Abby” column
Link to FG post on Cruz
Link to LASIK study
Link to FG post on Rojas
Link to FG post on Fujinami
Link to “gamer babe” discussion
Link to The Classical on “gamer babe”
Link to “gamer babe” name change
Link to “gamer babe” Giants post
Link to Cutch hype video
Link to Cutch offers report
Link to Defector on “furries” tweets
Link to Anthrocon site
Link to Céspedes BBQ tweet
Link to LASIK study
Link to Hannah Keyser on ABS
Link to ESPN ABS report
Link to Tango on deking
Link to laser measurements story
Link to Miggy reaction
Link to Woodberry laser tweets
Link to Comerica flies montage
Link to Tango on Comerica barrels
Link to Tango HR estimate
Link to FG post on Tigers hitters
Link to ballpark homogenization
Link to Belt on chicken tenders
Link to Toronto Ritz menu
Link to “Avocado Factor”
Link to Sportsnet article
Link to baseball idioms wiki
Link to idioms classification
Link to preorder Russell’s book
Link to Episode 1616 Stat Blast
Link to Episode 1616 putout duos
Link to Posnanski on Hardy
Link to one-position-player data
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
Link to Kenny Jackelen’s Twitter
Link to FG post on Andrus
Link to 2002 Rollins game story
Link to Rollins in 2017 ST
Link to Snoopy’s Joe Cool
Link to 1955 story source
Link to SABR on Zimmer’s beaning
Link to info on Peltzman Effect
Link to Craig Wright on first helmets
Link to Wright on modern helmets
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
Link to Mike on Seager
Link to SIS on Seager
Link to helped-hitters article
Link to not-helped-hitters article
Link to free agents and the shift
Link to “pie slice” rule
Link to Gleeman on Kepler
Link to lowest-BABIP players
Link to SNY on McNeil
Link to FG post on righty shifts
Link to Tango on spray angle
Link to Tango on layered hit prob.
Link to Ballpark Dimensions
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley recap the conclusion of the Carlos Correa free agency saga, breaking down his new, actually finalized contract with the Twins, reviewing his offseason odyssey, and trying to anticipate his future. Then (28:20) they banter about Trevor Story’s elbow surgery, the Blue Jays’ and Marlins’ signings of Brandon Belt and Johnny Cueto, respectively (and Belt’s thoughts on chicken tenders), the Tigers moving in and lowering the fences at Comerica Park, and ballplayers’ belts and their handedness (dis)advantages as characteristics that set baseball apart. After that (54:47), they talk to two professors from the University of Illinois, Daniel Eck and Adrian Burgos, Jr., about their research into fans’ inflated appraisals of players from the distant past, the changing caliber of play in the majors over time, and adjusting traditional and advanced stats for the expansion of the player pool, followed (1:35:19) by a few updates and a Past Blast from 1954.
Audio intro: The Decemberists, “Red Right Ankle”
Audio interstitial: Uncle Tupelo, “Factory Belt”
Audio outro: Frank Sinatra, “I Don’t Believe in Rumors”
Link to Ben Clemens on Correa again
Link to Heyman on Correa
Link to Rosenthal on Correa
Link to Correa’s comments
Link to Mets’ Correa statement
Link to over/under draft results
Link to story on Story
Link to internal brace info
Link to Story’s arm strength
Link to Justin Choi on Belt
Link to Belt on chicken tenders
Link to Leo Morgenstern on Cueto
Link to Comerica alterations
Link to HR park factors
Link to lefty advantage research
Link to more on lefty advantages
Link to NYT on lefties and sports
Link to FG on the lefty pitcher edge
Link to Eck’s professor page
Link to Burgos’s professor page
Link to previous Burgos appearance
Link to adjusted WAR leaderboard
Link to technical model details
Link to Eck on era adjustments
Link to results part I
Link to results part II
Link to results part III
Link to MLB-eligible population
Link to Ben on quality of play
Link to 1954 story source
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
Link to Nightengale on the Braves
Link to 2012 Anthopoulous article
Link to MLBTR on Vogt
Link to typesetting characters info
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a Roger Angell-identified way in which baseball is different from other sports, discuss the Mariners signing AJ Pollock and the Phillies trading for Gregory Soto, and respond to the Dodgers cutting ties with Trevor Bauer, MLB reinstating former Braves GM John Coppolella, and KBO ace An Woo-jin not being rostered on South Korea’s WBC squad, plus musings on the competitive advantage of preventing leaks and a Past Blast from 1953. Then (42:42) they talk to FanGraphs senior writer and ZiPS creator Dan Szymborski about the weakest projected positions on contending teams, along with detours into Shohei Ohtani’s WAR projection, whether salaries for starting pitchers have declined along with innings totals, the linear relationship between dollars and WAR, the deflation of center-field offense, the pace of free-agent signings, whether AI will be the downfall of humanity, and more, followed by a postscript with a few notes and updates.
Audio intro: Trampled By Turtles, “A Lifetime to Find”
Audio interstitial: Margo Price, “That’s How Rumors Get Started”
Audio outro: Jason Isbell, “If it Takes a Lifetime”
Link to Angell’s “On the Ball”
Link to MLBTR on Pollock
Link to Longenhagen on Soto
Link to Sands photo
Link to Dipoto on M’s spending
Link to Rosenthal on Bauer
Link to Nightengale on Bauer
Link to MLBTR on Coppolella
Link to An Woo-Jin article
Link to more on An Woo-Jin
Link to more on KBO bullying
Link to An Woo-Jin scouting report
Link to article on volleyball bullying
Link to Nightengale on the Braves
Link to 1953 story source
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
Link to article on Rose’s bet
Link to zombie runner coinage
Link to Ben C. on FA movement
Link to Ben’s FA retrospective
Link to Dan’s ZiPS pieces
Link to FG depth charts
Link to best remaining FA
Link to Dodgers payroll post
Link to Rob on pitchers/payroll
Link to Dan on paying for wins
Link to Rob on CF offense
Link to Posnanski on chess bots
Link to Dan’s Gronk tweets
Link to Dan’s weapons tweet
Link to chatbots EW episode
Link to MLBTR on Hendriks
Link to MLB.com on Hendriks
Link to All-CarShield team
Link to EW on CarShield sponsors
Link to Andújar trade request
Link to tennis baseball video
Link to Colbert/Musial story
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Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and longtime listener and Patreon supporter Jacob Barak banter about Jacob’s baseball-fan background, EW origin story, and much-discussed post about a Shohei Ohtani conundrum in the podcast’s Facebook group, then (10:35) answer listener emails about why we use dashes instead of slashes in displaying hitter’s hits and at-bats, unorthodox infield designs, where the money from competitive balance tax penalties goes, an Aaron Boone quote about “a championship and then some,” playing baseball with balls from other sports, teams tailoring the baseball to their pitchers’ strengths, the fewest games in a -1.0 WAR season and demanding a trade in the minors, the best teams from other leagues beating the worst teams from MLB, whether baseball is bad or good for the world, and the prospect of an MLB player coming out as trans or non-binary, plus Carlos Correa banter, a Stat Blast (1:21:41) about the late Nate Colbert and Padres home run hitters, a Past Blast (1:42:53) from 1952, and a few postscript updates.
Audio intro: Wire, “Dot Dash”
Audio outro: Jethro Tull, “Jacob’s Tales”
Link to Jacob’s Facebook post
Link to latest on Correa
Link to Ben C. on FA movement
Link to history of fraction slashes
Link to Stark on second base
Link to Stark on infield dirt
Link to EW Pesäpallo episode
Link to Evan’s first tweet
Link to Evan’s second tweet
Link to Boone video
Link to Yankees captains
Link to fewest G, -1 WAR hitters
Link to fewest G, -1 WAR pitchers
Link to Clay’s league strengths
Link to Rays Pride Night story
Link to Canha interview
Link to EW Brennaman episode
Link to EW emails database
Link to previous Colbert banter
Link to Padres HR leaderboard
Link to Stat Blast data
Link to Ryan Nelson on Twitter
Link to players w/164+ HR since ’75
Link to Padres ’69-’74 WAR leaders
Link to ’69-’74 team wins
Link to Colbert’s SABR bio
Link to Colbert’s RBI record
Link to more on the record
Link to ’69-’73 HR leaders
Link to Ben on Padres stars
Link to first Padres cycle
Link to first Padres no-hitter
Link to 1952 story source
Link to SABR on the ’52 Meetings
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
Link to MLBTR on Bauer
Link to Twins “DFA” tweet
Link to Hill hype video
Link to SABR on 3-team DHs
Link to Turner’s Vassegh tweet
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss the Red Sox signing Rafael Devers to a lengthy extension, the state of the Sox, the next two free-agent classes, and Carlos Baerga the newsbreaker, then banter about bad news for Charles Leblanc, a Congressional baseball analogy, the Sears/Willis Tower, a painful slide by a broadcaster, the Dodgers’ offseason, and redefining the pitcher win, plus a Past Blast from 1951.
Audio intro: Greg Camp, “The Armageddon Slide”
Audio outro: Bobby Thomson, “Because of You”
Link to Baumann on Devers
Link to Dubuque on Devers
Link to Gilligan on Boston’s SP
Link to story about booing Henry
Link to team WAR projections
Link to Baerga’s Devers report
Link to Baerga on Judge/Correa
Link to info on free-agent classes
Link to MLBTR on Leblanc
Link to Marlins WAR leaders
Link to no-hitter analogy
Link to Curtis on baseball analogies
Link to Willis Tower wiki
Link to Manning on SNL
Link to tweet about Vassegh
Link to Vassegh YouTube video
Link to story on Vassegh
Link to grape stomp meme
Link to Ben Clemens on the Dodgers
Link to Russell on wins
Link to EW on baseball uniqueness
Link to 1951 story source
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Hall of Famer Jim Palmer‘s endorsement of Netflix series Emily in Paris, a questionable Cubs-related baseball scene in the EiP series premiere, a Royals rookie record and a follow-up on Harold Ramírez’s hair, Ben’s latest former major leaguer Facebook friend recommendations, another way in which baseball is unique (or at least highly unusual) among major sports, defenders “taking away” hits from batters, the plateau in MLB’s percentage of international players, alternative baseball halls of fame, the Tigers trying and failing to sign Jean Segura, “purchasing” players vs. trading players, and more, plus a Past Blast from 1950.
Audio intro: Smoking Popes, “Letter to Emily”
Audio outro: Silver Jews, “Strange Victory, Strange Defeat”
Link to Palmer’s tweet
Link to second Palmer tweet
Link to Roeper tweet
Link to sports bar scene
Link to Gallagher tweet
Link to Bote homer
Link to Hudgens/Tucker info
Link to 25 Days of Bingemas
Link to SATC scene
Link to EW SATC mention
Link to KY3 on Royals rookies
Link to AP on Royals rookies
Link to story on Royals rookie duo
Link to team rookie homers
Link to Stathead on rookie homers
Link to Ramírez hair story
Link to preorder The New Ballgame
Link to Russell’s first book
Link to info on courtesy runners
Link to Retrosheet courtesy runners
Link to EW on baseball uniqueness
Link to info on international players
Link to HoF ballot tracker
Link to latest Rolen projection
Link to Hall of Stats
Link to Darowski EW episode
Link to Shrine of the Eternals
Link to Hall of Merit
Link to O.J. HoF info
Link to character clause info
Link to Passan on the character clause
Link to Ben’s 2021 ballot explanation
Link to Ben’s earlier ballot mention
Link to MLBTR on the Tigers
Link to 1950 story source
Link to SABR on psychologists
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley close the book on 2022 by bantering about the year in Effectively Wild, the Marlins signing Jean Segura, the heretofore-unsuspected existence of Charles Leblanc, and the pitch-calling accuracy of 10 retiring umpires, plus followups on how the zombie runner affects plate appearance totals, Lars Nootbaar’s pepper grinder, the year-to-year consistency of team replay-review success rates, and overlooked Rockies stories. Then (38:51) they discuss at least one listener-nominated topic about each American League team that they had previously overlooked on the podcast in 2022 (including mini Stat Blasts about the most unique team lineups used per season and Anthony Santander and team winning percentages when a player hits at least two homers), plus a Past Blast (1:46:52) from 1949.
Audio intro: Other Lives, “End of the Year”
Audio outro: Blue Rain Boots, “2023”
Link to nVenue episode
Link to MLBTR on Segura
Link to projected team WAR
Link to retiring umps story
Link to Umpire Scorecards
Link to Hallion punchouts video
Link to story on ump improvements
Link to story on ump age
Link to EW episode on NL teams
Link to pepper grinder story
Link to tweets about Nootbaar
Link to replay success rates
Link to success-rate spreadsheet
Link to stat correlations
Link to SP stat correlations
Link to more stat correlations
Link to pitching stat correlations
Link to xstats correlations
Link to Freeland clip
Link to Pint story
Link to Rockies scoreboard
Second link to Rockies scoreboard
Link to 2022 SP WAR
Link to Baker deli story
Link to Craig Wright on Vogt
Link to UPI Vogt story
Link to Vogt homer video
Link to Vogt ref impression 1
Link to Vogt ref impression 2
Link to highest BABIPs
Link to OAA behind pitcher
Link to FG on the righty shift
Link to Jays Journal on Gausman
Link to The Athletic on Gausman
Link to Jay Jaffe on Gausman
Link to Kwan pinball story
Link to swing rate leaderboard
Link to CtC on Gonzalez
Link to story on Gonzalez’s swings
Link to story on Harry Ford
Link to story on Great Britain/WBC
Link to 2+ home run spreadsheet
Link to immaculate innings story
Link to best second-half hitters
Link to Harold Ramírez story
Link to Boston.com on Eck
Link to The Ecktionary on Twitter
Link to Ecktionary glossary
Link to The Athletic on Eckersley
Link to Eck on “pair of shoes”
Link to CBS Sports on Cuas
Link to The Athletic on Cuas
Link to Cuas MLBN video
Link to Cuas on his debut
Link to article on Meadows
Link to Rodriguez report
Link to Rodriguez return story
Link to lineups spreadsheet
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
Link to previous lineups Stat Blast
Link to RP WPA leaders
Link to fastest four-seamers
Link to story on Cruz and Arraez
Link to ultimate grand slams
Link to Cabrera robbery
Link to article on Cabrera
Link to Pinstripe Alley on Cabrera
Link to 1949 story source
Link to Dodgertown site
Link to story on Rickey innovations
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
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Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs writer Ben Clemens continue a cherished podcast tradition by conducting the 10th annual Effectively Wild Minor League Free Agent Draft, in which they select 10 minor league free agents each and compete to see whose roster will accumulate the most combined MLB playing time in 2023. First they explain the history and ground rules of the draft, and then they start making their selections (18:11), followed by a Past Blast (1:20:02) from 1948.
Audio intro: Greg Brown, “Laughing River”
Audio outro: Buzzcocks, “Playing for Time”
Link to eligible free agents
Link to WAR of past selections
Link to the draft at the EW wiki
Link to competitions spreadsheet
Link to this year’s picks
Link to BA picks
Link to Down on the Farm (hitters)
Link to Down on the Farm (pitchers)
Link to Down on the Farm (signings)
Link to VEB on draftees
Link to 1948 story source
Link to SABR on Braves Field
Link to SABR on neon foul poles
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Carlos Correa’s contract limbo, the Pirates signing Rich Hill, the Rangers signing Nathan Eovaldi, the Red Sox signing Corey Kluber, the Blue Jays trading Gabriel Moreno and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to the Diamondbacks for Daulton Varsho, the Braves extending Sean Murphy, and the Phillies signing Craig Kimbrel. Then (39:51) they discuss at least one listener-nominated topic about each National League team that they had previously overlooked on the podcast in 2022 (including a Stat Blast at 1:12:53 about the decline in qualified hitters and hitters with 700-plus plate appearances), plus a Past Blast (1:44:29) from 1947.
Audio intro: Carl Smith, “I Overlooked an Orchid”
Audio outro: Harvey Danger, “I Missed It”
Link to article on “Dead Week”
Link to 2014 Correa injury
Link to Heyman on Correa
Link to Puma on Correa
Link to 2022 Correa injury
Link to MLBTR on Hill
Link to Hill quiz
Link to EW wiki on Hill
Link to MLBTR on Eovaldi
Link to FG SP depth chart
Link to MLBTR on Kluber
Link to MLBTR on Varsho
Link to MLBTR on Murphy
Link to MLBTR on Kimbrel
Link to story on Heredia swords
Link to Stathead on Heredia
Link to info on Heredia demotion
Link to info on Heredia promotion
Link to MLBTR on Heredia
Link to 2022 roster report
Link to Battery Power on Heredia
Link to Infinity Gauntlet story
Link to Brewers bell story
Link to Nootbar ASB story
Link to Nootbaar grinder origin
Link to Nootbaar grinder story
Link to Thompson/Kile story
Link to Laurila on Thompson
Link to info on Robertson demotion
Link to Robertson error
Link to Jeff Albert story
Link to story on Morel’s homer
Link to story on homer prediction
Link to fist-bump photo
Link to team attendance cost
Link to D-backs/Rays comparison
Link to Dodgers celebration
Link to Dodgers Reddit thread
Link to 2022 Clutch leaders
Link to Stathead on Flores split
Link to Doval story
Link to Doval pitch usage
Link to 2022 fastest pitches
Link to Stat Blast spreadsheet
Link to teams with one qualifier
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
Link to research on days off
Link to more research on days off
Link to load management article
Link to more on load management
Link to Nate Fisher story
Link to Reddit thread on Friedland
Link to Friedland’s LinkedIn
Link to Defector on Mets replays
Link to replay-challenge leaders
Link to replay success rates
Link to WaPo on Doolittle
Link to Washingtonian on Doolittle
Link to Musgrove trip website
Link to MLB.com on Musgrove
Link to Musgrove pitch
Link to Musgrove’s Polaroids
Link to Stathead on Phillies saves
Link to minor league leaderboard
Link to Pirates Reddit thread
Link to MLBTR on Kendall
Link to Greene’s pitch usage
Link to Ben Clemens on Greene
Link to BA on Greene’s fastball
Link to FG on Greene’s fastball
Link to MLB.com on Robinson
Link to EW on catcher bias
Link to MLB.com on Rox prospects
Link to 1947 story source
Link to Doby SABR bio
Link to SABR on integration
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
Link to Craig Wright on Doby
Link to Wright on Doby/Boudreau
Link to Nootbaar grinder
Link to Nootbar framed photo
Link to Nootbaar unframed photo
Link to Nootbar uninscribed ball
Link to Nootbar inscribed ball
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the latest Carlos Correa-related reporting, the Giants’ signings of Michael Conforto and Taylor Rogers, the hijinks potential of twin teammates Taylor and Tyler Rogers, the final results of the free-agent-contract over/under draft, their cautious optimism about the Angels (28:35), the Reds’ spending constraints (39:19), owners complaining about Steve Cohen, how it feels for fans when a team’s identity changes, and Trevor Bauer’s reinstatement from the suspended list (55:16). Also: a Past Blast from 1946 (1:10:15) and Stat Blasts (1:14:57) about the most distinct batters to come to the plate in one half-inning, the most Retrosheet offensive events by one player in one game, and (with guest Stat Blaster Zach Kram of The Ringer) the highest and lowest team payrolls adjusted for MLB salary inflation. (Hint: The highest is not the 2023 Mets.) Plus a postscript!
Audio intro: The Boo Radleys, “Twinside”
Audio outro: Alvarado Road Show, “Baseball Stops for Christmas”
Link to Passan on Correa
Link to The Athletic on Correa
Link to Grant on Correa
Link to Gausman tweet
Link to Verducci on Correa
Link to Correa’s house-hunting
Link to details on Correa’s leg
Link to Ben C. on Giants signings
Link to Drellich on Cohen
Link to Ben L. on long contracts
Link to Reds spending tweet
Link to Alex Eisert on Reds moves
Link to WFAN Correa call
Link to KNBR Correa calls
Link to fan self-esteem study
Link to Jake Mailhot on Drury
Link to EW competitions/drafts
Link to ESPN on Bauer
Link to WaPo on Bauer
Link to L.A. Times on Bauer
Link to 1946 story source
Link to “defensive spectrum” wiki
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
Link to Stat Blast info
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
Link to current team payrolls
Link to inflation-adjusted payrolls
Link to 2018 Craig Edwards post
Link to SIS on the Yankees’ defense
Link to team DRS rankings
Link to Langs tweet
Link to eclipse game box score
Link to MLBTR on Varsho
Link to outfield OAA leaders
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley break down every incredible angle of the biggest twist of the MLB offseason: free agent Carlos Correa’s overnight pivot from a 13-year agreement with the San Francisco Giants to a 12-year deal with the New York Mets. After their incredulous Correa reactions, they close with a few thoughts on the Pirates’ latest innovation in the realm of announcing signings (this one involving Austin Hedges), Aaron Judge and the Yankees’ captaincy, and their intention to talk about Brandon Drury and the Angels, plus a Past Blast from 1945.
Audio intro: Fruit Bats, “Stunned One”
Audio outro: The Weakerthans, “Hymn of the Medical Oddity”
Link to Ben L. on Correa
Link to Ben C. on Correa
Link to Boras comments
Link to Verducci on Correa
Link to Heyman’s report
Link to Heyman on Cohen
Link to The Athletic on Correa
Link to Emma’s tweet
Link to team payrolls
Link to team depth charts
Link to 2003 Onion story
Link to Astudillo report
Link to R.J.’s Pirates tweet
Link to Jeter video
Link to MLBTR on McCann
Link to 1945 story source
Link to SABR on Robinson’s signing
Link to SABR on Wright
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the differences, if any, between a two-year deal with an opt out after the first year and a one-year deal with a player option for a second year, then discuss the Dansby Swanson signing, the destinations of the winter’s top four shortstops, and the state of the Cubs, the spending of the White Sox, the AL Central, and the trajectories of Andrew Benintendi and Joey Gallo, Atlanta depending on Vaughn Grissom to replace Swanson at shortstop, the Dodgers and Red Sox essentially swapping DHs in J.D. Martinez and Justin Turner (and Boston’s confusing competitive stance), the Orioles’ unexciting signings and the Marlins’ lack of moves, the Padres and Mets continuing to add players and payroll and whether Seth Lugo is like socks, the Astros re-signing Michael Brantley, Kris Bryant being on the Rockies, and more, plus Stat Blasts about this winter’s unusually long contracts and Rich Hill’s gap between 30-start seasons (1:03:35), a Past Blast from 1944 (1:15:28), and a Hall-of-Fame follow-up.
Audio intro: ABBA, “Two for the Price of One”
Audio outro: JD McPherson, “Socks”
Link to Wendy on mutual options
Link to article on tweet length
Link to Ben Clemens on Swanson
Link to Dan Szymborski on the Cubs
Link to Laurila on Benintendi
Link to Baumann on Gallo
Link to Chris Gilligan on Lugo
Link to team payrolls
Link to SP depth charts
Link to Battery Power on Grissom
Link to Esteban Rivera on JDM
Link to Justin Choi on Turner
Link to Baumann on the Red Sox
Link to article on Bloom buying/selling
Link to article on Boston’s deadline
Link to Dan on the Orioles
Link to Hill Stat Blast data
Link to 1944 story source
Link to story on Phillies rebrand
Link to SABR on team nicknames
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
Link to latest Ringer-Verse episode
Link to first Ringer-Verse episode
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Yankees signing Carlos Rodón, Rodón’s recent trajectory and future, New York teams at the top of the payroll leaderboard and starting-pitcher projections, the career of the late Curt Simmons, and the perfect pace of this offseason. Then (31:06) they answer listener emails about the best players to […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Pirates’ Vince Velasquez hype video, a “mutant option” for Cody Bellinger, and a Francisco Rodríguez-only Hall of Fame ballot, then (22:09) discuss Carlos Correa’s 13-year contract with the Giants and its implications for the NL West, the Twins and Cubs, and the future of old-player production, along […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss the two teams at the top and bottom, respectively, of the MLB payroll hierarchy, the New York Mets and Oakland Athletics, touching on the Mets’ signings of Brandon Nimmo, Kodai Senga, and David Robertson, the A’s trading away Sean Murphy, and what a vast disparity in spending does and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about their AI chatbot counterparts, then discuss the ramifications of the Padres signing Xander Bogaerts (12:58), the significance of the Red Sox losing Bogaerts and the trend toward very long-term contracts (51:26), and a report about multiple models of the baseball being used during the 2022 season (1:19:59), plus […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley break down the rest of the action from the Winter Meetings, including Arson Judge not signing with the Giants, Aaron Judge re-signing with the Yankees, the Padres missing out on Judge and Trea Turner, the Dodgers’ lack of interest in Carlos Correa, the Giants signing Mitch Haniger, the Cardinals signing […]
With Meg Rowley on the IL, Ben Lindbergh and FanGraphs author Dan Szymborski discuss the first batch of news from a busy Winter Meetings, including the big-money market as a whole, the blockbuster signings of Jacob deGrom, Justin Verlander, and Trea Turner, the outlooks for the Rangers, Dodgers, and Astros, the Padres’ interest in Turner and its implications for Fernando Tatis Jr., the genre of rumors about teams that tried to acquire players, the Brewers-Mariners trade involving Kolten Wong, Jesse Winker, and Abraham Toro, Brian Cashman re-upping with the Yankees, Bryan Reynolds demanding a trade from the Pirates, Fred McGriff’s election to the Hall of Fame, and more, plus postscript updates about late-breaking news/signings, followups, and a Past Blast from 1938.
Audio intro: Jon Jacob, “Buffalo Killers”
Audio outro: Parquet Courts, “This is Happening Now”
Link to Rosenthal on the market
Link to Dan on deGrom
Link to Ben Clemens on deGrom
Link to Baumann on Verlander
Link to Heyman on deGrom
Link to Heyman on Verlander
Link to thread on old top starters
Link to Jay on Turner
Link to MLBTR on the Turner rumors
Link to Baumann on the Brewers trade
Link to tweet about Winker
Link to Dipoto payroll comments
Link to FG post on Martin
Link to FG post on Estévez
Link to Twitter thread on Estévez
Link to Reynolds request
Link to Jay on the committee
Link to Jay on the HoF results
Link to Dan’s Nats projections
Link to Ben on forecasting chemistry
Link to NBA trophy news
Link to Lindsey on PitchCom
Link to EW Episode 1577
Link to road-attendance sheet
Link to Apstein on Boras
Link to Boras EW episode
Link to “Arson Judge” tweet
Link to Insider baseballs report
Link to 1938 story source
Link to SABR on the 1938 Meetings
Link to WWE belt story
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s daughter’s first steps, follow up on differentiating players with the same name, equipment replacements, and suggested recreational sports for Ben to play, and then discuss the Royals’ remade coaching staff (19:43), the career of the late, all-time-great Gaylord Perry (22:57), and the latest ESPN Crasnick/Rogers annual offseason MLB insiders survey (44:58), plus answers to listener emails (1:04:33) about an MLB awards ceremony, pitcher wins, and the Tigers’ rebuild, a Past Blast from 1937 (1:31:11), and a postscript.
Audio intro: Brendan Benson, “Spit it Out”
Audio outro: Jim Noir, “JJC Sports”
Link to Jeongeun Lee6 LPGA page
Link to Bradley forgetting outs
Link to The Athletic on Sweeney
Link to Royals Review on Sweeney
Link to Manfred statement on Perry
Link to MLB.com’s Perry obit
Link to Perry’s SABR bio
Link to Perry’s book
Link to Nate on pitcher hitting
Link to Sam on pitcher hitting
Link to Eno on old pitchers
Link to 44+ pitchers by year
Link to latest ESPN survey
Link to Sam on the insiders
Link to Russell on the shift
Link to execs on rule changes
Link to EW emails database
Link to Smyth on qualifiers
Link to Mains on qualifiers
Link to Miller on qualifiers
Link to awards dinner info
Link to Poscast episode
Link to 1937 story source
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
Link to MLBTR on Eflin
Link to strike-zone EW episode
Link to shuttlecock article
Link to road-attendance sheet
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s latest former major leaguer Facebook friend recommendation and an important update (3:49) to the dictionary.com definition of “ghost runner,” then follow up (17:00) on a previous rumination on free-agent tours by touching on a Carlos Correa comment about playing in Minnesota, Eduardo Escobar’s deep-seated affection for Fogo de Chão, and the research the Red Sox did on Carl Crawford, before discussing (41:58) the most notable ways in which baseball is unique among sports (including a comparison of the number of balls used per contest), MLBPA leader Tony Clark’s reputation restoration (57:12), the latest Disney windfall for MLB owners, and Ben’s conditional desire to play more recreational sports (1:11:42), followed by a Stat Blast (1:27:05) on Shelby Miller-like career arcs and a Past Blast (1:41:15) from 1936.
Audio intro: Fleetwood Mac, “Think About Me”
Audio outro: David Schwartz, “Balls in the Air”
Link to Bush’s book
Link to old “ghost runner” page
Link to new “ghost runner” page
Link to “automatic runner” page
Link to “imaginary runner” page
Link to 2018 automatic runner story
Link to other 2018 story
Link to 2008 automatic runner story
Link to Correa clip
Link to 2018 Escobar story
Link to 2019 Fogo study
Link to Fogo video
Link to Milwaukee Fogo story
Link to 2022 Fogo story
Link to DiComo Fogo tweet
Link to Fogo locations
Link to 2011 Crawford story
Link to Crawford on Boston in 2014
Link to Crawford on Boston in 2017
Link to Crawford’s wiki
Link to story about soccer balls
Link to story about baseballs
Link to story about foul balls
Link to Chiarella story
Link to other Chiarella story
Link to story on golf balls
Link to Evan on Clark
Link to Evan on the subcommittee
Link to story about Scherzer
Link to CBA tick-tock
Link to Marc on Clark
Link to story about Latino players
Link to thread on BAMTech deal
Link to story on BAMTech deal
Link to Seinfeld clip
Link to Stat Blast data
Link to Eno’s Stuff+ tweet
Link to Donohue SABR bio
Link to Campbell SABR bio
Link to Kirby SABR bio
Link to Ryan Nelson on Twitter
Link to 1936 story source
Link to SABR on Shaughnessy
Link to 1933 Buffalo article
Link to 1933 Decatur article
Link to 1933 Allentown article
Link to 1933 IL standings
Link to Shaughnessy Playoffs page
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about their Thanksgivings, Joe Kelly’s comments (10:29) about free agents’ team visits being “outdated and cheesy,” the Astros signing José Abreu (30:25), and some standout totals (45:17) from the preliminary ZiPS-projected standings for 2023, plus Past Blasts (1:15:48) from 1935.
Audio intro: The Shivas, “If I Could Choose”
Audio outro: Redd Kross, “Choose to Play”
Link to Kelly’s comments
Link to “Avocado Factor” wiki
Link to MLBTR FA predictions
Link to FanGraphs FA predictions
Link to previous EW Abreu episode
Link to Kevin Goldstein on Abreu
Link to MLBTR on the Sox and Abreu
Link to MLBTR on Houston and Abreu
Link to White Sox depth chart
Link to job listing for The Freeze
Link to tweet about The Freeze
Link to Ringer pod with The Freeze
Link to projected 2023 standings
Link to post on Giants pinch-hitters
Link to 2022 projections review
Link to first Past Blast story
Link to Dean Past Blast story
Link to 1935 Giants story source
Link to SABR on the 1935 Cubs
Link to Cubs vs. umpire source
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
Link to @MrSugarPenis story
Link to NYT tweet about it
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Ben Lindbergh convenes a roundtable of hitting analysts—Robert Orr from Baseball Prospectus, Esteban Rivera from FanGraphs, and Ryan Parker, formerly of Baseball Prospectus and the Los Angeles Angels—to diagnose the problems with free agent Cody Bellinger’s much-diminished bat and recommend how to revive it. They also discuss their approaches to analyzing hitting, coachability, the differences […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about omissions from their Baseball Twitter draft, a few transactions (including the Kyle Lewis trade, the Gio Urshela trade, and multiple shortstop swaps), the Angels acquiring average players, the Dodgers non-tendering Cody Bellinger, the Phillies extending Dave Dombrowski, the new BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot and Ben’s ballot decision, […]
With the future of Twitter uncertain, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley welcome Craig Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus and Jordan Shusterman and Jake Mintz of Fox Sports and Céspedes Family BBQ to draft the best tweets and traditions from more than a decade of content on Baseball Twitter (plus a Past Blast from 1932). (Warning/preview: Prepare […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about redefining the MVP award, FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s unearthed baseball blogs, Billy Beane’s new role with the A’s, and the Braves’ spinoff from Liberty Media, plus a Past Blast from 1931. Then (30:27) they bring on listener and top-tier Patreon supporter Peter Bonney to discuss his baseball background […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Shohei Ohtani and the Cy Young Award, Buck Showalter and the Manager of the Year Award, Bryce Harper’s elbow surgery, the Angels signing Tyler Anderson, Anthony Rizzo and the Yankees’ record Defensive Runs Saved total, the Mariners trading for Teoscar Hernández, title inflation and the “associate manager,” and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Scott Boras’s opinions about postseason pitch clocks and a neutral-site World Series, discuss Meg’s NL Rookie of the Year vote (14:16) and the rookie class, and then conduct two drafts: the eighth free-agent-contract over/under draft (35:37), and the fifth World Series odds movers draft (1:29:46), plus a Past […]
With Meg Rowley off, Ben Lindbergh talks to three guests: James Wagner (4:55) of the New York Times about Scott Boras puns in the paper of record, why players who test positive for PEDs have disproportionately been from the Dominican Republic, and why players wear perfume and cologne on the field; Ian Araujo (41:46) about […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley share their impressions of HBO’s new feature-length documentary about Willie Mays, Say Hey, Willie Mays!, and reflect on Mays’s career, then (29:23) talk to director Nelson George about the making of the movie, what didn’t make the movie, his interactions with Mays and other legends, and much more, followed (1:04:59) […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs writer Ben Clemens banter about Game 6 of the World Series, the Series and the playoffs as a whole, Phillies manager Rob Thomson’s decision to pull Zack Wheeler in favor of José Alvarado, Yordan Alvarez’s titanic dinger, the Astros’ bullpen performance, and Kyle Schwarber’s bunt attempt, before discussing the […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs writer Ben Clemens banter about Game 6 of the World Series, the Series and the playoffs as a whole, Phillies manager Rob Thomson’s decision to pull Zack Wheeler in favor of José Alvarado, Yordan Alvarez’s titanic dinger, the Astros’ bullpen performance, and Kyle Schwarber’s bunt attempt, before discussing the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley review all of the action from the historic, eventful fourth and fifth games of the World Series, banter about a fan heckling Rob Manfred, and share multiple Past Blasts (33:22) from 1925 (plus a throwback, Philly-centric Past Blast from 1868). Then (50:08) they talk to Baseball Prospectus writer Michael Ajeto […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley review all of the action from the historic, eventful fourth and fifth games of the World Series, banter about a fan heckling Rob Manfred, and share multiple Past Blasts (33:22) from 1925 (plus a throwback, Philly-centric Past Blast from 1868). Then (50:08) they talk to Baseball Prospectus writer Michael Ajeto […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the percentage of MLB fans who are paying close attention to the World Series, discuss the White Sox filling MLB’s last managerial vacancy by hiring Pedro Grifol (along with Charlie Montoyo as bench coach), and then reflect on a few aspects of Game 3 of the World Series, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about umpire Pat Hoberg’s unprecedented “perfect game” behind the plate in Game 2 of the World Series, followed by musings on Nolan Arenado opting not to opt out of his contract, the Royals hiring Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro as their new manager, and Rob Manfred’s latest update on […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen banter about Ben’s latest ex-player Facebook friend recommendations and an MLB bourbon sponsorship, discuss (9:27) David Stearns stepping down from the Brewers’ top job, Adam Wainwright returning to the Cardinals, and Aaron Boone remaining the manager of the Yankees, and then (26:53) preview a […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s baseball Facebook friend recommendations, the Phillies’ odds against the Astros in the World Series, Kyle Schwarber’s mechanical bull ride, a hidden perk of the Astros’ pitching depth, whether we judge managers too much by their rings, the career and legacy of Dave Dombrowski, the Marlins hiring Skip […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley are joined by FanGraphs writer (and Phillies fan) Michael Baumann, who covered the NLCS game in Philly, to recap the Phillies’ NLCS victory over the Padres, explain the minds of Phillies fans, celebrate Bryce Harper, review the Padres’ decisions, and much more, followed by breakdowns of the Astros-Yankees ALCS, the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley follow up on their 2022 minor league free agent draft results, banter about ALDS Game 2, teams “not making excuses,” the Rangers hiring Bruce Bochy, and other news, and answer listener emails about a suggestion for changing the number of games per playoff round, how an average person would do […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley review the results of the 2022 minor league free agent draft, discuss Gold Glove finalists and a study about the lack of special ways to win in the postseason, recap the first few Championship Series games (and banter about José Alvarado and same-named athletes in multiple sports), and answer listener […]
Meg Rowley returns from her trip to Seattle to banter with Ben Lindbergh about attending the 18-inning ALDS Game 3, the Mariners’ heartbreaking loss, the fans’ heartening response, and the franchise’s future, as well as overmatched postseason hitters, what scoreless extra-inning games could portend for the zombie runner, the outcomes of the other Division Series, […]
With Meg Rowley on the road, Ben Lindbergh reunites with his former Ringer MLB Show colleagues Michael Baumann, Zach Kram, and Bobby Wagner to discuss the moods of Mets and Phillies fans and catch up on the first few days of Division Series action, touching on Yordan Alvarez, Robbie Ray, a playoff walk-off oddity, Bryce […]
With Meg Rowley on the road, Ben Lindbergh reunites with his former Ringer MLB Show colleagues Michael Baumann, Zach Kram, and Bobby Wagner to discuss the moods of Mets and Phillies fans and catch up on the first few days of Division Series action, touching on Yordan Alvarez, Robbie Ray, a playoff walk-off oddity, Bryce […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about what would happen if a dominant starting pitcher were caught using sticky stuff in a playoff game, then set up the biggest storylines and scheduling considerations of the division series round, consider which matchup is most likely to result in an upset, and preview each AL and NL […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about and break down all four wild card series, beginning with big-picture thoughts on the weekend as a whole and the Mariners’ improbable Game 2 comeback win before going series-by-series and discussing Mariners-Blue Jays (8:52), Guardians-Rays (33:03), Phillies-Cardinals (48:39), and Mets-Padres (1:05:50), plus a Past Blast (1:39:25) from 1914. […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about and break down all four wild card series, beginning with big-picture thoughts on the weekend as a whole and the Mariners’ improbable Game 2 comeback win before going series-by-series and discussing Mariners-Blue Jays (8:52), Guardians-Rays (33:03), Phillies-Cardinals (48:39), and Mets-Padres (1:05:50), plus a Past Blast (1:39:25) from 1914. […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the beginning of the playoffs and playoff podcasting, share a few words (17:43) from the diligent author of the retiring Stephen Vogt’s exhaustive Wikipedia page, preview the four wild card series (30:54) and hype up the playoff field, meet major leaguers (1:07:25) Nate Eaton and Brian O’Keefe, and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s efforts to get the new dictionary definition for “ghost runner” changed, how to watch the playoffs when one has cut the cord, Meg’s Rookie of the Year voting deliberations, the underrated Jeff McNeil, the two teams whose per-game attendance declined this season, MLB’s problem gambling PSAs, a […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Braves’ first sacrifice bunt of the season, Meg’s gratitude for the effect Mariners fandom has had on her life, the Orioles’ status as impressive also-rans, Atlanta overtaking the Mets, how to assess an MLB season, and the playoff field being set. They also react in real time […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the fight for the third wild card in the National League and the way in which the expanded playoff format shifts attention toward middling teams, appreciating postseason success and regular-season success, the regular-season dominance of the Dodgers, home-run-record derangement syndrome (17:52) and a middle ground between the warring […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the inadequacies of dental insurance and Ben’s rewarding trip to Citi Field, a Marlins marketing strategy, Richard Bleier’s balk debacle, pitchers getting the memo about throwing strikes to Aaron Judge and Judge’s difference-making performance even when he doesn’t homer, preliminary Stat Blasts (41:33) about the most consecutive secondary […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the inadequacies of dental insurance and Ben’s rewarding trip to Citi Field, a Marlins marketing strategy, Richard Bleier’s balk debacle, pitchers getting the memo about throwing strikes to Aaron Judge and Judge’s difference-making performance even when he doesn’t homer, preliminary Stat Blasts (41:33) about the most consecutive secondary […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the latest hitting heroics by 30-year-old rookie Joey Meneses, then discuss the Guardians clinching the AL Central title, underdogs that defy the projections and playoff odds, and Albert Pujols’s 700th homer. After that (47:00), they talk to Death Cab for Cutie singer/songwriter/guitarist Ben Gibbard about the Mariners’ stretch […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the latest hitting heroics by 30-year-old rookie Joey Meneses, then discuss the Guardians clinching the AL Central title, underdogs that defy the projections and playoff odds, and Albert Pujols’s 700th homer. After that (47:00), they talk to Death Cab for Cutie singer/songwriter/guitarist Ben Gibbard about the Mariners’ stretch […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the man who tried to return Roger Maris’s 61st home run ball, two Mickey Mantle letters, the 2017 Zac Gallen/Sandy Alcantara trade, how Maury Wills changed (and dominated) basestealing, and Aaron Judge’s recent value even when he hasn’t hit homers, then answer listener emails (38:15) about hitters setting […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the man who tried to return Roger Maris’s 61st home run ball, two Mickey Mantle letters, the 2017 Zac Gallen/Sandy Alcantara trade, how Maury Wills changed (and dominated) basestealing, and Aaron Judge’s recent value even when he hasn’t hit homers, then answer listener emails (38:15) about hitters setting […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the ethics of returning or selling a valuable home run ball, a dilemma involving Aaron Judge on Apple TV+, selling the opposing team’s gear in a ballpark, the Tigers hiring Scott Harris and the Royals firing Dayton Moore, the Mets and Reds setting hit-by-pitch records, Canada dropping its […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the ethics of returning or selling a valuable home run ball, a dilemma involving Aaron Judge on Apple TV+, selling the opposing team’s gear in a ballpark, the Tigers hiring Scott Harris and the Royals firing Dayton Moore, the Mets and Reds setting hit-by-pitch records, Canada dropping its […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about pitchers throwing a perplexing number of strikes to an unstoppable Aaron Judge, Judge’s sensational September, upcoming contract, and more, Shohei Ohtani’s pitching prowess, new pitches, and switch-hitting potential, Oneil Cruz’s recent surge, Yordan Alvarez and how much of slumps can be explained by nagging injuries, Max Scherzer and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about pitchers throwing a perplexing number of strikes to an unstoppable Aaron Judge, Judge’s sensational September, upcoming contract, and more, Shohei Ohtani’s pitching prowess, new pitches, and switch-hitting potential, Oneil Cruz’s recent surge, Yordan Alvarez and how much of slumps can be explained by nagging injuries, Max Scherzer and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about minor leaguers officially joining the MLBPA and what minor league unionization might do to the game’s distribution of revenue, follow up on Gold Gloves for utility players, toilet flappers, and Joey Meneses, discuss Jon Berti’s pursuit of 40 stolen bases, what pickoff-attempt restrictions will do to the running […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley talk (4:09) to baseball agent and attorney Scott Boras, the founder, owner, and president of the Boras Corporation (as if you didn’t know who Scott Boras was), about his busiest days, his process for brainstorming metaphors, similes, and puns, his fondness for nautical analogies, other wordplay-related matters, the CBA, his […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the old-and-improved Albert Pujols, Mike Trout’s homer streak, the White Sox winning, Elvis Andrus making the A’s pay, James Karinchak’s inconclusive hair inspection, the Dodgers prematurely celebrating a clinching (and the concept of clinch creep), the puzzle of Cody Bellinger, and the retrospective puzzle of Edwin Díaz’s 2019, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about how the White Sox have played in Tony La Russa’s absence, then discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the rules changes coming to MLB in 2023: a pitch clock, restrictions on pickoff attempts and the shift, and bigger bases (with asides on a new WAR, Zack Greinke’s front-office […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the late Queen Elizabeth II’s first baseball game, the latest on Joey Meneses and Juan Soto (and on Soto being booed!), an Albert Pujols/Willians Astudillo fun fact, a Mets/Yankees first-place race update, additional thoughts on Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, Paul Goldschmidt and the traditional Triple Crown vs. […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a baseball (and softball) toilet flapper, discuss (13:32) the continued excellence of Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani (and the benefits of celebrating both instead of elevating one over the other), follow up on the Angels’ shutouts, Mike Trout’s post-injury rebound, the MLBPA’s effort to unionize minor leaguers (38:09), […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and listener/Patreon supporter Nathan Valentine banter about Nathan’s dual team fandom, then answer listener emails (9:58) about Aaron Judge’s lead over the next-most-prolific HR hitter, handing out awards for all of MLB rather than each league, Jhoan Duran and defining an “off-speed” pitch, what constitutes actually visiting a stadium, and whether […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the annual promotion of Terrance Gore as a harbinger of the changing seasons, the modest September roster expansion and the arrivals or returns of Gunnar Henderson, Oswald Peraza, and Billy Hamilton, an umpire caught swearing on a hot mic (4:45), whether the Yankees could actually lose their lead […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s habitual misappraisal of checked swings and the potential for automated checked-swing calls, then discuss the potential unionization of the minor leagues via minor league players joining the MLBPA, Nationals rookie replacement Joey Meneses outplaying Juan Soto and Josh Bell since the trade deadline, Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Julio Rodríguez‘s complex, long-term extension with the Mariners, which wild card contenders Meg is most worried about as a Mariners fan, George Kirby’s game-starting strike streak and the nature of a strike, the new CBA’s impact on midseason callups, and Bryce Harper’s return, follow up on MLB players […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the approving responses to Ben’s blistering (by Ben’s standards) Yankee Stadium review, Christian Walker’s scale-breaking defense at first base, “defended” vs. “defensed,” the Dodgers’ historic run of regular-season success, and the battle between teammates Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt for NL MVP frontrunner status, followed by Stat Blasts […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the inflation of flames for fast pitches on baseball broadcasts, Oneil Cruz’s record-setting hard hit and the limitations of tools, Ben’s review of a trip to Yankee Stadium and Red Sox pitcher Josh Winckowski’s review of Wrigley Field compared to Fenway Park, the potential impact of a forthcoming […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the impending premiere of Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon, the projection-system verdict on the Braves’ extension of Michael Harris II, the White Sox signing Elvis Andrus, the possibly underrated, could’ve-been-Hall-of-Fame career of José Abreu, and the sophomore improvement of Ha-Seong Kim, then (25:06) answer listener […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley follow up on Tony La Russa’s suspicious pinch-runner call, banter about Joey Gallo on the Dodgers and Andrew Benintendi on the Yankees, the utility of booing, and the parochial concept of being unable to play in New York, the curious timing of the Rangers’ firing of long-tenured executive Jon Daniels, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter a bit more about whether Dottie dropped the ball on purpose in the movie version of A League of Their Own, then discuss an Angels defensive meltdown, a vomiting Oakland Athletic, a Javier Báez bad-ball batted ball, Tony La Russa (and Bill Veeck) taking suggestions from the stands, the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether Dottie dropped the ball on purpose in the 1992 movie A League of Their Own, then (steering clear of spoilers) review and discuss the highs and lows of the new TV reboot, the first season of which debuted on Friday on Amazon Prime Video. After that (49:54), […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Mariners’ soaring playoff odds, a wild Mariners-Yankees game, the other greatest team gainers and losers in playoff probability over the past month, the difference between Baseball-Reference’s playoff odds and other sites’ versions, Keith Hernandez’s thoughts on the Phillies, how their own preseason predictions have held up, Steven […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Dodgers’ and Mets’ “statement” series and the awe and anxiety inspired by Jacob deGrom, follow up on Vin Scully’s musical taste, retractable mounds, and Justin Verlander vs. Max Scherzer, and discuss a recent Rockies pickup and promotion and a hazardous mound visit, followed (33:00) by a Past […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a possible solution to the quandary of not enough slashes in “triple slash stats,” discuss the increasing excitement surrounding Aaron Judge’s home run record chase, and (20:00) share a Past Blast from 1886. Then (24:47) they welcome back singer-songwriter, baseball balladeer, and converted Dodgers fan Dan Bern to […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Clayton Kershaw’s back, balky backs in general, some of the players traded at the deadline who made immediate impacts in their debuts, and the perhaps surprisingly small impacts that deadline moves make on playoff and World Series odds. Then (15:09) they answer listener emails about intentionally scuttling a […]
After a busy deadline day, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley react to all the trade activity, beginning with a high-level overview of the deadline, a recap of the Rockies’ inactivity (5:28), the Padres’ Juan Soto, Josh Hader, Brandon Drury, and Joe Musgrove moves (13:58) and the mad genius of A.J. Preller, the equally unprecedented nature […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs writer Ben Clemens banter about a flummoxing fun fact, Justin Verlander’s career vs. Max Scherzer’s career, and Max Meyer’s Tommy John surgery, then (24:55) discuss the Andrew Benintendi trade, Joey Gallo’s struggles, and the biggest questions surrounding the trade deadline before (45:53) reviewing “other” Ben’s work on the annual […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Mike Trout’s rare back injury, Zac Veen and vaccines, the Rangers’ one-run record, interesting team trade rumors, and teams with tough deadline decisions, plus a Past Blast from 1882. Then (42:40) they talk to MLB.com’s Mike Petriello about Statcast’s newly public bat speed and swing path data, touching […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a convoluted fun fact, the Cardinals’ anti-vaccination contingent, a historic Red Sox slump, an injury to top draftee Druw Jones, and a Willians Astudillo double-play pitch, Stat Blast (16:00) about Bryan Shaw and late-starting starters (plus an update on zero-RBI cleanup hitters), and share a Past Blast from […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley wrap up the podcast’s 10th anniversary week by doing a dozen listener-inspired Stat Blasts and then (51:53) talking to 42-year-old Red Sox starter and podcast legend Rich Hill about how the game and his game have evolved over his long career, plus (1:31:18) a Past Blast from 1880/postscript. Audio intro: Silk […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley are joined by FanGraphs lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen to banter about what accounts for the variability in how quickly prospects acclimate to the majors and detecting holes in swings, discuss (10:50) which teams have the prospects to trade for Juan Soto, review (22:59) impressive performances from the Futures Game […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley continue their celebration of the 10th anniversary of Effectively Wild by bringing on former cohost Jeff Sullivan and Most Frequent Guest (for now) Grant Brisbee to banter about Jeff’s job with the Rays and draft their favorite baseball stories from the past 10 years (plus a Past Blast from 1878). […]
On the 10th anniversary of Effectively Wild’s first episode, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley kick off a week-long celebration by reflecting on the milestone, then (6:40) bring on producer Dylan Higgins and listener Chris Hanel for a round of Effectively Wild trivia and fun facts. After that (41:49), they dig into the podcast archive for […]
With Meg Rowley on the road, Ben Lindbergh does an almost-all-interview episode featuring the authors of four new baseball books: First (3:22), Howard Bryant on Rickey: The Life and Legend of an American Original; second (42:45), Jeff Fletcher on Sho-Time: The Inside Story of Shohei Ohtani and the Greatest Baseball Season Ever Played; third (1:19:36), […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Shohei Ohtani taking over the MLB WAR lead, a Taylor Ward/Jared Walsh mixup, an on-air “zombie runner” endorsement, another fruitless hidden ball trick attempt, and the need for an amended rule about replay reviews of slide plays, then (26:03) discuss the Blue Jays firing manager Charlie Montoyo and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s hazardous last week, then discuss the ongoing mellowing of attitudes and discussions surrounding the All-Star game, embracing the game’s potential for sentimentality, how it would feel to be a team’s lone All-Star representative, the results of a new poll about robo umps, an NPB record and whether/when […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s unfortunate Brussels sprouts incident, then answer listener emails about the ballparks with the most and least locations where a ball would be a home run only in that park, the Rays’ MLB-leading outs on the bases, the Orioles’ possibly improved pitcher development, a loaner-type trade where a […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley rant and banter (ranter?) about MLB’s approach to promoting the Futures Game, then (17:33) discuss superheroes throwing baseballs, the latest exploits of the semi-superpowered Shohei Ohtani and Sandy Alcantara, and Ohtani’s chances against Aaron Judge (and others) in the AL MVP race, Stat Blast (39:03) about losing teams with two […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the possible end of the Taylor Ward/Tyler Wade broadcaster confusion, Ward getting caught unawares at first base, and the Twins turning the first-ever 8-5 triple play, then Stat Blast (11:06) about Cam Vieaux and the most pitches thrown in various types of innings, share a Past Blast (23:33) […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the varying interpretations of Bobby Bonilla Day and what may be the last-ever Bruce Sutter Day, then (17:20) discuss what an expansive ESPN profile of Rob Manfred reveals about the MLB commissioner. After that (48:49), they answer listener emails about players jumping straight from college to the majors, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley are joined by Jake Mintz of Céspedes Family BBQ to talk about Twins pitching coach Wes Johnson leaving the team midseason to join LSU, why MLB teams are hiring coaches from college and why colleges are hiring them back, whether MLB teams should pay coaches more, the state of player […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a surprising ESPY nomination for Jorge Soler, another Tyler Wade/Taylor Ward broadcaster mixup, the massive Mariners-Angels brawl and ensuing suspensions and pizzas, Bryce Harper’s broken thumb and not-broken face, Mark Appel finally making the majors, an update on the Joc Pederson–Tommy Pham feud, the Yankees getting no-hit, the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley answer listener emails about why players in the dugout seem so confident in pitch locations, whether it would ever help to wear two gloves, MLB Big Inning and other baseball equivalents of NFL RedZone, the extreme dimensions of the Polo Grounds, what makes it so impressive that some players perform […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about two spectacular games by Shohei Ohtani and Ohtani’s extraordinary playing-time pace and relay a sinker-iffic response from Michael Lorenzen to a previous discussion about baseball grip, then (24:22) answer listener emails about using different-colored balls to denote different levels of liveliness, how much time to train players have […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether changing managers is at all responsible for the Phillies’ recent success, the Yankees’ almost unparalleled winning-percentage pace, the Royals’ historically terrible pitching performance and the pressure on their pitching coach, another Taylor Ward/Tyler Wade broadcaster slipup, Anthony Rendon’s season-ending surgery, Michael Lorenzen’s comments about baseball slipperiness and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a broadcaster relatably mixing up Taylor Ward and Tyler Wade, the Dodgers “fixing” former Rockies pitcher Yency Almonte, a deep, perplexing rabbit hole (7:46) of baseball-themed CarShield commercials, the bat spike as the new bat flip, an umpire’s close call with a broken-bat shard, and the building backlash […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about what it means to be humbled, whether Joe Maddon’s mohawk could have caught on and caused a Shohawk had he not been fired, another point about Aaron Judge’s potentially historic home-run pace, a Byron Buxton fun fact, whether Buxton or Luis Arraez is a more entertaining hitter, Ozzie […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Joe Maddon’s mohawk, the latest details about Mike Trout’s (and Tommy Pham’s and Joc Pederson’s) legendary fantasy football league, a rash of hidden-ball-trick attempts, the “old guy’s still got it” resurgences of Nelson Cruz and Joey Votto, how big a deal Aaron Judge’s potentially historic home-run pace should […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Joe Maddon’s firing, the impact and end of the Angels’ 14-game losing streak, and whether the Angels or Phillies are in a worse position for the future, Tony La Russa’s intentional walk on a 1-2 count, whether the weather and the humidor can explain MLB’s sudden upticks in […]
With Meg Rowley on the road, Ben Lindbergh talks to a trio of guests. First (4:10), he’s joined by Mr. King, the creator of Northwoods Baseball Sleep Radio, to talk about baseball as ASMR, crafting a fictional league, broadcaster, and collection of players, replicating the soothing, white-noise sounds of a baseball broadcast, putting his listeners […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Mike Yastrzemski trying the “KK play,” the distinctive smell of rat urine, Buck Showalter making a mid-PA pitching change, Dave Roberts running afoul of a position-player-pitcher rule, the wording of the zombie-runner rule, Nick Pivetta’s near-miraculous mechanical adjustment, and Mike Trout’s slump, plus a baseball-history fact from 1859. […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Joe Girardi’s firing and where the Phillies go from here, the Astros’ Yordan Alvarez extension, the dip in DH offense, and the trade deadline, then answer listener emails about MLB.TV highlights, the upside of ignoring playoff odds, getting plunked on a full count, things that haven’t happened in […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley announce the availability of new Effectively Wild T-shirts, then follow up on the latest, Mike Trout-related developments in the Tommy Pham–Joc Pederson fantasy-football/slap story as well as Josh Donaldson’s comments about his teammates not supporting him. After that, they banter about a home-run robbery that wasn’t, the homer hitting of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Nick Castellanos’s uncanny tater timing, and then (4:43) Ben attempts to explain the Joc Pederson–Tommy Pham fantasy-football dispute (and resulting slap) to Meg. After that (44:42), they discuss the Reds’ resurgence, an umpire’s hot mic, updates on defensive-positioning restrictions and the forthcoming pitch clock, and whether the standings […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley answer listener emails about why we don’t see more hidden-ball tricks in MLB, why big leaguers practice fielding grounders between innings, comparing the careers of Paul Goldschmidt and Freddie Freeman, how baseball broadcasts should discuss domestic-violence suspensions, whether Rickey Henderson would still have stolen bases if he’d been inflicted with […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the apparent end of Mike Trout’s long-lasting SuperPretzel sponsorship, Willians Astudillo’s return to the majors, the Phillies’ fielding and a seeming surfeit of amusingly bad defensive plays across the league, the arrival of overall no. 1 prospect (and Orioles catcher) Adley Rutschman and how to tell when a […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley talk to Kelly Pracht, the CEO and co-founder of predictive analytics startup nVenue, which has provided the real-time probabilities displayed on this season’s MLB Network-produced Friday Night Baseball broadcasts on Apple TV+. They discuss nVenue’s origin story, its sports-betting ambitions, its 100-plus-input machine-learning model, which factors are and aren’t predictive […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley pay tribute (for the umpteenth time) to the great Roger Angell, who died at 101 on Friday, then banter about which underperforming hitters are most in need of the kind of breakout game that slow-starting Trevor Story had this week. After that (21:41), they bring on listener and top-tier Patreon […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the rabidity of opossums and Eugenio Suárez‘s keepie-uppie skills, then discuss the White Sox offense and Tony La Russa’s rationale for batting Andrew Vaughn ninth, Max Scherzer’s oblique injury, and the possibility of a Juan Soto trade, before meeting major leaguers (53:30) Logan Gillaspie (Orioles) and Brandon Hughes […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about two of the worst defensive plays of the season, which came courtesy of the Tigers and Nationals, Albert Pujols pitching and walking, the Pirates winning without a hit (but with one correct prediction), and the breakout of Taylor Ward; answer listener emails about banning gray uniforms, baseball jugglers, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a wave of baseball ads for cryptocurrencies and NFTs coinciding with crashes in the crypto and NFT markets, injuries to Bryce Harper and Clayton Kershaw, the dominance of the Dodgers, Yankees, and (especially of late) Astros, the early NL West race, Robinson Canó getting a job as Jarred […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about which is more impressive, Reid Detmers throwing a two-strikeout no-hitter or right-handed hitter Anthony Rendon homering from the left side against a position-player pitcher, recount (11:50) the surprisingly long, largely forgotten history of the 20-seconds-between-pitches rule and the pitch clock in pro ball and the big leagues, and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Josh Naylor’s record eight RBI after the eighth inning and the hot-hitting Guardians, José Ramírez taking a hometown discount to stay in Cleveland, Rangers manager Chris Woodward’s seemingly misinterpreted joke about Yankee Stadium, the perils of interpreting text-only quotes, Mets hitting coach Eric Chávez’s theory about MLB selectively […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the joys of a pitcher’s duel between Shohei Ohtani and Rich Hill, have a spoiler-free discussion about Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness being a baseball movie, examine whether the historically hapless Reds are truly tanking or are just a case of Nutting gone wrong, and talk […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a Madison Bumgarner ejection, players having to be held back, and sensual sticky-stuff inspections, the historically slow start of the Reds and Joey Votto’s response to a FanGraphs article about his season-opening slump, and a study on which teams improve pitchers. Then (24:10) they discuss how John T. […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about April’s low offensive numbers and Zack Greinke’s deadball-style success, then (7:11) talk to 32-year MLB umpire Dale Scott and SABRcast host Rob Neyer, co-authors of Scott’s new memoir The Umpire is Out: Calling the Game and Living My True Self, touching on the definition of “nutcutter,” how Dale […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley react to MLB’s decision to suspend Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer for an unprecedented 324 games, then (22:25) discuss Justin Verlander and Ronald Acuña Jr. looking like their old selves and pitcher Tucker Davidson’s critiques of the minor league pitch clock before answering listener emails about the Cardinals and how to […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about MacKenzie Gore and how long a player’s career has to be for something he does to be described as a “career high,” Nick Senzel’s proclivity toward catcher’s interference and the Reds’ ice-cold start, the first-place Los Angeles Angels, the hot starts of Mike Trout, Carlos Rodón, Joe Ryan, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the unsealing of the so-called “Yankees Letter” and what, if anything, it revealed about the past prevalence of sign stealing, the end of NPB pitcher Roki Sasaki’s consecutive outs streak and Matt Shoemaker’s bid for perfection, the White Sox’s injury-plagued, disconcerting slump to start the season, Michael Conforto’s […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the reaction to and tactical underpinnings of the Yankees’ controversial decision to walk Miguel Cabrera, the balance between win expectancy and entertainment, and whether analytically-driven changes have hurt baseball as a spectator experience more so than other sports, then (15:19) meet major leaguers Simón Muzziotti of the Phillies […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about exactly how many feral cats have infested the Oakland Coliseum and exactly how few fans have attended A’s games this season, Miguel Cabrera’s impending 3,000th hit and the potentially long time that may elapse before another player joins the 3,000-hit club, the recentism of MLB.TV highlights, the Guardians’ […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Angels manager Joe Maddon’s befuddling bases-loaded intentional walk to Corey Seager, NPB phenom Roki Sasaki’s perfect followup to his perfect game, Hunter Greene and velo-induced fear for young starters, injury close calls for Byron Buxton and Mike Trout, the rise of non-fastballs leaguewide and what Andrew Heaney’s sweeper-iffic […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about an unlikely grand slam on a major meatball pitch and the hot start of Seiya Suzuki, then answer listener emails about how to make baseball sound most appealing, the effect of using different-colored balls to denote different pitch types, whether umpires would be better at calling balls and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley break down a watershed week in overturning traditions, discussing the Dodgers pulling Clayton Kershaw after seven perfect innings and provoking a “baseball is dying” debate, the Giants flouting the unwritten rules, Alyssa Nakken debuting as the Giants’ first-base coach (under vexing circumstances), the new-look Alex Cobb, Andrew Heaney, and Jesús […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about NPB phenom Roki Sasaki’s 19-strikeout perfect game for the Chiba Lotte Marines, the historic crop of prospect debuts in the first week of this MLB season, the unprecedented career-starting hot streak of (and long-term outlook for) Cleveland’s Steven Kwan, A’s catcher Sean Murphy’s butt photogenically taking one for […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about their impressions of Opening Day, the “baseball zen” interludes on MLB.TV and Apple’s proposed broadcast innovations, Joey Votto’s in-game interview (and in-game interviews in general), a tasty new MLB sponsorship, PitchCom and pace of play, the fraught relationship between Ronald Acuña Jr. and Freddie Freeman, the Padres-Twins trade […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Sports Illustrated writer Emma Baccellieri banter about the contrast between March Madness and early-season baseball, the Rays-Tigers trade involving Austin Meadows and Isaac Paredes, and the challenge of evaluating Rays transactions in general, then complete the 2022 division preview series by setting the stage for the season in the National […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about top prospects making Opening Day rosters, the Padres’ Sean Manaea trade and Eric Hosmer almost-trade, the A’s firesale and accurate and inaccurate payroll figures, Joe Davis replacing Joe Buck in the World Series broadcast booth, new broadcaster Carlos Beltrán’s comments about the Astros’ sign stealing, and Wilmer Font’s […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Jacob deGrom’s latest injury, the White Sox-Dodgers trade involving Craig Kimbrel and AJ Pollock, umpires explaining replay reviews, “Home Run Derby X,” a lousy likeness of Derek Jeter, Yankees games on Amazon Prime and the continued splintering of baseball broadcasts, and an update about MLB’s official cerveza and […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Fox Sports national writer Pedro Moura discuss Pedro’s new book How to Beat a Broken Game: The Rise of the Dodgers in a League on the Brink, then (18:54) preview the 2022 season in the American League West, team by team. Audio intro: Jim White, “Book of Angels” Audio outro: Dire Straits, […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs writer Ben Clemens banter about an MLB beer/cerveza sponsorship, upcoming updates to sticky stuff inspections, the position of second base, and humidor use, the Twins signing Chris Archer and the Diamondbacks extending Ketel Marte, Dave Roberts guaranteeing a Dodgers championship, and Andrew Miller’s retirement, then (36:50) preview the 2022 […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Baseball Prospectus editor-in-chief Craig Goldstein banter about a contentious Baseball Prospectus headline and an overlooked Scott Boras quote, then preview the 2022 season in the National League West, team by team (plus closing banter about the Baseball Prospectus annual). Audio intro: Big Star, “Way Out West” Audio outro: The New Pornographers, “The […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the beginning of the 2022 division series preview series, rant about the reinstitution of the zombie runner, applaud the advent of the Ohtani Rule, follow up on a previous Stat Blast by recounting the most consecutive defensive plays a fielder has ever been involved in, and relate an […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a Reddit description of the podcast, the pleasures of watching spring training games, and the possibly excessive coffee consumption of White Sox DH Gavin Sheets, before discussing the last burst of big free-agent signings, including Carlos Correa’s shocking contract with the Twins, Trevor Story to the Red Sox, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about new details about Freddie Freeman and Kris Bryant’s contracts, Stat Blast about players not touching the ball, and then (18:59) bring on Effectively Wild listener and Patreon supporter Kevin Brotzman to discuss being an Orioles fan and season-ticket holder and answer listener emails about whether Goodhart’s law will […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley continue to break down a busy, chaotic week in MLB by bantering about which was wilder, this week or the week leading up to the lockout, then breaking down the Rockies signing Kris Bryant, the Dodgers signing Freddie Freeman, the Blue Jays trading for Matt Chapman and the new AL […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a packed few days of post-lockout action, including news about the zombie runner and a ball-strike challenge system, Fernando Tatis Jr.’s fractured wrist and motorcycle mayhem, Pete Alonso‘s close call, Mike Trout’s vetoed position change, the Yankees and Mets potentially losing unvaxxed players in home games, and how […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Cardinals breaking the post-lockout free-agent signing seal, what the pre-Opening Day market will look like, day-after reflections on the new CBA (including an alternative term for tanking), the benefits and drawbacks of MLB broadcasts on streaming services, how Canadian vaccination policies could affect the Blue Jays, the […]
After 99 days of lockout, the voice of the turtle speaks up, and the season is saved. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley exuberantly respond to the news of a new CBA, breaking down the major on-field and off-field provisions in the deal and discussing the worst-cast scenario averted, the imminent prospect of spring training and […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs author Dan Szymborski discuss the drawbacks and virtues of expanded playoffs, the ideal expanded-playoff format, and the biggest beneficiaries of playoff expansion in 2022, why the competitive balance tax functions as a soft cap and how MLB could actually promote competitive integrity, whether banning the shift is a bad […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley answer listener emails about shortening the regular season, whether baserunners could tunnel under the basepaths, creating a fictional top prospect, whether umpires expanding and contracting the strike zone lengthens games, where the Hall of Fame should have been located, aesthetically pleasing pitching motions, and whether Statcast could improve the fan […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley are joined by Evan Drellich, senior writer for The Athletic, to talk about the benefits and drawbacks of reporting from the scene of the CBA negotiations, the proper composition of photos of executives walking to meetings, not getting hoodwinked by sources, whether there really was optimism about a deal leading […]
In the hours immediately following MLB’s decision to cancel the first two series of the regular season, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley are joined by Ben’s colleagues from The Ringer and The Ringer MLB Show, Michael Baumann and Zach Kram, to recap the negotiations leading up to this week’s MLB-imposed deadlines, lament and lambast the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a week of many meetings but no breakthroughs between MLB and the MLBPA, Liberty Media’s financial disclosures about the Braves’ profitability, the prospects of a labor deal before the owners’ deadline for starting the season on time, and more, then (25:22) talk to historian and author Kerry Yo […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley are joined by FanGraphs lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen and national writer Kevin Goldstein for a FanGraphs Prospects Week discussion centered on the site’s Top 100 (or Top 114) prospects ranking, touching on the swift fall of MacKenzie Gore, the scarcity of pitchers toward the top of the list, whether […]
In an all-mailbag episode, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley answer listener emails about baseball with nine DH spots (and separate offensive and defensive units), baseball with eight lineup spots instead of a DH, a visual baseball rulebook, their favorite types of ballpark quirks, adjusting offensive stats for the behavior of the ball, an ethical question […]
Inspired by the loophole-exposing chicanery of former player and manager Eddie “The Brat” Stanky, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley draft 19 MLB rule changes that were solely or largely precipitated by one player, manager, coach, or owner. Audio intro: We Are Scientists, “Rules Don’t Stop” Audio outro: Pezband, “Eddie’s Pals” Link to A Game of Inches Link […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s embarrassing use of a definite article, the latest non-developments in the MLB-MLBPA CBA discussions, the career and retirement of Ryan Zimmerman, a rejected extension offer to the new Nationals franchise player, Juan Soto, a digital recreation of Truist Park and what “the metaverse” means, the outcome of […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Baseball Prospectus editor-in-chief Craig Goldstein discuss the owners’ latest CBA counterproposal, why analyzing Competitive Balance Tax surcharges isn’t exactly riveting, where the owners and players are still furthest apart, why the deadlock is about money—and not even that much money—more so than structural change, MLB’s argument for not paying minor […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Joe Sheehan of the Joe Sheehan Baseball Newsletter discuss MLB’s approach to promoting sports betting and concerns about the integrity of games, then go over some of the most common misconceptions and flawed arguments about MLB labor relations, economics, and competitive balance (plus a postscript about listener nominations for potential […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about baseball equivalents of a stat about the New York Nets’ former big three, review Rob Manfred’s comments to the press about the labor situation (with an emphasis on his assertion about MLB teams being bad investments), Stat Blast (29:05) about players who batted at the bottom of the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley follow up on or banter about minor league free agent draftee reportedly Matt Shoemaker departing for the NPB, raising kids to root for one franchise, precedents for out-of-nowhere sports video game cover models, players nominated by listeners for the nickname “Three-and-Two,” the possible effects of MLB suspending drug testing during […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the latest lockout stalemate and how to decide where to lay blame, a changing of the umpirial guard in which Joe West (finally) leaves and John Libka enters, and whether there could be an MLB equivalent of the NFL’s current tanking scandal, then answer listener emails about watching […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs writer Dan Szymborski briefly set aside the lockout blues to discuss the current state of rosters and projected standings, touching on how the talent still available via free agency compares to previous offseasons at the same stage, how the division races stack up today, the weakest-projected team positions, the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley ask their audience how to handle their team preview podcast series with the resolution of the lockout still in doubt, then banter about Shohei Ohtani becoming the cover model for MLB The Show 22, “Big Boss” Tsuyoshi Shinjo pioneering a new model of major league manager for the Nippon Ham […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about one of Ben’s most laborious baseball-writing experiences, answer listener emails about playing MLB games at minor league affiliates’ parks, how scouting reports affect the times-through-the-order penalty, and what they would do if they discovered that Roberto Clemente had been credited with one hit too many, share a Stat […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about FanGraphs adding fancy “photograph” technology and whether Dick Monfort is any better at collective bargaining than he is at running the Rockies, then discuss the pioneering lives and careers of 2022 Hall of Fame inductees/honorees Bud Fowler and Jack Graney and Graney’s dog mascot Larry, with detours into […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the election of David Ortiz, the ballot banishments of Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Curt Schilling, and the rest of the Hall of Fame voting results (including Scott Rolen’s auspicious surge), react to reports about the latest labor talks (with an emphasis on the problems with using public […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the demise of the Rays’ two-city, split-season scheme, Carlos Correa hiring Scott Boras as his agent, and Brandon Gomes of the Dodgers becoming the latest ex-player to ascend to GM, then (31:18) talk about numerous listener nominations of baseball events that predated the podcast that would have made […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley lean into the lockout by exploring two antecedents to today’s MLB labor stalemate. First, they banter with Emma Baccellieri of Sports Illustrated about whether the Hall of Fame Vote Tracker has helped or hurt Hall of Fame conversations, then talk to Emma about the Players’ League, a short-lived but groundbreaking […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley reconnect with former cohost Sam Miller to discuss what he’s been up to since he stopped working for ESPN in December 2020, how the 2021 Giants rekindled his fandom, the pros and cons of paying attention to projections, what (if anything) he’s missed about covering baseball professionally, his plans for […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs writer Ben Clemens banter about a few details of MLB’s latest labor proposal to the players, the conclusion of and possible confounding factors behind a Bill James study about how switching teams affects a player’s chances of Hall of Fame induction, another historic hire of a woman in baseball, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a bargaining meeting between MLB and the MLBPA that reportedly produced little progress toward a deal, the odds of a punctual start to the season, the retirement of Jon Lester and their lasting fascination with his pickoff-throw yips, a familiarity penalty for relievers who face the same team […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Rachel Balkovec becoming the first female manager in affiliated ball, Genevieve Beacom making her pro debut in Australia, and other women breaking baseball boundaries, then (13:20) conclude their “Measuring the Unmeasurable” series about studying difficult-to-quantify aspects of the sport by bringing on Rob Arthur of Baseball Prospectus and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley continue their “Measuring the Unmeasurable” series about studying difficult-to-quantify aspects of the sport by bringing on Rob Mains of Baseball Prospectus to banter about ESPN’s new Sunday Night Baseball broadcasting plans and discuss Rob’s studies about competitive balance, team mobility and inequality, starter vs. reliever performance, the magnitude and history […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley continue their “Measuring the Unmeasurable” series about studying difficult-to-quantify aspects of the sport by talking to Patrick Brennan about his studies on assessing player development at the major and minor league levels, the challenges of evaluating player development, the data he wishes he had, the most and least successful player […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Fanatics purchasing Topps and MLB Network reportedly parting ways with Ken Rosenthal because of his criticism of Rob Manfred. Then (27:36) they kick off a series of episodes about measuring difficult-to-quantify aspects of the sport by talking to Cameron Grove about translating his study of astrophysics into baseball […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss Ben’s decision regarding his Hall of Fame ballot, and how to handle Hall of Fame voting in the future. Then (38:05) they complete their series of discussions of Korean baseball drama Stove League by breaking down the last four episodes (13-16) and reflecting on the series as a whole. […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the retirement of Kyle Seager and the lockout implications of a recent report about player payrolls, then discuss an assortment of listener-nominated, team-centric topics that they had previously overlooked on the podcast in 2021. Audio intro: Spooky Tooth, “Kyle” Audio outro: Hockey Dad, “I Missed Out” Link to list of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about their holidays, how the omicron variant is affecting sports and personal decisions, and how analyzing COVID case counts is (kind of) akin to analyzing baseball stats, discuss the pace and prominence of signings of former major leaguers by KBO and NPB teams, the results of 2021 interleague play, […]
Ben Lindbergh concludes a short series of conversations with baseball content creators who work mainly in a medium other than writing or podcasting by talking to singer-songwriter Dan Bern about his origins as a baseball fan and musician, rooting for different teams at different times, his songwriting process, sneaking into Wrigley Field, composing his first […]
Ben Lindbergh continues a short series of conversations with baseball content creators who work mainly in a medium other than writing or podcasting by talking to painter Graig Kreindler about Noah Syndergaard, Nick Adenhart, and the best way to pay tribute to past players via uniform number, how Graig got started as a baseball fan […]
Ben Lindbergh kicks off a short series of conversations with baseball content creators who work mainly in mediums other than writing or podcasting by talking to YouTuber Bailey Freeman of Foolish Baseball about the Mets hiring Buck Showalter and the challenge of evaluating managers, how many bases Rickey Henderson would steal today, Bailey’s origins as […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the United States of Shohei Ohtani and Baseball-Reference player page popularity, a perplexing fact about fielding percentage, time-shifted baseball (and watching only wins), learning to love a sport later in life, whether pruney fingers would be a performance-enhancer for pitchers, the great rosin bag battle of the 1920s […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about how baseball writers are coping with the lockout, revisit the burst of spending that preceded its start, and marvel at the wide variety of Hall of Fame ballots that have surfaced so far. Then (19:01) they talk to Sean Gibson and Ted Knorr, two of the founders of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the reasons for and consequences of MLB’s lack of compelling record chases (à la Alex Ovechkin’s in the NHL, Stephen Curry’s in the NBA, and Tom Brady’s in the NFL). Then (21:16) they talk to Sam Dingman and Mac Montandon, the hosts of The Rumor, a just-completed six-part […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the slow drip of baseball news during the lockout, why MLB’s competitive balance gets a bad rap, the Rays’ historic collective minor league winning percentage, and the difficulty of evaluating individual defense in the age of Statcast-based and non-Statcast-based metrics. Then (33:09) they continue their series of discussions […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley talk to Adam Darowski, the baseball historian, Hall of Fame scholar, and Head of User Experience at Sports Reference, about working on the Baseball-Reference website, creating the Hall of Stats, the Hall of Stats vs. the Hall of Fame, the appeal of 19th-century baseball, the Hall of Fame elections of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about listener responses to their earlier conversation about the proper pluralization of “hit by pitch,” then (11:41) bring on Bradford William Davis and Dr. Meredith Wills to discuss the reporting and research that revealed that two types of baseballs were used during the 2021 MLB regular season, as well […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about which teams have the most unfinished roster construction to complete post-lockout and the league’s and union’s dueling playoff format proposals, then answer listener emails about what Wander Franco would make as a free agent today, a plan to combat tanking, and the proper pluralization of “hit by pitch,” […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the beginning of the lockout, which marks MLB’s ninth work stoppage and the first in 26 years. They also discuss a flurry of buzzer-beating transactions, including the Dodgers re-signing Chris Taylor, the Cubs signing Marcus Stroman, the Brewers and Red Sox swapping Jackie Bradley Jr. and Hunter Renfroe, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss the onslaught of transaction activity leading up to the expiration of the CBA, touching on why they and others misread how fast the market would move, why players and teams have done deals so quickly and how the burst of spending could affect labor talks, the group of non-playoff […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Rays signing 20-year-old Wander Franco to a long-term extension, rapid movement in the starting-pitcher market (capped off by the Cardinals signing Steven Matz and Mets owner Steve Cohen tweeting out his reaction), and the White Sox inking Kendall Graveman. Then (36:41) they continue their series of discussions […]
Ben Lindbergh talks to baseball writer and romance novelist KD Casey about Unwritten Rules, her new romance novel about catchers and catcher framing, focusing on her history as a fan and writer, the intersection of sports and romance fiction, fictionalizing MLB teams, delivering details about baseball without alienating readers who aren’t fans, the ethics of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley follow up on an earlier conversation about ERA vs. FIP and banter about Seiya Suzuki being posted, Noah Syndergaard’s explanation of why he left the Mets, the rumored Sandy Alcantara extension and the future of the Marlins, how Canada’s new policy about unvaccinated athletes could affect the Blue Jays, and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley recap the results of awards week, focusing on the controversy over Corbin Burnes’s victory over Zack Wheeler in NL Cy Young voting, the inconsistency between the AL and NL Cy Young results, how voting patterns are evolving, whether anyone actually discounts the value of innings, FIP vs. ERA and a […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Astros re-signing Justin Verlander and MLB’s plan to house minor leaguers, then (19:53) bring on listener and top-tier Patreon supporter John Choe to discuss the single game he played in indy ball, the Moonlight Graham Society he co-founded to recognize minor league cups of coffee, how his […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a flurry of signings and other transactions, including the Tigers signing Eduardo Rodriguez, the Angels signing Noah Syndergaard, the Blue Jays extending José Berríos, and the Mets (finally) hiring a GM, Billy Eppler, plus musings on the Tigers and Mariners “turning the corner,” followups on player rankings, unorthodox […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the latest batch of silly Scott Boras quotes, featuring Meg’s real-time reactions to hearing them for the first time, a “fake quote or real quote?” quiz, and a discussion of the motivations behind the superagent’s annual stand-up routine, then discuss Boras’s comments about competitive integrity and try to […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley announce new perks available to their Patreon supporters, then (12:03) bring on Ben Clemens, the lead author of FanGraphs’ top 50 free agents ranking, to discuss qualifying offers, early transactions, and Wade Miley and size up this offseason’s free agent class, focusing on the strong selection of shortstops and starters, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley talk to Evan Drellich, senior writer for The Athletic, about the state of labor negotiations between MLB and the MLBPA, the major issues separating the two sides, the odds of a work stoppage, how long a potential lockout could last, how the CBA talks may affect transaction activity, how previous […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s return from podcast paternity leave, the quality of the 2021 postseason, whether the Braves were underrated or simply overperformed, what teams might learn from and emulate about Atlanta’s success, postseason pitcher usage and game length, the career and retirement of Buster Posey, their upcoming discussion of TV […]
Meg Rowley and guest co-host Eric Longenhagen discuss the conclusion of the World Series, including how Brian Snitker and Dusty Baker managed their depleted pitching staffs, the future of postseason pitching, Jorge Soler’s pyrotechnics, when they realized Atlanta was going to win the Series, and what’s next for the Astros and the Braves. Then they […]
Meg Rowley and erstwhile Effectively Wild co-host and current Tampa Bay Rays employee Jeff Sullivan discuss World Series game start times, how Jeff’s job has changed compared to the 2020 season, Wander Franco, the Rays’ uniforms, what it is like to root (and work) for a team in the playoffs, the Rays’ ALDS against Boston, […]
Before Game 3 of the World Series, Meg Rowley and guest co-host Emma Baccellieri of Sports Illustrated discuss postseason travel for sportswriters, the forgotten virtues of suburban malls, Emma’s piece on how Atlanta shifted its stance on the shift midseason, and how the front office, Ron Washington, and the players came together to adopt the […]
In a crossover event Marvel would envy, Meg Rowley and guest co-host Michael Baumann of The Ringer discuss Games 1 and 2 of the World Series, what the loss of Charlie Morton means for Atlanta, the narrative role of the starter, how to navigate the moral conundrum that is fandom, the ever-growing length of postseason […]
Meg Rowley and guest co-host Sarah Langs of MLB.com banter about Sarah’s participation in MLB’s first game to feature an all-women broadcast crew, her research process, and what makes for a good fun fact. Then Sarah shares some Braves and Astros statistical oddities ahead of the World Series, including fun facts about Joc Pederson, Brian […]
Meg Rowley and guest co-host Ben Clemens discuss the Astros’ pitching woes, the role of starters in the postseason, Dave Roberts’ decision to have Brusdar Graterol hit in Game 5 of the NLCS, Yordan Alvarez, how a 3-2 series deficit feels for fans of the team with the upper hand, and Ben’s look at Ian […]
Meg Rowley and guest co-host Grant Brisbee catch up on some non-postseaosn news, including Grant’s elbow injury, MLB’s decision to provide housing for minor leaguers, and Rob Arthur’s research suggesting spin rate and pitch movement have recovered after cratering in light of sticky stuff enforcement, then banter about Laz Diaz’s strike zone in Game 4 […]
Meg Rowley is joined by guest co-host Mike Petriello of MLB.com. They discuss Mike’s role in the booth as a part of ESPN’s Statcast broadcasts, how what is affectionately referred to as the Nerdcast got started, how Mike prepares for games, how he balances being analytics-heavy while still appealing to a broad audience, how the […]
Meg Rowley and guest co-host Bradford William Davis of Insider discuss his new job as an investigative features writer and what the shift from being a daily columnist has meant for how he engages with players, sources, and baseball, and the stories he’s able to tell. Then they turn their attention to the playoffs and […]
Meg Rowley and guest co-host Jon Tayler of FanGraphs banter about the Boston Red Sox’s victory over the Tampa Bay Rays to advance to the American League Championship Series, including Jon’s experience of the series as a Red Sox fan, Alex Cora’s managerial style, Boston’s particular brand of chaos ball, when Jon knew Garrett Whitlock […]
Meg Rowley and guest co-host Mike Ferrin of MLB Network Radio discuss his recent trip to Monument Valley before recapping the weekend’s ALDS and NLDS action and looking ahead to what might come next, including thoughts on the Giants’ approach to platooning, Cody Bellinger‘s season-long slump, AJ Pollock‘s past postseason woes, the Brewers offense, Eduardo […]
Meg Rowley and guest co-host Eric Longenhagen banter about Walker Buehler’s unusual approach to opening beers and their own past dental emergencies before recapping the AL Wild Card game. They consider what went wrong for the Yankees, and assess the Red Sox’s good starters, potent lineup, and shaky defense, as well as Nick Pivetta and […]
Meg Rowley and guest co-host Craig Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus recap the final weekend of regular season baseball before previewing this week’s Wild Card games. They discuss the Mariners’ decision not to promote Julio Rodríguez, their disappointment at the lack of tiebreaker games, franchise player farewells, the current playoff format, what comes next for Seattle […]
With the postseason around the corner, Meg Rowley and guest co-host Ben Clemens discuss the playoff picture, how the Seattle Mariners got where they are, which team Ben would prefer to see his Cardinals match up against in the NL Wild Card, and the biggest surprises of the season. Then they discuss Ben’s recent work […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about what Shohei Ohtani might mean for the Mariners’ slight playoff chances and Riley O’Brien’s recent debut, before Ben shares some (good) personal news. Then (17:33) they bring on Will Leitch to discuss the St. Louis Cardinals. Will shares what it has been like to root for the team […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Giancarlo Stanton’s awe-inspiring weekend at Fenway, the most aesthetically pleasing home run hitters, what the Cardinals’ 16-game winning streak portends (or doesn’t portend) for their playoff hopes, and the last week in the remaining playoff races. Then (26:32) they bring on Patreon supporter Dylan Buell to talk about […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about teams pitching around Shohei Ohtani and a second conspiracy theory about Rays/Jays Cardgate, then rank the fun quotient of potential playoff teams and draft their preferred playoff matchups. Audio intro: Steve Gunn, "Protection" Audio outro: Frankie Siragusa, "I Don’t Want to See You Again" Link to article about Ohtani’s walks […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Cardinals being unbeatable, the Giants setting a record for outperforming PECOTA, the Orioles’ and Diamondbacks’ race to MLB’s worst record, the White Sox and Yankees also having identical records (and the vagaries of unbalanced schedules and divisional assignments), the saga of Drew Maggi’s call-up and demotion and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the unwritten rules controversy stemming from Kevin Kiermaier absconding with a Blue Jays scouting card, the Padres’ collapse, dysfunction, and outlook for 2022, the Cardinals’ surge and the Braves’ revamped outfield, Anthony Gose’s return to the majors as a pitcher, a number of injured arms making comebacks, the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the potential benefits of a 15-second pitch clock and the massive winning-percentage mismatch between the NL’s impending wild card winners, then answer listener emails about intentionally swinging at a wild pitch to reach base, the obsolescence of ERA, whether Statcast should be used instead of video to make […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Jake Arrieta’s sub-replacement pitching and the sorry state of the Padres’ starting staff, Bryce Harper, Juan Soto, and the NL MVP race, Shohei Ohtani, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and the competing, persuasive narratives of the AL MVP race, and the ascendance of micro sports betting. Then (31:49) they talk […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Padres reliever Austin Adams tying the single-season hit by pitch record (and some resulting safety concerns), Corbin Burnes pitching (most of) the season’s record-setting ninth no-hitter and the changing norms around pulling pitchers mid-no-no, Max Scherzer’s recent run, pitchers whose whole careers are covered by pitch-tracking tech, and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Blue Jays’ hot streak and playoff outlook and the meaning of clutchness, then meet major leaguers Andy Ibáñez of the Rangers and Janson Junk of the Angels. After that (37:07), they’re joined by Rob Mains of Baseball Prospectus to discuss the state of starting pitching, the future […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Salvador Perez’s power output, durability, defense, and career, Shohei Ohtani’s offensive slump, the Rays calling up Josh Lowe to go with Brandon Lowe (but not Nathaniel Lowe), and the desirability of being teammates with one’s brother or father, then draft unsung players who are having good seasons that […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Mike Yastrzemski, “bubble guts,” and the right way for a manager to publicize a player’s intestinal distress, then follow up on Miguel Cabrera and the factors that influence players’ career ratios of pitchers homered off of to total home runs, review the state of the standings, discuss the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley talk to The Athletic’s Grant Brisbee and SB Nation’s Eric Stephen about the last series of the regular season between the tied-for-first-place Dodgers and Giants, the historic greatness of their race, the state of (and outlook for) their respective rosters, the strengths and weaknesses of each team, their secret sauces, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Wander Franco coming into his own, Kevin Newman’s steep offensive falloff post-spring training, a strikeout milestone for Robbie Ray, the Kendall Graveman–Abraham Toro trade and promotions/extensions for the Mariners’ Jerry Dipoto and Scott Servais, the new-and-improved Blake Snell, Austin Adams’ historic hit-by-pitch pace, Cardinals radio broadcaster Mike Shannon […]
Ben Lindbergh talks to Defector’s David Roth about the Mets’ freefall in the standings, the extremely Metsy controversy surrounding multiple players giving the thumbs down to fans, and how the franchise still practices Wilpon-era self-sabotage. Then (46:18) Ben “benters” with Ben Clemens from FanGraphs about the post-sticky-stuff collapse of demoted Cleveland closer James Karinchak, the […]
Ben Lindbergh talks to The Ringer’s Zach Kram about how the red-hot Yankees have salvaged their season, mounted their longest winning streak in 60 years, and put themselves in playoff position. Then (27:33) Ben brings on John Poff, former major leaguer and Stat Blast star, to discuss his brief big league career, walking away from […]
Ben Lindbergh follows up on a Stat Blast that generated a lot of listener emails, then (13:04) talks to former major leaguer and current Angels catching coach José Molina about his unparalleled receiving skills, fooling umpires, the importance of framing compared to throwing, blocking, and game-calling, whether stealing strikes can be taught, aspects of catcher […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s post-concert encounter with a podcast listener, Miguel Cabrera’s 500th home run and the future of the 500-homer club, the latest sighting of Tom’s enigmatic message to Caitlyn at Great American Ball Park, the Rockies possibly promoting a GM from within (again), and a few pennant race updates, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley follow up on a conversation about protective headgear for pitchers by discussing softball face masks, then banter about whether MLB necessarily needs a legalized sticky substance or a pre-tacked ball, and attempt to unpack a distressing message from “Tom” to “Caitlyn” on the video board at a Reds game. Then […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Germán Márquez and the ethics of diarrhea disclosure, stretched pitching staffs that were supposed to be deep, the Orioles and Diamondbacks competing for MLB’s worst record, a somewhat deceptive salary floor in MLB’s economic proposal (and the future of the ongoing CBA talks), Mets owner Steve Cohen’s critical […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley follow up on a recent observation about a baseball-related line in Twilight, then banter about petards, Ben’s latest trip to see Shohei Ohtani at Yankee Stadium, Tyler Gilbert’s improbable no-hitter, the playoff hopes of the Padres, Reds, and Giants (and reshuffling in the NL East and AL East), the lows […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Field of Dreams Game, “playing catch” vs. “having a catch,” scouting baseball movies, and a quibble with baseball in Twilight, answer listener emails about extending the Field of Dreams Game concept to other settings (and other baseball movies), the aesthetics of no-doubt dingers and wall-scrapers, saving the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about an Alek Manoah semi-fun fact, a day without any starters going deep into games, economical outings by Adam Wainwright and Corbin Burnes, Cody Bellinger’s bat, a legal decision involving the Phillie Phanatic that may have implications beyond baseball, Joey Gallo feeling small, and the cost of Ray’s lost […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about their imperfections, follow up on flying horses, Justice Blackmun omitting Mel Ott from Flood vs. Kuhn, and a possible defense of pitcher hitters, then assess the state of the standings and playoff races, contemplate a position change for Fernando Tatis Jr., discuss the Field of Dreams Game, and […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman of Céspedes Family BBQ banter about Jake’s baseball bike trip (and Jordan’s accompanying car ride) from New York to Chicago. Then, in honor of Mike Trout’s 30th birthday, they draft their favorite things about Trout and his incredible career. Audio intro: Jay-Z, "30 Something" Audio outro: Smash […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about baseball (and steeplechase?) at the Olympics, then answer listener emails about teams intentionally drafting players they don’t intend to sign, Willy Adames as an NL MVP candidate, Dominic Smith and reverse platoon splits, secret ball-strike counts, and which is better (or worse), position-player pitchers or pitcher hitters, then […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Mets not signing first-round pick Kumar Rocker, owner Steve Cohen’s comment about the decision, and the amateur draft as a salary-suppressing institution, then discuss how injuries have destabilized some of the major end-of-season awards races. After that (31:51), they talk to Cleveland native (and Baseball Prospectus writer) […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley recap the busiest trade deadline ever, first examining why it was so frantic and then going division by division to analyze the actions or inaction of every team that made a trade (which was, well, every team). Audio intro: Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, "Heard You’re Moving" Audio outro: Vanessa Peters, "Moving Day" […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the one-for-one A’s-Marlins swap involving Starling Marte and Jesús Luzardo, Marte’s underrated career, and Miami’s enviable pitching stockpile, then discuss the circumstances surrounding a potential trade of Max Scherzer. After that (35:21), they talk to FiveThirtyEight senior writer Neil Paine about the factors that affect whether teams add […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Padres trading for Adam Frazier and other pre-deadline activity, Joey Votto’s offensive resurgence, Shohei Ohtani’s dirty uniform, and more, then react in real time to the Mariners surprisingly trading Kendall Graveman to the Astros for Abraham Toro. They also answer listener emails about adding a pitcher/DH position, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the new name and look of Cleveland’s MLB team, the Guardians, then react to the Rays trading for Nelson Cruz and dealing away Rich Hill, analyze a new electronic system for sending signs from catchers to pitchers that’s about to be tested in A ball, and salute Juan […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the return of the debate about batting around and other unending debates they do or don’t care about, whether MLB should borrow the NFL’s plan to make clubs forfeit games that can’t be played because of unvaccinated players, Willians Astudillo being back in the big leagues, and listeners’ […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the length of the baseball season (and postseason) compared to other sports’, whether Shohei Ohtani ever grows frustrated with his mere-mortal teammates, the prolific predictions of the Rockies’ Mike Redmond, a possible modification to the zombie-runner rule, an update on the Marlins’ run differential, a story about a […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the conditions David Fletcher has faced during his hitting streak compared to those Joe DiMaggio faced, follow up on a discussion of baseball in a multiverse scenario, discuss the difficulty of extending (or trading) Byron Buxton, mention a quest to collect Willians Astudillo cards, puzzle over the stagnation […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s airport problems, discuss the All-Star Game (touching on mic’d up and profane players, unsightly uniforms, All-Stars being friendly on the field, and MLB embracing the game’s lack of stakes), lament that the zombie-runner rule may not be (un)dead after all, follow up on more players with high […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Rob Manfred teasing a possible permanent reprieve from zombie runners and seven-inning doubleheaders, react to Monday’s Home Run Derby and outpouring of appreciation for Shohei Ohtani, and lament Ronald Acuña Jr.’s season-ending injury (and assess the state of the Braves). Then (45:46) they bring on FanGraphs Lead Prospect […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the 10th anniversary of Mike Trout’s promotion to the majors, Rey Ordóñez and other players with high highlights-to-value ratios, opting against an Albert Pujols pun, MLB wisely forgoing the humidor for the Home Run Derby, and a quibble with the Derby bracket, then follow up on a discussion […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Rays’ combined seven-inning hitless game, knuckleballer Mickey Jannis as a secret weapon in MLB The Show, Jacob deGrom and the near-impossibility of breaking the ERA record, Billy Hamilton and players with the highest highlight-to-value ratios, a six-man outfield against Joey Gallo, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the retelling […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about their long weekends, birthday boy (and two-way All-Star) Shohei Ohtani, MLB’s perplexing timing when it comes to announcing awards and All-Star honors and scheduling special events such as the Futures Game and the amateur draft, the Yankees’ continuing troubles, pitchers who’ve struggled since the sticky stuff crackdown began, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about passing the halfway point of the regular season, the early effects of the sticky-stuff crackdown, a historically high-scoring day, the white-hot Brewers (and Willy Adames) and the red-hot Nationals (and Kyle Schwarber), a Germán Márquez gem, and a study on how kids become fans that helps explain how […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s experience attending the worst start of Shohei Ohtani’s MLB career, then (15:04) discuss the Dodgers’ and MLB’s response (and their own reactions to) this week’s serious assault allegations against Trevor Bauer. (Warning: This episode contains some swears, starting at 18:18.) Audio intro: Vanessa Peters, "Rather Bad Day" Audio outro: […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s borderline excessive consumption of Angels games and the latest, greatest exploits of Shohei Ohtani, who and what is to blame for the Yankees’ ongoing struggles, Gerrit Cole’s performance post-sticky stuff, Hector Santiago becoming the first pitcher ejected for alleged foreign substance use, a Triple-A umpire’s broken-belt ejection, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the brief big league stay of knuckleballer Mickey Jannis, Joey Votto’s predictions, decline, and reminders of mortality, Greg Maddux forecasting foul balls, and the states of the Cubs and Dodgers post-combined no-hitter. Then they answer listener emails about whether MLB regrets making Statcast data publicly available in the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about MLB’s much-maligned All-Star Game uniforms and a pair of odd games, discuss the highs and lows of the first few days of MLB’s enforced foreign-substance ban (with special attention to Max Scherzer, Joe Girardi, and Sergio Romo), review Wander Franco’s debut and note the less-hyped arrivals of Lars […]
Ben Lindbergh and guest co-host Mike Ferrin of MLB Network Radio and the Diamondbacks’ broadcast crew discuss the D-Backs’ 17-game losing streak and more extended stretch of futility before bantering about Shohei Ohtani’s Player of the Week Award-winning performance and the potential for Ohtani to own All-Star Week, the call-up of (and expectations for) Rays […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley follow up on previous discussions about player predictions and game postponements, answer listener emails about a sticky-stuff pitcher protest, the talent level in the College World Series, the wave as a player-distraction device, a six-year-old who roots for walks, and when the Astros will stop being booed (with an aside […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Jose Altuve forgoing a home run trot, then break down the details of MLB’s plan to enforce the rules against foreign-substance use starting on June 21, covering the pros and cons of putting that plan into action at midseason and opting to ban all substances, what the effects […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s experience seeing Shohei Ohtani pitch, hit, and play right field in person, why balks can be so incomprehensible, the differing recent fortunes of the Angels and the Diamondbacks (and Albert Pujols), Jacob deGrom’s dominance and durability, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the big bats (and playoff fortunes) of […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and The Athletic’s Grant Brisbee discuss Grant’s experience co-hosting a podcast with Hunter Pence and Grant’s hatred of the zombie-runner rule, before attempting to explain how and why the San Francisco Giants have baseball’s best record and what they should do at the trade deadline. Audio intro: The Baseball Project, "The Giants […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about another prescient player prediction (this time involving the Phillies’ Luke Williams), Nick Madrigal’s hamstring injury, another aspect of the baseball scene in A Quiet Place Part II, and a few observations about the foreign-substance scandal, including teams’ culpability, how the perception of sticky stuff use may mirror the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter (sans spoilers) about baseball movie A Quiet Place Part II, Eric Sogard sliding over first base, a Travis Jankowski TOOTBLAN, Miguel Sanó repeatedly predicting success, and Jesse Winker raking, then consider whether it’s actually “unfortunate” that the first true two-way player in ages is as good as Shohei Ohtani, […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Sports Illustrated’s Emma Baccellieri banter about Ryan Yarbrough throwing a rare Rays complete game, then share their thoughts on the recent debate about media access in sports sparked by tennis star Naomi Osaka, touching on how access to athletes compares across sports, the dubious value of press conferences, athletes’ obligations […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about why “Zombie Runner,” not “Manfred Man,” remains their preferred term for the automatic runner, zombies in general, position player pitchers vs. pitcher hitters, the benefits of forfeits, the increasing rate of pitcher hitters not attempting to put the ball in play, MLB’s bad timing with NFTs, the minor […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Luis Urías, the zombie runner, and walk-off wins, a few other aspects of the Will Craig/Javier Báez play, a new stat called the “Boner,” MLB and NFTs, Theo Epstein’s recent comments about making changes to the game, Shohei Ohtani’s player-page traffic and the future of two-way players, the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Javier Báez and Will Craig combining on a baffling blooper, a naked streaker seizing the moment during a rain delay at Nationals Park, Cardinals manager Mike Shildt’s objection to a foreign-substance inspection (and how MLB should respond), an update from New Era about its short-lived “Local Market” caps, […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Baseball Prospectus editor-in-chief Craig Goldstein banter about cicadas, New Era’s short-lived “MLB Local Market” caps, the exploits of Adolis García, and Byron Buxton being too fast for his own good, then discuss Craig’s recent writing on how to fix what ails baseball, touching on what exactly the problem (if any) […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the scant separation between the top teams in each division and the division races they find the most intriguing, Buster Posey, Scott Kazmir, and other old Giants, Isiah Kiner-Falefa backing up his objection to coming in last on FanGraphs’ shortstop positional power ranking, Mariners catcher José Godoy becoming […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Shohei Ohtani stalker cam on Japanese telecasts of Angels games, the Low-A Palm Beach Cardinals facing Jacob deGrom, why this season’s no-hitters have all been so dominant, and why it doesn’t make sense to hold hitters responsible for strikeouts and low batting averages. Then they do a […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about scheduling their days around Shohei Ohtani and the latest examples of Ohtani excitement, Tony La Russa and unwritten rules vs. fun and the White Sox clubhouse, and Spencer Turnbull and no-hitter overload (before Corey Kluber’s no-no on Wednesday), then answer listener emails about whether Ohtani is the world’s […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Dodgers signing Albert Pujols and what the rest of his season could look like, Kevin Pillar’s broken nose and the ongoing HBP epidemic, Shohei Ohtani’s latest heroics (and modeling video) and whether he can become a face of baseball and a crossover star, MLB’s rising injury rate, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the same-day debuts of Jarred Kelenic and Logan Gilbert, the future of the Mariners, and whether Mariners fans have actually had it so bad, another distinction between framing and flopping, the retirement of Tyler Flowers and the impact he had on catching technique, the resurgence of Rich Hill, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Mariners calling up pitching prospect Logan Gilbert, the late-inning dominance of Aroldis Chapman and (more unexpectedly) Kendall Graveman, Shohei Ohtani’s best start of the season, and the Astros providing housing for their minor leaguers, then answer listener emails about their favorite baseball seasons, how long it will […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Mariners’ impending call-up of top prospect Jarred Kelenic, the Dodgers’ recent slump, the Oakland A’s threatening to relocate, Wade Miley’s no-hitter and how long it takes for no-no fatigue to set in, whether MLB’s offensive downturn will force the league to take action, the role of hitters […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Byron Buxton and the Twins, discuss the Angels designating Albert Pujols for assignment, and answer listener emails about whether to accept a scenario where one’s team always finishes .500 but one also gets to enjoy the career of a generational player, pitchers accepting automatic strikeouts, the best way […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Orioles ace John Means pitching a no-hitter and the dropped-third-strike rule that prevented him from having a perfect game, Tony La Russa’s latest managerial miscues, an umpire admitting he guessed at a call, the Yankees turning their season around after a slow start and the perils of small-sample […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about being fully vaccinated, injuries to Dustin May, Luis Robert, Jesús Luzardo, Jacob deGrom, Shohei Ohtani, and others around the league, grumbles about Tony La Russa’s managing, the Angels’ perplexing, persistent .500-ness, the Mets firing and hiring hitting coaches, and surprising pricing for players on Cameo, then follow up […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Rays flamethrower Shane McClanahan’s regular-season MLB debut, a Bryce Harper hit by pitch and the causes of the current HBP epidemic, and the biggest surprises of the topsy-turvy standings entering May. Then (33:32) they’re joined by listener and Patreon supporter David Whitcomb to answer listener emails about whether […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan’s morbid press conference comment, the continued excellence of Byron Buxton, Mike Trout, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., an early-season dip in infield shifting and an interesting disparity in defensive disparity between the Padres and Dodgers, and Rob Manfred’s comment about sports betting and the pace […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the latest riveting Padres-Dodgers series, the beef between Trevor Bauer and Fernando Tatis Jr., Tatis’s fielding, the end of GM Jeff Bridich’s reign with the Rockies, Madison Bumgarner’s hitless start (but non-no-hitter?), Jacob deGrom’s dominance and starts in which pitchers produce as many hits as they allow, and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley offer a few updates on the first subject of their “Meet a Major Leaguer” segment, Zach Pop, banter about Corey Dickerson’s impending 200th career double, and answer listener emails about weather-based scheduling, giving umpires the option of not making close calls and deferring to replay reviewers instead, the strange statistics […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Bryce Harper’s hot streak, the players at the top of the WAR leaderboard, the exploits of Byron Buxton and Nelson Cruz, the suddenly unbeatable Oakland A’s, Ben’s new favorite stat to track (Nick Madrigal’s K%+), pitcher hitting performance reaching a new nadir, and more. Then they debut a […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the brief lifespan of the soccer Super League, the gift of the Padres-Dodgers rivalry and Blake Snell vs. Joe Musgrove, position-player-pitching overload and the pitching performance of Willians Astudillo, whether the slow-starting Yankees are really doomed, the retirement of Jay Bruce, the end of Tim Locastro’s stolen-base success […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about why they haven’t been talking about Bryce Harper, follow up on previous points about the automatic-runner rule, optional home run trots, and player switcheroos, discuss the latest report about the Mets’ front-office culture and team president Sandy Alderson, and answer listener emails about two automatic-runner-rule variants, first base […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the unanticipated charms of podcast faves Willians Astudillo and Shohei Ohtani, Trevor Bauer’s (and the league’s) spin rates increasing despite MLB’s threatened foreign substance crackdown, the confounding behavior of the new, supposedly deadened baseball, and the news that the mound will be moved back and the “double hook” […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Joe Musgrove‘s no-hitter and the significance of Musgrove snapping the Padres’ no-no-no streak, Tim Locastro breaking Tim Raines’s record for the most consecutive successful steal attempts to start a career, Ronald Acuña Jr. beating out a routine grounder and MLB’s “FieldVision” depiction of the play, the controversial call […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the seemingly building backlash to the extra-innings automatic-runner rule and Dusty Baker’s comments about anti-Astros heckling, then (19:51) bring on high performance coach Gary McCoy to discuss his epiphany about preventing player injuries, the importance of deceleration, how he helped a team in Taiwan have an injury-free season, […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs writer RJ McDaniel banter about a controversial walk-off hit by pitch call involving the Mets’ Michael Conforto, the early success of exciting Tigers Rule 5 pick Akil Baddoo, and unexpected fauna on the field, then conduct the second annual Effectively Wild Team Fun Draft, in which they draft all […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley convene an emergency podcast to discuss Shohei Ohtani’s exhilarating, terrifying, and historic Sunday Night Baseball performance against the White Sox (which veered from triumph to near-tragedy), touching on Ohtani’s titanic home run and resounding bat crack, the aesthetics of his stuff, his Statcast superstardom, his narrow escape from injury after […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about immersing themselves in Opening Day action, Opening Day highlights and oddities, early-season optimism, the divisive automatic-runner rule, the Francisco Lindor extension and why it matters so much for the Mets, the perception of players’ positive COVID tests today compared to last season, what they’re most looking forward to […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the completion of the season preview series and the Marlins renaming Marlins Park “loanDepot park,” do a draft of current corporate-sponsored MLB ballpark names from least to most objectionable, and then preview the 2021 Dodgers (24:20) with Pedro Moura of the The Athletic and the 2021 Orioles (1:09:03) […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg getting vaccinated, the social dynamics of looser restrictions for vaccinated MLB players, an update on the infamous Tom & Jerry baseball scene, another baseball term named after a player, Willians Astudillo making the Twins, a few other players not making their respective teams, politicians’ performative fandom, Randy […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about how the absence of the injured Eloy Jiménez will affect the White Sox, follow up on their discussions from the preceding episode about distracting on-field animals and baseball terms named after teams or players, then preview the 2021 Padres (19:37) with Dennis Lin of the The Athletic and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Isiah Kiner-Falefa being mad at Meg (sort of), a billboard in Boston about Mookie Betts, MLB’s renewed attempts to crack down on foreign-substance use, and what an NHL referee oopsie says about umpire makeup calls and automated strike zones, then answer listener emails about whether the season preview […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the latest spring exploits of Shohei Ohtani, the Royals extending Salvador Perez, rooting against injuries in spring training, and a mysterious former major leaguer known only as “Lewis,” then preview the 2021 Mets (37:09) with Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News and the 2021 Marlins (1:14:26) […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley preview the 2021 Astros with Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle and the 2021 Rangers (54:07) with Levi Weaver of The Athletic. Audio intro: The Felice Brothers, "T for Texas" Audio interstitial: Chip Taylor & Carrie Rodriguez, "Dirty Little Texas Story" Audio outro: 2nd Grade, "Bye-Bye Texas" Link to Michael Baumann on the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley attempt to make sense of unsightly spring training uniforms, then preview the 2021 Braves (08:42) with Grant McAuley of From The Diamond and the 2021 Mariners (45:27) with Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times. Audio intro: Ken Stringfellow, "Uniforms" Audio interstitial: Anti-Flag, "20 Years of Hell" Audio outro: Jethro Tull, "Uniform" Link to […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about weirdness and whimsy in spring training, the Giants and Cleveland playing an unnecessary bottom of the ninth (without umpires), the 22-pitch plate appearance between Jordan Hicks and Luis Guillorme, Jacob deGrom’s ever-escalating velocity, and two recent research pieces, then preview the 2021 Twins (23:33) with Aaron Gleeman of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley pass the halfway point of their 30-team season preview series by previewing the 2021 White Sox with James Fegan of The Athletic and the 2021 Diamondbacks (46:45) with Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic, plus a brief postscript on the career and retirement of Nick Markakis. Audio intro: Parquet Courts, "Black […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the new baseball format embraced by the Savannah Bananas, the experimental rules MLB is imposing at various levels of the minor leagues in 2021, and whether they would want to live in a ballpark (like a man who claims to have lived for three years in Veterans Stadium), […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about MLB.TV repetition, Yadier Molina throwing out Jose Siri, teams opting to end innings early, the effect of Jarred Kelenic’s injury on the Mariners service-time controversy, the Astros signing Jake Odorizzi, and teams being more brazen about lowering their competitive balance tax assessments, then preview the 2021 Blue Jays […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Shohei Ohtani’s first home run and pitching appearance of spring training, follow up on their previous discussion about the abominable baseball scene in Tom & Jerry, and recap the results of a Baseball America study about the number of big leaguers (and good big leaguers) in the average […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Justin Dunn’s offseason overhaul and the value of spring training clichés, the Brewers signing Jackie Bradley Jr., why Jake Odorizzi is still a free agent, where he’ll end up, and why he’ll decide the EW free agent contracts competition, and an abominable baseball scene from the new movie […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about spring training games starting, Jeff Mathis batting cleanup in a spring training game (and once improbably batting fifth in a regular-season game), the latest reports about suspended Angels pitching coach Mickey Callaway, the postponement of the start of the Triple-A season, the outlook for attendance in Texas, and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Jarred Kelenic’s beef with the Mariners about alleged service-time manipulation, then preview the 2021 Nationals (25:37) with Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post and the 2021 Cubs (59:43) with Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic. Audio intro: Ty Segall, "Manipulator" Audio interstitial 1: Gary Louris, "D.C. Blues" Audio interstitial 2: Jason Isbell, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley preview the 2021 Athletics with Alex Coffey of The Athletic and the 2021 Phillies (30:13) with Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Audio intro: The Divine Comedy, "Come Home Billy Bird" Audio interstitial: George Harrison, "Stuck Inside a Cloud" Audio outro: The Apples in Stereo, "Play Tough" Link to Alex on Beane Link to […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Fernando Tatis Jr. coining a term for his contract, a Bill James tweet about analytics, and Shin-Soo Choo leaving MLB to make his belated KBO debut, share Stat Blasts about all-over-30 lineups and players who’ve dominated one position in their franchise’s history, and then (32:39) bring on FanGraphs […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about discordant college baseball uniform fonts, a piece by Blake Snell in The Players’ Tribune, and whether there’s a competitive advantage in making the bullpen less visible to the pitcher on the mound, then preview the 2021 Cardinals (15:13) with Will Leitch of MLB.com (and elsewhere) and the 2021 […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Baltimore Orioles trending on Twitter because of their 0.0 percent FanGraphs playoff odds, what that figure really signifies, and how teams tend to respond to pessimistic projections, then break down why the record-breaking 14-year extension signed by superstar shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. is a windfall for him, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the beginning of the ninth annual Effectively Wild team-by-team season preview series, discuss a trio of players (Justin Turner, James Paxton, and Jake Arrieta) who re-signed with their most recent or former teams, and preview the 2021 Rays (16:01) with Adam Berry of MLB.com and the 2021 Brewers […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the de-naming and possible renaming of the minor leagues, the Andrew Benintendi trade and the state of the Royals, and what they would add to SABR’s list of the 50 most noteworthy moments in the evolution of baseball analytics over the past 50 years, then (30:00) bring back […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about having baseball on the brain and the NL Central’s measly World Series odds, then answer listener emails about umpire underwear and repeated pants-splitting, an eccentric baseball billionaire who wants his son to break Cy Young’s career wins record, whether they would pitch a big-league game in exchange for […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the incredible longevity of Dodgers Spanish-language voice Jaime Jarrín (who’s outlasted his own son in the broadcast booth), break down the new, universal-DH-less health and safety protocols for the 2021 season and MLB’s adjustments to the baseball’s construction, the Elvis Andrus–Khris Davis trade and the unprecedented positional profile […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the latest developments for their minor league free agent draft teams, then discuss the Dodgers signing reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer to an unexpected and unusually structured record contract, touching on the good and bad of Bauer, the incredible Dodgers-Padres arms race, and much more. […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley recap the Rockies’ press conference about the Nolan Arenado trade and GM Jeff Bridich claiming the belt as the game’s most-maligned GM, then discuss Angels pitching coach Mickey Callaway’s suspension and Andrelton Simmons’ comments about his mental state in 2020, analyze the Twins re-signing Nelson Cruz and signing Alex Colomé, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley break down the Nolan Arenado trade from the Rockies’ and Cardinals’ perspectives, reflect on the Rockies’ rudderless state, touch on a few more minor transactions (Alex Cobb to the Angels, Didi Gregorius to the Phillies, and Eddie Rosario to Cleveland), remember the career of the now-retired Dustin Pedroia, and touch […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the quirks and cancellation of a long-lost (and recently rediscovered) baseball successor to arcade hit NBA Jam called Power-Up Baseball, then discuss the Cubs signing Joc Pederson and the Cardinals bringing back Adam Wainwright and (probably) Yadier Molina, share a Stat Blast about where Wainwright and Molina rank […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs author Ben Clemens break down the Marcus Semien, Andrelton Simmons, and Tommy La Stella signings, the Steven Matz trade, and Masahiro Tanaka’s decision to return to NPB’s Rakuten Eagles (with digressions about Japan’s tradition of awarding the uniform number 18 to aces and the greatness of Hiroki Kuroda) before […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Willians Astudillo’s award-winning heroics in the Venezuelan Winter League, then discuss the Phillies re-signing J.T. Realmuto, the Blue Jays signing Marcus Semien, the Nationals signing Brad Hand, the Padres signing Jurickson Profar, the Yankees trading for Jameson Taillon and assembling a skilled but injury-prone rotation, the Red Sox […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley reflect on the on-field feats, statistical records, and larger legacy of baseball icon Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron, who died on Friday at age 86. Then (25:47) they talk to Joe Lowry of Prospects Live about the ongoing boom in baseball cards, touching on why 2020 fueled a surge in sports-card […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Alex Rodriguez’s ubiquity on non-baseball broadcasts and then discuss George Springer signing a franchise-record contract with the Blue Jays, Michael Brantley re-signing with the Astros, and José Quintana signing with the Angels, touching on how the Jays compare to their AL East rivals and what the team may […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss ESPN’s report about Mets GM Jared Porter’s harassment of a female reporter when Porter worked for the Cubs in 2016, Porter’s subsequent firing by the Mets, Mets president Sandy Alderson’s comments about Porter’s hiring, the limitations of assessing character, the obstacles media members who aren’t cis men encounter in […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Blue Jays missing out on DJ LeMahieu and which remaining free agents might be bound for Toronto, follow up on their previous discussion about bagged milk and tax implications for free agency, marvel at LeMahieu’s unique invulnerability to the shift and his unlikely career trajectory, and examine […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Blue Jays missing out on several free-agent or trade targets, then answer listener emails about whether fans feel pride in their division/league, the history (and future) of fundamental changes to baseball technique, how many championships one would win if transported back to 2000 and appointed as GM […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about why the free-agent market has been both slow-moving and fairly lucrative for the players who’ve signed, the White Sox inking closer Liam Hendriks, whether the White Sox are the American League’s front runners, the latest report that the season will start on time, napping, MLB’s plans for fans […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley break down the six-player blockbuster trade headlined by Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco, touching on Cleveland’s decision to cut costs by dealing two fan favorites and the face of the franchise, how much better Lindor makes the Mets, and more, then banter about NPB ace Tomoyuki Sugano re-signing with the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the re-naming of Miller Park and the good and bad of ballpark naming rights, the improbable beginning of Phil Niekro’s career and what it says about the downsizing of the minor leagues, an intriguing projection of the outcome of the Padres-Dodgers NL West race, Boog Sciambi calling Cubs […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the official retirement of Phil Hughes, the joy of anticipating top prospects and watching them debut, the sobering reality of players their age starting to retire, a report that the 2021 season is likely to start on time, and a control group for their minor league free agent […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the experience of podcasting about baseball in 2020, what purpose they think the Hall of Fame serves, and whether they would consider giving up their Hall of Fame ballots, then ring in the new year by extending an old tradition and conducting the eighth annual Effectively Wild Minor […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs Hall of Fame expert Jay Jaffe (the author of The Cooperstown Casebook) discuss Jay’s experience as a first-time Hall of Fame voter, the case of Curt Schilling, weighing on-field contributions and off-field transgressions, the players on Jay’s ballot, the candidacies of Billy Wagner, Gary Sheffield, Omar Vizquel, and others, […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen convene to discuss the latest epic Padres transaction spree (in which San Diego traded for Blake Snell and Yu Darvish and signed Ha-seong Kim 김하성), touching on A.J. Preller’s penchant for frenetic activity, the Padres’ rebuilt rotation and crowded infield, the prospect packages going […]
Ben Lindbergh talks to Jacky Bing-Sheng Lee, translator of the traditional Chinese edition of Ben’s book The MVP Machine, Hyunsung Kim, translator of the Korean edition of The MVP Machine, and Brendan O’Connor, assistant professor and linguistic anthropologist at the School of Transborder Studies at Arizona State University, about the challenges of translating a baseball […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about why MLB reportedly isn’t interested in short-term expansion and an observation about Tyler Glasnow, Martin Shkreli, and Cillian Murphy, then review the accuracy of last year’s annual ESPN MLB insiders survey, predict and assess the responses to the just-released, latest edition of the survey, answer a listener email […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about ballpark renaming, follow up on their discussion about managers getting fired for their actions in a single game, discuss how the history of baseball’s sabermetric movement predicts the trajectory and ramifications of analytics use in football and other sports, and reflect on the significance of the Phillies hiring […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley follow up briefly on their recent Scott Boras banter, then answer listener emails about what a manager has to do to get fired because of a single game, possible scenarios in which Mookie Betts enters the Hall of Fame representing the Red Sox instead of the Dodgers, whether nature excursions […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss the news that MLB is belatedly designating the 1920-1948 Negro Leagues as major leagues (with a word from 1948 Negro Leaguer Ron Teasley), touching on the various reactions to MLB’s announcement, the positives and negatives of MLB’s approach to this process, the upcoming, complex integration of Negro Leagues stats […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about secret baseball-playing robots and non-secret baseball-rooting robots, how coverage of NFL scoring changes compares to coverage of MLB scoring changes, and Meg’s research about changes in access to minor league games, follow up on the Mets signing James McCann, the Phillies hiring Dave Dombrowski, and the significance of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about and the Phillies’ surprise hiring of Dave Dombrowski as their president of baseball operations, then (15:04) bring on Baseball America executive editor J.J. Cooper to talk about the ongoing overhaul of the minor leagues, the history of the relationship between the majors and minors, why MLB sought to […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about “listening aggressively,” “progressing past just talking,” and other winter rumor terminology, contemplate what the “virtual Winter Meetings” look like, then break down several rumored or completed trades or signings, including Lance Lynn and Adam Eaton to the White Sox, Raisel Iglesias to the Angels, Carlos Santana and Mike […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about MLB’s long-shot attempt to recoup COVID-related losses from its insurance providers, Tomoyuki Sugano getting posted, and why the Phillies’ rebuild has stalled, then (36:45) talk to Sean Gibson, the great-grandson of Hall of Famer and Negro Leagues great Josh Gibson and the executive director of the Josh Gibson […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley offer an update about Sam Miller’s status on the podcast, banter about the Rangers hiring former pitcher Chris Young as their new GM and play-by-play man Len Kasper’s move from Cubs TV broadcasts to White Sox radio broadcasts, and answer listener emails about how tanking teams could be more entertaining, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about what went down at MLB’s non-tender deadline, touching on whether the news for arbitration-eligible players was as dire as forecasted, the more notable non-tenders, and the short- and long-term futures of free agency, then (29:36) talk to Jason Coskrey of The Japan Times about how the NPB’s Fukuoka […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about how many negative WAR an average fan would be worth over a full MLB season, discuss an MLB fan survey, what they would want to ask fans, and how much MLB can actually improve baseball’s popularity, break down a baseball music video for “The Adults Are Talking” by […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley talk to FanGraphs’ Craig Edwards and Eric Longenhagen about MLB’s approaching non-tender deadline, why a number of prominent players may not be offered contracts, the effect a non-tender deluge might have on the free agent market, how slowly this free agent market might move, whether owners’ claims of financial hardship […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the latest head-scratching Scott Boras quote, a disheartening Shohei Ohtani interview and Ohtani’s two-way future, Charlie Morton leaving the Rays to sign with the Braves, and the items from the 2020 season preserved by the Hall of Fame, then (28:06) talk to Ema Ryan Yamazaki, director of the […]
Ben Lindbergh, Sam Miller, and Meg Rowley are joined by former co-host and current Tampa Bay Rays analyst Jeff Sullivan to discuss the experience of working for a team that almost won the World Series, touching on what exactly Jeff’s job is, what he learned in his second year with the Rays, what he did […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Effectively Wild community’s Secret Santa exchange beginning again, a new podcast featuring former EW guest (and oldest former living player) Eddie Robinson, and two more Scott Boras quotes, then reflect further on Kim Ng’s hiring and review listeners’ responses to a recent podcast discussion about picking a […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Representative Cedric Richmond’s retirement from the Congressional Baseball Game after a Ruthian two-way career, discuss Theo Epstein stepping down from the Cubs (and at least temporarily leaving baseball) and Robinson Canó getting suspended for the entire 2021 season after testing positive for steroid use, and share a Stat […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley reflect on the fact that it took a former player to hire Kim Ng as MLB’s first woman general manager, follow up on the unwritten rules controversy surrounding Kyuji Fujikawa’s final out, and evaluate two recent statements by Scott Boras, then (24:07) bring on Baseball Prospectus’s Patrick Dubuque and FanGraphs’ […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Marlins hiring Kim Ng and the significance of Ng becoming MLB’s first woman GM, the Angels hiring Perry Minasian and the team’s ownership issues, Kyuji Fujikawa and an NPB unwritten rule, Ryan Tepera’s accidental MVP vote, and how FanGraphs readers feel about 2020’s new rules, plus a […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Marcus Stroman accepting the qualifying offer and tweeting about Tony La Russa, what the AL Cy Young voting says about the Dodgers, and the singular greatness of the 2014-15 Royals, then answer listener emails about Noodles Hahn and how quickly former star players get forgotten, whether there should […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Jeff Luhnow’s lawsuit against the Astros and Max Muncy’s and Joe Kelly’s comments about MLB’s permeable postseason quasi-bubble, then conduct their sixth annual free-agent-contract over/under draft. Audio intro: The Clash, "All the Young Punks (New Boots and Contracts)" Audio outro: The Electric Prunes, "Sold to the Highest Bidder" Link to […]
Ben Lindbergh and guest co-host Steven Goldman of Baseball Prospectus banter about MLB’s Friday news dump, covering the Red Sox hiring Alex Cora, the Mets cleaning house in the front office and the potential for new owner Steve Cohen to be baseball’s offseason spending savior, and the league announcing that it wouldn’t discipline the Dodgers’ […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the status of the designated hitter and answer a listener email with a Stat Blast about hitters who’ve homered from every spot in the lineup, then (23:11) bring on Cleveland life skills coordinator Jen Wolf to talk about her career path in baseball, what a life skills coordinator […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley remind their audience to vote, then banter about this year’s selection of qualifying offers and what the Rays declining Charlie Morton’s option for 2021 signifies for the free-agent market (if anything) before answering listener emails about front-office parity and what teams can do to differentiate themselves from each other, and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss the industry-shocking rehiring of Tony La Russa as the manager of the Chicago White Sox nine years after La Russa’s last managerial job and the Detroit Tigers’ hiring of A.J. Hinch immediately after the end of his sign-stealing suspension, then anticipate what could be an ominous offseason. Audio intro: Silver […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller discuss Justin Turner’s positive COVID test, his unsafe decision to return to the field after World Series Game 6, and why his protocol-breaking behavior cast a pall over the World Series celebration, then examine the series’ significance to the legacies of the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw, why the Dodgers were […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller break down the exciting fourth and fifth games of the World Series, touching on Brett Phillips’ momentous hit and the Dodgers’ momentous misplays at the end of Game 4, the managerial decisions that led to that wild ending, Manuel Margot’s baserunning and Clayton Kershaw’s pitching in Game 5, and other […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the groundswell of support for Mookie Betts as the best player in baseball, stand up for Mike Trout, and explain why Betts and Trout make an ideal duo as faces of the sport, then examine Yadier Molina’s frustration with Gold Glove voting, the sabermetric reappraisal of Yadi’s Hall […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller discuss the first two games of the World Series, touching on Clayton Kershaw’s Game 1 excellence, the Dodgers’ discipline, Dave Roberts’ pitcher usage, the status of Rays reliever Nick Anderson, the Game 2 breakout of Brandon Lowe, and the outlook for the rest of the series. Then they banter about […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss the exciting seventh games that decided the ALCS and NLCS, the exits of the Astros and Braves, the Braves’ future, how the Dodgers defeated Atlanta, the joy of home run robberies, the Mookie trade revisited, and more, then preview the World Series, focusing on the return of off days, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a podcast interview that may hinge on the Rays winning the World Series, John Smoltz’s on-air app suggestion, the latest developments in the Dave Roberts and Clayton Kershaw playoff narratives, the Dodgers and Astros on the brink, the long-term outlook for Randy Arozarena, encouraging catcher glove gestures, the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about a baseball ad on the radio, revisit the topic of how often teams win when they outhomer their opponents, discuss the brand of baseball on display this postseason, share a Stat Blast about the percentage of runs scored on homers and investigate whether all-or-nothing baseball is as problematic […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the Honda Fit being discontinued, then discuss Game 5 of the Yankees-Rays ALDS, why this postseason’s strikeout-centric, home-run-reliant brand of baseball may be entertaining to hardcore fans but a turnoff to non-fans, the ALCS and NLCS matchups, the incredible depth of the Rays and Dodgers, whether (and why) […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about which team with a new opening at the top of its baseball operations department would be the most attractive to baseball executives: the Reds, the Phillies, or the Angels. Then (15:07) they bring on James Buffi, the biomechanics expert, former Driveline Baseball biomechanics consultant and Dodgers senior analyst, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller discuss the merits of stats about the success of teams that hit more home runs in the playoffs and then review the first several games of the division series, touching on the unparalleled power of Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees’ piggyback pitcher decision, the Astros’ resurgence, the overtaxed Padres’ bullpen, the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about potato chip sponsors, playoff games at neutral sites, juiced-ball suspicions, ALDS bad blood, how Pedro Martínez approached playoff starts, postseason MLB debuts, and the power of Giancarlo Stanton, then answer listener emails about how 2020’s shortened season will affect future pitcher workloads, what counts as a “crooked number,” […]
With the wild card round wrapped up, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley react to the end of the Marlins-Cubs and Padres-Cardinals series and reflect on the wild card round as a whole. Then they critique a few aspects of the postseason’s national baseball broadcasts (including Alex Rodriguez’s small-ball boosterism, the scourge of live, in-game player […]
During a brief respite between games, Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller catch up on a week’s worth of wild card action, discussing the experience of being bombarded by an unprecedented amount of postseason baseball, the playoff run environment, and the state of postseason strategy, along with observations and takeaways from every wild card matchup and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about a misconception about FIP and how to weigh FIP and ERA in evaluating pitcher performance after the fact, the Phillies’ failure to make the playoffs and how the outcome of their season affects (and should affect) the future of their front office, Jacob deGrom’s ever-increasing velocity and how […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about late-season playoff uncertainty, whether they’re happy with how the playoff field has turned out, the Cubs’ strange season, the surprising number of top prospects who’ve made their MLB debuts in 2020, and the percentage of promoted prospects who’ve skipped the upper levels of the minors. Then (20:47) they […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about whether we need middle names and what it was like not to know what players were worth before WAR and its statistical predecessors existed, then do Stat Blasts about pickoff attempts in a fan-free season, why home-field advantage has persisted without fans in the stands, and the Phillies’ […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Justin Verlander’s Tommy John surgery, a different way to expand the playoffs, and whether MLB’s approach to playing in 2020 has been vindicated, then (38:52) talk to Defector’s David Roth about the Mets being sold to Steve Cohen, what life as a fan would be like without the […]
In honor of New Yorker writer and editor and Baseball Hall of Famer Roger Angell’s 100th birthday, Ben Lindbergh, Sam Miller, and Meg Rowley discuss what they admire about Angell’s life and work, how he’s influenced their writing, and a few of their favorite Angell works. Then (26:22) they cue up a collection of original, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller discuss Rob Manfred’s desire to make the 16-team playoff format permanent and how the absence of off days will affect the 2020 postseason, then conduct a Stat Blast quiz about the best same-named teammate duos, plus a non-quiz Stat Blast about pitcher usage in seven-inning doubleheaders. Audio intro: Rhett Miller, "Permanent […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller talk to Justin Hollander, the Seattle Mariners’ vice president and assistant general manager in charge of baseball operations, about how the Mariners have discovered and signed overlooked talents like Austin Nola and Dylan Moore, how much preparation the front office does for minor league free agency, how to blend stats […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the extraordinary stat lines of Brewers pitcher Corbin Burnes, the role of randomness in baseball, the latest two-team half no-hitter, the Rays’ historic all-lefty lineup, the horrors of Red Sox pitching, the approaching end of the regular season, the states of the standings and playoff odds, the underperforming […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller discuss the backstory behind the Lou Brock for Ernie Broglio trade, break down a clichéd postgame quote by Gavin Lux, and marvel at the historic excellence of 40-year-old Twins slugger Nelson Cruz. Audio intro: Todd Rundgren, "Cliché" Audio outro: Chip Taylor, "Santa Cruz" Link to the Chicago Reader on the Cubs and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley follow up on an earlier Clayton Kershaw commercial conversation and banter about Tom Seaver and the benefits of being a late bloomer, then answer listener emails about catchers sharing secrets about their old teams, the value of game-calling, Manny Ramirez signing with the Sydney Blue Sox and the experience of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about a Giants fun fact, two home run facts that may or may not be fun, the ways in which the circumstances of his era shaped the late Tom Seaver’s legacy, and the latest highlights of extra-innings baseball, then answer listener emails about another possible implementation of the automatic-runner […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley recap and analyze the trade deadline, concentrating on the Padres’ unprecedented activity, Cleveland dealing Mike Clevinger, the Blue Jays buying, the Diamondbacks selling, several other contenders retooling, and why the deadline was busier than expected, followed by banter about a second Clayton Kershaw tire commercial and an example of Honus […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about how Albert Pujols has remained an RBI man without being a good hitter and the historic slimness of Cleveland rookie pitcher Triston McKenzie, then answer a listener email about whether all innings would be better with the extra-innings automatic-runner rule, followed by Stat Blasts about what would happen […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley reflect on the recent protests, statements, and strikes across the sports world and in MLB specifically, touching on why some teams did or didn’t opt to play on Wednesday and Thursday, the messages that those decisions sent, and whether this week will mark a lasting break from MLB players’ past […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller follow up on two Stat Blasts from the previous week and banter about the Dodgers’ impressive winning percentage pace, the surprisingly normal state of the standings, the Phillies’ bullpen, and the record-setting sale of a Mike Trout baseball card before discussing some of the ways in which the 2020 season […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Fernando Tatis Jr.’s “grand slam cycle,” the most exciting cycle sequence, unwritten rules, how to interpret reports of rising TV ratings, why umpires call more strikes when they work with the same catchers, historical precedents for the Cardinals’ overstuffed schedule, a confounding Clayton Kershaw commercial, and Jeff Frye’s […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the three-year anniversary of the Effectively Wild outing to see the total solar eclipse at a minor league game in Oregon and whether the backlash to the kerfuffle over Fernando Tatis Jr.’s 3-0 grand slam made this week a watershed for MLB’s unwritten rules, then answer listener emails […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about MLB’s BABIP bouncing back from its unusually low early level, the Tigers calling up a trio of top prospects in an attempted playoff push, and Cardinals rookie Roel Ramirez’s unprecedented debut, then answer a listener email with a Stat Blast about the longest regular-season and postseason team vs. […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Cardinals finally returning to play and attempting to complete their overstuffed schedule, the teams with the most movement in playoff odds since the start of the season, Cleveland’s clubhouse problems with protocol-defying pitchers Zach Plesac and Mike Clevinger, the joy of watching Mookie Betts and Betts’s proclivity […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about whether the idea of sports as a distraction from the pandemic has panned out, whether unexpectedly hot-starting teams like the Rockies and Tigers should “go for it” (and what that would entail), and what, if anything, MLB should do to address the curious case of Trevor Bauer’s spiking […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about a realization about fake crowd noise discomfort, a disastrous start to a Derek Holland outing that recalled an earlier podcast discussion, whether Fernando Tatís Jr. will ever have a moment as remarkable as Fernando Tatís’s two-grand-slam inning, outfielders showing up pitchers, and more, then bring back the “Is […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a bad fun fact on a baseball broadcast, a case of copycat pitching involving Jake Diekman and Chaz Roe, how MLB may amend eligibility for the Rookie of the Year award in 2021, a Wade LeBlanc balk and why balks remain mystifying and debatable, plus a Stat Blast […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about their minor league free agent draft results so far and whether this season has helped or hurt minor league free agents gain playing time, the continued watchability of revamped extra innings and the possibility of bringing back traditional extra innings for one week a year, and whether this […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Shohei Ohtani’s arm injury and his short- and long-term prospects as a two-way player, Mike Soroka and the ongoing pitcher-injury epidemic, the latest positive tests and player opt outs, Tigers reliever Tyler Alexander’s record-setting nine consecutive strikeouts, Clayton Kershaw’s comeback and other heartening news, MLB’s uptick in TV […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss the coronavirus spreading to the NL Central, the difficulties MLB faces compared to other sports leagues, the dramatic changes that the pandemic has imposed on the sport, why robot umps aren’t part of the pandemic makeover, the jarring visuals of virtual fans, the promotion of Nick Madrigal and the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about family members not attending big league debuts and how teams and broadcasts could make better use of empty ballparks, audible profanity on the field, the rapid change in public opinion of the extra-innings automatic-runner rule, why the rule works as well as it does, the magnitude and causes […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller discuss several takeaways from the first weekend of the MLB regular season, starting with the COVID-19 outbreak among the Miami Marlins, the apparent inadequacy of MLB’s health and safety protocols, and the season’s tenuous state, before segueing into game action including sac bunts, pitcher usage, parity, the pace of games, […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Sam Miller banter about Sam’s cricket home invasion, then discuss Opening Day, the experience of spectating games without fans, the merits and drawbacks of MLB’s last-second expanded playoff format, Mookie Betts’ surprise contract extension and how and why the Dodgers (and not the Red Sox) made the deal, the new […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Baseball Prospectus editor-in-chief Craig Goldstein banter about whether official scorers will be more or less accurate when they’re working from home. Then they conduct the second of two drafts that have been presented on back-to-back episodes, completing the set by selecting five things apiece that they’re excited to see (or […]
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Baseball Prospectus editor-in-chief Craig Goldstein banter about Ben’s latest bad dream about baseball writing and the Toronto (or Pittsburgh?) Blue Jays’ last-minute relocation. Then they conduct the first of two drafts that will be presented on back-to-back episodes, beginning by selecting five things apiece that they’ll miss about “normal” baseball […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Mariners prospect Julio Rodriguez’s broken wrist, Meg’s all-time most disappointing Mariners, the Rays’ five-man infield, listener responses to two emails from the previous episode, and news about Freddie Freeman and Yasiel Puig, then complete the 2020 season preview series by (16:23) previewing the 2020 Los Angeles Dodgers with […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about 2020 season predictions, picking (and pricing) blueberries, and a cardboard cutout of Meg at T-Mobile Park, then open up the pre-pandemic mailbag and answer old but evergreen listener emails about the best type of game for a first-time baseball viewer to attend, whether the Cubs’ 2016 title came […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about James Paxton’s unappetizing approach to chili, Atlanta signing Yasiel Puig, weirdness and whimsy in Summer Camp intrasquad games, the history of the catcher (and umpire) mask camera, odd-sounding fake crowd noise, players planning to wear masks in regular-season games, umpires opting out of the season, and a potential […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s editing activities, MLB’s COVID-19 intake testing results, Buster Posey and Michael Kopech opting out of the season, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. switching positions, and the Blue Jays’ quarantine conditions. Then (19:08) they bring on Baseball Prospectus writer Shakeia Taylor to follow up on the podcast’s recent Negro Leagues […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley provide a brief update on the health of co-host Sam Miller (who’s on hiatus), then preview the 2020 New York Yankees with The Athletic’s Lindsey Adler, and the 2020 Detroit Tigers (46:57) with the Detroit Free Press’s Anthony Fenech. Audio intro: Bombadil, "Binoculars" Audio interstitial: The Sadies, "Tiger Tiger" Audio outro: The Isley […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about baseball dreams and a holiday weekend in MLB marred by testing delays, canceled practices, concerned players, and other impediments to a safe and smooth season, then pick up where they left off four months ago in their season preview series by previewing the 2020 Tampa Bay Rays (16:05) […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the difficulties of disclosing or obscuring the identities of players who hit the injured list after contracting COVID-19, dissect a few new analogies from Scott Boras’s brain, and discuss resuming their season preview series, then (35:47) conclude their week-long celebration of the Negro Leagues by bringing on esteemed […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s effusive streaming recommendation, the Korean baseball drama Stove League. Then (8:51) they start the second episode of their week-long celebration of the Negro Leagues by bringing on Jeremy Beer, author of the award-winning baseball biography Oscar Charleston: The Life and Legend of Baseball’s Greatest Forgotten Player, to […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the backlash to MLB’s use of the sponsored term “summer camp,” four players’ decisions to opt out of the season, a heartfelt, thought-provoking post by Ian Desmond, and the official cancellation of the minor league season. Then they explain the Negro Leagues theme of this week of Effectively […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley talk to a beat writer and a broadcaster—The Athletic’s White Sox reporter James Fegan and Diamondbacks and MLB Network Radio host Mike Ferrin—about how they plan to tackle the unique challenges of covering the 2020 season, touching on how often they’ll be at the ballpark, how restricted access to players […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley answer listener emails about statistical leaders and record-setters in a small-sample season, what would make winning a championship in a 60-game season more impressive, the odds of good teams missing the playoffs, bad teams making the playoffs, and teams having unrepresentative 60-game stretches, the possibility of losing a perfect game, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss the long-in-the-making announcement about the MLB season starting, touching on the resolution of the dispute between the league and the union, their deeply conflicted feelings about baseball being played during a pandemic, the strangeness of a 60-game season, how to reframe fandom and reorient rooting interests in a short […]
Meg Rowley is joined by the New York Daily News’ Bradford William Davis and Baseball Prospectus’ Shakeia Taylor to discuss Major League Baseball’s response to the police killing of George Floyd and the recent Black Lives Matter protests, why the league’s statements have been so wanting, whether teams have a role to play — both […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley review the latest lack of progress toward starting the MLB season, touching on the false hope offered by a meeting between Rob Manfred and Tony Clark, the subsequent breakdown in talks, a poll about where the public places blame for the standstill, what negotiations without leaks would look like, how […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss Rob Manfred’s rapid flip-flop from expressing 100 percent confidence about an MLB season starting to expressing a lack of confidence in an MLB season starting, his ultimatum to the union, how Manfred has floundered at a pivotal time and how that failure effects his future, how some owners’ reluctance […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller interview AJ Shnack, the director of ESPN’s new 30 for 30 documentary about the 1998 home run race, Long Gone Summer, touching on the involvement of Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, how AJ structured the story, which slugger was the star of the race, the myth that the home run […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the continued standstill over starting the season, MLB’s series of superficially different, substantively identical, and equally unproductive proposals, public perceptions of the owners’ and players’ positions, the difference between a 50-game season and an 80-game season, and how the “negotiations” seem destined to end, plus a Stat Blast […]
Ben Lindbergh talks to Braves outfield prospect Trey Harris about how he’s processed the murder of George Floyd and learned from the ongoing protests, how race and racism have affected his life and career, the additional barriers black players face, how he’s tried to talk to teammates, coaches, and friends about systemic racism and recent […]
Ben briefly explains this week’s podcast hiatus. Link to Joon Lee on players’ statements Link to Marc Carig on MLB’s response Link to Bradford William Davis on team and league statements Link to Randy Wilkins on MLB’s statement Link to Doug Glanville and other ex-players on race and baseball Link to Shakeia Taylor on civil […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the results of a survey of sports fans about fake crowd noise on telecasts, then discuss a difficult, frustrating week for baseball, touching on ownership overreach and intransigence, widespread releases of minor league players, teams and players that have made more commendable choices, baseball’s lost opportunity to lead, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about MLB’s ongoing labor negotiations, the team-to-team differences in minor-league pay and front-office furloughs, and the perils of believing that baseball is purely for profit, follow up on the previous episode’s discussions of Carney Lansford’s claim to be a descendant of Sir Francis Drake and a forward-thinking 1989 Cy […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about viral particles, Mike Trout’s self-identified best at-bat, Carney Lansford’s possible link to Sir Francis Drake, sports card “breakers,” a perplexing story involving Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner, Wilbert Robinson’s five birthdays, why a love of playing baseball often translates to a love of anything connected to baseball, the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a mystifying comment on the back of track star and Oakland A’s designated runner Herb Washington’s 1975 Topps card, the phenomenon of wildly inaccurate appraisals of player value, and the utility of pinch-running specialists. Then (21:48) they talk to ESPN broadcaster Jon “Boog” Sciambi about calling KBO games […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the reliability of betting on baseball using the Grays Sports Almanac from Back to the Future Part II, then answer listener emails about a baseball broadcaster reality show, awarding bonuses for success in specific batter-pitcher matchups, and whether there’s any way to make pitchers into less terrible hitters, […]
Ben Lindbergh, Sam Miller, and Meg Rowley banter about MLB’s proposed in-game distancing measures and what degree of difference from the norm would prevent the game from still looking like baseball, then draft and discuss their favorite highly specific ways in which to follow a baseball game, whether in person or from afar. Audio intro: Sloan, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the announcement of a second Astros sign-stealing documentary and what they would want out of a sign-stealing docuseries, the ongoing negotiations between MLB and the MLBPA about starting the season, the public perception problems the players face, the way the media has covered the financial component of the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the difficulty of interpreting the context of old articles about baseball and a man obsessed with smashing certain plate glass windows, then answer listener emails about what qualifies as hitting a ball out of the ballpark and eliminating force outs, plus Stat Blasts about the all-time defensive indifference […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about an anecdote in David Halberstam’s book The Teammates about prescient Cardinals pitcher Harry Brecheen, the uproar when players were first prevented from leaving their gloves on the field, and the 20th anniversary of Glenallen Hill’s rooftop home run, then revisit Michael Jordan’s motivations for playing baseball and discuss […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about an aggressive umpiring demotion in the KBO, FanGraphs adding KBO stats, and the pleasures of falling asleep with baseball on in the background. Then (16:30) they talk to former lefty pitcher Andy Van Hekken, who pitched professionally for 21 seasons across nine countries, about being one of the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about KBO season excitement and answer listener emails about MLB precedents for Warwick Saupold’s KBO complete game, whether MLB fandom would work if teams didn’t play games in their “home” cities, the ethics of time travel in Tommy John surgery rehab and if and when it makes sense to […]
Ben Lindbergh, Sam Miller, and Meg Rowley banter about fear of criticism, Eddie Murphy vs. Eddie Murray, and dreams, then take turns building the best imaginary Hall of Fame exhibits they can by picking five baseball items from their lifetimes for Cooperstown preservation, drafting one artifact apiece from each of five categories. Audio intro: Death Cab […]
Facing the prospect of a season without fans in the stands, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley console themselves and fight baseball withdrawal by revisiting classic accounts of going to games. The authors of three revered books based on single games—Arnold Hano, the author of A Day in the Bleachers (1955), Dan Okrent, the author of […]
Ben Lindbergh, Sam Miller, and senior writer for The Athletic Andy McCullough banter about the people they would be (or have been) most nervous about interviewing and two new noteworthy articles, then discuss Andy’s and Rustin Dodd’s highly controversial ranking of the 30 greatest baseball songs of all time, the dispute about John Fogerty’s “Centerfield,” […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Johnny Vander Meer’s ear boils and the surprisingly ancient origins of the phrase, “A walk is as good as a hit,” then answer listener emails about why some players prove to be flashes in the pan, whether a home run derby would work under current conditions, whether the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about beverage consumption, foreign baseball leagues’ potential for popularity in the U.S., and the life and death of legendary flamethrower Steve Dalkowski, who passed away this week. Then they talk to Rob Liu of CPBLStats.com (25:48) and Dan Kurtz of MyKBO.net (58:22) about two leagues that have beaten MLB […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller discuss the results of MLB’s investigation into Boston Red Sox sign stealing, touching on Boston’s lighter penalties and seemingly lesser offenses compared to the Astros’, whether Boston’s front office and coaches deserved to be absolved, the moral hazard of the advance scout who doubles as a replay-room operator, and more. […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the Effectively Wild community’s least-disliked MLB teams and two unjust Cy Young/MVP snubs, then discuss what Michael Jordan’s brief baseball career taught us about Jordan and about baseball. Audio intro: Willie Nelson, "Why Do I Have to Choose" Audio outro: Emmylou Harris, "Jordan" Link to EW MLB Survivor game recap […]
With MLB in limbo, Ben Lindbergh investigates virtual baseball, talking to the designers of three new baseball video games—Ramone Russell of Sony San Diego, makers of MLB The Show 20, Markus Heinsohn of Out of the Park Developments, makers of Out of the Park Baseball 21 (37:56), and Scott Drader of Metalhead Software, makers of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley speak to FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen and ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel about their new book, Future Value: The Battle for Baseball’s Soul and How Teams Will Find the Next Superstar, touching on topics including the best kinds of scouting stories, how technology and data have confirmed or overturned traditional scouting beliefs, how […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the strange story of a man named Bill Henry who impersonated former major league reliever Bill Henry for decades, then answer listener emails about seasons with an ERA+ or OPS+ of 420, teams from the past that they would most want to cover as time-traveling beat writers, and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about how runs, hits, and errors became baseball’s standard scoreboard stats and the piecemeal way in which baseball evolves, then reminisce about and reevaluate the 2015 experiment that led to their 2016 book about running the independent league Sonoma Stompers, The Only Rule Is It Has to Work: Our […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about new options for supporting FanGraphs and a potential plan to play the 2020 season with a radically realigned league structure, then talk to FanGraphs writer and ZiPS projection system proprietor Dan Szymborski about how a shortened or canceled season would affect projections for 2021, whether players would exceed […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about a possible banter shortage, a mysterious sack of flour from 1971, the kinds of baseball stories being published in the absence of baseball, the greatness (and eye-popping pitcher usage) of the 2001 World Series, the October travails of Charlie Leibrandt, and how MLB should approach planning for the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller split up to talk to the authors of two new baseball books. First, Sam speaks to Sports Stories newsletter author Eric Nusbaum about Stealing Home: Los Angeles, the Dodgers, and the Lives Caught in Between. Then (33:18) Ben brings on Wall Street Journal national baseball writer Jared Diamond to discuss […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the response to FanGraphs’ request for financial support, discuss the latest news about minor league pay, Tommy John surgeries, college eligibility, the possibility of baseball coming back, Astros suspensions, and the suspiciously lively ball, and unveil a Stat Blast song cover and a Stat Blast about the longest […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller talk to Brad Balukjian, author of brand-new baseball book The Wax Pack: On the Open Road in Search of Baseball’s Afterlife, about the long road (figuratively and literally) that led to the book, how he decided to try to track down the players from an old pack of baseball cards, […]
Ben Lindbergh, Sam Miller, and Meg Rowley begin by discussing the financial impact that the pandemic and the postponement of the baseball season have had on FanGraphs and requesting reader/listener assistance. Then Ben and Sam review some of the worst mistakes managers made in World Series games of the 1980s and mull over why managerial […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the benefits, uncertainties, and downsides of the deal between MLB and the MLBPA to sort out salary and service time in the event of a shortened or canceled season, whether and how a social distancing-approved version of baseball could be played while maintaining a six-foot minimum distance between […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about which types of old games they would want to rewatch, Noah Syndergaard’s Tommy John surgery, and how short is too short for a regular season, then answer listener emails about whether the 2020 title will be tainted by a shortened season, whether MLB should skip the regular season […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller revisit Sam’s tradition of viewing the beloved and despised 1989 film Field of Dreams on the eve of Opening Day (or in this case, what would have been Opening Day) and examine how their perceptions of the movie have evolved, what makes Field of Dreams the most divisive baseball movie, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about advice for working from home, Chris Sale’s Tommy John surgery, concerns about pitcher health in a shortened season, the possibility of playing more doubleheaders when baseball comes back, how late would be too late for the season to start, the overuse, injury, and treatment of pitcher Wes Ferrell, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller follow up on a previous discussion of advance scouting’s contribution to Kirk Gibson’s legendary 1988 home run and banter about the strangeness of not having a date for Opening Day, then answer listener emails about how to get into baseball for the first time, how a shortened season could affect […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about life during self-isolation and delayed media consumption and explore some of the long-considered and ultimately rejected article ideas in Sam’s tickler file, including Ken Griffey Jr.’s rap career, an undiscovered baseball star in Yosemite, an advance-scouting conspiracy theory, an unorthodox solution to extra-inning games, and a complaint about […]
In the absence of real baseball (and with plenty of solitary time on fans’ hands), Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley devote an episode to three new fictional depictions of baseball, speaking to novelist Emily Nemens (9:18), the author of spring training tale The Cactus League, novelist Gish Jen (36:56), the author of dystopian baseball saga […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley react to MLB’s COVID-19-caused cancellation of the remainder of spring training and the postponement of Opening Day and discuss the disquieting week and the ramifications for the culture and the 2020 baseball season. Audio intro: Dan Bern, "Ballpark" Audio outro: Frank Sinatra, "I Get Along Without You Very Well" Link to MLB […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Padres outfield un-fun facts, then discuss MLB’s $1 million “The Vault” competition to predict several statistical leaders of the 2020s, producing their picks in each category, reviewing how hard it would have been to pick the winners of the 2010s, and ruminating on the nature of baseball predictions […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Mike Trout’s career spring training stats, then preview the 2020 Minnesota Twins (9:01) with the The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman, and the 2020 Pittsburgh Pirates (46:33) with The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Jason Mackey, plus a conversation between Ben and Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller (1:19:30) about Keller’s historically unlucky debut MLB […]
Meg Rowley and Sam Miller briefly banter about the state of Chris Sale’s arm and appreciating one’s friends when they are on vacation, then preview the 2020 Boston Red Sox (4:40) with the Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, and the 2020 San Francisco Giants (38:40) with The Athletic’s Grant Brisbee. Audio intro: David Bowie, “Under Pressure” Audio interstitial […]
With Ben Lindbergh on vacation, Meg Rowley and Sam Miller answer a few very special listener emails on Shohei Ohtani, what they want to know about the 2020 season (complete with a twist), and how we treat umpires. Plus, a Statblast! Audio intro: The Police, “Message In A Bottle” Audio outro: Letters to Cleo, “Cruel to be […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Twins reliever Zack Littell’s powerful affinity for cruise ships and bidding for baseballs from a baseball movie, then preview the 2020 Washington Nationals (12:39) with the Washington Post’s Sam Fortier, and the 2020 Kansas City Royals (40:26) with The Athletic’s Alec Lewis. Audio intro: Frankie Ford, "Sea Cruise" Audio interstitial […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about passing the halfway point of the season preview series, Zach Eflin’s spring training feedback on a possibly less lively baseball, the effect of sign stealing on the average time between pitches, a recent rash of spring pitcher injuries, and the incredible career trajectory of former Phillies GM Ruben […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Astros confiscating signs at spring training and Madison Bumgarner’s rodeo alter ego, Mason Saunders, then preview the 2020 Athletics (13:58) with the San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser, and the 2020 Rockies (39:47) with The Athletic’s Nick Groke, plus a postscript on the implications of Luis Severino’s season-ending […]
In a special narrative episode of Effectively Wild, Ben Lindbergh traces the parallels between baseball’s latest sign-stealing crisis and an almost 60-year-old sign-stealing scandal that caused a comparable upheaval in the sport, drawing on archival clips, contemporary music, and interviews with author Paul Dickson and former major leaguers Eddie Robinson, Al Worthington, and Jay Hook […]
Will we see baseball’s sign stealers in court, or will attempts to take legal action be a suing and a miss? In a bonus episode of EW, Ben Lindbergh talks to sports-law expert Nathaniel Grow about the viability of and precedents for several lawsuits related to MLB’s ongoing sign-stealing scandal, as well as another case […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the AL/NL distribution of the season preview pods so far and a few notable numbers from the newly published FanGraphs playoff odds, then preview the 2020 Indians (8:11) with Sports Illustrated’s T.J. Zuppe, and the 2020 Rangers (38:55) with The Athletic’s Levi Weaver. Audio intro: Della Mae, "The Odds […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about walk-off balks, a Zack Greinke oral history, and how teams will use the new 26th roster spot, break down the responses to a Jayson Stark survey of baseball insiders about the winter and upcoming season, and answer listener emails about players’ outspoken criticisms of the Astros’ sign-stealing and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the latest developments in the escalating player war of words over the Astros sign-stealing scandal, José Altuve‘s alleged unfinished tattoo, Rob Manfred’s roundly criticized comments, Shohei Ohtani’s new driver’s license, and a modest pay hike for minor leaguers. Then they preview the 2020 Braves (34:29) with From the […]
In the third incarnation of a time-honored tradition that recurs every 500-ish episodes, Ben Lindbergh, Sam Miller, and Meg Rowley are joined by The Athletic’s Grant Brisbee and ex-EW cohost (and current Tampa Bay Rays “Analyst, Baseball Development”) Jeff Sullivan to draft assorted things that they like about baseball. Audio intro: Beauty and the Beast Soundtrack, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about why the Astros sign-stealing scandal won’t go away, and the reception to the team’s first attempts to apologize. Then they preview the 2020 Angels (28:13) with The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya, and the 2020 Cardinals (1:03:49) with MLB.com’s Will Leitch. Lastly (1:37:15), Ben talks to FanGraphs’ Craig Edwards about […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the remade Mookie Betts trade, the latest revelations about the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal (including “Codebreaker” and “the dark arts”), and the Mets’ failed sale to hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen. Then they preview the 2020 Cubs (46:13) with The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma, and the 2020 Diamondbacks (1:20:08) with […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about probability, the baseball significance of a Super Bowl comeback, and whether win expectancy stats are more useful for fans during or after a game (featuring a cameo from Meg Rowley, who sort of settles the debate). Then Ben and Sam preview the 2020 Padres with MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley break down the three-team Mookie Betts blockbuster, analyzing the historic strangeness of a player as good and young as Mookie being moved, what it means for the Red Sox and Dodgers competitively and financially, how Red Sox fans must feel about Betts (and David Price) being traded, why the Red […]
In the first installment of the eighth annual Effectively Wild season preview series, Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller preview the 2020 Reds with The Athletic’s C. Trent Rosecrans, and the 2020 Brewers (40:26) with The Athletic’s Derek VanRiper. Audio intro: Dispatch, "Begin Again" Audio interstitial: The Decemberists, "A Beginning Song" Audio outro: Imperial Teen, "The Beginning" Link to […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley recap and consider the implications of the latest and greatest analyses of the Astros’ banging scheme, which appear to show that the team’s cheating didn’t increase its offensive production in the aggregate. Then (20:08) they talk to the man who made that research possible, longtime Astros fan Tony Adams, about […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the “vibrathrob” episode, the Astros hiring Dusty Baker, Kris Bryant reportedly losing his service-time grievance, and Delmon Young raking in Australia, then answer listener emails about a disrespectful intro for Isiah Kiner-Falefa, teams patenting tactics, and the enduring legacy of Carlos Beltrán’s NLCS-ending strikeout, plus Stat Blasts about […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about umpire crew chiefs getting microphones for the 2020 season, the Reds signing Nick Castellanos and the small gaps between the top four teams in the NL Central, the Diamondbacks trading for Starling Marte and whether the Dodgers can be beaten in the NL West, and MLB getting sued […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Mitch Haniger’s excruciating-sounding injuries, how Mariners fans may feel about the Braves signing Félix Hernández, the winter of Nolan Arenado’s discontent, where the Rockies went wrong, the oddness of being a baseball player, why Scott Boras believes Astros players shouldn’t apologize for stealing signs (and why he’s wrong), […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller do a brief, spoiler-free followup on their Knives Out banter from the previous episode, then break down the elections of Derek Jeter and Larry Walker to the Hall of Fame, touching on the contrast between their voting trajectories, how and why Walker made it, the lone Jeter ballot holdout, the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the symbolism of the baseball in Knives Out (beware of slight spoilers from 4:17 to 10:32), follow up on a few reader suggestions about outside hires who could clean up the Astros, and discuss the latest developments in the sign-stealing scandal, then try to invent a new end-of-season […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller review a wild, rumor-filled Thursday in baseball, touching on Jessica Mendoza’s comments about Mike Fiers, the end of Carlos Beltrán’s brief tenure as Mets manager, the Mets’ handling of his exit, the saga of not-Beltrán’s-niece, Twitter detectives following alleged leads about buzzers, Alex Bregman, and José Altuve, how efforts to […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Red Sox firing Alex Cora, the Twins signing Josh Donaldson, an uptick in online player pettiness, fans taunting the visiting Astros, and a baseball-themed Jeopardy! clue. Then (22:30) Ben and Sam Miller banter about baseball fandom as a form of family bonding and the appeal of Remembering […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss MLB commissioner Rob Manfred’s report about the findings of the league’s investigation into the Astros’ sign-stealing activities and the firings of Jeff Luhnow and A.J. Hinch, touching on the appropriateness of the punishments, the new details revealed in the report, where the report fell short, why players weren’t suspended, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about 2019’s non-playoff teams actually being the big buyers this winter, the six-player Rays-Cardinals trade involving Matthew Liberatore and José Martínez, working with friends, and the Mariners not making trades, then answer emails about what constitutes a blockbuster trade, the worst go-for-it trades, and whether it’s better for the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the latest revelations about Red Sox sign-stealing, MLB’s impending punishment of the Astros, and long-term sign-stealing solutions, then answer listener emails about banning executives, the offseason coverage of the Cubs and White Sox and what it means to win the winter, why bench players aren’t displayed in box […]
Ben Lindbergh and a slightly light-headed Sam Miller banter about baseball and vomit and 2019 World Series Game 7 losing pitcher Will Harris signing with the Nationals, then attempt to predict what baseball will look like in the 2020s, touching on the most celebrated retirements, how high the strikeout rate will rise, how many games […]
In the final (for now) installment of a special, seven-episode series on the past, present, and future of advanced analysis in non-baseball sports, Ben Lindbergh talks to sabermetric pioneer Sherri Nichols about her trailblazing work in baseball analysis and then data scientist and sports entrepreneur Tiffany Kelly (41:02) about her experience in the sports analytics […]
In the sixth installment of a special, seven-episode series on the past, present, and future of advanced analysis in non-baseball sports, Ben Lindbergh talks to Motorsports Analytics founder and The Athletic writer David Smith about NASCAR and then former Garmin-Sharp and Team Sky analyst Robby Ketchell about cycling (47:48), touching on the origins of sabermetrics-style […]
Ben Lindbergh, Sam Miller, and Meg Rowley banter about Kohl Stewart signing with the Orioles, another convoluted Scott Boras quote, and a few of the things Sam learned in 2019 (including Candlestick Park’s “Cardiac Hill,” the sound of Hideki Matsui’s swing, and the disturbing story of “Toothpick” Sam Jones), then discuss what the most defining/enduring […]
In the fifth installment of a special, seven-episode series on the past, present, and future of advanced analysis in non-baseball sports, Ben Lindbergh talks to ESports One Head of Esports Data Science Tim Sevenhuysen about esports and then Volleymetrics founder Giuseppe Vinci about volleyball (43:25), touching on the origins of sabermetrics-style analysis in each sport, […]
In the fourth installment of a special, seven-episode series on the past, present, and future of advanced analysis in non-baseball sports, Ben Lindbergh talks to StatsBomb managing editor Mike L. Goodman about soccer and then professor and soccer/rugby analyst Dr. Bill Gerrard about rugby (27:20), touching on the origins of sabermetrics-style analysis in each sport, […]
In the third installment of a special, seven-episode series on the past, present, and future of advanced analysis in non-baseball sports, Ben Lindbergh talks to Tennis Abstract founder Jeff Sackmann about tennis and then Every Shot Counts author Mark Broadie about golf (39:17), touching on the origins of sabermetrics-style analysis in each sport, the major […]
In the second installment of a special, seven-episode series on the past, present, and future of advanced analysis in non-baseball sports, Ben Lindbergh talks to Evolving-Hockey.com’s Josh and Luke Younggren about hockey and then writer, commentator, and team analyst Jarrod Kimber about cricket (57:13), touching on the origins of sabermetrics-style analysis in each sport, the […]
In the first installment of a special, seven-episode series on the past, present, and future of advanced analysis in non-baseball sports, Ben Lindbergh talks to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell about football (the American kind) and then ESPN’s Kevin Pelton about basketball (48:43), touching on the origins of sabermetrics-style analysis in each sport, the major challenges, big […]
Ben Lindbergh, Sam Miller, and Meg Rowley discuss the signings of Hyun-Jin Ryu and Dallas Keuchel, the Blue Jays’ historic 2019 rotation, the depleted pitching market, MLB’s rising revenue and the continued strength of spending on free agents, Jake Odorizzi and the qualifying offer, Nick Senzel’s switch to Scott Boras, and Rich Hill’s arrest(!), then […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about whether this year’s good free agents have actually gone to an unusual selection of teams and whether they believe in Wade Miley’s supposed pitch-tipping, and then, in the third and final installment of a three-part series, discuss stories that they overlooked about 10 more teams in 2019, touching […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Scott Boras’s mystifying goose metaphor and then, in the second installment of a three-part series, discuss stories that they overlooked about 10 more teams in 2019, touching on a Fernando Tatis Jr. fun fact and BABIP extremes, Ian Kinsler cursing, JD Hammer, Scott Kingery, and a Phillie Phanatic […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the Texas-Cleveland Corey Kluber trade, the Diamondbacks signing Madison Bumgarner, the fallout from both moves, and what Kluber and Bumgarner meant to their franchises, and then, in the first installment of a three-part series, discuss stories that they overlooked about 10 teams in 2019, touching on Mike Soroka, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about baseball’s busy week and the Giants and Marlins moving in their outfield fences, then discuss the Angels’ signing of Anthony Rendon, touching on Rendon’s greatness and similarity to Mike Trout, what the Angels still need to do to contend and their outlook for 2020, Shohei Ohtani’s probable workload, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller debate the merits of a possible Mike Trout fun fact, banter about Nomar Mazara and the evolving definition of “slugger,” discuss the record Gerrit Cole contract and its implications for the Yankees, the battle to be the best team in baseball, the Dodgers and Angels without Cole, baseball’s competitive balance, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley link up during the Winter Meetings for a brief bonus episode in which Meg tries to stump Ben about genuine and fake media-scrum statements supposedly made by baseball superagent Scott Boras. Audio intro: Yo La Tengo, "If it’s True" Audio outro: Jethro Tull, "Sparrow on the Schoolyard Wall" Link to photo of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller follow up on (o)possums playing dead, discuss the Nationals signing Stephen Strasburg to a record contract for a pitcher and the implications for the Nationals, Scott Boras, Anthony Rendon, and Gerrit Cole, banter about the possibility of Shohei Ohtani hitting on the days he pitches, the elections of Marvin Miller […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about covering transactions past and present, the latest eye-catching comments by Scott Boras, the Tommy Pham trade and Blake Snell’s candid real-time reaction to it, and what the busy signing season so far augurs for the future of free agency and labor relations, then answer listener emails about players […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller discuss a crowdsourced effort to help baseball writer Jen Ramos, then banter about hot stove terminology and why free-agent activity seems to be picking up, analyzing the implications of a busy non-tender deadline day and the expectations-exceeding signings of Drew Pomeranz, Mike Moustakas, Cole Hamels, Zack Wheeler, José Abreu, and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter anew about José Abreu’s perplexing RBI total, then predict and discuss the answers in the sequel to “the Crasnicks,” a survey of front-office executives on hot-button offseason questions conducted by ESPN’s Jesse Rogers. Along the way, they touch on the four-player Padres-Brewers trade involving Luis Urías and Trent Grisham, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the artifacts from the 2019 season that will be preserved by the Hall of Fame, and then (32:25) Ben talks to FanGraphs’ Jay Jaffe about the 2020 Hall of Fame induction cycle, including the shrinking of the ballot backlog, first-timers Derek Jeter and Bobby Abreu, whether Jeter will […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Charlie Finley’s dual “innovations,” Harvey and Little Blowhard, then answer listener emails about Chris Davis and why some veteran players may be unwilling to change, whether Gerrit Cole could regress away from Houston, the purpose of punishing the Astros for sign-stealing and how many years of draft picks […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about what the Padres’ 2017 Rule 5 trio is up to now, the Mariners’ aggressive Evan White extension, how teams would distribute their spending if every player (amateur or pro) were a free agent but spending were capped at a percentage of MLB revenue, the just-announced All-MLB Team, the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley host a FanGraphs Live! event and EW taping at Subculture in Manhattan, featuring three panels comprising seven guests: “Major League Update” (current events and New York baseball) with FanGraphs’ Jay Jaffe and The Athletic’s Lindsey Adler and Mark Carig; “Baseball By the Numbers” (sabermetrics and Statcast) with FanGraphs’ Craig Edwards […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller talk to Paul Dickson, author of The Hidden Language of Baseball: How Signs and Sign-Stealing Have Influenced the Course of Our National Pastime, about, well, what the book’s subtitle says, including the origins of sign-sending, the earliest allegations of sign-stealing, historical precedents for the Astros’ sign-stealing scheme, the effects of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about “sinister right-handers” and scientific songs, then discuss the latest revelations about the Astros sign-stealing saga before reviewing the overlooked accomplishments of some of 2019’s league leaders and discussing the role of bold ink in the era of sabermetric saturation. Audio intro: Liam Gallagher, "Bold" Audio outro: Sloan, "Follow the Leader" […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the first stirrings on the free-agent market, the latest developments in the Astros sign-stealing scandal, where MLB investigation’s might lead, what the appropriate punishments would be, the psychology of sign-stealing, whether pitchers should call pitches, fighting technology with technology, Mike Trout’s MVP award win, a fixable flaw in […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the latest linguistic crimes by Scott Boras, then discuss the Astros sign-sealing scandal, touching on Mike Fiers’ role in the revelations, whether sign-stealing actually benefited the Astros, the immorality of sign-stealing, what the Astros’ punishment should be, the history of sign-stealing, whether the Astros sign-stealers acted alone, whether […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the baffling trade rumors swirling around Mookie Betts, Francisco Lindor, and Kris Bryant, try to discern why they would be on the block, discuss how the likelihood of the top-rated team winning the World Series compares to the likelihood of the best team taking the title in other […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s return from vacation and Meg and Sam’s episodes in his absence, former Angels minor leaguer Mike Fish (not to be confused with Mike Trout), and a roundup of recent news, including Stephen Strasburg opting out, J.D. Martinez not opting out, Mookie Betts trade rumors, robot umps coming […]
Sam Miller and Meg Rowley revisit a fast-moving 1916 afternoon tilt between the Asheville Tourists and the Winston-Salem Twins with some historic significance, and engage in an Effectively Wild experiment. Audio intro: Ben Gibbard and Feist “Train Song” Interstitial: Muddy Waters “Train Fare Home Blues” Audio outro: Oscar Peterson Trio “Things Ain’t What They Used to Be“ […]
Meg Rowley and Sam Miller banter about Ben Lindbergh’s vacation-induced absence, an unusual umpire Wikipedia entry, and the acceptability of failure, before turning their attention to a few listener emails answered during the Jeff Sullivan era, including what would happen if Giancarlo Stanton only tried to hit home runs, how they would prefer to consume […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Nationals’ well-earned World Series victory, the Nationals players they’re happiest for, the a strange, all-road-wins series, the brilliance of Zack Greinke, the decisions of A.J. Hinch (including a bad bunt, pulling Greinke, using Will Harris, and not using Gerrit Cole), Max Scherzer’s high-wire act, the futures of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about a wild World Series Game 6, including a controversial interference call on Trea Turner, a strange conference call with New York, the ejection of Dave Martinez, the greatness of Stephen Strasburg, George Springer, Anthony Rendon, and Juan Soto, bat-carrying briefly becoming the new bat-flipping, a Max Scherzer sighting, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about audible umpires, Lance Barksdale’s ball/strike calls in World Series Game 5, the Nationals’ offensive outage in Games 3-5, Max Scherzer’s neck spasms, Dave Martinez’s moves, why the series has been somewhat unexciting, the Nationals’ and Astros’ outlooks going into Game 6, the Astros’ retraction of their statement about […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss the latest on the Astros and the benefits and limitations of front-office diversity, Rob Manfred’s new comments about the baseball, Kris Bryant’s grievance against the Cubs, umpire Rob Drake’s apology for a bad tweet, and Yu Darvish’s good tweets, then answer listener emails about Juan Soto’s age and clubhouse […]
After an update from Ben Lindbergh on the Astros’ firing of Brandon Taubman and inadequate apology, Ben and Sam Miller follow up on a discussion of postseason chase rate, talk more about Taubman, and break down the first two games of the World Series, focusing on what went right for the Nationals, what went wrong […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about their playoff livestreams, the Yankees’ ALCS defeat, why pitchers are allowed to demand new baseballs, and pulling a catcher from the game when a team is leading, then discuss Sports Illustrated reporter Stephanie Apstein’s report about the post-ALCS behavior of Astros assistant GM Brandon Taubman, the Astros’ response […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about their upcoming live event, review ALCS Game 4, the Yankees’ precarious position, and the career and last appearance of CC Sabathia, then discuss the significance of MLB both allowing investment funds to take minority stakes in multiple clubs and proposing to downsize and reorganize the minor leagues before […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller discuss the Nationals’ sweep of the Cardinals, why the Nationals are good and fun, Stephen Strasburg and the history of no. 1 draft pick pitchers, Gerrit Cole’s performance in ALCS Game 3, how Wednesday’s rainout affects the Yankees and Astros, and the Angels’ opioid problem and hiring of Joe Maddon […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller break down the latest ALCS and NLCS action, touching on the Cardinals’ offensive outage, Mike Shildt’s old-school managing, the Nationals’ pitching, the Astros’ purported pitch-tipping and sign-stealing, Aaron Boone’s quick hooks, and the de-juiced ball, plus a Stat Blast about this October’s anomalous bullpen usage. Audio intro: Neil Young, "Wolf Moon" […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Sam’s thoughts on Clayton Kershaw, Joe Kelly, and Dave Roberts, Tyler Glasnow’s pitch-tipping, Gerrit Cole’s strikeout streak, and the future of the Rays, the Astros-Yankees and Nationals-Cardinals championship series matchups, and whether it ever makes sense to predict a postseason sweep or a series lasting the maximum number […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the wild NLDS Game 5 between the Dodgers and the Nationals and the wild (in a different way) NLDS Game 5 between the Braves and the Cardinals, touching on Clayton Kershaw’s blown lead and postseason career, what Dave Roberts was thinking and what’s next for him, the Nationals […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Sam’s delayed postseason viewing schedule and five macro traits of the playoffs thus far (low batting averages with runners in scoring position, starters outperforming relievers, high pitch counts, the ball not carrying, and late-debuting postseason players), then analyze aspects of every ongoing and completed division series, including Mike […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss and reflect on the first two games of the Nationals-Dodgers and Braves-Cardinals NL division series and the first games of the Astros-Rays and Yankees-Twins AL division series, focusing on playoff win probabilities, the Nationals’ aggressive/desperate usage of Max Scherzer, the greatness of Stephen Strasburg, a perplexing but ultimately not […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller discuss the AL and NL wild card games (touching on Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Nick Anderson, Oliver Drake, Yandy Díaz, Avisaíl García, Josh Hader, Trent Grisham, and others), bid farewell to the Brewers and A’s, and analyze the Rays’ and Nationals’ division series prospects, then answer listener emails about the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller follow up on banter about Mike Minor’s pop-up do-over and guaranteeing homers, revisit an earlier discussion about whether the 2019 regular season was good, and then preview the postseason, touching on every team in the playoff field, the difficulty of predicting playoff success, the most compelling matchups, the different ways […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s mental preparations for Félix Hernández’s probable last start as a Mariner, the dubious appeal of playing spoiler, the biggest hits of the season according to Championship Win Probability Added, Rowdy Tellez delivering on a promised home run, what Meg loves about baseball, both hosts’ experiences in the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the diminishing roles (and salaries) of MLB managers, then answer listener emails about whether it’s better for teams to be balanced than unbalanced and how to decide whether to upgrade on offense or defense, how consistently good a player has to be to make the Hall of Fame […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Cody Bellinger‘s and Keston Hiura’s home runs, the Cardinals’ climactic four-game sweep of the Cubs, the Brewers’ surge sans Christian Yelich, the rapid reversal in the NL Central playoff picture, Craig Kimbrel, Dallas Keuchel, and the narrative about players signed at midseason, what went wrong for Chicago and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller talk to two Atlantic League players with the Somerset Patriots, pitcher Rick Teasley and catcher Yovan Gonzalez, about the experimental rules being tested in the league this season as part of a partnership with MLB. They discuss how Rick and Yovan first heard about the new rules, how players have […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the return of Luis Severino and the Yankees’ prospective playoff roster, how teams will use their pitchers in the playoffs, a Sonny Gray fun fact that sort of checks out, Yu Darvish’s strikeout spree, and an extremely long September game, discuss the arrest of Felipe Vázquez, and answer […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the Twins’ missed opportunity for a mid-plate-appearance pitching change, more mind-boggling home run facts about the year of the dinger, fun facts about the Diamondbacks and Jarrod Dyson, Guy Fieri endorsing Spencer Torkelson and which celebrity character references might make them draft a player higher, and how to […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Kyle Lewis’s debut, Rich Hill’s brief return, Daniel Palka’s second hit of the season, the Braves and Dallas Keuchel, and the Diamondbacks’ Brewers-style rebuild, then (18:13) talk to Will Leitch about what (if anything) Dave Dombrowski’s firing says about MLB teams’ competitive priorities, how the Cardinals (and Jack […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the costs of Christian Yelich’s broken kneecap and other injuries disrupting pennant races and the Mets-centric personal-catcher controversy involving Noah Syndergaard, Wilson Ramos, and Tomás Nido. Then they answer listener emails about the mystery of Edwin Díaz (and the more minor mystery of Justin Verlander) and whether we’re […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Michael Lorenzen, Shohei Ohtani, and two-way terminology, marvel at Eugenio Suárez and other surprises from the 2019 home run leaderboard, celebrate the AL wild card race, salute the improving A’s and Rays, and discuss teams that are reshaping their potential playoff rosters late in the regular season, respond […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s time in the mountains and subsequent September disorientation, attempt to divine the family dynamics of a Colin Moran vs. Brian Moran matchup, talk about the Twins pulling away in the AL Central race and the implications for Cleveland, and discuss the downsides of the annual debate about […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller debate whether a fact about Michael Lorenzen’s multi-way play is fun, banter about Nelson Cruz’s unflagging offense, technology and the future of the knuckleball, and an ignominious achievement by Billy Hamilton, then answer listener emails about the lack of four-homer games, what would happen if foul balls caught in the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the Cardinals, the Nationals, and the NL’s increasingly interesting playoff races, the pluses and minuses of expanded September rosters, a caveat about time-traveling to see Mike Trout’s final game, and Justin Verlander’s third no-hitter and the role of health in determining pitchers’ careers, then discuss the significance of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about GPS, resisting the urge to take the bait on bad takes, and the debate about access for broadcasters who double as team personnel, answer listener emails about not replacing broken bats, earning/working walks, and players with underutilized skills, and close with a discussion of Félix Hernández’s future and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about whether they would take a time machine into baseball’s future, Yu Darvish’s midseason makeover and ability to pick up new pitches, then answer listener emails about whether the warning track should be widened, players having the second halves of Hall of Fame careers, and a robot ump challenge […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about what GPS directions have to do with analytics-averse managers, MLB’s black and white uniforms fiasco on Players Weekend, Sam’s takeaways from his trip to see a former podcast guest’s game in the Southern California Vintage Base Ball League, a philosophy professor’s quest to establish that the tie goes […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about beer and the mercy rule, a 12-minute game finish at Fenway, whether baseball players have high job satisfaction, compelling playoff races and especially lucky and unlucky contending teams, robot ump implications (including measuring player heights, determining the shape of the zone, and preserving receivers’ sense of self-worth), and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout, and the most compelling playoff races remaining, introduce the new Effectively Wild listener email archive, then answer emails about whether a team in a three-team race suffers or benefits when its opponents play each other, whether home runs hit off of position players should […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller bring on White Sox play-by-play broadcaster Jason Benetti to banter about sharing the broadcast booth with Bill Walton, Mike Schur, and Mike O’Brien over the weekend and what the success of the experiment says about the future of broadcasting. Then Ben and Sam mull a one-of-a-kind dropped third strike on […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Bryce Harper’s clutchness and how he’s perceived by fans, Clayton Kershaw’s resurgence, and Mickey Callaway’s comments about analytics, then answer listener emails about the same player batting twice and playing two positions, whether Byron Buxton’s defense has hidden value, career WAR vs. career counting stats, whether players could […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about how Gleyber Torres’s ownership of the Orioles and Aristides Aquino’s home-run spree are emblematic of 2019, fun facts about players’ accomplishments in their first X games, home-run fun facts and the juiced ball, Juan Soto vs. Ronald Acuña, Jr., two recent Scott Boras quotes, the Dodgers’ near-record extra-base-hits […]
In the third episode of Effectively Wild recorded live at Saber Seminar in Boston, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley talk to Boston Globe sportswriter Alex Speier, author of the new book Homegrown: How the Red Sox Built a Champion From the Ground Up, about Boston’s championship core, the twists and turns of player development, why […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Bo Bichette fun facts vs. Travis Demeritte fun facts, Javier Báez batting left-handed against a position player and why the shift appears to be exempt from unwritten rules, and umpire perfect games, then (30:46) talk to The Athletic’s New York Yankees beat writer Lindsey Adler about how to […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Mike Trout’s 28th birthday, the stats he’s led the league in, and the stats he still might lead the league in for the first time, the Mets’ recent hot streak and the way in which their season has been both tumultuous and predictable, Max Muncy and a cycle/walk-off […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the non-running Royals and Terrance Gore, the Diamondbacks’ stolen-base success rate and Zack Godley’s disastrous season, the Phillies’ roster crunch, Sam’s recurring nightmare, a Roman Quinn fun fact, and the outfield exploits of Vince Velasquez, whether the 40-man roster should be bigger, what Velasquez has in common with […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about FanGraphs’ completist coverage of the frantic trade deadline, the backlash to a perceived lack of activity at the deadline and whether the deadline was really a manifestation of baseball’s structural problems, the appropriate balance between trying to win now and trying to win later, what we can learn […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about bigger bases in the Atlantic League, then recap and dissect the trade deadline, focusing on why the market took so long to develop, the significance of multiple teams both buying and selling, why some top contenders didn’t do much, what a wild card is worth, the Trevor Bauer […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the Gerrit Cole strikeout fun fact, listed heights and weights and Ketel Marte, running the bases clockwise, and a Ramon Laureano postgame comment, then answer listener emails about come-from-behind (and comeback) victories, whether the 2015 season was good or bad for Bryce Harper (and how players’ success is […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley follow up on the feedback to the preceding “best players of the decade” episode and minimum innings vs. three-pitch innings, then banter about Mike Trout‘s new-and-improved throwing arm (and Ross Stripling’s new-and-improved ability to retire Mike Trout), trade-deadline procrastination, the Giants’ and Mets’ outlooks, the future of Noah Syndergaard, the […]
Ben Lindbergh, Sam Miller, and Meg Rowley banter about “minimum innings,” striking out the side, and an anecdote about Barry Larkin bunting, then spend the rest of the episode answering a listener request to name the five best hitters and five best pitchers of the decade—but to make matters more interesting, they do so without […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about a bat in front of home plate that deflected a ball, the José Ramírez resurgence, the base stealer in a Statcast ad, an Andrelton Simmons shift that wasn’t, the Atlantic League, a viral Oliver Drake pitch, and a misguided (and unguided) bunt by Fernando Tatís, Jr., then discuss […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the podcast’s seventh birthday, the end of an impressive streak by the Twins, what to think of Aaron Boone‘s tirade against rookie umpire Brennan Miller (and Brett Gardner’s odd dugout anger), Mike Trout and the FanGraphs Trade Value series, an Atlantic League player revolt, and five trends taking […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s visit to Cleveland, the Giants’ perplexing situation heading into the trade deadline, Edwin Jackson’s next destination, and the approaching addition of ads to MLB jerseys. Then they answer listener emails about whether Mike Trout’s popularity among stat-savvy fans stems from his lack of playoff appearances, the “strikeout […]
Ben Lindbergh, Sam Miller, and professional player (and former Sonoma Stompers coach, catcher, and first baseman) Tommy Lyons discuss the different types of hustle in baseball, deciding what level of hustle is acceptable in a variety of situations and examining how the fan perspective on hustle differs from the player perspective on hustle, plus a […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Ball Four and Jim Bouton, Million Dollar Coin Flip, Christian Yelich’s pursuit of the first 50-30 season and which combination of power and speed would be most impressive, a baseball scene on Cheers, how the MLB All-Star Game differs from other sports’ all-star games, Bubba Starling and the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game, Justin Verlander’s and Rob Manfred’s comments about the juiced ball, the recent rapid turnover among elite hitters, and an instance of premature celebration featuring Fernando Rodney, then answer listener emails about Verlander’s on-pace-to-be-historic strand rate, whether we should have recognized […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Colin Poche, the “Is This Guy Good?” game for relievers, Mike Trout entering the All-Star break as baseball’s best hitter and player, whether Trout could ever have his number retired league-wide, the rate at which Trout is surpassing Hall of Famers in WAR, an old discussion about Derek […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Sam Malone maligning the Mariners, the unlikely career of pinch-hitter extraordinaire Mark Sweeney, the joys of watching Fernando Tatis, Jr., Bryce Harper’s Amazon store, and the definition of “MLB legend.” Then (29:43) Ben talks to Hall of Famer Bud Selig, Commissioner Emeritus and author of the new memoir […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley reflect on the passing of Tyler Skaggs. Then (9:57) Ben and Sam Miller banter about whether it’s better for a team to be in a division with a few good teams or a division with one great team and a few bad teams and answer listener emails about whether baseball […]
In a bonus episode about the London Series, Ben Lindbergh talks to Darius Austin and Russell Eassom, writers and podcasters for the UK baseball site Bat Flips and Nerds, about their experiences at both Yankees-Red Sox games, why they think there was so much scoring, whether that brand of baseball was a good advertisement for […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller talk to Ross Stripling, Los Angeles Dodgers starter and host of The Big Swing, about why he started and enjoys doing a podcast, how Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman influenced his pitching style, how he uses data to prepare for opponents, and how he feels about pitching in […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Twitter commotion caused by the Pioneer League’s Grand Junction Rockies (who are definitely not named the Humpback Chubs), an Angels outfield sign and Mike Trout, the curious rise and fall of Yonder Alonso, the promotion of Rays rookie (and two-way player) Brendan McKay, the upcoming FanGraphs All-Star […]
In a bonus episode, Ben Lindbergh banters with FanGraphs writer Craig Edwards about Craig’s explanation for the struggles of José Ramírez, and then (11:15) Ben and Craig talk to John Bitzer, founder and editor of the new site Baseball Trade Values, about designing the trade-simulation site, the challenges of valuing players and constructing fair baseball […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about whether the Red Sox pulling a pitcher in the middle of a plate appearance was an instance of “Strategy,” share a Stat Blast about whether the platoon advantage is more pronounced early or late in plate appearances, and discuss a pitch-framing flare-up between Tyler Flowers and Willson Contreras, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Albert Pujols’ touching return to St. Louis, the Dodgers’ deceptive Will Smith walk-off and the reason for the proportional increase in non-pulled home runs, Commissioner Manfred’s latest comments about the ball and dingers, Newsday beat writer Tim Healey’s clubhouse confrontation with Jason Vargas and Mets manager Mickey Callaway, […]
Ben Lindbergh and guest co-host Ellen Adair banter about Ellen’s acting career and baseball background, the causes of (and possible solutions to) the Phillies’ post-McCutchen slump, what the (extremely far-fetched) idea of the Rays splitting time between Tampa Bay and Montreal might look like in practice, Ellen’s script for a baseball series, and her solution […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller review Sam’s latest observations on Jeff Sullivan-era EW episodes, including musings on Ketel Marte, the worst team draft of all time, and Johnnie LeMaster, then banter about Shohei Ohtani’s tools, Todd Frazier’s wild swings, Max Scherzer’s nose-breaking bunting practice, and Mickey Callaway’s odd pitching-change justification. They also answer listener emails […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the Yankees acquiring Edwin Encarnacion and some surprising names near the top of the MLB home-run leaderboard, Kenley Jansen’s intentional balk, and a fun fact starring Hyun-Jin Ryu, then reckon with some of the most perplexing player seasons of 2019, focusing on the enigma that is the boom-and-bust […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Shohei Ohtani’s hot streak and future as a two-way player, Sam’s decision to listen to all of the Jeff-era EW episodes and his reactions to a few topics from the final few (including a description of Stan Musial’s retirement tour), and two research papers about pitchers’ perceived effort […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s upcoming vacation and brief break from baseball, Chris Paddack’s demotion to High-A, the latest act of Clayton Kershaw’s career and the perils and possibilities of player aging, whether the home-run rate is too damn high, the state of the standings, what the trade market might look like […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about poor pronunciations, an oddity in Bash Brothers, a Byron Buxton hustle double, the running (but not running enough) Royals, whether to talk about and whether they did talk about the curiously contending Rangers, and a few takeaways from the Madison Bumgarner–Max Muncy kerfuffle, then discuss several insights they […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Cubs signing Craig Kimbrel, ruminating about how he’ll help Chicago, why other teams may have held off, and why it took so long for his prolonged free agency to come to a close. Then (18:06) they bring on FanGraphs prospect experts Kiley McDaniel and Eric Longenhagen to […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the paucity of pitchers selected at the top of the draft, the Hall of Famers Mike Trout passed in career WAR in May, Trout’s quietly impressive season, whether WAR has helped Trout’s reputation more than Trout has helped WAR’s, the surprising names at the top of the 2019 […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about whether it would make sense for one team to “blow up the draft” by ignoring the bonus slotting system for one year, paying a premium for the top amateur talent, and incurring the maximum financial penalty. Then they discuss Ben’s new book about baseball’s player-development revolution, The MVP […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Mariners’ recent run of ineptitude, why some teams talk to the media and whether there’s a moral obligation for teams to share information about preventing player injuries, a question from a fantasy player who’s aiming to compete in 2027, a Clayton Kershaw vs. Jacob deGrom matchup as […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about a small way in which Willians Astudillo made the world better, baseball as a conversational icebreaker, Cody Bellinger’s incredible WAR pace, whether Bellinger is overshadowing the rest of the Dodgers (and Clay Bellinger), and a few of 2019’s other breakout batters, present a Stat Blast about Statcast no-hitters […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the Rays’ four-man outfield against Cavan Biggio and the gradual ascendance of four-man outfields across the league, Sam’s belated thoughts on the Mets and baseball in Avengers: Endgame, a few underappreciated aspects of the late Bill Buckner’s career, and the record number of MLB debuts this decade by […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about snow in Colorado, the Rockies and the decline of Kyle Freeland, and the new-look Lucas Giolito and the White Sox rebuild, then discuss the state of the standings and the number of teams out of contention, touching on how the bad teams got that way, the impact of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Robinson Cano hurting himself hustling, Chris Carter dominating the Mexican League, the incredible continuing career of Ruben Rivera, pop-up dekes, a possible fun fact involving Orioles homers, the return of Ryan Feierabend (and an uncommon complete game), multiple improvements for instant replay review, and the significance of Carter […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Sean Doolittle’s delivery and Steve Pearce’s even/odd-year pattern, then discuss current record chases (involving Cody Bellinger, Christian Yelich, and the Orioles’ pitching staff), whether it’s possible to have exciting record chases based on Statcast stats, the significance of five-tool players (and scouting tools) in 2019, and more, plus […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the bounceback of Chris Davis, which Statcast stats they would most want to have for the entirety of baseball history, which aspect of instant replay review most dramatically changes the game, and the new-look Josh Bell and Tommy La Stella, then (28:36) talk to FanGraphs prospect analyst Eric […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Chris Sale’s seven-inning, 17-strikeout game and the Marlins’ ineptitude, then answer listener emails about differences in home-run distance, rooting for run differential, reimagining errors (and quality starts), whether catchers would still squat after robot umpires were implemented, when relief innings will surpass starter innings, no-hitters as team accomplishments, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about inside-the-park homers versus over-the-fence homers, the gratifying rise of home-run robberies, and the unique career of Edwin Jackson (who’s about to have played for the most-ever MLB teams and with the most-ever MLB teammates), then discuss the convergence of starting pitching and relief pitching and play a game […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about dogs, nieces, and nephews, their ambivalence about gambling and the future of gambling and real/fantasy baseball, the on-field and off-field excellence of Chris Paddack, the significance of Sinclair Broadcasting’s acquisition of 21 regional sports networks, the divisive Red Sox visit to the White House, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s slow […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Shohei Ohtani’s return, Mike Fiers’ no-hitter, and the hard-luck Reds, do a Stat Blast and banter about True Wins vs. no-hitters and other standout starts, and answer listener emails about baseball and the gambler’s fallacy, umpires estimating the outcome of every batted ball (and whether pitchers, hitters, or […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the merits of True Wins vs. no-hitters, a Pablo Sandoval fun fact, whether most pitchers would prefer to be better than average with a higher ERA or worse than average with a lower ERA, and whether the running Royals are, in fact, fun, then (26:24) talk to author […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Noah Syndergaard‘s True Win, an 81-pitch complete game for Kyle Hendricks, the AL Central after Corey Kluber‘s injury and the Twins’ hot start to the season, Tyler Glasnow’s breakout, the Chris Archer trade in review, the impermanence of coaching success, and the latest comments about the baseball by […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the Hall of Famers Mike Trout just surpassed in WAR (featuring a story about Goose Goslin and Joe Cronin) and Trout’s recent improvements in plate discipline, then answer listener emails about Cody Bellinger’s extreme hot streak, whether most baseball fans notice the rising strikeout rate, a Statcast conspiracy […]
Co-hosts assemble! Ben Lindbergh, Sam Miller, and Meg Rowley banter (briefly and sans spoilers) about baseball in Avengers: Endgame and follow up both about Meg’s attempt to keep track of baseball at a bachelorette party and about pricing on Cameo for Kevin Pillar and Mike Trout, then talk about baseball and happiness, comparing their picks […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Rich Hill‘s dominant rehab start, the most famous catches in history and Sam’s article about recreating Kevin Mitchell’s barehand catch, their own best baseball plays, and when it becomes objectionable to sit a player who’s pursuing a single-season record, then answer listener emails about the entertainment value of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the long-awaited promotion of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., baseball-watching etiquette at a bachelorette party, and Mike Trout if he weren’t trying, then answer listener emails about Rhys Hoskins, Jacob Rhame, and the latest unwritten-rules flare-up between the Phillies and Mets, Tyler Wade, Andrelton Simmons, and a questionable application of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the numbers behind the Yankees’ historic injury stack, an inspired piece of pitch-framing by Francisco Cervelli, Ramon Laureano as a human highlight machine, how often hitters would (and should) swing if they knew every pitch would be in the strike zone but still be called a ball, and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg seeing the Padres in person, the Phillies’ attendance surge, rooting for writers who’ve taken team jobs, and the Mariners’ lousy last week, then discuss the aesthetic and competitive ramifications of the huge spike in home-run rate in the majors and minors, why Rob Manfred is still insisting […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Johnny Cooney as the Vroom Vroom Guy, minor-league closer Dusten Knight’s backflip save-celebration ritual, the extreme struggles of the Red Sox, and a new way to represent Willians Astudillo’s success at making contact, then answer listener emails about umpires calling balls and strikes from second base and the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about baseball equivalents of Tiger Woods winning the Masters, follow up on two topics from the previous week (Willians Astudillo’s disputed whiff and Don Zimmer’s bases-loaded suicide hit and run) and, in a time-honored tradition, discuss whether selected league-wide stats from the first few weeks of the season are […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Mariners’ fun, surprising, and unsustainable start (and how it might affect the franchise), Austin Hedges’ chest protector, the extraordinary nature of Ozzie Albies’ extension, why he might have signed it, what it says about baseball’s economic market, and why we should care, the frustrating MLB/MiLB crackdown on […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Willians Astudillo’s first strikeout of the season (and whether strike three should have been a foul ball), then answer listener emails about Alex Verdugo and whether it’s better to play full-time in Triple-A or part-time in the majors, what baseball would be like if players had a finite […]
Ben Lindbergh, Sam Miller, and Meg Rowley banter about Mike Trout leading MLB in WAR and follow up on the bad ad from Episode 1358, then draft all 30 teams in terms of how fun they are to follow in 2019. Audio intro: Smash Mouth, "Fun" Audio outro: The Knack, "Serious Fun" Link to list of drafted […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a Blue Jays fan who’s unfazed by foul balls, a possible comeback for defunct Fox show Pitch, the Mariners (specifically Tim Beckham and Dylan Moore) committing errors in bunches, the offensive futility of Chris Davis, how Nationals fans treated Bryce Harper in his return to DC, Ramon Laureano’s […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Christian Yelich vs. Eugenio Suarez and Yelich vs. regression, an inscrutable ad, Jose Alvarado and the apparent increase in aesthetically pleasing pitches, visual differences between 1998 and now, and the significance of the latest contract extensions, then answer listener emails about the Twins and what makes a team […]
In a bonus episode of EW, Ben Lindbergh and The Ringer’s Michael Baumann banter about Bryce Harper’s transparently but nonetheless almost endearingly calculated campaign to win over Philly fans, why it’s working for him, and whether he could take it too far, then (14:26) talk to actor Hank Azaria, the star of IFC baseball TV […]
Ben Lindbergh, Sam Miller, and Meg Rowley banter about Sam’s cabin sojourn, how well Major League has held up, an exciting development in strategic bat tosses, a big day for Willians Astudillo, the difficulty of drawing conclusions about baseball early in the season, the early-season home-run rate, the paradox of sports radio, Sam’s Jose Ramirez […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about their Opening Day experiences, the pleasure of immersing themselves in baseball again, baseball players being better than ever, and MLB’s arbitration championship belt, then (22:25) talk to Joey Mellows, AKA “The Baseball Brit,” about how he became a baseball convert, his worldwide baseball travels and his quest to […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Sam’s unusual plan to immerse himself in the beginning of the baseball season, watching games as a writer vs. watching games as a fan, two responses to previous listener-email answers, whether “ball” is synonymous with baseball, why baseball has hit a dry spell for single-season record chases, the […]
In a bonus episode of EW, Ben Lindbergh talks to SABR’s Jacob Pomrenke about the centennial of the notorious 1919 White Sox, SABR’s new “Eight Myths Out” project, the persistent misconceptions about why the Black Sox threw the 1919 World Series, whether the scandal could have stayed secret, the complicated legacy of Eight Men Out, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Willians Astudillo making the Twins’ Opening Day roster, whether Astudillo’s uncanny ability to make contact is more mental or physical, and what Oliver Perez and the rest of the remaining LOOGYs can do to preserve their endangered places on major-league rosters when the three-batter minimum goes into effect […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Mariners-A’s opening series, the emotional last game featuring Ichiro Suzuki, and the uncertain degree to which the recent rash of contract extensions reflects players’ anxiety about free agency, then preview the 2019 New York Yankees (38:17) with The Athletic’s Yankees beat writer, Lindsey Adler, and the 2019 […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter at length about Mike Trout’s extension, why he may have wanted to stay with the Angels, what makes him different from other players, and why he’s underpaid despite his record contract, then preview the 2019 Houston Astros (44:38) with The Athletic’s Astros beat writer Jake Kaplan, and the 2019 […]
Ben Lindbergh, Sam Miller, and Effectively Wild listener and Mike Trout Tier Patreon supporter Anthony Scheff banter about the Blue Jays raising salaries for minor leaguers, the team’s motivations for doing so, and whether other teams will follow suit, then answer listener emails about A.J. Hinch getting ejected in a split-squad spring training game, MLB’s […]
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg witnessing actual baseball being played, her plans for watching the Mariners’ and Athletics’ international Opening Day matchup, Willians Astudillo’s spring training, the long list of 2019 and 2020 rules changes announced by MLB and the MLBPA, Meg’s new hires at FanGraphs, and Jessica Mendoza’s dual role with […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about parity in the NL and imbalance in the AL, then preview the 2019 Dodgers (7:08) with Los Angeles Times national baseball writer Andy McCullough, and the 2019 Kansas City Royals (1:02:45) with The Athletic’s Royals beat writer, Rustin Dodd. Audio intro: The High Water Marks, "National Time" Audio interstitial 1: […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about the fallout from Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s oblique injury and the signings of Adam Jones and Martin Maldonado as referenda on free agency, then answer listener emails about whether the Indians and Astros could have significantly upped their playoff odds by making more moves (and fan bases that should […]
Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller banter about Max Scherzer’s supremacy and the changes coming to the Atlantic League in 2019 as part of its partnership with MLB, include an altered base size, mound distance, strike zone, and more, then preview the 2019 Nationals (29:00) with Washington Post columnist Barry Svrluga, and the 2019 Seattle Mariners […]
Ben Lindbergh (re)introduces new co-hosts Sam Miller of ESPN and Meg Rowley of FanGraphs. Together, they explain the show’s new format and schedule, pay tribute to departed co-host Jeff Sullivan, and answer listener emails about a team made of clones of Ken Griffey Jr., how to reacclimate to baseball after taking an offseason off, and […]
Ben Lindbergh and guest co-host Steven Goldman of The Infinite Inning banter about Luis Severino’s injury and the perils of spring training, Sonny Gray’s slider problem and the perils of player development, and Ben’s series at The Ringer about scouting past and present, then preview the 2019 Cubs (34:19) with The Athletic’s Cubs beat writer […]
Ben Lindbergh and guest co-host Emily Waldon of The Athletic banter about how Emily got into covering the minor leagues, the perils and rewards of minor-league coverage, the progress of player development, the benefits of speaking Spanish, prospects of particular interest, the growing media interest in minor-league pay, and more, then (27:18) discuss the future […]
Ben Lindbergh and guest co-host Jesse Thorn of Maximum Fun banter about Bryce Harper signing with the Phillies and the intriguing NL East, Jesse’s Giants fandom, being an ambassador of baseball to non-fans, and Jesse’s beliefs about baseball fashion, then preview the 2019 St. Louis Cardinals (30:00) with man of many outlets Will Leitch, and […]
Ben Lindbergh and guest co-host Zach Kram of The Ringer banter about Clayton Kershaw’s bum arm, a rash of semi-suspiciously-timed signings, the Atlantic League as a testing ground for MLB rules changes, the latest Bryce Harper rumors, extensions for Nolan Arenado, Miles Mikolas, and Aaron Hicks, the Marwin Gonzalez signing and its implications for Willians […]
In Jeff Sullivan’s final episode as the co-host of Effectively Wild (but not the podcast’s final episode), he and Ben Lindbergh discuss his new job as an analyst for the Tampa Bay Rays, what it was like to be courted by teams, why he decided to depart FanGraphs and why he feels guilty about it, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about whether contract extensions are actually on the rise, the increasingly curious career of Rinku Singh, and Pirates owner Bob Nutting’s confusing comments about payroll, then preview the 2019 New York Mets (14:07) with The Athletic’s Mets beat writer Tim Britton, and the 2019 Toronto Blue Jays (45:22) with […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Manny Machado signing with the Padres and what the news means for the free-agent market and the futures of the NL West, the Phillies, and Bryce Harper, then preview the 2019 Los Angeles Angels (31:34) with The Athletic’s Angels beat writer, Fabian Ardaya, and the 2019 Milwaukee Brewers […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about differently shaped players being in the best shape of their lives, the Luis Severino extension, and three trends: the disappearance of highly ranked pitching prospects, the plateauing of league-wide fastball velocity, and arbitration-eligible players signing team-friendly extensions. Then they preview the 2019 Minnesota Twins (17:54) with Baseball Prospectus […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Willians Astudillo’s visa problem, Doug Fister’s retirement and CC Sabathia’s retirement tour, Johnny Cueto’s late horses, the current size of Yoenis Cespedes, players’ newly coordinated messaging about baseball economics, and Aaron Nola’s extension, then answer listener emails about when baseball will cease to exist, small-market teams’ spending, Shohei […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the return of Brett Lawrie and two-way draftee Kyler Murray’s decision to pursue playing football over baseball, then preview the 2019 Atlanta Braves (8:45) with From the Diamond host Grant McAuley, and the 2019 Arizona Diamondbacks (43:23) with the Arizona Republic’s Diamondbacks beat writer, Nick Piecoro. Audio intro: The […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a bunch of proposed rules changes, FanGraphs readers’ responses to them, and the general desirability of change of some sort, then preview the 2019 Colorado Rockies (19:57) with former Rockies outfielder and current AT&T SportsNet Rockies analyst Cory Sullivan, and the 2019 Pittsburgh Pirates (46:20) with the Pittsburgh […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan dissect the trade that sent catcher J.T. Realmuto from the Marlins to the Phillies for Jorge Alfaro, Sixto Sanchez, and Will Stewart, honor the legacy of Frank Robinson, and then (22:28) bring back 88-year-old 1950s two-way player and podcast king Johnny O’Brien, along with his 24-year-old grandson, current Tampa Bay […]
In the first installment of the seventh annual Effectively Wild season preview series, Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Bryce Harper, Scott Boras, team meetings with free agents, the season preview series, the Super Bowl, and mortality, then preview the 2019 Reds (12:11) with The Athletic’s C. Trent Rosecrans, and the 2019 Athletics (47:46) […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about rumors and the offseason, then answer listener emails about forming a team from remaining free agents, the definition of “Baseball IQ,” small-market teams banding together, the best thing for a team to be bad at, incentivizing teams to win, and whether front offices are planning for a work […]
Ben Lindbergh and ESPN’s Sam Miller banter about offseason content-creation strategies, recurring columns, and an alternate history in which Orlando Cepeda could have prevented writers from citing stats in stories, then (21:45) talk to longtime Baseball Prospectus writer (and author of The Shift) Russell Carleton about his departure from BP to take a job with […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about players playing for their lives, Bryce Harper rumors, Harper’s fame vs. Mike Trout’s, feeling less intense anticipation than they used to, the Red Sox signing the previously permabanned Jenrry Mejia, and uncertainty surrounding the latest labor strife. Then (30:06) Ben talks to Chris Enns, author of The Death […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about good and bad news for much-traveled pitcher Oliver Drake, the Dodgers’ signing of A.J. Pollock and the team’s perplexing offseason plan and lack of NL West competition, the Cubs’ signing of Brad Brach, and a report about the 10-day DL and the rules about optioning players to the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan discuss the Hall of Fame results, including why (and whether) the Hall matters, Mariano Rivera’s unanimous election, the greatness of Mike Mussina, the stagnation of Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds, the perplexing case of Omar Vizquel, and other topics, then banter about the spread of multi-position players, the Braves bringing […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Willians Astudillo and the Sonny Gray trade, then (19:11) bring on Padres podcaster David Marver to talk about the Padres supposedly opening their books, what information the team actually revealed, the ways in which that information may be incomplete or misleading, why Padres ownership hasn’t spent more, San […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Willians Astudillo’s final winter league stats, the retirement of Ricky Romero, the upside of a slow market, and the anticlimax of a big free-agent signing, then (11:25) bring on Baseball Prospectus director of editorial content Patrick Dubuque to talk about why we know how much players make, how […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Yankees signing Adam Ottavino and the Angels signing Cody Allen, super-pens vs. improvised pens, and Manny Machado, Eric Hosmer, and Mike Trout, then (15:19) bring on Baseball Prospectus writer Sung Min Kim to talk about how the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) has increased its popularity among young […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Ben and Travis Sawchik finishing their new book, The MVP Machine, Willians Astudillo‘s MVP voting results, the Kyler Murray baseball/football decision and why it’s unusual for players in his situation to have leverage, Manny Machado rumors, and Yasmani Grandal‘s comments about the contract he didn’t sign, then answer […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Willians Astudillo being plunked in reprisal for his home-run pimp, the surprisingly small contract of Yasmani Grandal and the state of the Brewers and the NL Central, Jed Lowrie and the Mets’ positional logjam, DJ LeMahieu joining the Yankees and the ramifications for Manny Machado, the latest in […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Willians Astudillo going viral yet again, his iconic winter-league home-run pose and the state of celebration in baseball, the improbable personality of an improbable player, Astudillo’s future in Minnesota, and the Mariners bringing back Dustin Ackley. Then (23:59) they talk to NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Systems Engineer (and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Oliver Drake‘s new (and also old) team, the Mets, Brodie Van Wagenen, and Keon Broxton, the Yankees signing Zach Britton, how data and technology have helped some free agents and hurt others, the state of free-agent spending and baseball’s economic past, present, and future, Scott Boras’s latest linguistic […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about New York Met Rymer Liriano and the minor league free agent draft, David Robertson signing with the Phillies, Robertson’s underrated record, and a Sabermetrics Mount Rushmore, then (14:43) talk to Retrosheet founder and president Dave Smith about how he started Retrosheet, the organization’s mission to collect a record […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Yankees signing Troy Tulowitzki, Whit Merrifield’s vaguely worded optimism about the Royals, and the necessity of unrealistic expectations, then answer listener emails about holiday sports conversations (featuring Ben’s mom’s hot take about Mariano Rivera and the truth about Rivera versus Edgar Martinez), players who are literally in […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Mariners signing Yusei Kikuchi, Willians Astudillo’s last 10 days, and Oliver Drake’s latest designation for assignment, and then grade the Hall of Fame’s many choices of in-game artifacts from the 2018 season. After that (44:41), they bring on Kyodo News writer Jim Allen to talk about Kikuchi’s […]
Ben Lindbergh, Jeff Sullivan, and ESPN’s Sam Miller review the top candidates for the most enduring baseball memory of 2018, then conduct the sixth annual Effectively Wild Minor League Free Agent Draft, selecting 11 minor league free agents each and competing to see whose roster will accumulate the most combined MLB playing time in 2019 […]
In the second of two themed episodes, Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan review one aspect of each National League team’s year that they overlooked on earlier episodes, touching on stories involving the Baby Braves, Charlie Culberson, and Dansby Swanson, Brent Suter vs. Corey Kluber, Jack Flaherty vs. Walker Buehler, Willson Contreras‘s wedding, Archie Bradley, Yasiel […]
In the first of two themed episodes, Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan review one aspect of each American League team’s year that they overlooked on earlier episodes, touching on stories involving Mike Scioscia, Myles Straw, Stephen Piscotty, Rowdy Tellez, Jose Ramirez, Mike Marjama, Richard Bleier, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, a stathead in uniform, Tony Renda, Brad Keller, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Daniel Murphy, Trevor Cahill, Anibal Sanchez, and Andrew Miller signings, react in real time to the three-team Jurickson Profar trade, and answer listener emails about signing Bryce Harper for one year, signing Harper as a catcher, choosing between watching games and having access to all other information, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Royals signing Terrance Gore and turning themselves into a bad-but-entertaining team of stolen-base threats, the Angels signing Matt Harvey and how they stack up, the renaming of Safeco Field, and the new posting system for Cuban players. Then (28:18) they talk to left-hander Rick Teasley about becoming […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Astros’ signing of Michael Brantley, the curious cases of blocked prospects Kyle Tucker and Alex Verdugo, the Mets’ signing of Wilson Ramos, and the unique career of globe-trotting Trey Hillman. Then (20:49) they talk to Charlie Olson, co-founder and CEO of Pando Pooling, about his company’s plan […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about why there have been so many Noah Syndergaard trade rumors, then answer listener emails about whether Giancarlo Stanton would be better if he raised his launch angle, how and when a manager who kept intentionally walking hitters would be stopped, how and whether to debate saber skeptics (about […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Jeff’s sartorial choice during his MLB Network appearance at the Winter Meetings, Willians Astudillo striking out twice against the same pitcher in a pro game for (possibly) the first time, Scott Boras and Brian Cashman metaphors, big-picture takeaways from the Winter Meetings, the Phillies signing Andrew McCutchen, the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about expected activity at the Winter Meetings, the pointlessness of the Winter Meetings, and the Hall of Fame elections of Lee Smith and Harold Baines (yes, that Harold Baines). Then (23:04) they talk to FanGraphs prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen about the baseball and multi-sport future of Heisman Trophy winner […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Willians Astudillo and discuss Nathan Eovaldi re-signing with the Red Sox, the Cardinals-Diamondbacks trade involving Paul Goldschmidt, Luke Weaver, and Carson Kelly, and the significance of good teams trading away great players. Then (36:03) they bring on free-agent outfielder and probable fastest man in baseball Terrance Gore to […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Willians Astudillo’s Venezuelan Winter League MVP chances, the latest scuttlebutt about banning the shift (and why it reflects the right impulse but the wrong solution), and the Nationals’ Patrick Corbin signing, the suddenly scary NL East, and the offseason market so far. Then (25:44) they bring on just-retired, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the nomadic Andy Wilkins, revisit the Mariners-Mets trade and Robinson Cano’s graceful decline so far, discuss the Mariners-Phillies trade, the career of Jean Segura, the Mariners’ rebuild, Jerry Dipoto’s flip-flop about tearing down the team, and the status of the investigation into allegations of racism among Mariners brass, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a busy week in rumored (and completed) transactions, touching on the Mets-Mariners blockbuster revolving around Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz, the Indians trading Yan Gomes to the Nationals (a rare trade between contenders) and teams opting not to spend, a Craig Kimbrel report, tender/non-tender decisions involving Billy Hamilton, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Robinson Cano, Madison Bumgarner, and Paul Goldschmidt trade rumors, what makes for a slow or exciting offseason, and the cooling effect that superteams can have on the hot stove, then (16:14) bring on Superpesis marketing and communications director Jussi Pyysalo to talk about the Finnish national sport of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Oliver Drake’s new/old home, the Braves signing Josh Donaldson and Brian McCann and converting Johan Camargo, the Pirates signing Lonnie Chisenhall, and the Twins claiming C.J. Cron, then (11:20) talk to Bill Rowe, official baseball advisor for the film Twilight, about how he helped make the movie’s depiction […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about minor-league pay, the surprising prospect past of Neil Walker, and the impending posting and pitching of NPB star Yusei Kikuchi. Then (13:43) they bring on Cubs Double-A outfielder Connor Myers to discuss his offseason job as a UPS driver, his baseball bonus and salary, making ends meet on […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a Willians Astudillo strikeout (and Astudillo vs. other, more highly-touted Twins), the team-switching saga of Oliver Drake, and the singular skill of Nathan Eovaldi, then answer listener emails about changing the game to appeal to non-fans, the value of base-stealing, the odds of seeing gear from every team […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Tommy Milone and Willians Astudillo, Bryce Harper‘s awful fielding in 2018, two more examples of percentages greater than 100, and Adrian Beltre’s retirement and atypical, incredible career, then (23:34) bring on new FanGraphs managing editor Meg Rowley to talk about both sides of the Yankees-Mariners James Paxton trade, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a big day for Willians Astudillo, the still-overlooked greatness of Anthony Rendon, the mystery of Jeff Mathis, John Middleton’s comments about the Phillies’ impending spending spree, and the Orioles hiring the Astros’ Mike Elias as their new GM. Then (26:50) they bring on outgoing FanGraphs managing editor Carson […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Willians Astudillo‘s current strikeout-less streak, a few more people who gave much more than 100 percent, and end-of-season-award voting, including Mike Trout’s showing in the AL MVP race, Jacob deGrom and pitchers as MVPs, and why Jeff voted for Justin Verlander for AL Cy Young over victor Blake […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Jose Altuve and other players claiming to give (much) more than 100 percent and Joe Mauer‘s retirement and Hall of Fame case, then answer listener emails about Shohei Ohtani’s future role, whether Mike Trout could go contact-for-contact with Willians Astudillo, a baseball romance novel, winning a World Series […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a Carter Capps-like cricket bowler, another Scott Boras nautical analogy, the latest Mariners-Rays trade (this time involving Mike Zunino, Guillermo Heredia, and Mallex Smith), how fans felt about the 2018 season, and a Twitter kerfuffle caused by comments made by Bill James, then (31:19) bring on former major […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the possibility of the Mariners selling and what a Jerry Dipoto-led rebuild would look like, the Yankees’ CC Sabathia signing and GM Brian Cashman’s comments about the luxury tax, scenes from the GM meetings, the Giants hiring Farhan Zaidi from the Dodgers, and Lance McCullers presumably pitching hurt […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Willians Astudillo‘s 2019 Steamer projections and turnover in the Astros front office and field staff, then (13:17) bring on Arnie Pollinger and Robin Perlow, husband and wife administrators of the 40-year-old SOMBILLA Strat-O-Matic league, to talk about the origins of the league, playing Strat on their first date, […]
Ben Lindbergh, Jeff Sullivan, and ESPN’s Sam Miller recap the results of their 2018 minor league free agent draft and the surprising season of Wade LeBlanc, banter about Willians Astudillo and Delmon Young, discuss the defining memory of the 2018 season (and other seasons), and react to Clayton Kershaw’s contract extension. Then (28:54) they bring […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Boston’s outfield rotation during the World Series, the significance of declining World Series ratings, the Orioles and the difficulty of classifying “tanking” teams, Manny Machado’s public persona and whether his reputation will hurt his free-agent appeal, and the Mets’ hiring of agent Brodie Van Wagenen as their new […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan recap the last three games of the World Series, including a wild and interminable Game 3, Game 4’s divisive managerial decisions, Game 5’s matchup of diverging starter narratives, how this World Series and postseason stacked up historically, the futures of the Red Sox and Dodgers, how great the Red Sox […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about how teams project the outcomes of matchups between batters and pitchers, the perils of second-guessing well-informed managerial decisions, and why teams still make mistakes, then answer listener emails about start-to-start strikeout variance, limiting the number of pitchers used per game, a potential problem with pitcher-catcher headsets, the four […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a home-run robbery by 40-year-old Endy Chavez and some managerial news, then discuss the first two games of the World Series, focusing on the Red Sox strikeout narrative, the disappointment of Clayton Kershaw vs. Chris Sale and Sale’s playoff vulnerability, David Price‘s second consecutive strong postseason start, a […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Willians Astudillo, how long it takes to fall asleep, and international signings, then review the end of the NLCS, discuss the worst way to lose, forecast the legacy and future of the Brewers, and preview the Red Sox-Dodgers World Series matchup, including why the series is closer than […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a wild week of playoff baseball, including all the action from Games 3 and 4 of the ALCS and Games 4 and 5 of the NLCS, Joe West’s infamous fan-interference call against the Astros, Andrew Benintendi‘s game-saving catch, Craig Counsell‘s Curly Ogden gambit with Wade Miley, Clayton Kershaw‘s […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Game 3 of the NLCS, the apparent breakouts of Orlando Arcia and Brock Holt, Josh Hader as Poochie, why Yasmani Grandal and other playoff catchers can’t catch, whether a “cruising” pitcher is actually likely to keep cruising, and the 15th anniversary of Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the lack of non-playoff banter and discuss the first two games of each championship series, touching on Clayton Kershaw bias, Matt Barnes curveballs, the finer points of pitcher-batter matchup stats, Josh Hader as a starter vs. as a reliever, the upcoming games, and much more (including a Brandon […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the response to their writing about the demise of the starting pitcher, the sources of their unease about baseball’s bullpen takeover, and the difficulty of previewing playoff rounds, then set up and break down the Astros-Red Sox ALCS and the Dodgers-Brewers NLCS and revisit the dullness of the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about an engaging Game 4 of the ALDS and sum up the Red Sox-Yankees series, the end of Astros-Indians, and the ALDS as a whole. Then they answer listener emails about working the count and avoiding the bullpen, why broadcasts don’t give screen time to streakers, and the best […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Scott Oberg and the difference between good and bad balk calls, the Brewers sweeping the Rockies and the state of playoff bullpenning, the Astros juggernaut, Dodgers vs. Braves, Ronald Acuna’s grand slam, and the new Clayton Kershaw, the anomalous playoff performances of Kershaw and David Price, the Yankees’ […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the difficulties of postseason scheduling, both opening games of the NLDS, a better bullpen game by the Brewers, the Rockies’ decision to pitch to Mike Moustakas, what Christian Yelich is doing differently, the composition of the Braves and the depth of the Dodgers and Astros, and Chis Sale’s […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan review the saber-savvy ESPN broadcast of the NL wild card game, relive the highs, lows, and pivotal/memorable moments of both wild card games, defend the bullpen game from an analytical standpoint (and criticize it from an aesthetic standpoint), and ruminate about every division series matchup. For the first time in […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a wild end to the regular season, including the season’s final Willians Astudillo update (maybe), endings for Joe Mauer, David Wright, and Mike Scioscia, Khris Davis batting .247 again, the Orioles’ final ignominy, surgery for Shohei Ohtani, final regular-season stats about strikeouts, hits, homers, and fastball velocity, Jeff […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the MVP races, the definition of value, Jacob deGrom, and Christian Yelich, plus an investigation into teams’ international practices, CC Sabathia’s costly hit by pitch, whether steroids were really responsible for steroid-era home run rates, and (don’t worry) Willians Astudillo. Then they review the 2018 regular season, including […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Willians Astudillo, Chris Davis and Khris Davis, the end of a Clayton Kershaw streak, Jacob deGrom, the ever-changing NL playoff race, the rapid spread of the opener, Joe Maddon’s comments about Addison Russell, and the worst team collapses of 2018, then answer listener emails about the Cubs’ offense […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Willians Astudillo, Jeff McNeil, and Juan Graterol, Shaq Thompson and the highest minor-league strikeout rates, the last week of the season, the lowest ERAs of the second half, Bryan Mitchell, and why voting for pitcher awards may be getting even more complicated, then (20:14) bring on The Athletic’s […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the response to their previous episode, whether improvements in catching or improvements in umpiring have done more to reduce the variation in framing performance among teams, a Mike Trout snub, Breyvic Valera‘s contact rate, and the latest revelations about Addison Russell’s alleged domestic abuse, then answer listener emails […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Trevor Story’s close call, then (9:04) bring on former MLB pitcher Michael Schwimer, the founder and CEO of Big League Advance, to talk about the mechanics and morality of giving money to minor leaguers in exchange for a percentage of their future earnings if they make the majors, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Willians Astudillo and Jacob deGrom (as usual), the perception of the Cubs vs. the reality of the Cubs, the dramatic, puzzling increase in infield shifting against Mike Trout, the checkered career of honest but pugnacious umpiring legend Tim Hurst, the future of two-way players, Joel Sherman’s column about […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Willians Astudillo going viral again, a Shohei Ohtani fun fact, J.D. Martinez, Mookie Betts, and how to gauge a player’s value to his teammates, the emergence of A’s outfielder Ramon Laureano, the impending ends to the careers of David Wright and Joe Mauer, a Kyle Freeland update, the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the unlikely championship season of the Northwest League’s Eugene Emeralds, Jacob deGrom‘s latest hard-luck loss, and maintaining perspective about the Phillies’ late-season swoon, then answer listener emails about an MLB ballpark sleepover, whether making ballparks bigger would counter the three true outcomes, Chris Davis’s strikeouts vs. batting average […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Willians Astudillo, Jeff’s ideal afterlife, Mike Trout‘s future and what an extension for Trout might look like, the Tyler Flowers extension, Michael Kopech‘s impending Tommy John surgery and the UCL scourge, how being Tampa Bay’s “bulk guy” is affecting Ryan Yarbrough‘s WAR, Mallex Smith vs. Giancarlo Stanton, a […]
Ben Lindbergh, The Ringer’s Michael Baumann, and Tommy John surgery researcher Jon Roegele convene to discuss every aspect of the news that Shohei Ohtani will likely undergo Tommy John surgery, including how the Angels handled him and whether they bear any blame for the outcome, their recent rash of similar injuries and unusual treatments, Ohtani’s […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Dee Gordon‘s walk rate, Jonathan Villar‘s daring baserunning, how much the “opener” has contributed to the Rays’ success, and Todd Frazier’s variation on the hidden-ball trick. Then they bring on FanGraphs writer Sheryl Ring (22:02) to discuss what the MLB Players Association hiring new lead negotiator Bruce Meyer […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Trevor Story‘s improvement, Brady Feigl vs. Brady Feigl, Joe West vs. Austin Davis and an information card, a Carter Capps update, the Mariners’ clubhouse brawl, the continued dominance of Edwin Diaz, the disconcerting pitching return of Shohei Ohtani, and Kyle Schwaber’s lack of clutchness this season, then answer […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Matt Chapman‘s misleading error total, Tyler White and “cheap” home runs, Danny Hultzen, Aaron Nola, and the concept of “safe” players, the latest on Shohei Ohtani and Willians Astudillo, Jacob deGrom and the NL MVP race, a conditional trade followup, Magneuris Sierra and the woeful Marlins, Mike Foltynewicz‘s […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan have a possibly premature discussion of whether Shohei Ohtani lived up to the preseason hype, then answer listener emails about the Angels’ historic record in two-run games, the last player who’ll be older than them, using expected offensive stats instead of actual ones in WAR, and David Robertson‘s far-fetched contract […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the surprising home run streak of Kendrys Morales, Lucas Giolito, Michael Kopech, and the fluctuating state of the White Sox rebuild, an unusual Yankees save streak and the changing distribution of saves across the majors, and the Rays-Pirates Chris Archer trade in retrospect. Then (25:41) they bring on […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the returns of Mike Trout and Willians Astudillo, Astudillo’s new hobby, Jose Ramirez‘s power/speed combo, the NL Rookie of the Year race between Ronald Acuna, Juan Soto, Harrison Bader, and Brian Anderson, the decreasing incidence of stolen bases and sacrifice bunts, the Angels’ active offseason in retrospect, the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a listener-created tool to determine the first big leaguer to be born after and the last big leaguer to be born before any given date, the waiver-claim process, the Nationals’ trades, disastrous season, and hazy outlook, the Cubs acquiring Daniel Murphy and the Rockies opting not to, the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Clayton Kershaw’s resurgence and opt-out odds, the state of the playoff races, the Mariners’ balk-off weekend win, an unusual aspect of the 2008 CC Sabathia trade, the impending free agency of Nelson Cruz, and Ben’s article about the 1993 Athletics’ platoon-starter experiment, a precursor to the current Rays’ […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Ben’s introduction to climbing, a Mets-Phillies blowout, Scott Kingery‘s slow pitches, Jacob deGrom‘s run support, Jose Ureña‘s suspension and how to punish hit by pitches, the Rangers’ odd triple play and the 2002 debut of Ron Wright, Matt Kemp‘s slump, and an umpire’s rapid reaction, then answer listener […]
Ben Lindbergh, Jeff Sullivan, and writer Rachael McDaniel banter about a Scott Boras quote about Bryce Harper, the hot streaks of Matt Carpenter and Ronald Acuña, an Ender Inciarte comment, aging in relation to baseball players, the cold streak of Luis Severino, and a possible old example of groundskeeping gamesmanship. Then (24:22) they bring on […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Ben’s book activities, David Bote‘s exciting grand slam, Ramon Laureano‘s highlight throw, a few surprisingly (and not-so-surprisingly) streaking players, Taylor Ward’s call-up news, and a weird walk-off win in the minors. Then (26:10) they bring on Zach Ricketts, assistant head groundskeeper at the Oakland Coliseum, to talk about […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Felix Hernandez‘s demotion to the bullpen, Willians Astudillo and the hidden-ball trick, former major leaguers who are still excelling internationally, an Augusta GreenJackets tweet, Dee Gordon‘s walk rate, Javier Baez‘s success, the state of the MVP races, Tyler Glasnow‘s apparent reinvention and the staying power of coaching gurus, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Jacoby Ellsbury‘s latest injury, Jayson Werth‘s anti-analytics rant, Luke Heimlich, and Shohei Ohtani, then answer listener emails about how defensive positioning is affecting positions themselves, throwing strikes to Jorge Alfaro, bringing “the wall” to baseball, why so many pitchers are throwing 100 mph, how the Orioles fit their […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Ben’s excursion to a Helena Brewers game, Matt Davidson‘s relief excellence, Juan Soto‘s historic performance, Kole Calhoun‘s resurgence, the A’s acquiring Mike Fiers, Mike Trout’s 27th birthday, and more, then (25:14) talk to former big leaguer (and former live guest) Fernando Perez about the 10th anniversary of the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan follow up on an awful umpire call from the Mexican League, discuss the all-time top power-plus-speed players, lament Johnny Cueto’s Tommy John surgery, and acknowledge Mike Trout overtaking Mookie Betts on offense. Then they bring on Fangraphs writer Meg Rowley to discuss baseball grumps, good and bad broadcasting, the role […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a hiking analogy, the Nationals jettisoning relievers Brandon Kintzler and Shawn Kelley, and the no-longer-so-unhittable Justin Miller, then answer listener emails about Joey Gallo’s zero sac flies, Andrew Romine, red lights, and 3-0 swings, the ideal baseball height, the value of a roster spot, where to draw the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan break down (almost) all the trade-deadline deals by (almost) every team, with special attention to the Chris Archer trade between the Pirates and Rays, the Nationals’ non-trades and their competitors’ improvements, the Orioles’ many moves, the Yankees, Red Sox, and Dodgers, the Brewers’ remade infield, the Astros and Roberto Osuna, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan have an in-depth discussion with former Mets director of baseball operations and Braves assistant GM Adam Fisher about being a front-office utility man, talking to the media, work-life imbalance in baseball operations, the public-private information gap, the evolution of analytics, scouting, and player development over the past 15 years, the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Zach Britton and Nathan Eovaldi trades, the Yankees’ unbelievable bullpen, the Rays’ most recent Sergio Romo experiment, and the Gary Sanchez hustle/groin-strain saga, follow up on athletes dominating lesser competition and Noah Syndergaard’s latest affliction, then answer emails about Odubel Herrera, Rhys Hoskins, how a bad fielder […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Billy Butler‘s beer league, the Jeurys Familia trade, the red-hot Oakland A’s, Seattle’s extensions for Jerry Dipoto and Scott Servais, the AL wild card race, the Mets’ most recent dysfunction, Khris Davis’s consistency, the FanGraphs trade value series and the long-term prospects of several top teams, the latest […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about beard grooming, the indy-league exploits of Rafael Palmeiro, Patrick Palmeiro, and the Chinese national team, the Padres-Indians trade involving Brad Hand, Adam Cimber, and Francisco Mejía, the Orioles’ commitment to rebuilding, post-publication regrets about articles, the worst example of umpiring they’ve ever seen, and the state of the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan break down the five-for-one deal that sent Manny Machado to Los Angeles, discussing the players changing teams, the short- and long-term implications for the Dodgers and Orioles, and the ripple effects for the rest of the trade market. Then they reflect on the latest national discourse about marketing Mike Trout, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Mike Trout and marketing, the surprising Rays and the unsung Jake Bauers, the AL wild card race, Willians Astudillo’s pitching appearance, the results of a 21-question player survey, the Royals’ recent performance, and a tariff on baseball gloves, then (24:24) bring on man-of-many-bylines Will Leitch to discuss the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Daniel Descalso, Alex Blandino, and the ongoing onslaught of position-player pitchers, Jacob deGrom‘s updated WAR vs. wins status, Kyle Schwarber‘s two-strike bunting, the death-ray potential of the Rays’ proposed stadium, Jordan Hicks and Bud Norris, and two baseball blobs, then (31:17) talk to Seattle Mariners senior marketing director […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Manny Machado trade precedents, the Astros’ weird walk-off, the A’s as wild-card contenders, Trevor Bauer and an Indians bullpen miscommunication, the Rays’ proposed stadium design, a Mike Trout shirt, and more, then answer listener emails about players and self-preservation, midseason free agents, Mike Trout hobbies besides weather, constructing […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about an old “Umpire Day,” the Mariners’ run-differential defiance, and the Royals’ extreme struggles and possibly unprecedented amateur signing, then discuss how to define an All-Star, the All-Star Game’s fading significance, the All-Star selection process, and the perennial conversation surrounding “snubs,” as well as the trade deadline in the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the third-place Nationals and Wade LeBlanc’s extension, then answer listener emails about trading Bryce Harper, signing Bryce Harper, throwing super-slow pitches, a DH as the best player ever, hitting flares on purpose, losing games to set up a specific playoff matchup, John Olerud and the Hall of Fame, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Rays using backup catcher Jesus Sucre as a pitcher to protect a lead, the return of Shohei Ohtani, Javier Baez’s exciting and silly steal of home, and what life would be like with deferred payments. Then (29:58) they bring on Phillies international scouting director Sal Agostinelli to […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the joyous big-league debut and amazing minor-league history of Effectively Wild favorite and new Twins utility man Willians Astudillo, an awful Royals month, Jacob deGrom, a bobbled Raimel Tapia catch and tag-up confusion, Jon Gray‘s perplexing demotion, Marlins who may be traded, a Vince Velasquez highlight, Michael Lorenzen‘s […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Jose Alvarado, Shohei Ohtani‘s power and possible return as a hitter, Shane Bieber‘s velocity, the minor-league breakouts of Chris Paddack and Colin Poche, FanGraphs readers vs. average fans, Brandon Nimmo‘s latest HBP antics, the Mets’ recent struggles and Mets-fan fatalism, the recoveries of the Reds and Wilmer Font, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Jeff’s lost and found voice, then bring on MLB on TBS and SNY analyst Ron Darling (5:33) to discuss preparing to call games, talking stats on TV, local broadcasting vs. national broadcasting, the beloved Mets broadcasting team, building booth rapport, positivity and negativity on TV, dealing with broadcasting […]
Ben Lindbergh and The Athletic’s Lindsey Adler discuss Lindsey’s transition from blogging to beat writing, how to talk to players and become comfortable in the clubhouse, the contrasts between the Yankees and Mets (and Aaron Boone and Mickey Callaway), writing about teams vs. writing about baseball’s big picture, the beat-writing fraternity, being a beat writer […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Coors Field, Domingo German, the amazing Max Scherzer, Tyler Chatwood, Kole Calhoun‘s comeback, the writing process, Marcell Ozuna‘s catch attempt, Ichiro and the Home Run Derby, and the AL playoff picture, then bring on 31-year-old MLB-player-turned-FanGraphs-writer Nate Freiman (20:22) to talk about his recent embrace of advanced stats, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Steven Brault‘s national-anthem performance, Brandon Morrow‘s ignoble injury, the Kelvin Herrera trade, banana ambivalence, a suspicious baby-powder puff, Vinny Castilla‘s bat-boning, an interleague-play update, Jose Urena‘s control, the New Orleans Baby Cakes and minor-league team names, the senseless Giants-Marlins beanball war, the debut of Jonathan Loaisiga, and a […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Juan Soto‘s timeline-rearranging home run, Adrian Houser throwing up mid-game, Nick Markakis and Braves all-star voting, a Mets official’s donut metaphor, and Mike Trout’s continued excellence, then (17:35) talk to longtime MLB umpire and crew chief Dale Scott about miking up umpires, manager-umpire arguments, the Tom Hallion/Terry Collins […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan follow up on Terry Collins, trick running plays, Steven Brault‘s disappointing strikeout, the Mariners, and Justin Miller, banter about Takuya Nakashima’s 200th career sacrifice bunt, the Astros’ enviable depth, the most exciting rookies of 2018 (including Juan Soto, Gleyber Torres, Walker Buehler, and Adam Cimber), and MLB’s attendance decline, and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the end of Steven Brault‘s strikeout streak, Brandon Nimmo‘s non-HBP, Jacob deGrom‘s and Mike Trout’s latest futile heroics, the Mariners’ luck, leaked umpire audio, Hank Aaron on bottle boning, the new-and-improved Jordan Hicks, Miguel Cabrera being done for the year, post-substitution ejections, and a clever college play, then […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Masahiro Tanaka‘s double hamstring strain, Joey Gallo‘s bunt against the shift, and Nationals reliever Justin Miller‘s amazing stats this season. Then they discuss the short- and long-term effects of Shohei Ohtani’s elbow injury, critique several baseball-fixing proposals by Nick Elam, inventor of basketball’s “Elam Ending,” and wrap up […]
After Ben Lindbergh briefly mourns the Shohei Ohtani injury news, he and Jeff Sullivan banter about the…impassioned response to Ben’s article about the DH and pitcher hitting, a few DH-related fallacies, Steven Brault’s bullpen conversation, the newly patient Pablo Sandoval, the effective wildness of Tyler Chatwood, and the effective non-wildness of Miles Mikolas, follow up […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Jonny Venters, Max Scherzer and immaculate innings, the futility of pitcher hitting in 2018, the NL’s encouraging interleague record, MLB buying Rawlings, the home-run rate, Ichiro throwing BP, Derek Dietrich’s dangerous juggling, and a world where Jerry Dipoto can trade draft picks. Then they bring on FanGraphs’ Kiley […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the improving defense of Mike Trout and Matt Kemp, two minor observations prompted by amateur draft coverage, and a confusing quirk in the standings, then time travel back to a dramatically different era in bullpen usage by bringing in the most valuable reliever of the 1970s: Detroit Tigers […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Clayton Kershaw‘s latest back injury, the “opener” strategy spreading to L.A., and the unexpected sources of production that have helped keep the Dodgers in the race, as well as Kole Calhoun‘s historically slow offensive start to the season, Jaime Barria and record-setting pitch counts within innings, Indians rookie […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Jeff’s moderately close encounter with a volcano, various events that took place in baseball while he was away, Rob Manfred’s recent comments about changes to the game, MLB attendance issues, Ben’s Angels brunch, the early-season success of some supposedly tanking teams, stats about Dellin Betances, Patrick Corbin, and […]
On the day the Stanley Cup finals start, Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan talk to Baseball Prospectus writer Zach Crizer about how future MLB expansion clubs could construct baseball’s equivalent of the Las Vegas Golden Knights, the NHL’s sensational expansion team. Then (29:51) Ben and Effectively Wild listener Dom Guido reexamine the legendary 1888 poem […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Red Sox designating Hanley Ramirez for assignment, what Mookie Betts and Barry Bonds have in common, Shohei Ohtani‘s “workload management,” Bartolo Colon’s 45th birthday, a John Jaso appearance at the Trop, a listener’s real-world use of tOPS+, and two more examples of players intentionally performing typically detrimental […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the banged-up Mariners, Tyler Chatwood‘s wildness, the Astros’ record-setting run prevention, a Mike Trout milestone, Chris Davis and looking strikeouts, Ron Gardenhire‘s ringtone, Michael Taylor‘s walk-off face, settling a game with rock-paper scissors, bad closers, Nick Markakis, and more, then answer listener emails about strike sounds, “three up, […]
In a bonus EW episode, Ben Lindbergh brings on The Ringer’s Michael Baumann to talk to actor Hank Azaria about the second season of IFC’s Brockmire, real broadcasters’ affection for the show, proving his baseball bona fides, and throwing out first pitches. Then Ben brings on Slate’s Mike Pesca (35:16) to talk about his new […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about baffling flamethrower Jordan Hicks, Rich Hill‘s latest blister problem, the Orioles’ unlikely 13-hit, zero-run game, Albert Pujols‘ prospects, Ryan Zimmerman’s slow spring training and slower start, and more. Then they bring on writer Joe Sheehan (23:23) to discuss the Rays’ “starting Sergio Romo” strategy, whether it will catch […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the dominant Justin Verlander and the Astros’ historic pitching pace, the still-struggling Dodgers, and the prospects of Blue Jays prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr., then talk to author Rob Neyer (16:28) about becoming the commissioner of the West Coast League, the future of baseball in Portland, and writing his […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the fallout from Robinson Cano‘s 80-game suspension, the league’s latest adjustment to Shohei Ohtani, Jason Castro‘s injury and Willians Astudillo’s opportunity, and the resurgent Jordan Lyles, then answer listener emails about the topsy-turvy National League, the evolution of orthodoxy about bullpens, the impact of Willson Contreras on Cubs […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Freddy Peralta‘s unique Coors Field debut, Takuya Nakashima’s improbable grand slam, Shohei Ohtani‘s ongoing pitching evolution, Javier Baez‘s perplexing slash line, Jameson Taillon’s creative solution to a finger injury, their disinclination toward gambling, and the hapless (but no longer winless) Saint Peter’s Peacocks of NCAA Division I. Then […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a new newsletter about baseball debuts, Shohei Ohtani’s latest exploits, the pitiful state of the AL Central, the even more pitiful performance of Orioles starter Chris Tillman, pitchers’ perplexing lack of respect for the Braves’ Ronald Acuña, Ichiro’s debut as a bench coach and future in baseball, and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter (and answer listener emails) about podcast personas, Dylan Bundy’s bad day, players’ favorite stats and a Joc Pederson conundrum, James Paxton and the recent rash of near-no-hitters, how scoring has bounced back from its slow start, the Reds’ and Mets’ Matt Harvey trade, the Robinson Cano contract so far, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan follow up on HBP rules and two of the three radical ideas they discussed last week and banter about Ichiro’s quasi-retirement, the Braves’ talented-but-overperforming offense, how Nick Markakis’s hot streak jeopardizes a career distinction, the eruption of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano, Gerrit Cole’s latest exploits, Collin McHugh, Archie Bradley, and the […]
Ben Lindbergh, Jeff Sullivan, and ESPN’s Sam Miller banter about James Paxton’s 16-strikeout start and the elusive 21-strikeout game, why no-hitters are becoming more common but are also endangered, how to familiarize oneself with newly minted major-league relievers, and Albert Pujols’s evaporating walk rate, then discuss Sam’s radical proposals to change baseball’s playoff format, playoff […]
Ben Lindbergh, Jeff Sullivan, and SB Nation’s Grant Brisbee banter about Trevor Bauer, sticky substances, and spin rate, Ken Giles’s self-harming home-run reaction, the best baseball clips to rewatch, the unwritten rules of not avoiding hit by pitches, and party-hard Matt Harvey. Then they discuss Grant’s story about the record-setting 1988 Orioles, who went 0-21 […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Steven Brault’s non-strikeout streak, the failing Wilmer Font and Kazuhisa Makita, the excellent Ozzie Albies, scouting Pablo Sandoval’s pitching, a silly Salvador Perez-Tim Anderson dust-up, the AL Central’s weakness so far, the streaking Diamondbacks, Adrian Gonzalez getting booed in San Diego, and a dead man rounding the bases, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan follow up on previous talk of triples, popups, and foul balls, then discuss Ronald Acuña’s big second game, the intriguing Oakland A’s, the new and maybe-improved Joey Gallo, the transformations of Didi Gregorius and Andrelton Simmons, the post-injury return of Jonny Venters, Clayton Kershaw vs. Trevor Richards and the biggest […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Ronald Acuña’s debut and the Braves’ pivot to position players, the history of Peter Bourjos losing his job, Eric Lauer’s less heralded/distinguished debut, Kazuhisa Makita, the Angels maxing out their mound visits, and the state of Shohei Ohtani hype, follow up on outfield bobbling and baserunner blocking, and […]
In an unwitting tribute to Brandon Belt’s 21-pitch plate appearance, Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about approximately 21 topics, including the Mariners’ awkward, self-imposed Ichiro situation, Dee Gordon’s outfield conversion, Franchy Cordero, the ineptitude of the Reds, Mike Trout leveling up (again), Sean Manaea’s no-hitter and the increasing frequency of near no-hitters, two more […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the strange standings, turnover in the Reds’ dugout, the hot starts by the Red Sox and Mookie Betts, the side effects of pitchers’ increasing avoidance of the strike zone, and the struggles of the Mets’ self-described starting pitcher Matt Harvey. Then they talk to former FanGraphs writer Corinne […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Shohei Ohtani’s blister, the Braves signing Jose Bautista as a third baseman, and Oakland’s well-attended free-admission game, then talk to two authors of new books about what happens in baseball players’ brains: Zach Schonbrun, author of The Performance Cortex: How Neuroscience is Redefining Athletic Genius (11:58), and former […]
Ben Lindbergh, Jeff Sullivan, and Baseball Prospectus writer Russell Carleton discuss Russell’s new book, The Shift, banter about bad weather, Bartolo Colon, baseball’s unexpectedly competitive division races, Mike Trout topping one WAR leaderboard, Ronald Acuña’s (possibly) impending call-up, MLB’s low attendance so far, and a new Carter Capps imitator, then answer listener emails about Kris […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a recent spat of basebrawls, Clint Hurdle vs. Javier Baez and bat flips, Shohei Ohtani’s latest heroics, what bullpens do during brawls, and a fun-fact-free player, then bring on MLB Advanced Media’s Mike Petriello (23:19) to discuss what’s new with (and next for) Statcast, the system’s growing pains […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Shohei Ohtani’s platoon splits and pitchers’ league-wide avoidance of the strike zone this season, then answer listener emails about the power and prestige of managers compared to coaches, when to trust in-season results over projections, choosing between Ohtani and Mike Trout, whether Albert Pujols or Adrian Beltre will […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a walk-off popup, a weekend brawl, booing Giancarlo Stanton, Bryce Harper’s hot start and Byron Buxton’s slow (but not slowest) start, Xander Bogaerts, and Ian Happ, and then do a deep dive on Shohei Ohtani’s past, present, and future as a hitter and pitcher and the wonder of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a James Paxton eagle attack (and an earlier condor attack), a successful Jon Lester bounce pass, a play that proves that some players don’t know the rules about tagging up, Shohei Ohtani’s rest schedule, and a heartwarming moment involving Mike Trout, then do another edition of Gabe Kapler […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Shohei Ohtani’s hot hitting start, revisit the subject of Joey Gallo bunting against the four-man outfield, and critique a retracted Trevor Rosenthal report, then answer listener emails about Bondsian starts to seasons, Tommy Pham’s prophfanity, how data-driven players may impact projections, Seth Lugo’s breakout potential, short-term tanking vs. […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about returning to the regular-season routine, between-innings highlights on MLB.TV, Shohei Ohtani’s Angels debut, Gerrit Cole’s Astros debut, Ichiro’s home-run robbery, Kevin Pillar’s base-stealing exploits, Mike Trout’s rapid resurgence, the first (and possibly the silliest) unwritten-rules controversy of the season, the early evidence that swings (and batted balls) are […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Jeff’s research into the performance of college teams vs. MLB teams in spring training, then reach into the grab bag for a selection of topics inspired by actual baseball, including Kyle Schwarber’s defense, the Astros’ four-man outfield (and whether Joey Gallo should bunt to beat it), Mike Trout’s […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about an update on the fate of the indy leagues, their rapid playoff predictions for 2018, the inaugural journey of the Diamondbacks’ bullpen cart, juiced-ball precedents from the 1920s and 1930s, what spring stats are saying about the season to come, and a Dennis Sarfate extension. Then they talk […]
In their final team-preview podcast of 2018, Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a new podcast-inspired song, the Scott Kingery, Ketel Marte, and Christian Vazquez extensions, Ben’s partially listener-inspired research about catcher offense, a Devil Rays close call, and whether the ball is juiced in MLB The Show, then preview the 2018 Mets (28:47) […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the passage of the so-called “Save America’s Pastime” Act, the future of minor-league spending, the endangered status of lower-level independent leagues, Ryan Zimmerman’s spring-training trailblazing, leadoff hitter Aaron Judge, actual likely Opening Day Dodgers starter Matt Kemp, a Zack Greinke anecdote, and Miguel Cabrera’s solution for not knowing […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Alex Cobb’s surprising windfall with the Orioles and the ever-present overlap between baseball and social issues, follow up on non-throwing outfielders, and answer listener emails about challengers to Mike Trout’s email-episode throne (and Trout’s spring training strikeout-less streak), whether tanking is actually bad for baseball or becoming more […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Eugenio Suarez and Jose Altuve extensions, whether this offseason’s slow free-agent market will make players more likely to sign extensions, the industry’s latest effort to avoid paying minor leaguers, and the debate about where Shohei Ohtani should start the season, then preview the 2018 Twins (18:52) with […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a new nautical analogy by Scott Boras, the resurgent Lucas Giolito, Ronald Acuña (again), and possible destinations for free agents Alex Cobb and Greg Holland, then preview the 2018 Blue Jays (15:00) with Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith, and the 2018 Pirates (46:48) with MLB.com’s Adam Berry. Audio intro: Cold War […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Willians Astudillo’s day in the spotlight, Carter Capps’s new look, and Minor League Baseball’s new pace/length-of-play rules, follow up on previous discussions of spring-training celebrations and ground-bound players, and answer listener emails about a front-office saboteur, Steve Carlton’s incredible career balk total, the predictiveness of second-half performance, Ronald […]
On a Bay Area edition of EW’s season-preview series, Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the resolution of their free-agent-contracts draft, the Lance Lynn, Neil Walker, and Jake Arrieta signings, the offseason market in review, and a Stephen Hawking baseball connection, then preview the 2018 Giants (32:07) with SB Nation’s Grant Brisbee, and the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the odd odds of Jason Heyward opting out, the Mike Moustakas and Carlos Gonzalez contracts, the origins of shifting, the always-all-out Noah Syndergaard, Shohei Ohtani, and a non-throwing outfielder follow-up, then preview the 2018 Diamondbacks (38:46) with AZCentral Sports’ Nick Piecoro, and the 2018 Brewers (1:14:14) with The […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Rays’ latest Tommy John surgery victim and the team’s potential plans for a four-man rotation, players’ decreasing IP and PA totals, exhibition-game walk-off celebrations, Marlins spring-training invitees, and Jon Lester’s new bounce pass to first base, then answer listener emails about lower-level clutchness, how quickly changes to […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Ichiro Suzuki’s return to Seattle, Neil Walker’s perplexing unemployment, the unreliability of bullpens, Anthony Gose’s extremely rough start to spring training, and Kyle Jensen’s extremely hot start to spring training, then preview the 2018 Angels (20:44) with The Athletic Los Angeles’s Pedro Moura, and the 2018 Phillies (51:19) […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Justin Verlander’s contribution to the juiced-balls debate, home runs, and a frank Justin Upton interview about how teams treat players, then preview the 2018 Cardinals (27:08) with FanGraphs’ Craig Edwards, and the 2018 Braves (57:28) with broadcaster Grant McAuley. Audio intro: Talking Heads, "Puzzlin’ Evidence" Audio interstitial 1: Frank Sinatra, […]
In a bonus, non-team-preview episode, Ben Lindbergh talks to FiveThirtyEight’s Rob Arthur about his new research into the changing construction of the baseball and its possible effect on the rising home-run rate. Then Ben talks to trailblazing baseball researcher Tom Shieber, the senior curator at the Hall of Fame and a recent recipient of SABR’s […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Rangers’ Tim Lincecum signing, the Phillies’ corner-outfield experiment, and the Royals’ Lucas Duda signing, then follow up on a knuckleball question and answer listener emails about relievers’ and starters’ quality of opponents, an Albert Pujols basestealing challenge, the post-signing aging patterns of free agents, a Rusney Castillo […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Logan Morrison signing and the Twins’ potent lineup, the Rays’ potentially lucrative new TV deal, and two tidbits from a game played in 1870, then preview the 2018 Red Sox (19:49) with The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, and the 2018 Reds (55:47) with The Athletic Cincinnati’s C. […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Brent Honeywell injury and Corey Dickerson trade, the Yankees’ and Orioles’ potentially record-breaking projected home-run totals, two addenda about team-inspired baby names, surviving spring training, and an ill-advised trampoline recommendation, then preview the 2018 Yankees (19:07) with The Athletic NYC’s Marc Carig, and the 2018 Orioles (52:48) […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Rays’ Carlos Gomez signing, the Padres’ improbable all-time home run leader, and the players’ portion of MLB revenue, then answer listener emails about running a team with the eye test or with stats, the effects of breaking the batting order, a serial rebuilding team, a pitcher fatigue […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about another volcanic comment by Scott Boras, the Eric Hosmer and J.D. Martinez signings and the Rays’ sudden sell-off, MLB’s latest pace-of-play initiatives, why spring training intentions often go awry, and sabermetric trailblazer Sherri Nichols, then preview the 2018 Nationals (23:46) with the Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes, and the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Orioles’ Andrew Cashner signing, recent “super-teams” that missed the playoffs, and Marcus Stroman’s arbitration tweets, then preview the 2018 Cubs (16:27) with The Athletic Chicago’s Sahadev Sharma, and the 2018 Padres (46:43) with The Athletic San Diego’s Dennis Lin. Audio intro: The Thrills, "Nothing Changes Around Here" Audio interstitial […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the installation of a humidor at Chase Field, how peak Ichiro would have hit at Coors Field, and what to make of reports about players in the best shape of their lives, then answer emails about which team performances would qualify as surprising in 2018, projecting players who’ve […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Esteban Loaiza’s drug bust and the Cubs’ Yu Darvish signing, then preview the 2018 Indians (15:31) with writer/editor Pete Beatty, and the 2018 Royals (44:16) with Kansas City Star Royals beat writer Rustin Dodd. Audio intro: Robyn Hitchcock, "Tell Me About Your Drugs" Audio interstitial 1: Yoko Ono, "Peter the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the new spring training camp for free agents, return to the topic of why so many high-profile free agents remain unsigned, discuss Todd Frazier’s contract with the Mets, and talk about whether a proposed “Tank Tax” is a solution in search of a problem. Then they preview the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about two reports citing anonymous sources, Scott Boras’ boat metaphor, “Memento Mori” as a motivational tool, a John Jaso update, and a Patreon plug, then bring on the FanGraphs prospect team (Kiley McDaniel, Eric Longenhagen, and Chris Mitchell) to talk prospect-ranking philosophies, scouting-the-stat-line successes, how record home run rates […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about February rituals and the start and format of the sixth annual EW season preview series, as well as transaction inactivity and another player trampoline sighting. Then they preview the 2018 Astros (9:43) with The Ringer’s Michael Baumann, and the 2018 White Sox (40:45) with White Sox and ESPN […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about bullpen-cart feasibility, a listener crowdsourcing project to fill out the Effectively Wild Wiki, and the effect of starting an inning with a runner on second, then follow up on player volatility and knuckleball hits and answer listener emails about the historical significance of the Marlins’ latest firesale, the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Nori Aoki’s return to Japan, Vladimir Guerrero’s swing rate, Franchy Cordero’s power/speed skills, spring training for free agents (again), and Melky Cabrera, then bring on Baseball Prospectus Director of Technology Harry Pavlidis to explain BP’s latest pitching-themed analysis, featuring robot umpires’ feasibility, desirability, and potential effects on offense; […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Mike Trout’s trampoline encounter, a Matt Albers update, Ryan Braun’s rumored move to second base, the belated demise of Chief Wahoo, and Ben’s article about the 1995 Homestead spring training camp for free agents. Then they talk to Hardball Times author Stephanie Springer about cupping, magnetic chairs, cryotherapy, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan talk about the Brewers’ trade for Christian Yelich and signing of Lorenzo Cain, how the Brewers stack up in the NL Central, whether they’re the new model for a rebuilding team, how Yelich and Cain could perform in their new park, what the Cain contract says about the slow-moving market, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Padres’ social-media accounts getting hacked, Scott Boras’ “volcano” comment, Hall of Fame voting results, and Jeff’s article about batting practice, then answer listener emails about team construction and the wild card, consistency and Carlos Santana, the baseball equivalents of football’s recent Super Bowl staples, the decline and […]
Ben Lindbergh, Jeff Sullivan, and ESPN’s Sam Miller conduct the fifth annual Effectively Wild Minor League Free Agent Draft, selecting 10 minor league free agents each and competing to see whose roster will accumulate the most combined major league playing time in 2018. Audio intro: Semisonic, "This Will Be My Year" Audio outro: Sloan, "Try to Make […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a few recent trade demands (or non-demands), then bring on Yahoo Sports MLB columnist Jeff Passan to talk about what’s behind baseball’s slow-moving labor market, who and/or what is to blame for the sport’s present economic stalemate, and what can be done to avert disaster. Lastly, Ben provides […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan answer listener emails about rebuilding teams absorbing bad contracts, bad teams signing good players, an MLB amnesty clause, fans switching team allegiances, pitchers wearing jackets on the bases, how to maximize playing time with a limited number of hits, baseball on an Olympian schedule, how catchers could transition to a […]
Ben Lindbergh and a newly engaged Jeff Sullivan banter about Jeff’s absence and return, Willson Contreras and Jon Lester, and the Astros’ and Giants’ ends of the Gerrit Cole and Andrew McCutchen trades, respectively. Then they bring on FanGraphs writer Travis Sawchik to break down the Pirates’ past, present, and future, including their returns in […]
Ben Lindbergh talks to SB Nation’s Grant Brisbee about the Mets’ Jay Bruce signing and finding ways to engage with baseball and keep the content coming during an excruciatingly slow offseason, then brings on Forbes contributor David Seideman to talk about trends in baseball memorabilia collecting, the enduring appeal of historic relics and signatures, and […]
Ben Lindbergh and outgoing FanGraphs Managing Editor Dave Cameron review Dave’s decision to retire from writing to take a job as an analyst in the San Diego Padres’ front office, discussing his personal and professional past and future and the past, present, and future of public and private baseball analysis. Audio intro: Tom Petty and The […]
Ben Lindbergh and his Ringer MLB Show co-host Michael Baumann speculate about how the slow offseason will end, answer listener emails about sabermetrics and salary depression, sumo wrestling and the Hall of Fame, and baseball in winter weather, compare the careers of Omar Vizquel and Nomar Garciaparra, and analyze unorthodox new Padres relief pitcher Kazuhisa […]
Ben Lindbergh talks to FanGraphs’ newest hire, Meg Rowley, about her transition to full-time baseball writing, becoming a professional writer after starting out in a very different occupation, and her gravitation toward increasingly less lucrative industries. Then Ben, Meg, and ESPN’s Bill Barnwell talk to Minnesota Twins Director of Baseball Operations Daniel Adler about Adler’s […]
Ben Lindbergh and former co-host Sam Miller of ESPN discuss what (if anything) future generations will remember about the 2017 season, then answer listener emails about an Albert Pujols hypothetical, preserving and valuing front-office secrets, whether keeping Bryce Harper would be worth carrying his brother, planning the perfect baseball-fan retirement, and whether baseball fields are […]
In the first episode of 2018, Ben Lindbergh talks to Angels GM Billy Eppler about the Angels’ active offseason, touching on Eppler’s blueprint for building a team around Mike Trout, winning the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes and his plans for the potential two-way star, the Angels’ elite infield defense and Eppler’s run-prevention philosophy, signing and evaluating […]
In the last episode of 2017, Ben Lindbergh and guests Joe Sheehan and Rany Jazayerli analyze the Rockies’ Wade Davis signing and offseason attempt to build a super-bullpen, then reprise an old exercise by picking (and dissecting) the teams they think will win the World Series in the next five years and the teams they […]
Ben Lindbergh and Steven Goldman answer listener emails about the best and worst times to write about baseball (and the most and least rewarding ways to do it), Nolan Ryan’s Cy Young Award goose egg, Trevor Hoffman vs. Corey Kluber and Hall of Fame standards for relievers, Brandon Belt vs. Eric Hosmer, gaming the luxury-tax […]
With Jeff Sullivan on vacation, Ben Lindbergh brings on The Ringer’s Deputy Editor (and Binge Mode co-host) Mallory Rubin to talk about the Orioles’ bleak, in-between offseason and her wishes concerning Manny Machado. Then Ben talks to The Ringer’s Zach Kram and the Cincinnati Enquirer’s C. Trent Rosecrans about BBWAA Hall of Fame voting patterns, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the perplexing potential end to Manny Machado trade rumors, then bring on former major leaguer and current fun-fact star/national treasure Johnny O’Brien to discuss his life and career with the Pirates, Cardinals, and Braves in the 1950s, becoming a reluctant two-way player (and experiencing immediate, surprising success), his […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter (and bantler, again) about what they’ve learned about antlers and antler-rubbed bats, the Evan Longoria trade, Derek Jeter’s town-hall event with Marlins fans, and Jeff’s breakout-player pick for 2018 (and breakout player-picking philosophy). Then they debut a new Stat Blast theme song by Jessie Barbour, do a Stat Blast […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter (and bantler?) about more Marlins trade requests, the Yankees’ outlook for 2018, antler-rubbing bats vs. bone-rubbing bats, and a scout quote about Shohei Ohtani, then discuss the financial implications of the weekend’s big Braves-Dodgers trade, the effects of the luxury tax, and the latest Manny Machado trade rumors. Audio intro: […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Zack Cozart and Carlos Santana signings and the Matt Moore trade, then answer listener emails about when it makes sense to rebuild and how the second wild card has affected that calculus, Shohei Ohtani’s intel on other teams, the competitive futures of the Cubs, Yankees, and Dodgers, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Jeff’s Winter Meetings experience and then discuss everything that did and didn’t go down while the baseball world was in Orlando, including the Reds’ published pitch to Shohei Ohtani, Ohtani’s injury status, the Marcell Ozuna, Stephen Piscotty, and Ian Kinsler trades (and the leveled-up Angels), Manny Machado trade […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan discuss the Giancarlo Stanton trade’s impact on the Yankees, whether and why the Marlins are an embarrassment (and where they’ll go from here), the Orioles’ attitude toward international players, and the Hall of Fame admitting Alan Trammell and Jack Morris. Then they bring on listener Lazaro Rodriguez, a certified Marlins […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan discuss all the implications of the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani signing, including its impact on the franchise’s short- and long-term outlook, the Ohtani-Trout tag team, the Albert Pujols conundrum at DH, and where Ohtani’s trade value ranks. Then they assess the suffering of the finalists that lost out on Ohtani and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a baseball earthquake in Cleveland and the Miles Mikolas and Mike Minor signings, debunk myths about NPB pitchers and Pud Galvin, and answer listener emails about Shohei Ohtani and Chief Wahoo, Ohtani loopholes, Jerry Dipoto trading his way to Ohtani, the DH and Ohtani, free-agent players prioritizing factors […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the latest Giancarlo Stanton and Shohei Ohtani news, speculate about why some teams reportedly didn’t try to sign Ohtani, and discuss the Yankees’ surprising hiring of Aaron Boone. Then they bring on former (and future?) MLB pitcher and current Fukuoka Softbank Hawks closer Dennis Sarfate, the 36-year-old reigning […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Willians Astudillo, Shohei Ohtani’s true two-way prospects (look, there’s no other news), MLB’s extraordinarily slow November, and trampoline pitching, then talk to volcanologist Erik Klemetti about how baseball would weather volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and other fascinating but terrifying geologic events. Audio intro: Miniature Tigers, "Tell it to the Volcano" […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter, as always, about Shohei Ohtani and Giancarlo Stanton, as well as the slow start to the offseason and baseball takeaways from news about basketball and football. Then they look for players who performed better in team losses, talk about two twins, and answer listener emails about the most valuable […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a slow week in baseball and the likely effects of MLB’s impending pitch clock, then talk to former front-office executive (and former FanGraphs writer) Tony Blengino about how baseball brain trusts could and should be crafting their responses to the seven questions that Shohei Ohtani’s agent recently sent […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan profess their thanks for each other, answer listener emails about the 1890s Orioles’ field manipulations, the importance of Carlos Beltran to the 2017 Astros, and how free-agent auctions would work, then welcome researcher Peter Gorton and director Paul Irmiter to talk about little-known Negro Leagues legend and scouting pioneer John […]
After an abnormally busy baseball news day, Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Aaron Judge’s shoulder surgery, Joe Morgan’s letter about steroids and the Hall of Fame, the Shohei Ohtani posting agreement, and MLB’s severe sanctions against the Atlanta Braves, then welcome listener Mike Juntunen to help them answer emails from other listeners about […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a Shohei Otani “deadline” and Braves prospect Ronald Acuna, then bring on FanGraphs managing editor Dave Cameron to discuss a dispute about WAR and valuing players between Bill James and sabermetric stat sites, the evolution of awards (and Hall of Fame) voting, why Dave expects certain teams to […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Gabe Kapler’s prospects as Phillies manager, Aaron Judge’s hard hitting, various end-of-season awards results, MLB’s baseball-studying committee, and Shohei Ohtani’s value to AL and NL teams and the difficulty of gaming the CBA to sign him, then answer listener emails about an Ohtani sign-and-trade, homegrown value vs. free-agent […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about pitcher Luis Perdomo’s unusual triples total, Carlos Beltran’s retirement, and Giancarlo Stanton’s trade value, then answer listener emails about Aaron Judge’s similarities to Ryan Howard, an automatic nine-inning, five-run pitcher, the difficulty of evaluating pitch-calling, and bathroom breaks in baseball. Audio intro: Beastie Boys, "Triple Trouble" Audio outro: The Strokes, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Mookie Betts’ bowling exploits and Jeff’s AL Rookie of the Year ballot, then predict and review the results of Jerry Crasnick’s annual insiders survey, draft winter World Series odds movers, and do another draft of free agents’ estimated earnings. Audio intro: Jale, "Double Edge" Audio outro: Camera Obscura, "Double Feature" […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the latest Shohei Otani news, the contract requests of free agents J.D. Martinez and Jay Bruce, the Tigers’ MLB-worst World Series odds, and changes in catcher-framing stats, then review the results of Jeff’s survey on 2017 fan satisfaction. Audio intro: Colin Blunstone, "Pay Me Later" Audio outro: The Rolling Stones, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan mourn the loss of (and celebrate the greatness of) Roy Halladay, then answer listener emails about Halladay’s career, what Aaron Judge and the Astros teach us about strikeouts, whether better pitchers are also better at hitting, the players with the wildest fluctuations in WAR, Eric Hosmer’s stats-defying Gold Glove, the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Shohei Otani, the Players Association, and a trio of opt-ins, then discuss whether tanking is bad for baseball and which conclusions can and can’t be drawn from the rebuilds, roster constructions, and in-game tactics of this season’s successful playoff teams. Audio intro: Neuseiland, "When You Get Back from the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan discuss the end of the season and the challenging (if somewhat merciful) transition to offseason mode, the resolution of the World Series and an underwhelming Game 7, the best and worst World Series performers, the significance of the Astros’ victory, the difficulty of repeating as champion, the outlooks for the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the historic nature of the 2017 World Series and discuss World Series Game 6, including Josh Reddick’s record in clutch situations, David Roberts’ Rich Hill hook, a Justin Verlander decision, and the Astros’ and Dodgers’ different approaches to pitcher usage, then analyze Game 7’s pitching predicaments and the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the madness of World Series Game 5, including slick balls and home runs, Clayton Kershaw and Yuli Gurriel, and the many moments when the game appeared to be over but refused to end. Audio intro: Love, "Five String Serenade" Audio outro: The Jayhawks, "Five Cups of Coffee" iTunes Feed (Please rate […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the all-time leaders in WAR for two teams, what Yu Darvish has done differently with the Dodgers, and whether Carlos Correa or Corey Seager will have the more valuable career, then answer listener emails about home-field advantage in the playoffs, projecting (and learning from) Charlie Morton’s breakout, why […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the thrills, surprises, and unlikely heroes of World Series Game 2, the ongoing home-run barrage this October, and where the World Series stands, then discuss the Yankees’ decision not to bring back Joe Girardi and whether we’ve learned anything from this month’s managerial moves before returning one more […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Jeff’s weekend trip and discuss the end of the ALCS and the Astros’ crazy curveball reliance in ALCS Game 7, the Astros’ reluctance to use regular relievers, the Yankees’ outlook for 2018 and beyond, why this World Series isn’t easy to analyze, whether the Dodgers and Astros are […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the home run’s postseason supremacy, Clayton Kershaw’s performance in NLCS Game 5 and the Dodgers’ World Series outlook, the Cubs’ upcoming offseason and long-term future, and the significance of the Tigers’ Ron Gardenhire hiring. Audio intro: Pernice Brothers, "Subject Drop" Audio outro: Lurleen Lumpkin, "Bagged Me a Homer" iTunes Feed (Please […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Jake Arrieta’s effective wildness (and free agency), the Astros’ offensive struggles, and Yu Darvish’s bases-loaded walk, then answer listener emails about sequencing wins in the playoffs, a Dodgers fun fact, postseason managerial specialists, why hitters telegraph taking all the way, whether hitters can read fielders to tell which […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Ben’s wedding weekend, the outfield-wall padding at Minute Maid Park, the rapid repair of a behind-home-plate sign, and a very long pause between pitches, then discuss the first four games of the championship series, including Joe Maddon’s decision-making in Game 2, the Cubs’ moribund offense, the pivotal plays […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Yellowstone-explosion sensationalism and discuss the improbability of the Cubs’ 277-minute NLDS Game 5 victory over the Nationals, the game’s umpiring oddities and errors, the Nationals’ and Cubs’ reputations and legacies in the wake of the series, and what to do about instant replay and slides. Audio intro: Thom Yorke, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about John Farrell’s firing and the Nationals’ will-they-or-won’t-they pregame routine with Stephen Strasburg, then answer listener emails about the definition of “veteran,” projecting a team to win 116 games, looking up players’ stats, a pitcher getting both a blown save and a save in the same game, the career […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the inaccessibility of playoff stats and the average length of this year’s playoff games, then discuss whether we’re really witnessing a revolution in postseason pitcher usage before breaking down each of the division series, analyzing the latest controversial managerial decisions, and bidding farewell to two more eliminated teams. […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the larger improbability and significance of Archie Bradley’s triple in the NL wild-card game, how to experience a four-playoff-game day, the first games of both AL division series, Chris Sale’s and Masahiro Tanaka’s semi-struggles and the vexing nature of pitcher home-run allowance, the danger of using home/road splits […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter one last time about the Glory Hole Recreation Area, as well as fading feelings of fandom, the circumstances that led to Braves GM John Coppolella’s resignation, and poor press-conference questions. Then they discuss their takeaways from the wild-card games and thoughts on the division series matchups before answering playoff-themed […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about John Jaso’s possibly career-ending comments, the ends of the Dodgers’ and Tigers’ seasons and the teams that have never had a first-overall pick, the selling points of this postseason, the changing consensus about the best team in baseball, how to analyze the playoffs and manage playoff games, the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Ben’s chat with Bill James, a fan who got ejected for giving Gary Sanchez pitch locations, a suggestion for tweaking the wild card game, and Sammy Sosa, then discuss the teams whose organizational stocks have risen or fallen the most this season and wrap up with brief banter […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about how one’s incentives alter one’s perception of a season, then answer listener emails about FanGraphs’ World Series odds, the mid-1990s Braves pitching staffs, the annual suggestion that a team start a reliever in the wild card game, a comeback for Tony La Russa’s pitching platoon system, Andrew McCutchen’s […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan follow up on their Glory Hole Recreation Area discussion and banter about a Brandon Crawford bunt attempt, an Andrelton Simmons deke, Oakland catcher Bruce Maxwell’s decision to kneel during the National Anthem, whether the 2017 season has been bad, and how one would even decide such a thing. Audio intro: The […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Glory Hole Recreation Area, solve the mystery of Bill Doaks, discuss archaic baseball language and how today’s baseball writing will age, and touch on an odd double play and another byproduct of 2017’s record home-run rate, then weigh in on the expansion of netting in ballparks and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about another odd end to an American Association game, a recent javelin-baseball crossover, Nick Sinay, the first Tibetan-born player signed by an MLB team, and MLB’s new record single-season home-run total, then answer listener emails about Mike Trout’s defense, multiple aspects of BABIP, the most Alexa’d MLB players, the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Astros’ almost insulting infield alignment against Albert Pujols and minor league hit-by-pitch machine Nick Sinay, then welcome on MIT draftee/new Mariners front-office addition David Hesslink and, later in the episode, YouTube baseball-highlight creator Andrew Vargha, proprietor of the newly anointed official baseball YouTube account of Effectively Wild. […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter (one last time) about Cleveland’s winning streak, Lenny Harris and an Ichiro record, Jeff’s successful search for the fly-ball revolution, and the increasing difficulty of scouting position players, then draft the World Series contenders that would be the best (and worst) stories. Audio intro: Eagle, "Pinch Hitter" Audio outro: Everclear, "Now […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Indians (again), the AL Cy Young race, Jacoby Ellsbury’s new record, the 2018 MLB schedule (and the possibility of a pitch clock), and Shohei Otani’s impending availability. Then they answer listener emails about Mookie Betts, what constitutes the “heart of the order,” ERA hypotheticals, the hot corner, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan revisit their banter about ups and downs and Joe Mauer, then talk about (and talk about talking about) baseball’s long-lasting streaks, their takeaways from the Indians’ and Dodgers’ recent results, who’s actually on the White Sox, which playoff teams are likely to ride their bullpens hardest this October, the pitching […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the end of their Hurricane Harvey relief raffle, the Indians’ and Diamondbacks’ winning streaks (and the Dodgers’ losing streak), an ambitious Hector Sanchez framing attempt, the dominance of softball star Monica Abbott, Giants’ fans perceptions of Brandon Belt, and why the prevailing tone of analytical baseball writing seems […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Willson Contreras’ Twitter behavior and the Yankees-Red Sox sign-stealing scandal, then answer listener emails about “up the line” vs. “down the line,” how rebuilding works, whether teams can count on the current home-run rate continuing, Deion Sanders’ career taking place today, the heat of the hot corner, the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about their Hurricane Harvey relief raffle’s status, hot and cold teams, Trevor Bauer’s run-in with Avisail Garcia, and evolving pitch-selection in the major leagues, then talk to EW listener Max Schleicher about his fan-sentiment-based study on the best and worst big-league ballparks (and big-league-ballpark amenities). Audio intro: Mos Def, "Pretty […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the strong response to their raffle for Hurricane Harvey relief, the Justin Verlander trade, a new NCAA softball rule, and the Padres relative to the NL’s other worst teams, then bring on FanGraphs writer Eno Sarris and former Red Sox outfielder (and owner of one major league hit) […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about their raffle for Hurricane Harvey relief, the Justin Upton trade, walk-off hit by pitches, the brief baseball career of Olympic javelin thrower Jan Zelezny, Rich Hill and pitcher bunting, the Pirates placing Juan Nicasio on outright waivers, and infield dirt, then talk to musician and artist Will Johnson […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the AL wild card race, whether the Dodgers are doing anything wrong by using the 10-day DL liberally, then answer listener emails about packaging Pujols with Trout, Gio Gonzalez’s league-leading (but also not league-leading) WAR, the pitfalls of Statcast for pitchers, Steven Souza and home-run imbalance by handedness, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan discuss the hot start of Phillies rookie Rhys Hoskins, the recent improvement of Byron Buxton, the position-player-pitching of White Sox minor leaguer Grant Massey, the Marlins’ Stanton-driven surge to .500 (and beyond), the Tigers-Yankees brawl, picking on umpires, and Michael Conforto’s injury as the latest symptom of the sad state […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Rich Hill’s heartbreaking no-hit bid and the new and not-improved Carter Capps, follow up on Albert Pujols and player nicknames, and answer listener emails about what constitutes a “journeyman,” Ryan Braun and the Hall of Fame, Ryan Goins’ new type of small-sample success, what would happen if teams […]
Ben Lindbergh, Jeff Sullivan, and a special guest conduct a nighttime, roundtable discussion (around a rectangular table) in Jeff’s living room about the Effectively Wild eclipse event and Sam Miller’s listener-inspired ESPN article about the longest play in baseball history. Audio intro: The Rolling Stones, "Sing This All Together" Audio outro: Belle and Sebastian, "The Power of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Ben’s broken mic and common cold, an almost-record day for home-run hitting (and a juiced-ball update), Arthur “Doc” Irwin and the Irwin Glove, Joey Votto’s Hall of Fame case, the increasing difficulty of projecting players, the AL wild card race and the odds (and potential ramifications) of a […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about their upcoming eclipse event, Jered Weaver’s retirement, a Tommy Pham tweet, and two recent examples of unorthodox positioning, then follow up on player nicknames, odd fields, two-touch fielding, and Khris Davis’s arm and, finally, answer listener emails about the Indians’ record and run differential, the Giants’ disaster season, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about “Babe Ruth’s Legs,” then talk to researcher and statistician David Neft about how he rebuilt baseball’s historical record to create the Macmillan Baseball Encyclopedia, or “Big Mac,” which provided the most comprehensive and accurate account of the sport’s statistical past when it was published in 1969, and which […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan talk to 17-year-old Jack Dumoulin, the first American winner of the Microsoft Excel World Championship, about how baseball stats helped him get good at spreadsheets, his high-school baseball career, how he won the championship, and his dream of working for an MLB team. Then Ben and Jeff answer listener emails […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the new-look, less-stuff Carter Capps, then bring on MLB on FOX reporter and MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal to discuss how and when Rosenthal relaxes and takes vacations; how baseball news leaks; how the Dodgers’ deep front office works; how he knows when a source has ulterior motives; […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about live shows, bounced throws, the spread of “such is life,” stats displayed on baseball broadcasts, more strange fields, a Dan Haren rules question, and the best non-All-Star seasons, then answer more listener emails about the Angels and Albert Pujols, an odd Brian Dozier game, crooked numbers, Chris Tillman’s […]
At the Bell House in Brooklyn for a Pitch Talks event, Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan talk to former major leaguer Fernando Perez about Mike Trout’s birthday pranking, the return of Carter Capps, Perez’s injury history, his late conversion to switch-hitting, what makes a pitcher deceptive, the problems with player development and batting practice, the […]
In Effectively Wild’s second annual live recording at Saber Seminar, Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan talk to former major league pitcher (and current Red Sox pitching development analyst) Dave Bush about his new job in the Red Sox front office, how he’s using data to develop minor league pitchers, his experience coaching in China, and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Salina, skateboarding, and Albert Pujols, then break down all the big (and modest) trade-deadline deals and non-deals, paying particular attention to the Dodgers, the Yankees, and the competitive landscape with two months remaining in the regular season. Audio intro: XV, "Boy From Kansas" Audio outro: Fabolous (Feat. Jagged Edge), "Trade […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about humorless umpires and the on-deck circle, Michael Blazek and disaster starts, the MLB promotion of Aaron Bummer (and the nickname “Bummer” in baseball), the Brewers, Jaime Garcia and the Twins, the latest Mariners-Rays trade, Adrian Beltre’s book-worthy career, and David Price’s arm issues. Audio intro: Love, "Bummer in the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Shohei Otani, another strange stance, and Eduardo Nunez, then answer listener emails about players owning particular teams, a potential tagging-up loophole, the all-time record for grounding into double plays, the negative interpretation of the White Sox rebuild, trading for players who would have played one’s opponents, switch-hitters with […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a Royals-Padres trade, Khris Davis’s arm, Keon Broxton’s demotion, Clayton Kershaw’s injury ,and the Dodgers’ degree of need for a starter, then talk to Shingo Murata, baseball strategy group manager for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (the team with the best record in Nippon Professional Baseball), about how […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Mariners’ and Marlins’ David Phelps trade, Sam Dyson’s bounceback, an eight-strikeout game, the Salina Stockade, Matt Davidson and Jeff Mathis, the first post-All Star Game weeks of Mike Trout and the Cubs, and early trade-deadline activity, then examine the results of a FiveThirtyEight survey about the most- […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about why so many moves are being made in advance of the trade deadline, the Yankees-White Sox trade, the J.D. Martinez deal, and Yoan Moncada’s promotion, then follow up on previous topics including All-Star Game revisions, Matt Holliday’s odd slide, the Salina Stockade, strange batting stances, and unusual fields […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Mike Trout’s return, the Nats-A’s trade, a Matt Holliday play, and a Jon Heyman tweet, then bring on Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press to talk about a borderline unbelievable independent league game and an even more beautifully fake-sounding indy league franchise. Audio intro: Oasis, "Slide Away" Audio interstitial: […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Jose Quintana trade, an Aaron Judge anecdote, Dan Uggla’s disastrous 2008 All-Star Game appearance, and the significance of Ken Rosenthal being barred from writing by Fox, then discuss ways to spice up the All-Star Game with a skills competition that could actually work before closing with a […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the All-Star Game, then answer listener emails about more oddly configured fields, fouling balls straight back, non-standard batting stances, FanGraphs WAR vs. Baseball-Reference WAR, a career-earnings guessing game, All-Star Game accomplishments, knickers vs. pajama pants, stats vs. scouts, a Home Run Derby hypothetical, awarding home-run value based on […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Aaron Judge’s Home Run Derby performance, a subtle change in the way Rob Manfred talked about the baseball at the All-Star Game, and the Angels’ stats with and without Mike Trout. Then they make it two consecutive episodes of talking to a Glenn by bringing on UC Irvine […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan discuss the correct all-time leaderboard of non-qualified offensive seasons, Carlos Correa’s complaint about Roberto Osuna, and the state of the race between the Brewers and Cubs. Then they call former big leaguer Glenn Borgmann, who caught for the Twins and White Sox from 1972-1980, to ask about being behind the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Jeff’s altitude sickness, Matt Albers and Ryan Raburn, an odd-field update, the Rich Hill resurgence, the MLB Battlegrounds event in Hyde Park, Logan Morrison’s comments about Gary Sánchez, Jonathan Lucroy’s comments about framing, and more on the Reds’ pitching staff. Then they take a detour to talk to […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Jeff’s latest hiking expedition, then try to determine which teams had the most and least satisfying first halves. Lastly, they talk to Brian Lacusky, who reminisces about about his role in the construction of Coors Field. Audio intro: TUNS, "To Your Satisfaction" Audio interstitial: Frank Sinatra, "There Used to Be […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan do an all-banter episode about Takuya Nakashima, Dustin Fowler, the latest on home runs and the baseball, an Aaron Judge intentional walk, too many Tylers, the significance of baseball’s lowest-ever average Leverage Index, the Reds’ still-disastrous pitching staff, and more. Audio intro: Otis Redding, "Just One More Day" Audio outro: Elliott Smith, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about (and/or follow up on) Miguel Montero’s Cubs demise, philosophical Pirates quotes, Carter Capps, unusual ballpark constructions, jams and rallies, and target-based hitting competitions, then answer listener emails about extra-inning wins by wide margins, Jake Arrieta’s career vs. Brad Radke’s career, David Ortiz’s value, rampant base-stealing in single games, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about high fastballs and the Red Sox, Carter Capps, the Nationals bullpen, the Giants’ clubhouse chemistry with Mark Melancon (and without Ángel Pagán), then discuss the Dodgers’ enviable present and future and whether anything can end their NL West hegemony. After that, they close with some episode-ending banter about […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a non-revelatory tweet, cycles, Bryce Harper vs. Aaron Judge (and also vs. expectations), Jarrod Dyson’s homers and bunts, and Ben Davis’ 2001 bunt against Curt Schilling, then respond to Tom Verducci’s articles about baseball trends and explain why they aren’t worried about rising strikeout or home-run rates. Audio intro: […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan have an only slightly outdated discussion of Freddie Freeman’s potential position change and a Coors Field scoreboard message, then answer listener emails about a ground-rule-double derby, an amateur GM taking over a team, where pitcher mechanics come from, what writers root for, how to tell when a new metric makes […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the results of Jeff’s survey about what constitutes a “jam,” Justin Verlander’s comments about the height of baseball seams, and a Mike Chernoff quote about working in baseball, then talk to writer Joe Lemire about his glossary of scouting terminology, the evolution of scouting, and the unbreakable link […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Diamondbacks’ baserunning, Rich Hill’s struggles, regrets about writing, reading the comments, and the prospect of an automated strike zone. Audio intro: Super Furry Animals, "Some Things Come From Nothing" Audio outro: Guided By Voices, "Gold Star for Robot Boy" Link to Ben’s Diamondbacks piece Link to Jeff’s Rich Hill […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about position players pitching, another non-catcher catching, a Zack Cozart quote, and Ben’s latest home-runs research, then answer listener emails about Hunter Pence, better ways to make boundary calls, the number of plays at the plate, managerial aging curves, playing all nine positions in a game, the worst times […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Aaron Judge’s latest home runs, Terrance Gore’s first home run, the Angels without Mike Trout, and a Mets precedent for the odd Neifi Perez appearance discussed on the previous episode, then talk to listener Ryan Nelson about his research into which teams have had the most and least […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about an odd Neifi Perez appearance, John McCain’s Diamondbacks mention, EW’s August eclipse event, and a questionable fun fact, then talk to Janell Wheaton, a left-handed catcher for the Florida Gators Women’s College World Series team, about why baseball is biased against left-handed catchers (and why it shouldn’t be). […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Scooter Gennett and Cubs infield positioning, follow up on a Nelson Cruz question, and answer listener emails about defining “homegrown,” home-run league leaders, Liam Hendriks’ charity pledge, an official-scoring decision, the 40/40 club, the Cubs’ reputation, tracking warm-up pitches, the error-prone A’s, how to allocate extra runs, resting […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about another brawl involving a baseball, the still-sky-high home-run rate, and Jon Lester’s successful pickoff, then revisit their preseason playoff-team picks to decide which ones they would change. Audio intro: Sloan, "If I Could Change Your Mind" Audio outro: Elf Power, "Halloween Out Walking" Link to paperback edition of The Only […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about teams and players of particular interest (including the Astros, Marwin Gonzalez, and Aaron Hicks), Scott Boras vs. Theo Epstein, the brawl battle between Eduardo Jimenez and Jesse Stallings, bat-boy uniforms, Corey Dickerson’s real name, pitcher hitting and Walter Johnson’s unsung skill, many a mascot, and more. Audio intro: Pete […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about mountain-climbing, Charlie Blackmon’s RBI barrage, starter-switching, the Reds’ still-lousy pitching, a bat-boning shoutout, and Ryan Raburn, then answer emails about Nolan Arenado, Ervin Santana, and Zack Cozart, Nelson Cruz clones, career longevity, gushing broadcasters, Albert Pujols and home runs, Cody Bellinger’s hot hitting, a Padres promotion, and more. […]
Ben Lindbergh and a Jeff Sullivan substitute banter about Clayton Kershaw, then discuss all of the fallout from Mike Trout’s surgery and Bryce Harper’s brawl. Audio intro: The Muppets Take Manhattan soundtrack, "Together Again" Audio outro: Paul McCartney, "Seems Like Old Times" Link to paperback edition of The Only Rule Is It Has to Work iTunes Feed (Please […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Pokémon as a baseball show, Mike Montgomery’s workload, whether the Yankees are preparing to turn heel again, and the AL’s early interleague dominance, then discuss whether baseball fans are better off with or without an awareness of projections and playoff odds. Audio intro: Steely Dan, "Gaslighting Abbie" Audio outro: Harry […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan answer listener emails about performance in interleague games, how rising strikeout rates affect defense, the “foul pole” vs. the “fair pole,” the worst best player on a major league team, Terry Collins’ injury gag order, the best control pitcher of our era, “doubles up the middle,” strikeout terminology, the worst […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the White Sox signing Luis Robert, the Twins’ turnaround, and small-sample successes such as Anthony Swarzak and Chad Pinder, then discuss Jonathan Lucroy’s perplexing defensive decline and the state of catcher framing in 2017. Audio intro: Of Montreal, "Rose Robert" Audio outro: Brian Eno & John Cale, "Empty Frame" Link […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan follow up on a few topics from their previous episode, including allowing first career hits, defining jams and, naturally, bat-boning, then banter about the Mets and Kenley Jansen and discuss why we’re seeing fewer fastballs and Clayton Kershaw vs. Chris Sale. Audio intro: Robyn Hitchcock, "The Bones in the Ground" Audio outro: […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a mid-start adjustment by Clayton Kershaw and answer listener emails about what constitutes a “jam,” pitchers who’ve allowed the most first career hits, how to analyze player problems and improvements, team abbreviations, hitters who homer and bunt, left-handed infielders, whether bats could be causing the home-run surge, and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Bryce Harper, Mike Trout, Jason Vargas, and the evolution of Matt Albers’ save celebration, then talk to writer Sky Kalkman about his new bullpen stat, Win Probability Added Over Replacement, the problems with Win Probability Added as a tool for reliever evaluation, and the “right” way to evaluate […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan follow up on two topics from the previous episode, announce an upcoming live event, banter about seven winning teams that weren’t supposed to win and Oakland’s monthly ballpark pass, and then discuss whether they’re pro- or anti-ties in baseball.. Audio intro: Beastie Boys, "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" Audio outro: Elvis Presley, "I […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Jeff’s day off and Ron Fowler’s comments about Jered Weaver, then answer listener emails about baseball’s arbitrary rules, David Ross’s unexpected cultural cachet, the definition of a “slugfest,” Manny Machado’s relationship with the Red Sox, the softening of the tone of sabermetric writing over the past two decades, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan talk to 18-year-old Effectively Wild listener/pitcher Connor Watrous about his heroic accomplishment of keeping score at an 18-inning Cubs-Yankees game, banter about a besieged closer and a Matt Albers milestone, and discuss the implications of a new development in the high-home-run-rate mystery. Audio intro: Alice Cooper, "I’m Eighteen" Audio interstitial: Sloan, "A […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Jeff’s preseason predictions, voiding contracts, and Matt Albers’ most recent close calls with his first career save, then discuss the contact-rate improvements of Aaron Judge and Joey Gallo, with an emphasis on Judge’s performance so far and potential for superstardom. Audio intro: Tom Verlaine, "Cry Mercy, Judge" Audio outro: Robyn […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about infield-alignment terminology and walking Bryce Harper, then answer listener emails about proper pitch usage, winning minor league championships, the minimum acceptable velocity given perfect command, improving equipment, taking batting practice seriously, Eric Thames vs. Ivan Nova, making positions be dictated by batting order, the Royals’ awful offensive month, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Boog Powell’s debut, Ryan Webb’s and Matt Albers’ ongoing pursuit of history, and the ethics of baseball injuries, then discuss some early-season evidence that the save stat’s grasp on manager’s minds is starting to slip. Audio intro: Sharon Van Etten, "Save Yourself" Audio outro: Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, "Save […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Jeff Manship, Chris Devenski, the biggest playoff-odds changers, Mets injuries, and Joey Votto’s comments on swing changes, then discuss which players, if any, can challenge Mike Trout for the title of best player in baseball, try to assemble a FrankenTrout, and conduct a brief Bryce Harper debate. Audio intro: […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Chris Coghlan’s slide and the Pirates’ new international players, then answer listener emails about Korean baseball, fixing slides, the impressive JC Ramirez, baseball and humility, Space Jam and Hey Arnold!-inspired scenarios, Clayton Kershaw’s undoing, Billy Hamilton’s speed vs. on-base ability, a mysterious Seager, a pitching-change clock, Eric Thames-esque […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan talk to Grant Brisbee of SB Nation about acceptable ballpark behavior, Madison Bumgarner, the Giants, and baseball’s latest tests of unwritten (and written) rules involving beanball wars between the Tigers and Twins and the Orioles and Red Sox. Audio intro: The Bees, "Chicken Payback" Audio outro: The Spinners, "They Just Can’t Stop […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Ichiro’s home run in his return to Seattle, the feasibility of intentionally allowing dingers, a John Jaso quote, and manager bobbleheads, then discuss the present and future use, abuse, and presentation of Statcast data. Audio intro: Prince, "Get Yo Groove On" Audio outro: The Jam, "Away from the Numbers" iTunes […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Jason Benetti, Andrew Triggs, Addison Reed and Odubel Herrera, C.B. Bucknor’s bad day, and Starling Marte’s suspension, then answer listener emails about the nature of fandom, dominance against a division rival, a billion-dollar payroll, Eric Thames’s hot start, transplanting an NPB team, catching up to favorite players from […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the significance of some teams’ slow starts to the season, the slowest batter in baseball, and a curious coincidence on another show. Then they have a mini baseball econ class with FanGraphs managing editor Dave Cameron, who discusses the non-news about Carlos Correa’s contract, the surprisingly static price […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Mike Trout topping the WAR leaderboard, Stephen Wright’s vulnerability to the elements, and baseball-player social media behavior, then talk about the increase in game times in 2017, the factors slowing pace of play, and the coming of the pitch clock. Audio intro: The New Pornographers, "Clockwise" Audio outro: Jefferson Airplane, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan drop the no-Reds rule to banter about Michael Lorenzen and Joey Votto, then answer listener emails about a player who’s always in the rain, stats on baseball broadcasts, a curious scoreboard fun fact, the wave, early closer meltdowns, two framing hypotheticals, how many Kemps equals a Kiermaier, an extended draft […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Mets’ starting rotation, a Keon Broxton sighting, and the five WAR leaders vs. the five WAR trailers, then talk to Rob Neyer about his oral history of Michael Jordan’s baseball career, how good Jordan was and could have been, the ways in which the Jordan experiment is […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Keon Broxton and batting helmets, statistical soothsaying, and the two-way-player attempts of Michael Lorenzen and Christian Bethancourt, then discuss the early results of several preseason players and teams of interest. Audio intro: Son Volt, "Too Early" Audio outro: Parliament, "I Misjudged You" iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!) Sponsor Us on Patreon […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Jake Arrieta’s velocity loss, the league’s artificial velocity gain, and whether the Astros won the winter, then answer listener emails about topspin and the turf, the Mariners’ and Blue Jays’ 40th anniversaries/seasons, disagreeing with projections, intentional-walk predictions, Madison Bumgarner’s batting, the negative value of player mistakes, single-game double-play […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the difficulty of keeping perspective on Opening Day events, the lone disagreement between their preseason predictions, and a common reader misconception about prediction “groupthink.” Then they talk to Astros Double-A catching prospect and trampoline survivor Garrett Stubbs about his childhood trampoline injury and still-crooked finger, his dramatically different […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the end of the offseason, a Canada-only Clayton Kershaw, and Drew Smyly’s health status, then discuss whether the advancement of technology and the latest sabermetric insights still favor defense over offense, or whether hitters have started to even the score. Audio intro: The Mountain Goats, "Balance" Audio outro: Pete Townshend […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a Carter Capps mimic, several recently released Effectively Wild favorites, a baseball use for trampolines, and Derek Jeter’s prolific publishing career, then answer listener emails about a different kind of fantasy league, a player who can see slightly into the future, speed vs. velocity, a home-run/strikeout pitcher, spring […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a Robbie Ray ejection, Tom Hamilton’s Brody Chernoff interview, a quote about Mike Trout, a Takuya Nakashima shift, and a Terry Francona comment about Ryan Raburn, then preview the Pirates’ 2017 season with Travis Sawchik of FanGraphs and the Yankees’ 2017 season with Jared Diamond of the Wall […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Jered Weaver, David DeJesus, and Dan Duquette’s comments about Jose Bautista, then preview the Tigers’ 2017 season with Jason Beck of MLB.com and the Rays’ 2017 season with David Roth of Vice Sports. Audio intro: Lou Reed, "Average Guy" Audio interstitial: ABBA, "Tiger" Audio interstitial 2: Dillard & Clark, "In the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan share responses submitted to a smattering of recent topics and banter about whether old scouting reports have value to teams, then answer listener emails about MVP-vote streaks, Brady Anderson and ex-player executives, predicting pitches perfectly, middle-infield offense, Aroldis Chapman copying Carter Capps, non-traditional starting rotations, and more. Audio intro: Ike & […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about anticipatory player celebrations, then preview the Rangers’ 2017 season with Levi Weaver of WFAA and the Marlins’ 2017 season with Tim Healey of the Sun Sentinel. Audio intro: Kanye West, "Celebration" Audio interstitial: Neil Young, "Texas Rangers" Audio interstitial 2: Laura Marling, "Always This Way" Audio outro: Wilco, "Glad it’s Over" iTunes […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a beautiful Javier Baez tag, then preview the Mets’ 2017 season with Ted Berg of For The Win and the Orioles’ 2017 season with Jake Mintz of Cespedes Family BBQ. Audio intro: Jay Z, "Poppin’ Tags" Audio interstitial: Laura Stevenson and The Cans, "The Healthy One" Audio interstitial 2: Stephen Malkmus […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about WBC tiebreakers and the efficacy of the infield shift, then answer listener emails about a Mike Trout body snatcher, dropped third strikes, bricks behind home plate, premature rebuilds, your WAR compared to Tim Tebow’s, new Statcast stats, and more. Audio intro: Lenny Randle & Ballplayers, "I’m a Ballplayer" Audio outro: […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about an Ian Desmond quote and a curious Dick Williams managerial motivational tactic, then preview the Mariners’ 2017 season with Meg Rowley of Baseball Prospectus and the Rockies’ 2017 season with Jen Mac Ramos of the Sonoma Stompers. Audio intro: Eliza Doolittle, "Team Player" Audio interstitial: Wings, "Soily" Audio interstitial 2: Teenage […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan preview the Blue Jays’ 2017 season with Joshua Howsam of BP Toronto and the Athletics’ 2017 season with Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Audio intro: Rod Stewart, "Sonny" Audio interstitial: First Aid Kit, "Blue" Audio interstitial 2: Destroyer, "From Oakland to Warsaw" Audio outro: Billy Joel, "Weekend Song" Link to Bill Hands […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan answer listener emails about one-pitch innings, trampoline stats, winning in spring training, David Price and pitcher pace, a baseball scene in Chicago Justice, automatic homer hitting, putting hitters away with two strikes, underrated first basemen, banning player mannerisms, signing with an anonymous team, intentionally walking Mike Trout, and a Clayton […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Carter Capps, Noah Syndergaard, and salary distributions, then preview the Angels’ 2017 season with Pedro Moura of The LA Times and the Diamondbacks’ 2017 season with Nick Piecoro of AZCentral Sports. Audio intro: The Super Friendz, "Give the Sign" Audio interstitial: Teenage Fanclub, "It’s a Sign" Audio interstitial 2: The Milk […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a bad highlight, then preview the Cardinals’ 2017 season with Will Leitch of Sports on Earth and the Royals’ 2017 season with Rany Jazayerli of The Ringer. Audio intro: Genesis, "Get ‘Em Out by Friday" Audio interstitial: The Jackson 5, "Never Can Say Goodbye" Audio interstitial 2: Great Lake Swimmers, "Everything […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about nets, nicknames, and scouting directors’ comments about international prospect Luis Robert, then answer listener emails about robbing from the Cubs, a division composed of only the worst teams, pitch counts and automatic intentional walks, pitchers pitching to pitchers, trying to win in spring training, Mike Trout batting eighth, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan follow up on an Andrew Miller discussion and banter about Cubs backlash, then preview the Giants’ 2017 season with Grant Brisbee of SB Nation and the Braves’ 2017 season with Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Audio intro: Richard Thompson, "Backlash Love Affair" Audio interstitial: Banks & Steelz, "Giant" Audio interstitial 2: Laura […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about an Andrew Miller image and the top-heavy projected standings, then preview the Nationals’ 2017 season with Chelsea Janes of the The Washington Post and the Twins’ 2017 season with Aaron Gleeman of Baseball Prospectus. Audio intro: Blondie, "Picture This" Audio interstitial: The Apples in Stereo, "Stephen, Stephen" Audio interstitial 2: Bon […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a Steven Matz tweet, the Reds and Ryan Raburn, and the automatic intentional walk, then answer listener emails about misleading headshots, pitchers who rely on one pitch, the decline of player nicknames, the Yankees’ refusal to lose, Josh Reddick’s lack of clutchness, making Mike Trout run backward, and […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Yoan Moncada’s kid and Randy Levine’s comments about Dellin Betances, then preview the Houston Astros’ 2017 season with writer Zachary Levine and the Philadelphia Phillies’ 2017 season with Michael Baumann of The Ringer. Audio intro: Built to Spill, "Randy Described Eternity" Audio interstitial: The White Stripes, "Astro" Audio interstitial 2: Yoneda, […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Adam Lind, Matt Albers, bunting to beat the shift, Mike Fiers, and Brandon Guyer, then preview the Cleveland Indians’ 2017 season with writer/editor Pete Beatty and the Chicago White Sox’ 2017 season with Cat Garcia of Baseball Prospectus. Audio intro: Lily & Madeleine, "Midwest Kid" Audio interstitial: Destroyer, "Goddess of […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Carter Capps’s comeback, Brian Flynn’s barn accident, the Reds’ weights and nicknames, and C.J. Wilson’s retirement town, then answer listener emails about preventing Tommy John surgeries, a Randy Johnson alternate history, Statcast in non-MLB ballparks, a baserunner’s secret skill, whether defense slumps, a Kyle Hendricks hipster, and an […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan preview the Red Sox’ 2017 season with Alex Speier of the The Boston Globe and the Reds’ 2017 season with Zach Buchanan of the The Cincinnati Enquirer. Audio intro: The Jayhawks, "Red’s Song" Audio interstitial: Neko Case, "Red Tide" Audio outro: Neil Young, "Red Sun" Link to Alex’s article about Boston’s pitching-optimization plan […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Matt Wieters and debunk Scott Boras, then preview the Cubs’ 2017 season with Sahadev Sharma of the The Athletic Chicago and the Brewers’ 2017 season with Jack Moore of the The Hardball Times. Audio intro: Courtney Barnett, "Scotty Says" Audio interstitial: Grateful Dead, "Built to Last" Audio interstitial 2: Maritime, "Milwaukee" […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the anticlimactic approach of spring training and answer listener emails about baseball reductionism, investing in Little League, the Cardinals’ effect on the Cubs, transplanting Trout and Kershaw, and wearing out starters, with a statistical detour to talk about history’s most volatile hitters. Audio intro: Thrush Hermit, "We Are Being […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan introduce the fifth annual Effectively Wild season-preview series and banter about the short life expectancy of front-office secrets. Then they preview the Dodgers’ 2017 season with Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times, and the Padres’ 2017 season with Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Audio intro: Spoon, "Take the […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan fixate on their new baseball obsession, NPB shortstop (and offensive outlier) Takuya Nakashima. Then they discuss prospect terminology and the nebulous significance of the “ceiling.” Audio intro: Destroyer, "Strike" Audio outro: Wilco, "Taste the Ceiling" Link to Ben’s Nakashima article iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!) Sponsor Us on Patreon Get Our Merch! Facebook Group […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about how and why the Astros and Royals seem to have exchanged strategies and revisit champagne in the clubhouse and trampolines, then answer listener emails about what to hack if you were hacking, Statcast and baserunning, catcher framing, and Mike Trout. Audio intro: Death Cab for Cutie, "Champagne from a […]
Ben Lindbergh, Jeff Sullivan, and Sports on Earth Senior Writer Will Leitch banter about the accuracy of a Jarrod Dyson declaration and the fairness of the penalty levied against St. Louis in the Cardinals-Astros hacking scandal. Audio intro: White Rabbits, "They Done Wrong / We Done Wrong" Audio outro: The Ramones, "Punishment Fits the Crime" iTunes Feed (Please […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about baseball’s trampoline problem and the future of Andrelton Simmons, then discuss and critique the crowdsourced organizational rankings produced by FanGraphs readers. Audio intro: Camera Obscura, "I Don’t Do Crowds" Audio outro: Smith Westerns, "Weekend" Link to crowdsourced organizational rankings iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!) Sponsor Us on Patreon Get Our Merch! Facebook […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan discuss their EclipseFest sellout and answer listener emails about Jae-gyun Hwang, Daniel Murphy, and power/contact reinventions; the most informative stats; the best way to split up seasons; drastic defensive changes; career cycles for pitchers; protecting the inside of the plate, and more. Audio intro: The Rolling Stones, "All Sold Out" Audio outro: […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan discuss the brisk sales of tickets to their August “EclipseFest” outing and the strange saga of former major league reliever Jeff Manship. Then, on a much more somber note, they remember the late Yordano Ventura and Andy Marte and talk to Vice Sports editor-in-chief Jorge Arangure about the dangers many […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan begin by bantering about tentative plans for an Effectively Wild event this summer. Then, prompted by Baltimore’s Mark Trumbo signing, they pit the perplexing Orioles against every other organization in a series of head-to-head matchups. Audio intro: The Band, "Volcano" Audio outro: Beck, "Volcano" iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!) Sponsor Us on Patreon […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan analyze the Hall of Fame voting results and extend their unlikely Lenny Harris discussion streak, then answer listener emails about restructuring the BBWAA ballot, restructuring Mike Trout, unbreakable records, eclipses, parity, and more. Audio intro: The Minus 5, "The Long Hall" Audio outro: Pink Floyd, "Eclipse" iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!) […]
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about Lenny Harris and Jerry Dipoto, then celebrate the end of a long baseball news drought by discussing a few recent and imminent transactions, including the Jose Bautista signing and the Danny Duffy and Wil Myers extensions. Audio intro: Josh Ritter, "Harrisburg" Audio outro: Supergrass, "Lenny" iTunes Feed (Please rate and review […]
We’d like to welcome Effectively Wild to its new home on FanGraphs! Effectively Wild will continue to be hosted by The Ringer’s Ben Lindbergh, who is joined by his new co-host Jeff Sullivan. Fans of our existing podcasts need not worry, as Effectively Wild is an addition to our existing podcast offerings, all of which […]
Ben talks to former major league pitcher (and newly hired Diamondbacks Pitching Strategist) Dan Haren about his new job, how players handle the media, his struggles and success against Hall of Fame-caliber hitters, his own hitting skills, PEDs, trades and free agency, baseball’s salary structure, and more.
Ben talks to Joe Sheehan and Rany Jazayerli about unsigned free agents, baseball economics, trends to watch in 2017, and the perplexing Royals.
Ben and Slate’s Mike Pesca banter about incentive clauses, happiness, analogies, injuries, and the Mets, then discuss sabermetric thinking about non-baseball subjects, optimism, podcasting, and preparation.
Ben, Carson Cistulli, and Eric Longenhagen scrutinize an unearthed video of Mike Trout taking batting practice in high school from both sides of the plate. Then Ben and Carson discuss podcasting, umpiring, Jeff Sullivan and more.
Ben and SB Nation’s Grant Brisbee banter about baseball ads, then talk about last season’s forgettable baseball stories, Grant’s favorite writing of 2016, covering the playoffs in person, and Barry Bonds and the BBWAA.
In Sam’s last show as co-host, he and Ben talk to Astros pro scouting director Kevin Goldstein. Then, Ben talks to incoming co-host Jeff Sullivan before Jeff leaves on a fantastically timed vacation.
In their penultimate show as co-hosts, Ben and Sam answer listener emails about baseball amnesia, iconic photos, Mike Trout hitting lefty, designing ballparks, and more before reminiscing about how they almost didn’t do email episodes.
Ben and Sam announce Sam’s upcoming departure from the podcast and Effectively Wild’s future at FanGraphs with Ben and Jeff Sullivan, and then discuss several big questions about baseball’s next 50 years.
Ben and Sam discuss the seemingly aimless Oakland Athletics and bring on two unwitting contestants (Eric Roseberry and Steve Givarz) to play the first Effectively Wild game show, “Name that Oakland A’s Position Player.”
Ben, Sam, Grant Brisbee, and Jeff Sullivan produce a sequel to Episode 500 by drafting 12 more things about baseball.
Ben and Sam banter about Ivan Nova, early Hall of Fame voting, and a potential fat player, then answer listener emails about Mark Melancon and strikeouts, splitting the Rookie of the Year award, a renegade league, two-way players, CBA loopholes, changing the schedule, and the best possible highlights.
For the fourth consecutive year, Ben and Sam draft the 20 minor league free agents they hope will earn the most major league playing time next season.
Ben and Sam banter about good deeds by two podcast listeners, then discuss several topics inspired by a selection of baseball writers’ self-selected favorite stories from 2016, including pitcher abuse, fans running on the field, and the home run spike.
Ben and Sam talk to The Ringer’s Michael Baumann about his ranking of the 25 most underpaid players and how front-office salaries limit diversity.
Ben and Sam banter about Josh Harrison and old-timey pitch names, then answer listener emails about sabermetrics and fandom, baseball and birthdates, players’ phone numbers, managing bullpens, and more.
Ben and Sam talk to BP’s Meg Rowley about the downs and (mostly) ups of the recently finished first season of Fox drama Pitch (includes some spoilers).
Ben and Sam read a passage from The New Bill James New Historical Abstract and discuss whether contemporary observations of baseball players still have something to add to today’s closer-to-comprehensive statistical record.
Ben and Sam banter about Veeck As in Wreck and front offices hiring stat-savvy former players, then answer listener emails about the real Mike Trout, likeable teams, unwatchable players, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Veeck As in Wreck, Willie Mays, and the term “hot stove league,” then discuss some of the Winter Meetings’ major moves, including big closer contracts and the Chris Sale and Adam Eaton trades.
Ben and Sam banter about pitch limits, an MLB.com headline, and news about Rich Hill and Shohei Otani, then discuss the implications of several of the new CBA’s most noteworthy changes.
Ben and Sam banter about the possibly unprecedented complete lack of luddite teams, then discuss the Royals as sellers, the reliever market, and Braves trade rumors.
Ben, Sam, and BP’s Russell Carleton banter about Nolan Ryan as a reliever, the possibility of a strike in 2021, and how teams should use the money the new CBA prevents them from spending.
Ben and Sam banter about an endless lockout and an A.J. Ellis rumor, then answer listener emails about odd MVP votes in Japan, peak Pedro vs. peak Koufax, what they would bid for Charley Kershaw’s baseball career, and mo
Ben and Sam banter about a scene from Major League, an Adam Jones tweet, and the return of Nora Morse, then talk to BP’s Jeff Paternostro about the Yankees’ farm system, the Mets’ Yoenis Cespedes signing, and the future of international free agency.
Ben and Sam banter about a baseball TV trope and a Roger Angell passage, then discuss how they would have asked and answered interview questions for the Twins and Diamondbacks GM jobs and what they thought of the Mariners’ and Diamondbacks’ Jean Segura-Taijuan Walker trade and the Twins’ Jason Castro signing.
Ben, Sam, and Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times draft a few of their favorite baseball books.
Ben and Sam banter about Kyle Gaedele, then share their thoughts on Mike Trout’s second MVP Award and what it does and doesn’t say about both Trout and the BBWAA.
Ben and Sam banter about four pitchers with a broken bone, then answer listener emails about Ichiro, Bryce Harper, catchers, throwing games, whether players are making the most of their skills, and more.
Ben and Sam reprise their “multiple Andrew Millers” conversation for the final time, banter about the AL Rookie of the Year Award and the NL Platinum Glove Award, and spotlight some of 2016’s most eye-catching indy league stat lines.
Ben and Sam revisit their conversations about Cubs-parade attendance and multiple Andrew Millers, banter about Eddie Gaedel, and discuss which teams will see their World Series odds improve or decline by the most before Opening Day.
Ben and Sam review listener responses to their skepticism about Cubs-celebration attendance figures, then answer emails about the offseason outlook, changes in closer usage, Times on Base, Edwin Jackson, identical Andrew Millers, Mike Trout and more.
Ben and Sam review the results from Jerry Crasnick’s 2015 MLB executive survey and discuss the latest installment in his long-running survey series.
Ben and Sam banter about the attendance at the Cubs’ World Series celebration, then discuss several things we may (or may not) have seen for the last time during the 2016 season.
Ben and Sam reflect on what they learned from Game Seven of the World Series and the Chicago Cubs’ first championship since 1908.
Ben and Sam banter about Aroldis Chapman and answer emails about title droughts, the Cubs and consecutive pennants, scoreless streaks, World Series strategy, the recent rarity of Game Sevens, playoff ads, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Manny Mota Grip Stick and Smash Mouth’s latest Twitter feud, then discuss the Cubs’ use of Aroldis Chapman in Game 5 and some strategic considerations for the rest of the series.
Ben and Sam banter about mean-spirited nicknames, then answer emails about Kyle Schwarber’s bat, Jon Lester’s long con, the neglected White Sox drought, the Nationals’ 2016 “success,” overcoming bad broadcasters, paying to play in the World Series, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about the two Indians teams and perceptions of postseason Kershaw, then discuss whether the eight eliminated postseason teams had successful seasons.
Ben and Sam banter about the origin of the pitcher’s mound, the impact of seeing a starter multiple times in the same series, and the Dodgers’ perplexing approach against Jon Lester, who continues to flourish without ever throwing to first.
Ben and Sam banter about Ben’s engagement, then answer listener emails about Andrew Miller, playoff tactics during the regular season, renaming the playoff rounds, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Zach Britton and Shohei Otani, then discuss Dave Roberts, bullpen management, and the NLCS.
Ben and Sam banter about Kidz Bop, answer emails about facing MLB pitching, a time-traveling manager, and communicating with catchers, and then cold-call the star of the Play Index segment.
Ben and Sam banter about the Madison Bumgarner-Noah Syndergaard wild-card duel, their favorite types of playoff games, and their favorite playoff rounds, then discuss whether the Dodgers are more dangerous than the Cubs and how to weight postseason performance in Cooperstown candidacies.
Ben and Sam banter about an aged usher, Buck Showalter’s decision not to use Zach Britton in the AL wild-card game, and Barry Bonds, then answer listener emails and talk to Saber Seminar raffle winners Armaan and Ishaan about the Red Sox and whether baseball bores kids.
Ben and Sam conduct multiple Mike Trout drafts and discuss DJ LeMahieu’s batting title, the AL Cy Young race, Vin Scully’s sign-off, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about a wild night in baseball, the morality of forfeits, and the triples record, then discuss Theo Epstein’s record-setting extension.
Ben and Sam banter about Rich Hill, Clayton Kershaw, and Shohei Otani, then answer listener emails about Mike Trout, playoff formats, inflated homer totals, their introductions to baseball, and more.
Ben and Sam talk about whether adding the late Jose Fernandez to the Hall of Fame ballot would be a fitting way to honor his superlative but tragically brief career.
Ben and Sam talk to Mike Fisher, the baseball coordinator of Moneyball and the new Fox series Pitch, about how he makes baseball look realistic on screen (and what he might have missed).
Ben and Sam banter about the Giants’ bullpen problems and Bryce Harper’s shoulder, then answer listener emails about Terrance Gore, Gary Sanchez, calling time, playoff formats, one-pitch baseball, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Padres GM A.J. Preller’s suspension, then discuss whether each of 2016’s non-playoff teams should consider its season a success or a failure.
Ben and Sam talk to former Sonoma Stompers pitchers Santos Saldivar and Dylan Stoops about their progress as players, meager earnings, and clubhouse experiences during their rookie seasons in affiliated ball with the Brewers and Padres, respectively.
Ben and Sam banter about Shohei Otani and answer listener emails about Rich Hill, tanking in the season’s last series, interleague play, Jose Bautista’s ballpark ownage, and more.
Ben, Sam, and Los Angeles Times Dodgers beat writer Andy McCullough discuss Dave Roberts’ decision to remove Rich Hill after seven perfect innings on Saturday.
Ben, Sam, and Sonoma Stompers GM Theo Fightmaster answer listener emails about the Stompers’ past two seasons and Ben/Sam’s book, The Only Rule Is It Has to Work.
Ben and Sam banter about Yasiel Puig’s clubhouse qualities, Giancarlo Stanton’s comeback, and Anthony Rizzo vs. Wily Peralta, then answer listener emails about Kershaw and Trout, the Hall of Fame, roster sizes, young cores and more.
Ben and Sam banter about MLB’s copycat comedians, then discuss players whose big contracts seem much more movable (or unmovable) after perception-altering 2016 seasons.
Ben and Sam talk to BP’s Rob Mains about what Billy Hamilton’s career might have looked like in an earlier era, and whether baseball teams’ increasing efficiency has made the sport better or worse as a spectator experience.
Ben and Sam banter about Shohei Otani, then answer listener emails about running the Rockies (with a twist), a Kershaw dilemma, a time-traveling Ubaldo Jimenez, umpire park effects, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about an In-N-Out Burger baseball promotion gone wrong and the MLB.TV Game Changer, then decide which win-value stat they side with when the available options don’t tell the same stories about certain stars.
Ben, Sam, and BP’s Jonathan Judge discuss the Dodgers’ puzzling decision to trade A.J. Ellis for Carlos Ruiz, breaking down the beloved backstops’ hard-to-see skills and then considering the clubhouse implications.
Ben and Sam banter about Rich Hill and Dylan Stoops, then answer listener emails about Collin McHugh, stacking rosters with clones of Barry Bonds, diving into first base, Dylan Bundy and Ervin Santana, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Mike Trout’s draft-round dominance, then discuss whether the Diamondbacks need a regime change and whether the Orioles are making the right decisions about Dylan Bundy.
Ben and Sam talk to author, associate professor, and FanGraphs writer Nathaniel Grow about the financial ramifications of Prince Fielder’s retirement and how contract insurance works in baseball.
Ben and Sam discuss their definitions of “value” and whether they think Orioles closer Zach Britton will be a deserving candidate for end-of-season awards.
In their first live episode of Effectively Wild, recorded on Saturday at Saber Seminar, Ben and Sam answer listener emails with help from two players, John Baker and David Aardsma.
Ben and Sam talk to Georgia State University Assistant Professor Tim Kellison about his initiative to combat misinformation about public stadium funding for sports teams.
Ben and Sam banter about the longest-lasting plays in baseball, then answer listener emails about the Braves with a man advantage, Francisco Mejia’s hitting streak, dealing with Fenway Park poles, new unwritten rules, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about an odd ad, a Terry Collins quote, Andrew Miller, and more, then discuss the lessons we can learn from the legacy and career of Alex Rodriguez.
Ben talks to FanGraphs writer Jeff Sullivan and FiveThirtyEight writer Rob Arthur about Bryce Harper’s extended slump and their surprising (and somewhat dismaying) findings about his great 2015.
Ben and Sam banter about a hard-to-believe baseball ad, then answer listener emails about the NL Central, GM metadata, Aaron Sanchez, deceptive debuts and more.
Ben and Sam discuss Jonathan Lucroy, Rich Hill, the rebuilding Yankees, the price of relievers and multiple trade-deadline rumors they had trouble believing.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about player development what-ifs, Aroldis Chapman and elite relievers, a team that could control the weather, Mike Trout and Barry Bonds, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Matt Albers’ heartbreaking blown save, then discuss how much talent the Angels could acquire in a franchise-saving firesale.
Ben and Sam banter about the Hall of Fame and Jon Lester, then discuss Chris Sale’s jersey tantrum, Shelby Miller trade rumors, and the Cubs-Yankees Aroldis Chapman deal.
Ben and Sam talk to FanGraphs managing editor Dave Cameron about his probably-not-entirely-inaccurate predictions for the upcoming non-waiver trade deadline.
Ben and Sam banter about Ben’s new job at The Ringer, a distressing Jose Altuve video, and Clayton Kershaw, then answer listener emails about dugout pranks, contracts and the Hall of Fame, tattoos of players, how to manage managers, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Joe DiMaggio’s breath and Yan Gomes’s sacrifice, then discuss the latest wrinkle in umpire-manager fights.
Ben and Sam banter about Rich Hill and the Jonny Gomes White House snub, then discuss the Twins’ firing of GM Terry Ryan.
Ben and Sam talk to BP’s Ben Carsley about the Drew Pomeranz trade, David Price and David Ortiz, the Bogaerts/Betts debate, and the impact of Theo Epstein and Ben Cherington on Boston’s 2016 team.
Ben and Sam banter about the Sonoma Stompers and MLB payroll disparities, then try to outwit PECOTA in projecting hitters’ second halves.
Ben and Sam banter about box scores and the All-Star Game, then answer listener emails about alien abductions, odd career arcs, Clayton Kershaw, and being above or below .500.
Ben and Sam talk to Meg Rowley about how Jerry Dipoto’s flurry of offseason moves for the Mariners worked out over the first half of the season.
Ben and Sam banter about Sam’s move, the Waxahachie Swap, and Ryan Webb and Matt Albers, then discuss how much several contenders should be willing to trade to improve their playoff odds.
Ben and Sam talk to Jason Coskrey of The Japan Times about the incredible two-way dominance of Japanese ace/slugger Shohei Otani.
Ben and Sam discuss the causes and ramifications of this season’s dramatic (but easily overlooked) rise in home run rate.
Ben and Sam banter about their All-Star selection philosophies, then answer listener emails about the DH, the trade deadline, hidden knuckleball benefits, the virtues of tanking, and more.
Sam and Craig talk to Russell Carleton and Kate Morrison about their recent series covering the complexion of MLB’s front offices.
Ben talks to Joe Sheehan about the AL East, wrapping up a five-episode series on the state of each division as the regular season’s midpoint approaches.
As the regular season’s midpoint approaches, Ben talks to Joe Sheehan about the state of the AL West.
As the regular season’s midpoint approaches, Ben talks to Joe Sheehan about the state of the NL Central.
As the regular season’s midpoint approaches, Ben talks to Joe Sheehan and Rany Jazayerli about the state of the NL East.
As the regular season’s midpoint approaches, Ben talks to Joe Sheehan and Rany Jazayerli about the state of the NL West and AL Central.
Ben and Sam discuss their fatalistic feelings concerning Noah Syndergaard, banter about fun facts and Fernando Abad, and talk about impending trade-deadline decisions for the White Sox, Yankees, and Pirates.
Ben and Sam talk to Professor Alan Nathan about the physics of knuckleballs, then talk to WFAA’s Brett Shipp about his reporting on public funding for the Rangers’ new ballpark.
Ben and Sam banter about Steven Wright and knuckleball physics, then answer listener emails about the least interesting inning, the one-baserunner leash, an all-or-nothing Ichiro, Mike Trout’s hypothetical twin and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Clayton Kershaw and clarify five-man infields, then discuss who would be on a baseball Mount Rushmore and dig through Sports Illustrated’s archives to pinpoint what makes Vin Scully so great.
Ben and Sam banter about Santos Saldivar and discuss Tim Lincecum’s comeback, two player demotions, and the decline of the Tampa Bay Rays.
Ben and Sam talk to Warren Friss, the founder of GameHedge, a new ticket vendor that promises to issue 50 percent refunds when the home team loses by five or more runs.
Ben and Sam discuss the Diamondbacks’ bench (literally), Johnny Cueto’s varied deliveries, Zack Cozart’s incredible power, the demise of David Wright, Ichiro and Rose, and Kershaw’s unjust walks.
Ben and Sam banter about Dodgers injuries, home run derbies, and the new TV show Braindead, and answer listener emails about intimidation tactics, scouting trade targets, baseball’s best commercial breaks, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about a wide range of topics, including Ray Searage and the struggling Pirates pitching staff; the pitcher home run derby; rehabilitating Ben Cherington; the amazing Matt Shoemaker; Clayton Kershaw; crowd chants, and a bad fun fact.
Ben and Sam do an all-banter episode about the standings through the first 40 percent of the season, Yordano Ventura’s suspension, and the unchanging closer role.
Ben and Sam talk to Baseball Prospectus draft expert Christopher Crawford about what went down on day one of the amateur draft.
Ben, Sam and FanGraphs writer August Fagerstrom banter about the allure of Kelly Johnson and the Indians’ plan for winning without Michael Brantley, then talk about big league candidates for untried defensive alignments.
Ben and Sam banter about the brawl between the Orioles and Royals, then answer listener emails about Clayton Kershaw, Jon Lester, beating the shift, and how bad they would be at calling balls and strikes.
Ben and Sam banter about a Clayton Kershaw mystery and discuss where the depressing Padres should go from here.
Ben and Sam reevaluate the Dodgers’ mega-trade from 2012 and discuss how far Carl Crawford, James Shields, and Ryan Howard have fallen.
Ben and Sam talk to ESPN Stats & Info’s Mark Simon about fun-fact philosophies, David Wright, Daniel Murphy, and other notable players, and his new book, The Yankees Index.
Ben and Sam banter about Matt Albers’ double and a Stompers success, then discuss the privacy/performance implications of new tracking technology employed by big league teams.
Ben and Sam banter about old business, then answer listener emails about deceptive defenders, gold chains, nature vs. nurture, strikeout records and more.
Ben and Sam banter about a play at the plate and a bad fun fact, then discuss the defensive-positioning differences between the Dodgers and Mets.
Ben and Sam talk to Los Angeles Times Dodgers beat writer Andy McCullough about the arrival of Julio Urias, the struggles of Yasiel Puig, the excellence of Clayton Kershaw and, reluctantly…politics?
Ben and Sam talk to FanGraphs writer Carson Cistulli about his recently completed television broadcast rankings for baseball’s local markets.
Ben, Sam, and listener Corey McMahon plug the Saberseminar, then answer listener emails about automated strike zones, Jackie Bradley, Mike Trout, Bill Wambsganss, Willians Astudillo and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Ichiro Suzuki’s resurgence, Clayton Kershaw’s continued dominance, and Rich Hill’s free-agent outlook.
Ben and Sam banter about burning clubhouse belongings and banning intentional balls, then discuss the shaky starts to the season by Matt Harvey, Sonny Gray, and Dallas Keuchel.
Ben and Sam talk to former Sonoma Stomper (and The Only Rule Is It Has to Work character) Santos Saldivar, a pitcher they discovered on a spreadsheet last summer who was just signed by the Brewers. (No book spoilers.)
Ben and Sam talk to Tadeo Varela, sabermetric analyst for the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League, about the team’s pursuit of a statistical advantage.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about trading Mike Trout, David Ortiz’s impending retirement, analyzing scouts, judging batted balls on TV, Clayton Kershaw and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Joey Votto, then discuss what they’d ask Rob Manfred if they knew he’d answer honestly.
Ben and Sam banter about a bad fun fact, David Ortiz, and retirement tours, then draft noteworthy moments from Sunday’s Rangers-Blue Jays brawl.
Ben and Sam talk to ESPN investigative reporter T.J. Quinn about the string of suspensions in the ongoing battle between baseball and PEDs.
Ben and Sam talk to FanGraphs writer August Fagerstrom about the mechanics and significance of Max Scherzer’s 20-strikeout start.
Ben and Sam banter about Bartolo Colon’s likeability, then answer listener emails about Colon, Randy Johnson, the Cubs, prescient managers and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Stephen Strasburg’s extension, then discuss whether the Angels should trade Mike Trout.
Ben and Sam discuss Bartolo Colon’s first career home run, the Cubs’ continued success and willingness to walk Bryce Harper, and The Good Wife’s series finale.
Ben and Sam talk to Dodgers Baseball Operations Coordinator Emilee Fragapane and Senior R&D Analyst Megan Schroeder about their backgrounds and responsibilities and the gender imbalance in baseball operations departments.
Ben and Sam talk to FiveThirtyEight author Rob Arthur about the Cubs’ historically dominant start to the season.
Ben and Sam banter about book events and answer listener emails about baseball’s Leicester City, the batting order, Rich Hill, Manny Machado and more.
Ben and Sam banter about their book release, Dylan Bundy, and juiced baseballs, then revisit the Pedro Martinez-Clayton Kershaw comparison.
Ben and Sam banter about the Marlins’ failed Friday no-hitter attempt, then talk about which offseason transactions teams would already take back if they could.
Ben and Sam talk to Bloomberg’s Kate Smith about how the Braves have talked taxpayers and local councils into funding ballparks at every level of their organization.
Ben and Sam talk to BP Minor League Editor Craig Goldstein about recent prospect call-ups and prospect call-ups to come.
Ben and Sam banter about the Braves and Rich Hill, then answer listener emails about fun-fact distortion, Adrian Beltre vs. Chipper Jones, assessing broadcaster quality, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Matt Albers, Mike Trout, and front-office hiring trends, then discuss whether the Astros have answered the doubts about their rebuild.
Ben and Sam banter about a behind-the-scenes Barry Bonds story, then talk to legal consultant Jason Wojciechowski about why it’s both good and bad that replay review is like the law.
Ben and Sam banter about this spring’s Tommy John toll, tanking, Barry Bonds, closer erosion, and a replay wrinkle, then discuss the dominance of Cubs starter Jake Arrieta.
Ben and Sam banter about Noah Syndergaard, then answer listener emails about 1-2-3 innings, what David Ortiz could do to replicate Kobe, conservative replay reviewing, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Walt Weiss and Nolan Arenado, then continue their discussion of potential 2016 trends with multiple investigations into pitcher usage.
Ben and Sam banter about Rich Hill, Jon Lester, and the no-longer-winless Braves and Twins, then discuss some possibly premature evidence that the game has changed since last season.
With help from Twins fan Aaron Gleeman and Braves fan Alex Remington, Ben and Sam attempt to determine which of MLB’s two winless teams has had the more demoralizing start to the season.
Ben, Sam, and FanGraphs writer Jeff Sullivan banter about ballplayer humor, then talk about players (including Garrett Richards, Starlin Castro, and Stephen Strasburg) who are doing something notably different so far this season.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about whether they would want to play in a major league game, un-fun facts, chyron decisions, GM hypotheticals, robot pitchers, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about the most popular picks in BP’s “Beat PECOTA” game, then discuss Rich Hill, the Cubs’ strong start, Ray Searage’s promising pupils, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss two surprise stars of week one, debuting Dodgers starter Ross Stripling and Rockies rookie slugger Trevor Story.
Ben and Sam talk to MLB’s Official Historian, John Thorn, about a trio of founding documents now up for auction that casts light on the truth behind baseball’s long-disputed origin story.
Ben and Sam banter about Kenta Maeda’s debut, then talk to Sports Illustrated’s Joe Sheehan about how pitcher-centric roster construction is making baseball more boring (and what might make it better).
Ben and Sam banter about Rich Hill, a controversial game-ending call, and bad baseball ads, then answer listener emails about unfun facts, Theo Epstein’s future, and who’s seen the most major league baseball.
Ben and Sam talk to Yahoo! Sports columnist Jeff Passan about his new book, The Arm: Inside the Billion-Dollar Mystery of the Most Valuable Commodity in Sports.
Ben and Sam banter about Opening Day games, the Astros’ closer situation, Albert Pujols, and more, then discuss some of the BP staff’s standout preseason predictions.
Ben and Sam preview the Dodgers’ season with Vice Sports editor Eric Nusbaum, and Jeff talks to Los Angeles Times Dodgers beat writer Andy McCullough (at 21:22).
Ben and Sam preview the Cubs’ season with authors Mark Armour and Dan Levitt, and Jeff talks to Mountain Goats frontman/Cubs fan John Darnielle (at 21:40).
Ben and Sam banter about a listener-suggested expression, then answer listener emails about Albert Pujols’ impact on the Cardinals, rooting against incentive clauses, what a lack of analytics looks like, and more.
Ben and Sam preview the Indians’ season with Pete Beatty, and George talks to MLB.com Indians beat writer Jordan Bastian (at 23:44).
Ben and Sam preview the Mets’ season with Mike Vorkunov, and Jeff talks Mets prospects with Toby Hyde of BP Mets and SNY.tv (at 22:49).
Ben and Sam preview the Rays’ season with ESPN Insider’s Tommy Rancel, and George talks to Tampa Bay Times Rays beat writer Marc Topkin (at 24:47).
Ben and Sam preview Boston’s season with Providence Journal Red Sox beat writer Brian MacPherson, and George talks to Brian’s ProJo colleague, Tim Britton (at 28:41).
Ben and Sam banter about a LaRoche-related White Sox conspiracy and update Ryan Webb’s save outlook, then answer emails about Ryan Howard, Trout vs. Goldschmidt, a terrible trivia question, and more.
Ben and Sam preview the Giants’ season with Erik Malinowski, and Jeff talks to Grant Brisbee of McCovey Chronicles (at 24:10).
Ben and Sam preview the Nationals’ season with Washington Post Nationals beat writer Chelsea Janes, and Jeff talks to Chelsea’s Washington Post colleague, James Wagner (at 23:56).
Ben and FiveThirtyEight author Rob Arthur talk to Pittsburgh Pirates multi-position player Cole Figueroa about his use of statistics, why athletes should keep a close eye on what teams are tracking, and how his future depends on a small sample.
Ben and Sam preview the Astros’ season with Houston Chronicle Astros beat writer Evan Drellich, and George talks to Evan’s Houston Chronicle colleague, Jesus Ortiz (at 31:38).
Ben and Sam preview the Blue Jays’ season with Joshua Howsam of Baseball Prospectus Toronto, and George talks to Sportsnet columnist Shi Davidi (at 19:49).
Ben and Sam announce this year’s Effectively Wild fantasy game, “Beat PECOTA,” then answer listener emails about Mike Trout, game theory in the amateur draft, baseball caps, Goose Gossage, and more.
Ben and Sam preview the Yankees’ season with Kenny Ducey of Sports Illustrated and BP Bronx, and George talks to Lohud.com Yankees beat writer Chad Jennings (at 29:32).
Ben and Sam preview the Mariners’ season with BP/Lookout Landing writer Meg Rowley, and George talks to Tacoma Rainiers broadcaster Mike Curto (at 25:23).
Ben and Sam preview the Pirates’ season with Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Pirates beat writer Travis Sawchik, and Jeff talks to Pat Lackey of Where Have You Gone Andy Van Slyke? (at 23:58).
Ben and Sam preview the Cardinals’ season with Dayn Perry of CBS Sports, and Jeff talks to The Cardinals Way author Howard Megdal (at 22:29).
Ben and Sam banter about a T-Pain tweet, two famous phrases, Ray Searage, and the final results of their contracts draft, then answer listener emails about the Cubs, a baseball broadcast from Better Call Saul, redistributing salaries, and more.
Ben and Sam preview the White Sox’ season with BP author R.J. Anderson, and George talks to CSN Chicago White Sox insider Dan Hayes (at 23:14).
Ben and Sam preview the Rangers’ season with BP author Kate Morrison, and George talks to Fort Worth Star-Telegram Rangers beat writer Jeff Wilson (at 26:32).
Ben and Sam preview the Diamondbacks’ season with BP author Zachary Levine, and Jeff talks to SiriusXM and Diamondbacks pre- and postgame host Mike Ferrin (at 32:10).
Ben and Sam preview the Tigers’ season with FiveThirtyEight author Rob Arthur, and George talks to MLB.com Tigers beat writer Jason Beck (at 22:06).
Ben and Sam play a quick player guessing game, banter about pitching-coach projects and Coors Field fences, and answer listener emails about the Cubs and personal catchers, irrational fan beliefs, Mike Trout, and more.
Ben and Sam preview the Twins’ season with BP author Kun Funck, and Jeff talks to Pioneer Press Twins beat writer Mike Berardino (at 23:40).
Ben and Sam preview the Padres’ season with MLB.com Cut 4 writer Michael Clair, and Jeff talks to MLB.com Padres beat writer Corey Brock (at 23:31).
Ben and Sam preview the Brewers’ season with BP Milwaukee’s Ryan Romano, and Jeff talks to freelance writer Jack Moore (at 23:16).
Ben and Sam preview the Royals’ season with Kansas City Star columnist Sam Mellinger, and George talks to Kansas City Star Royals beat writer Rustin Dodd (at 28:04).
Ben and Sam banter about Angels at the airport, Ryan Webb, and a home-run-hitting contest, then answer listener emails about winning three-game series, the best radio broadcasts, the baseball equivalent of the San Antonio Spurs, and more.
Ben and Sam preview the Angels’ season with Vice Sports contributing editor David Roth, and George talks to Los Angeles Times Angels beat writer Pedro Moura (at 27:42).
Ben and Sam preview the Marlins’ season with BP author Matt Trueblood, and Jeff talks to ESPN/Fox Sports Florida analyst Eduardo Perez (at 28:08).
Ben and Sam preview the Athletics’ season with SB Nation’s Claire McNear, and George talks to San Francisco Chronicle A’s beat writer Susan Slusser (at 21:09).
Ben and Sam preview the Rockies’ season with Deadspin editor Tom Ley, and Jeff talks to Purple Row prospect writer Jen Mac Ramos (at 19:45).
Ben and Sam banter about a picture of Michael Pineda, then answer emails about deferred contracts, players they wish would write books, Michael Jordan the minor leaguer, and more.
Ben and Craig preview the Orioles’ season with Jon Bernhardt, and George talks to MASN/MASNSports.com Orioles reporter Roch Kubatko (at 25:52).
Ben and Sam preview the Reds’ season with Russell Carleton, and Jeff talks to Cincinnati Enquirer Reds beat writer C. Trent Rosecrans (at 28:21)
Ben and Sam preview the Braves’ season with Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Mark Bradley, and Jeff talks to Talking Chop prospect writer Garrett Spain (at 31:23)
Ben and Sam preview the Phillies’ season with Holly M. Wendt, and Jeff talks to News Journal Phillies beat writer Meghan Montemurro (at 23:50)
Ben and Sam preview their fourth annual 30-team season-preview podcast series with preview partners Jeffrey Paternostro and George Bissell, then answer listener emails about prospect lists, talking to scouts, fantasy drafting, Ian Desmond, and Kenta Maeda.
Ben and Sam discuss why teams don’t pay a premium for elite free agents and why players who switch positions might not always do so smoothly.
Ben and Sam banter about The Good Wife’s Super Bowl spot and discuss some potential unintended consequences of raising/shrinking the strike zone.
Ben talks to former Baseball Prospectus editor-in-chief Steven Goldman and Banished to the Pen’s Darius Austin about how Warren Spahn avoided the 1950s Dodgers and what we can learn from the way managers used their pitchers when rotations weren’t rigid.
Ben and Sam banter about Alvaro Espinoza and Kenta Imamiya, then draft candidates for the 2016 Comeback Player of the Year Award(s).
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about Howie Kendrick’s contract, Scott Boras and the CBA, how teams hire analysts, young MVPs, and more.
For the third consecutive year, Ben and Sam draft the 20 minor league free agents they hope will earn the most major league playing time in 2016.
Ben and Sam banter about Billions, the amazing Willie Davis, and a strange Fox Sports article, then conduct a quiz show.
Ben and Sam talk to the new Director of Baseball Research and Development for MLB Advanced Media, Daren Willman, about what’s in store for Statcast in 2016 and beyond.
Ben and Sam banter about a Salvador Perez extension and a strike-zone change, then discuss the rapid reversal of the Athletics’ clubhouse and what it might mean for the Nationals.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about Yoenis Cespedes’s contract, relievers winning awards, how much it costs to buy a World Series, prospect comparisons, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Mike Trout moonlighting as a weatherman, then discuss which teams have seen their World Series odds fall or rise the most since the beginning of the offseason.
Ben and Sam banter about Yoenis Cespedes, then revisit the Josh Donaldson deal and answer listener emails about umpire inadequacy, the Ausmus-Matheny paradox, and what it would cost to pay minor leaguers minimum wage.
Ben and Sam banter about Chris Davis and Target, then answer emails about David Price, Yosemite Tim, requesting trades, true talent, and the most average player.
Ben and Sam banter about the resolution to a legal case they discussed last week, then discuss the Ian Kennedy, Chris Davis, and Justin Upton signings.
Ben and Sam talk to former international cricketer Kieran Powell about his attempt to become a professional baseball player.
Ben and Sam talk to incoming Los Angeles Times Dodgers beat writer Andy McCullough about the Players’ Tribune, the Dodgers and Royals and, for some reason, Sublime.
Ben and Sam talk to FanGraphs legal analyst Nathaniel Grow about a number of baseball-related cases working their way through the courts.
Ben and Sam banter about Chris Davis and burning ships, then answer a listener email about how to make Mike Trout matter to non-fans.
Ben and Sam banter about Ian Kennedy and their free-agent-contract predictions, then answer listener emails about the Dodgers’ front office, The Players’ Tribune, Coors Field and Gerardo Parra, silent free agents, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about BP’s new catcher-defense stats, then discuss the AL Central’s offseason.
Ben and Sam discuss how long Barry Bonds will last as the Miami Marlins’ hitting coach.
Ben and Sam banter about Kenta Maeda’s physical, then consult an official scorer and answer emails about a market correction, the Dodgers’ spending, the Yankees’ and Cubs’ bullpens, and Dave Stewart.
Ben and Sam review the greatness of Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza and talk about their other takeaways from the Hall of Fame voting results.
Ben and Sam banter about Justin Upton and answer listener emails about baseball movies, rap lyrics, restructuring divisions, free-agent demands, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about dress codes and the recent lack of rumors, then discuss Dan Haren’s revelatory tweets.
Ben and Sam banter about the unusual number of unsigned position players, then share their initial reactions to the Dodgers’ signing of Kenta Maeda.
Ben and Sam banter about player privacy concerns, then dig (very) deep into the mailbag for questions that time forgot.
Ben and Sam talk to Ryan Thibodaux about what he’s learned from his effort to track Hall of Fame ballots.
Ben and Sam banter about a fictitious player from TV, then answer listener emails about Mike Trout, opt-ops, paying players not to play, persuading a parent to value Barry Bonds, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss whether the awe-inspiring 2018 free agent class is something MLB teams should be planning for already.
Ben and Sam discuss whether signing Jason Heyward makes the Cubs the best team in baseball.
Ben and Sam banter about Serial and basketball, then discuss the Astros-Phillies trade and Jason Heyward.
Ben and Sam discuss the Shelby Miller trade between the Diamondbacks and Braves, and the Cubs’ Starlin Castro trade and Ben Zobrist signing.
Ben and Sam banter about Hall of Fame voting and David Price, then talk about the recent trend toward teams acquiring multiple elite late-inning relievers.
Ben and Sam banter about David Price and Ryan Madson and discuss the Zack Greinke and Jeff Samardzija signings.
Ben and Sam talk to BP author Chris Mosch about the newest innovation in defensive positioning: the outfield shift.
Ben and Sam banter about rumors, answer emails about reclamation projects, a free-agent A-Rod, secret contracts, no-trade clauses, and more, and speak to someone who’s not expecting their call.
Ben and Sam banter about the Tony Cruz trade and then discuss a slightly (but only slightly!) more momentous move, the Red Sox signing David Price.
Ben and Sam talk to Andre Archimbaud, whose experience at the 2002 Winter Meetings, just before Moneyball blew up, was chronicled in Josh Lewin’s book, Getting in the Game.
Ben and Sam banter about troublesome software (for some reason), then answer emails about constructing sensible trades, solving moral hazard, subbing for Andrelton Simmons, and what makes free agents happy.
Ben and Sam banter about Lloyd McClendon’s new managerial job, then talk about Aroldis Chapman being on the block.
Ben and Sam discuss MLB’s track record with rule changes, Scott Boras’ involvement in Jose Fernandez’ pitching plans, and Robinson Cano’s contract.
Ben and Sam discuss the latest gossip about the Mariners and Marlins, then do another career comparison of Mike Trout and Bryce Harper.
Ben and Sam banter about award apathy, Hall of Fame voting, and Francisco Rodriguez, then answer a couple listener emails.
Ben and Sam discuss the Rich Hill signing and more Mike Trout punctuation, then answer listener emails about Jerry Dipoto and David Ortiz and do a double Play Index.
Ben and Sam discuss why three free agents accepted qualifying offers, then break down both sides of the Andrelton Simmons trade.
Ben and Sam draft the free agents they think will make more or less money than predicted.
Ben and Sam talk to BP author Jeff Quinton about how baseball teams could benefit from design thinking.
Ben and Sam banter about daily-fantasy ads, then answer listener emails about Barry Bonds and splash hits, end-of-season awards, when to spend on free agents, baseball and the metric system, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Mike Trout and Brian Cashman, then predict and discuss the results of Jerry Crasnick’s annual executive poll.
Ben and Sam talk about the best Barry Bonds facts with Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman of Cespedes Family Barbecue.
Ben and Sam discuss free agents, qualifying offers, the Rays-Mariners trade, Alex Anthopoulos’ departure from Toronto, and Mike Trout Twitter.
Ben and Sam talk to Kansas City Star Royals beat writer Andy McCullough about why the Royals won the World Series and what their offseason might look like.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about buying two tickets to games, Derek Jeter jerseys, and the World Series, and Play Index about extra innings.
Ben and Sam banter about Jeurys Familia’s blown saves in the World Series, then talk about Bud Black, Dusty Baker, and the state of managing.
Ben and Sam do a quick bonus Saturday episode on Mets starter Noah Syndergaard’s first pitch of World Series Game 3.
Ben and Sam banter about the Market Diner, then discuss World Series strategy and answer listener emails.
Ben and Sam banter about the brilliance of Roger Angell, then discuss the latest Ned Yost news, Jacob deGrom’s supposed pitch-tipping, and more.
Ben and Sam follow up on a story from last week and discuss the Royals’ rotation secrecy, Ruben Amaro’s new job, managing for the Marlins, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss a smattering of postseason topics, including Kyle Schwarber, a playoff-team draft, ALCS Game 6, and more.
Ben and Sam talk to recently resigned Dodgers VP of Medical Services and Head Athletic Trainer Stan Conte about hidden injuries, fighting fatigue, and Brett Anderson’s almost-miraculous season.
Ben and Sam banter about Ben’s endangered diner and position player pitching, then answer listener emails about shutdown innings, evaluating GMs, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Johnny Cueto and the differences between the most boring parts of baseball and other sports, then answer playoff-related listener emails.
Ben, Harry Pavlidis, and Jeffrey Paternostro review the weekend’s ALCS and NLCS action and preview the pitching in ALCS Game 3.
Ben, Craig Goldstein, and Matt Trueblood banter about Mets-Dodgers Game 5, then preview the NLCS and ALCS.
Ben and Sam draft their favorite moments from the unbelievable seventh inning of Blue Jays-Rangers Game Five.
Ben and Sam review the Cubs-Cardinals series and Mets-Dodgers Game Four, then return to the David Price puzzle.
Ben and Sam banter about how this year’s playoffs compare to last year’s, then discuss the postseason performances of Clayton Kershaw and David Price, the crazy Astros-Royals reversal, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about TBS baseball broadcasts, then discuss the Chase Utley slide in Game 2 of the Dodgers-Mets NLDS.
Ben and Sam review the first games of the American League Division Series, then discuss the Cubs-Cardinals and Dodgers-Mets matchups.
Ben and Sam review the wild-card games and discuss the Rangers-Blue Jays and Astros-Royals Division Series.
Ben and Sam give an update on ongoing competitions, draft playoff teams, and answer emails about play-in games, Clayton Kershaw, a Tigers scoring mystery, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about an eventful weekend in baseball, then discuss some of the developments that surprised them most during the 2015 regular season.
Ben and Sam talk to OC Register writer Pedro Moura about the odd career paths of Mike Trout and Albert Pujols, the Angels’ recent resurgence, and the team’s search for a new GM.
Ben and Sam banter about Mike Trout’s punctuation, then answer listener emails about the fastest fastball, pennant-race anxiety, Rich Hil, shortstop studs, and a fantasy-league dilemma.
Ben and Sam banter about Clayton Kershaw, Jake Arrieta, and Jerry Dipoto, then pick the player each playoff team would be most screwed without.
Ben and Sam banter about the changing structure of front offices, then discuss what former players are saying about the brawl between Jonathan Papelbon and Bryce Harper.
Ben and Sam talk to Kansas City Star Royals beat writer Andy McCullough about Alex Rodriguez, several Royals-related topics, and 1990s music.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about bullpen catchers, past playoff odds, a Nationals Park promotion, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about the Brewers’ hiring of David Stearns, then talk about why timing is everything when it comes to tags, interim managers and Weezer and Wes Anderson.
Ben and Sam banter about a Sandy Alderson story, then compare what PECOTA and the sportsbooks say about the likely winners of the World Series.
Ben and Sam banter about Matt Albers and baseball cards, then talk to Adam Sobsey about Matt Moore and the dependability of top pitching prospects.
Ben and Sam banter about one of the worst games of the season, Madison Bumgarner, and an old bet, then talk to Adam J. Morris about the Rangers and Brandon Warne about the Twins.
Ben and Sam read responses to previous topics, then answer listener emails about Mike Trout, questionable bullpen decisions, what WAR is missing, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss Yoenis Cespedes’ MVP case and contract, then talk about why bad teams don’t try to lose in September.
Ben and Sam discuss David Ortiz’s Hall of Fame candidacy and Angels starter Andrew Heaney’s decision to sell stock in himself.
Ben and Sam banter about Chin-hui Tsao, Joey Votto, insect intruders, and the Indians’ defense, then discuss what we’ve learned about Brad Ausmus, Robin Ventura, and other new-model managers.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails, come across a baseball mystery, and get answers straight from a primary source.
Ben and Sam banter about GM smack talk, then discuss the Mets, Matt Harvey, and innings limits.
Ben and Sam banter about the Mets, Matt Harvey, and Scott Boras, then answer listener emails about pitcher stuff, park effects, permanent shifts, a magic Jonny Gomes, playoff seeding, and much more.
Ben and Sam talk to Amazin’ Avenue’s Jeff Paternostro about Mets player development and the mysterious origins of unexpected ace Jacob deGrom.
Ben and Sam banter about Joc Pederson and answer emails about Madison Bumgarner, on-field celebrations, the Triple Crown, holding runners, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss the Washington Nationals’ seemingly lost season, followed by special appearances from podcast legends Ryan Webb and Matt Albers.
Ben, Sam, and Erik Malinowski banter about Madison Bumgarner the batter, then discuss Astros rookie Carlos Correa’s early achievements.
Ben and Sam banter about casting news, then discuss the St. Louis Cardinals’ seemingly incredible luck.
Ben and Sam banter about last week’s banter and the Dodgers’ speed camp, then draft players who made their big league debuts in 2015.
Ben and Sam banter about Joe Girardi’s strategy and Dave Stewart’s stories, then answer listener emails about a Martin Prado mystery, deadline trades, Nick Markakis, and more.
Ben, Sam, and Zachary Levine banter about hidden streaks, then discuss baseball’s latest self-policing problems and the best ways to discourage beanballs.
Ben and Sam banter about Dave Stewart’s violation of front-office unwritten rules and a bad call on Bryce Harper, then discuss the extra-active deadline, the Padres’ inactivity, and the latest top-prospect promotions.
Ben and Sam discuss a wild Wednesday night on the trade market, covering a three-team involving involving the Dodgers, Braves, and Marlins, the Cole Hamels deal, and the Mets’ almost-trade for Carlos Gomez.
Ben and Sam banter about history, etymology, lexicography, and Nolan Arenado, then discuss the Ben Zobrist, Jonathan Papelbon, and Mat Latos trades.
Ben and Sam banter about an Elvis Andrus glove toss, an odd triple play, and A-Rod, then discuss the Johnny Cueto and Troy Tulowitzki trades.
Ben and Sam banter about analytics and secrecy, then answer listener emails about aces in relief, the Phillies’ terrible rotation, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about the Astros and then discuss the possible interpretations of Zack Greinke’s scoreless innings streak.
On the podcast’s third anniversary, Ben and Sam answer emails about how much baseball players work, whatever happened to offensive shortstops, breaking unwritten rules, projecting prospects, and more, then place an impromptu call.
Ben and Sam banter about former Pirates executive Merrill Hess and then discuss stories about former Dodgers GM Ned Colletti from Molly Knight’s new book.
Ben and Sam banter about the All-Star Game and then discuss how the Oakland A’s should handle the next phase of their strange season.
Ben and Sam discuss the optimal distribution of World Series wins across an average lifespan.
Ben and Sam banter about trade arbitrage and Jon Lester, then discuss the Angels’ front-office overthrow.
Ben and Sam return from a semi-extended absence to banter about Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, a David Ortiz fun fact, All-Star voting, Cardinals hacking, and more.
Ben and Sam talk to Anthony Rescan about his statistical work with the Sydney Blue Sox of the Australian Baseball League.
Ben and Sam banter about baseball crimes, All-Star voting, and Diamondbacks GM Dave Stewart, then answer listener emails about perfect games, discuss stats about cycles, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about prosecuting the Cardinals and the Royals’ All-Star tally, then talk about the Diamondbacks’ perplexing Bronson Arroyo trade.
Ben and Sam banter about Tim Lincecum and a fateful Jose Tabata hit by pitch, then discuss how the 2014 David Price deal looks in retrospect for the Rays.
Ben and Sam banter about position players pitching and answer emails about the Cardinals-Astros hacking scandal, Hanley Ramirez, defensive positioning, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Billy Hamilton and discuss the New York Times report about the Cardinals’ involvement in the hacking of the Astros’ internal system.
Ben and Sam banter about clothing choices, Albert Pujols, and a defensive play, then discuss the threat of a Royals-heavy American League All-Star team.
Ben and Sam banter about Pat Venditte and Zack Cozart, then answer emails about batter-pitcher matchups, when to congratulate players, double Delino DeShieldses, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Bryce Harper and talk about the unusual number of top prospects making the majors early this season.
Ben and Sam talk to former Padres Senior Quantitative Analyst Chris Long about how teams can use stats to improve their performance in the amateur draft.
Ben and Sam banter about Pat Venditte, then revisit three winter blockbusters involving NL West teams.
Ben and Sam discuss their schedule and answer emails about rebellious players, pitching to contact, coaching catchers, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Sonoma Stompers Opening Day, then discuss the early returns from some of the winter’s biggest blockbusters.
Ben and Sam talk to BP Director of Technology Harry Pavlidis about his recent discoveries about game-calling and our new understanding of what catchers are worth.
Ben and Sam banter about home runs and a Dan Jennings quote, then discuss some oddities of baseball’s replay and appeal rules.
Ben, Sam, and Dan Brooks banter about Saber Seminar, then answer listener emails about pine tar, the meaning of the middle of the order, and throwing back home runs.
Ben and Sam banter about Dan Jennings, then attempt to explain Stephen Strasburg’s perplexing season.
Ben and Sam banter about earthquakes, Tim Lincecum, and baseball nightmares, then talk to Dan Rozenson about Bryce Harper.
Ben and Sam banter about the Marlins’ unorthodox managerial move, Play Index about doubles, and answer emails about innings counts, sabermetric milestones, and more.
Ben and Sam talk to Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Pirates beat writer Travis Sawchik about his new book, Big Data Baseball.
Ben and Sam banter about Bryce Harper, then talk about what Barry Bonds could have contributed to or cost a baseball team in 2008.
Ben and Sam talk to Rob Arthur about which batters have had hard luck or good fortune so far, according to Statcast.
Ben and Sam answer discuss the Indians’ decision to remove Corey Kluber with a 21-strikeout start on the line.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about ace vs. ace matchups, videos they wish they could watch, high-strikeout starts, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about trees on the field and Kevin Gregg, then discuss the punishments for a few hypothetical crimes.
Ben and Sam talk to Providence Journal Red Sox beat writer Brian MacPherson about the Red Sox rotation and the firing of Juan Nieves.
Ben and Sam banter about Bryce Harper and Mike Trout and dissect several stats about the Astros’ season so far.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about umpires and framing, a different home-field advantage, bad baseball terms, and more.
Ben and Sam talk to Ben Carsley about Boston’s talented 22-year-olds, Xander Bogaerts and Mookie Betts.
Ben and Sam banter about the weekend in baseball and draft starting pitchers under age 25.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about DH alternatives, baseball without the grounds crew, the most exciting starters, and more.
Ben and Sam talk to Jonathan Judge about BP’s new pitching metrics and the challenges and opportunities ahead of statisticians who are still trying to uncover new truths about baseball.
Ben and Sam banter about Salvador Perez, Erik Kratz, and emergency catchers and then discuss Josh Hamilton’s return to Texas.
Ben and Sam banter about the NL DH and then discuss A-Rod’s newfound patience and oldfound power.
Ben, Sam, and Will Woods talk about the Royals’ latest dust-up, the Mets’ 11-game winning streak, and Giancarlo Stanton’s almost physics-defying home runs.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about defining team success, four-man outfields, pitcher offensive futility, baseball’s Star Wars trailer moments, and more.
On the 10th anniversary of Fire Joe Morgan’s first post, Ben and Sam talk to Michael Schur about FJM, sports-media sins in the age of Twitter and, oddly enough, The O.C.
Ben and Sam banter about batting around and Bryan Price’s media meltdown, then check in on early-season statistical trends.
Ben and Sam banter about Alex Rodriguez and discuss the three-day dispute about unwritten rules between the A’s and the Royals.
Ben and Sam talk to Mark Armour and Dan Levitt, the authors of In Pursuit of Pennants, about whether good GMs have to break rules, how long competitive advantages last, and how good teams go bad.
Ben and Sam talk to Matt Trueblood about the teams that have hurt or improved their odds the most, and the aspects of performance that are significant in small samples.
Ben and Sam banter about Mike Trout and answer listener emails about trading draft picks and divisions, saving failing franchises, limiting pitchers, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Jon Lester and then talk to the entire TINO (There Is No Offseason) podcast crew about their breakout-player beliefs.
Ben and Sam banter about the weekend’s best plays and Mike Trout’s hidden hobby, then discuss the potential pickoff showdown between Jon Lester and Billy Hamilton.
Ben and Sam banter about time of game and Jon Lester, then discuss what to do with the first release of Statcast data.
Ben and Sam banter about Doug Melvin’s extension talks and then answer listener emails about run differential, the players’ portion of revenue, Kris Bryant, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about pace and time of game and then discuss why the structures of player extensions haven’t evolved.
Ben and Sam have an all-banter episode for Opening Day, discussing Jon Lester’s lack of pickoff attempts, the Angels’ statements about Josh Hamilton, and the Padres-Braves Craig Kimbrel trade.
Ben and Sam update the results of their ongoing contests, bemoan the predictions process, and discuss the storylines they’re looking forward to this season.
Ben, Sam, and guests Doug Thorburn and Jeff Zimmerman draft the pitchers they think will make the most starts and avoid Tommy John surgery in the next calendar year.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about whether we should talk about teams’ use of stats, whether injury research should be shared, how to break up with a team, and more.
Ben and Sam preview the Dodgers’ season with Molly Knight, and Sahadev talks to True Blue LA’s Eric Stephen (at 32:54).
Ben and Sam preview the Nationals’ season with Chris Cwik, and Sahadev talks to Washington Post Nationals beat writer James Wagner (at 26:56).
Ben and Sam preview the Angels’ season with Dan Volmar, and Sahadev talks to OC Register Angels beat writer Pedro Moura (at 20:16).
Ben and Sam preview the Cardinals’ season with Howard Megdal, and Sahadev talks to St. Louis Post-Dispatch Cardinals beat writer Derrick Goold (at 26:32).
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about players out of position, pace-of-play rules, Bonds vs. Clemens, gambling, and more.
Ben and Sam preview the Mariners’ season with Patrick Dubuque, and Sahadev talks to Tacoma Rainiers broadcaster Mike Curto (at 26:49).
Ben and Sam preview Boston’s season with Providence Journal Red Sox beat writer Tim Britton, and Sahadev talks to Boston Globe writer Alex Speier (at 27:48).
Ben and Sam preview the Rays’ season with Adam Sobsey, and Sahadev talks to FOX Sports Florida writer Andrew Astleford (at 36:22).
Ben and Sam preview the Giants’ season with Grant Brisbee, and Sahadev talks to CSN Bay Area Giants Insider Alex Pavlovic (at 32:06).
Ben, Sam, and guest Jake Silverman banter about Tommy Lasorda and franchise players, then answer listener emails about interviews, ejections, and MLB information-sharing.
Ben and Sam preview the Athletics’ season with Philip Michaels, and Sahadev talks to Bay Area News Group A’s beat writer John Hickey (at 22:50).
Ben and Sam preview the Rangers’ season with Russell Carleton, and Sahadev talks to FOX Sports Southwest reporter Anthony Andro (at 28:13).
Ben and Sam preview the Padres’ season with Miles Wray, and Sahadev talks to MLB.com Padres writer Corey Brock (at 20:33).
Ben and Sam preview the Tigers’ season with Ken Funck, and Sahadev talks to MLB.com Tigers writer Jason Beck about the big league club (at 21:25).
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about the Nationals’ rotation, team projections they disagree with, the most interesting eras to cover, and more.
Ben and Sam preview the prospect side of the Cubs’ season with Chris Crawford, and Sahadev talks to Daily Herald Cubs beat writer Bruce Miles about the big league club (at 31:43).
Ben and Sam preview the Mets’ season with Ted Berg, and Sahadev talks to Newsday Mets beat writer Marc Carig (at 32:28).
Ben and Sam preview the Blue Jays’ season with Andrew Stoeten, and Sahadev talks to Sportsnet baseball columnist Shi Davidi (at 30:49).
Ben and Sam preview the Marlins’ season with Bryan Grosnick, and Sahadev talks to MLB.com Marlins beat writer Joe Frisaro (at 27:40).
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about an all-catcher lineup, league strength, robot umps, and more.
Ben and Sam preview the Indians’ season with Bryan Joiner, and Sahadev talks to MLB.com Indians beat writer Jordan Bastian (at 25:36).
Ben and Sam preview the Yankees’ season, and Sahadev talks to Journal News Yankees beat writer Chad Jennings (at 31:40).
Ben and Sam preview the Pirates’ season with Sarah Sprague, and Sahadev talks to Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Pirates beat writer Travis Sawchik (at 23:22).
Ben and Sam preview the Reds’ season with R.J. Anderson, and Sahadev talks to Cincinnati Enquirer Reds beat writer C. Trent Rosecrans (at 25:34).
Ben and Sam preview the Brewers’ season with J.P. Breen, and Sahadev talks to Brewers play-by-play broadcaster Joe Block (at 24:16).
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about Yoan Moncada, sabermetric broadcasts, the replacement-level high-five rate, and more.
Ben and Sam preview the White Sox’ season with Tim Marchman, and Sahadev talks to Dan Hayes, who covers the White Sox for CSN Chicago (at 36:52).
Ben and Sam make an exciting announcement and preview the Orioles’ season with Jeff Long, and Sahadev talks to MASNSports.com Orioles beat writer Roch Kubatko (at 32:04).
Ben and Sam preview the Astros’ season with Ted Walker, and Sahadev talks to Houston Chronicle Astros beat writer Evan Drellich (at 34:30).
Ben and Sam catch up on banter and answer listener emails about the Dodgers, the shift, Moneyball, and more.
Ben and Sam preview the Diamondbacks’ season with David Raposa, and Sahadev talks to AZCentral Sports Diamondbacks beat writer Nick Piecoro (at 23:26).
Ben and Sam preview the Braves’ season with Alex Remington, and Sahadev talks to MLB.com Braves beat writer Mark Bowman (at 32:00).
Ben and Sam preview the Royals’ season with Kansas City Star Royals beat writer Andy McCullough, and Sahadev talks to KC Star columnist Sam Mellinger (at 25:53).
Ben and Sam preview the Rockies’ season with David Roth and Andrew Koo, and Sahadev talks to Denver Post Rockies beat writer Nick Groke (at 25:56).
Ben and Sam talk to Russell Carleton about the possible fallout from rules changes intended to shorten games and increase offense, then Play Index replacement players and answer emails about breakouts and pitch clocks.
Ben and Sam preview the Twins’ season with Steve Neuman, and Sahadev talks to Pioneer Press Twins beat writer Mike Berardino (at 26:30).
Ben and Sam preview the Phillies’ season with Michael Baumann, and Sahadev talks to News Journal Phillies beat writer Meghan Montemurro (at 30:41).
Ben and Sam talk to FanGraphs Lead Prospect Analyst Kiley McDaniel about Yoan Moncada, Cuban talent, and teams manipulating prospect rankings.
Ben and Sam discuss why the league is looking less clutch and answer listener emails about time-released rumors, a cryptic comment by Buck Showalter, Rick Porcello’s salary, and more.
Ben and Sam draft 20 minor league free agents who might see major league playing time in 2015.
Ben and Sam talk to international baseball and cricket coach Julien Fountain about his efforts to turn marginalized minor leaguers into well-compensated cricketers.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about a world without the minors, bigger bats, Ernie Banks, and more.
Ben and Sam share their thoughts on some of PECOTA’s most surprising pitcher projections.
Ben and Sam talk to former major leaguer Dirk Hayhurst about the player’s perspective on MLB’s efforts to speed up games.
Ben and Sam banter about their favorite regular-season games, then answer listener emails about player relocation, bidding for top prospects, transaction crowdsourcing, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Nori Aoki’s contract, then discuss the Nationals’ signing of Max Scherzer.
Ben and Sam banter about Gabe Kapler and Chris Tillman, then discuss the Orioles’ dilemma about whether to let GM Dan Duquette leave (with help from The Good Wife).
Ben and Sam banter about the Diamondbacks’ latest quote kerfluffle, then answer listener emails about timeless tickets, home-field disadvantages, and breakout players.
Ben and Sam banter about Ryan Lavarnway and Billy Beane fan fiction, then discuss the Ben Zobrist trade.
Ben and Sam attempt to solve the mystery of why losing teams have uncharacteristically snapped up so many free agents this winter.
Ben and Zachary answer emails about Hall of Fame voting, stats in other sports, baseball with no projections, and more (plus a Play Index about plunkings).
Ben and Russell preview the Hall of Fame voting results and review election season with Sports Illustrated’s Jay Jaffe.
Ben and Sam end the year by answering listener emails about Barry Bonds, baseball in pop culture, Wil Myers, and more.
Ben and Sam talk to Zachary Levine about whether baseball could benefit from a coaching shakeup akin to the New Jersey Devils’ experiment with a three-headed head coach.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about the Hall of Fame, the best baseball gifts, GM track records, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about John Smoltz’s Hall of Fame candidacy, then try to decipher how A.J. Preller’s Padres rebuilt in the blink of an eye.
Ben and Sam talk to pitcher-turned-attorney Garrett Broshuis about his class-action lawsuit seeking higher wages for minor league players.
Ben talks to Scott Drader of Metalhead Software about the development of their successful new video game, Super Mega Baseball.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about baseball aesthetics, baseball myths, and trades involving only big leaguers, then discuss the Dodgers’ Brett Anderson signing.
Ben and Sam banter about changes in World Series odds, then discuss how teams value draft picks inappropriately, whether the Marlins are sincere, and Boston’s low-strike strategy.
Ben and Sam discuss the deluge of signings and trades during the last two days of the Winter Meetings.
Ben and Sam banter about contradictory rumors and the biggest moves made early at the Winter Meetings.
Ben and Sam banter about rumors, David Robertson, and the Winter Meetings, then revisit the Josh Donaldson trade to decide whether Billy Beane is bad for baseball.
Ben and Sam banter about rumors and Ryan Webb’s wedding, then discuss the pre-Winter Meetings trajectories of the Braves, Red Sox, and Dodgers.
Ben and Sam talk to Robert Arthur about what makes Pablo Sandoval uniquely valuable, then answer emails about eating contracts, baseball abroad, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss the surprising Josh Donaldson-Brett Lawrie deal between the A’s and the Blue Jays.
Ben and Sam end the holiday week with listener emails about Red Sox spending, the least similar teams, clubs doubling down on position players, and more.
Ben and Sam talk about the curiously large gap between the rumored contract terms for Chase Headley and Pablo Sandoval, then discuss the reports about the Red Sox signing Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez.
Ben and Sam banter about Jose Molina, Pat Venditte, and non-revelatory rumors, then draft free agents whose contracts they expect to be above or below published estimates.
Ben and Sam banter about non-revelatory rumors and new details about the Giancarlo Stanton deal, then answer listener emails about front-office roles, offensive eras, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about being blindsided by trades, then discuss Toronto’s Russell Martin signing and the Jason Heyward-Shelby Miller deal.
Ben and Sam banter about non-revelatory rumors, replay-review revisions, and Barry Zito, then discuss the reported terms of the Marlins’ historic Giancarlo Stanton extension.
Ben and Sam talk to BP prospect staffers Nick J. Faleris and Chris Mellen about the Cubs’ top-ranked farm system.
Ben and Sam discuss Jerry Crasnick’s executive survey, then answer listener emails about Max Scherzer, international spending, and more.
Ben and Sam size up the pre-offseason 2015 World Series odds and speculate about how they might change before next season.
Ben and Sam banter about Fat Kershaw and GMs without playing experience, then talk about free agents who aren’t getting their due.
Ben and Sam banter about Joe Maddon, Michael Cuddyer, and more, then answer offseason-related listener emails.
Ben and Sam discuss the Yankees’ free-agent spending plans and their impact on the market.
Ben and Sam discuss World Series hangovers and the Danny Duffy deception, then talk about what they learned from the Royals and the Giants.
Ben and Sam recap and respond to Game 7’s twists and turns, from Guthrie to Bumgarner and Gordon.
Ben and Sam discuss the breaks that went the Royals’ way in Game 6, then preview the final game of the 2014 season.
Ben and Sam discuss Joe Maddon’s decision to opt out of his contract with Tampa Bay, then talk about other front-office comings and goings and Miguel Cabrera’s surgery.
Ben and Sam talk about the tragic death of Oscar Taveras, then discuss the baseball they watched over the weekend.
Ben and Sam banter about non-playoff news, then answer emails about postseason teams and search for the most exciting playoff games ever.
Ben and Sam discuss the deceptive stats, mistaken managers, and rejuvenated Royals of World Series Game 2.
Ben and Sam discuss James Shields, Madison Bumgarner, and what World Series Game 1 reminded us about the Royals.
Ben and Sam talk to McCovey Chronicles author Grant Brisbee about the World Series and the Giants’ recent run.
Ben and Sam talk to Kansas City Star Royals beat writer Andy McCullough about the World Series and covering the Royals.
Ben and Sam discuss NLCS Game Five and respond to Mike Matheny’s post-game comments in real time.
Ben and Sam discuss the Dodgers’ hiring of Andrew Friedman and the Royals’ latest postseason victory.
Ben and Sam talk to BP pitching mechanics expert Doug Thorburn about Adam Wainwright, Danny Duffy, and other postseason pitchers.
Ben and Sam discuss the Cardinals’ injuries, the value of outfield arms, Statcast, and more.
Ben and Sam talk to Rob Neyer about bringing stats to Fox Sports 1’s NLCS Game 1 broadcast, plus the Royals, postseason managerial moves, and more.
Ben, Sam, and Zachary Levine discuss whether the postseason is too unpredictable and then break down the managerial decisions from two decisive NLDS games.
Ben and Sam banter about Terrance Gore’s future, then discuss Clayton Kershaw and the Cardinals and the Giants-Nationals series.
Ben and Sam banter about MLB’s AFL experiment, then discuss what went down in the ALDS and preview the NLDS.
Ben and Sam discuss the NL wild card game, Adam Dunn, and the suffering of Oakland fans, then preview the ALDS.
Ben and Sam discuss the Pirates’ decision to start Gerrit Cole, the Astros’ decision to sit (and then start) Jose Altuve, and other news from the weekend.
Ben and Sam banter about the most famous players, then talk about the relative value of top prospects and elite executives.
Ben and Sam banter about Matt Kemp, Phil Hughes, and the wild card races, then talk about their most memorable errors of 2014.
Ben and Sam discuss the shift and answer listener emails about instant replay, wild cards, prospect promotions, Chipper vs. Jeter, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Kolten Wong and the scout who signed Mike Trout, then talk about a controversial call with playoff implications.
Ben and Sam talk to Nate Silver about baseball analysis and the first six months of FiveThirtyEight.
Ben and Michael Baumann talk to Grantland lead hockey writer Sean McIndoe about the rise of sabermetric-style analysis in the NHL.
Ben and Sam answer emails about Derek Jeter, manager challenges, the closer role, pitcher MVPs, and more.
Ben and Sam compare Kershaw to Pedro and discuss Ned Yost’s bullpen usage, Russell Martin’s fitness, and Jenrry Mejia’s save celebration.
Ben and Sam talk to 2014 St. Paul Saints pitcher Andy Johnson about what life is like in the independent leagues.
Ben and Sam talk to Newsday Mets beat writer Marc Carig about the ups and downs of the Mets’ season, and their chances in 2015.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about tanking, job searching, rule changes and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Ben’s encounter with Roger Angell, then discuss Comeback Player of the Year candidates for 2015.
Ben and Sam banter about September call-ups and game length, then discuss whether MLB and its owners are acting in the long-term interests of the sport.
Ben and Sam talked to David Epstein, author of The Sports Gene, about whether women will make the majors, whether Babe Ruth could compete today, whether genetics explain injury rates, and more.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about expanded rosters, waiver claims, hidden perfect games, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss which lineups have deviated from preseason projections by the most, and what it means.
Ben and Sam talk to Jason Wojciechowski about how Oakland’s lead evaporated and how the AL West will be won.
Ben and Sam banter about the latest in Andrelton Simmons defense, then discuss why hitters don’t often go the other way against the defensive shift.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about bat speed, umpire bias, and error bars and then Play Index about Javier Baez and Bo Jackson.
Ben and Sam banter about balls and strikes and then discuss 2014’s top transactions relative to the amount of attention they received at the time.
Ben and Sam take the Ice Bucket Challenge and then discuss the signing of new Red Sox center fielder Rusney Castillo.
Ben and Sam discuss the Angels’ loss of Garrett Richards and the other costliest injuries of 2014.
Ben and Sam talk to Robert Arthur about the analytical significance of the crack of the bat and his other original sabermetric research.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about outfielders, strikeouts, command vs. control, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss Alex Gordon, Mike Trout, and the relationship between defensive stats and the MVP award.
Ben and Sam talk to Yahoo! Sports columnist Jeff Passan about Commissioner-elect Rob Manfred.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about Justin Verlander’s woes, switch-pitchers, empty averages, and more.
Sam and Craig Goldstein bring on Wendy Thurm to talk about a big ruling out of New York that could affect MLB’s television territories and blackouts.
Ben, Russell Carleton, and Michael Baumann discuss whether winning in the playoffs is any different from winning in August, then talk about ways to shorten games.
Ben and Sam discuss San Diego’s hiring of A.J. Preller and what they would look for in a general manager.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about timing trades, breaking news, outlawing headhunting, prospect debuts, and more.
Ben and Sam talk to ESPN Chicago contributor Sahadev Sharma about the arrival of Javier Baez and the future of the Cubs.
Ben and Sam discuss the major moves made (and not made) before Thurday’s trade deadline.
Ben and Sam discuss Boston’s incentives to consider trading two of their top starters on trade deadline day.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about the trade deadline, draft strategy, five-strikeout innings, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about Diamondbacks headlines, Andrelton Simmons, the latest Astros controversy, and independent leagues.
Ben and Sam talk to Sports Illustrated’s Jay Jaffe about Hall of Fame induction weekend and the latest changes to the election process.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about front-loaded contracts, qualifying offers, scouting umpires, pitcher command, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about banning the shift, then discuss the way the Astros’ draft deadline went down.
Ben and Sam banter about Andrelton Simmons’ defense and stars playing through injuries, then assess how willing each contender should be to make a major move.
Ben and Sam banter about unwritten rules, then discuss the Angels-Padres trade, Oakland’s ingeniousness, and a few other subjects.
On the podcast’s second anniversary, Ben and Sam banter about several subjects, then talk about what they would include in a team’s instructional manual.
Ben and Zachary talk to Houston Chronicle Astros beat writer Evan Drellich about the Astros’ contentious negotiations with no. 1 overall pick Brady Aiken.
Ben and Sam banter about the All-Star Game and answer listener emails about All-Stars vs. Snubs, overly long-term contracts, teaming up on Trout, and more.
Ben and Sam revisit their discussion of early-season statistics to see whether potential trends held up.
Ben and Sam talk to Zachary Levine about ways that Major League Baseball could make All-Star week better.
Ben and Sam discuss their new jobs and the future of the podcast, then talk about how ace starters are defined.
Ben and and Sam discuss Billy Beane’s Wall Street Journal op-ed and how Statcast will affect scouting and player evaluation.
Ben and and Sam banter about records they’d like to see broken and answer listener emails about the Yankees’ facial hair policy, trying not to hit homers, and more.
Ben and and Sam banter about Bronson Arroyo and Sean Doolittle, then discuss comments by John Lackey and Jose Bautista.
Ben and Russell discuss whether trading David Price (or anyone else) to another team in the same division makes sense.
Ben and Russell talk to Scout.com National Baseball Analyst Kiley McDaniel about the strategic approach to the international free agent market and why the Yankees are spending so much.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about meaningless splits, data leaks, exploiting unwritten rules, and more.
Ben and Sam talk about three things that could inspire new unwritten rules (as if there weren’t enough unwritten rules already).
Ben and Sam banter about the Astros, then discuss what a realistic return would be in a package for David Price.
Ben and Sam banter about seeing no-hitters and team philosophies, then discuss potential solutions for each contender’s biggest need.
Ben and Sam banter about the Diamondbacks, then answer listener emails about David Price’s peripherals, favorite batter-pitcher matchups, evaluating defense, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about the Nationals, then discuss where the Padres went wrong and whether Josh Byrnes deserved his dismissal.
Ben and Sam discuss whether Major League Baseball should ban chewing tobacco, mandate that pitchers wear protective caps, and fund research about elbow injuries.
Ben and Sam identify the players who’ve most overperformed or underperformed their PECOTAs and discuss what they’ll do next.
Ben and Sam answer listener email questions about players who take pitches, catcher defense, spotting terrible teams a run, tool grades, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about unpredictability, then answer listener emails about Google Glass, split seasons, time travel, Austin Hedges, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss the weekend’s unwritten rule violations, then talk about the teams with the best records in baseball, the A’s and Giants.
Ben and Sam talk to Nick J. Faleris about the best values and most surprising picks on the first day of the amateur draft.
Ben and Sam talk to Nick J. Faleris about the way the amateur draft works, the top talents available, and what we might see in the first round.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about pitch selection, recruiting skills, bionic arms, and learning to scout.
Ben and Sam discuss Jonathan Singleton’s extension and promotion, then dissect the first round of ESPN’s Franchise Player Draft.
Ben and Sam banter about several stories, then discuss Phil Hughes’ success and whether teams should trade prospects more often.
Ben and Sam banter about elbow injuries and then, in honor of Dan Uggla’s displacement, discuss the least-productive teams at each position.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about the Scouting Bureau and scouting departments, stats and the mainstream media, genetic testing, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss whether the Astros’ analytical approach has become (or could become) a PR problem.
Ben and Sam respond to the news about Prince Fielder’s surgery by discussing what teams can do to prevent players from concealing injuries.
Ben and Sam talk to Dodgers VP of Medical Services and Head Athletic Trainer Stan Conte about the pitcher injury epidemic.
Ben and Sam banter about ejections and the Diamondbacks, then answer listener emails about pitch count histories, career strikeout records, a baseball version of the XFL, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about position player pitchers and Andrelton Simmons, then discuss batters’ latest attempts to bunt to beat the shift.
Ben and Sam banter about the Dodgers and run differential and then discuss a surprising trend in managerial ejections thus far.
Ben and Sam reach into the topic grab bag and discuss Johnny Cueto, Zack Greinke, when to give hitters green lights, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss whether it would make sense for a team to sign a recent Tommy John surgery sufferer to a long-term contract extension.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about Tommy John surgery, velocity limits, rooting for minor-league teams, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss the Jose Fernandez injury and talk to Corey Dawkins and Doug Thorburn about the Tommy John rehab process and why pitchers keep getting hurt.
Ben and Sam discuss two teams that have significantly surpassed expectations so far: the Colorado Rockies and the Miami Marlins.
Ben and Sam discuss the deadlocked American League East with Sports Illustrated author Jay Jaffe.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about replay and umpires, home field advantage, picking a front office to follow, and more.
Ben and Sam banter about hustle and drug suspensions, then talk about how Miguel Cabrera, Mike Trout, and Giancarlo Stanton have been pitched this season.
Ben and Sam banter about position player pitchers and headfirst slides, then draft starting pitchers under the age of 26.
Ben and Sam talk to Dirk Hayhurst about the sticky subject of player-media relations from the perspective of a person who’s been on both sides of the mic.
Ben and Sam talk to J.P. Breen about the Milwaukee Brewers, owners of the best record in baseball.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about Jose Fernandez, the best baseball PED, a pitcher with perfect command, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss Bryce Harper’s latest injury and their thoughts on when hustle becomes counterproductive.
Ben and Sam talk to Charlie Wilmoth about his new book about the Pirates and the psychology of Pirates fans.
Ben and Sam discuss which teams have seen their chances of making the playoffs change the most since Opening Day.
Ben and Sam banter about Josh Johnson, Michael Pineda, and more, then choose between the Ryan Howard, Albert Pujols, and Miguel Cabrera contracts.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about must-watch players, breaking news, uniform numbers, Billy Hamilton, Mike Trout, and more.
Ben and Sam attempt to guess the career earnings of a number of baseball players picked by guest Matt Trueblood.
Ben and Dan discuss the weekend’s news and transactions, including a trio of unwritten rules violations.
Ben discusses the origins and implications of baseball’s skyrocketing strikeout rate with a panel of experts including Harry Pavlidis, Rob Neyer, Brian Bannister, and Alan Nathan.
Ben and Russell talk to Dirk Hayhurst about doctoring baseballs, hitting batters, and the perceived effect of race on clubhouse chemistry.
Ben and Zachary talk to David Lazarus about the Dodgers and baseball’s broadcast bubble, then answer emails about Scott Boras, Brian Cashman, the AL East, and more.
Ben and Jason talk to Jesse Katz about his reporting on Yasiel Puig’s harrowing escape from Cuba.
Ben and Sam talk to Owen Good about MLB 14: The Show, where baseball video games have been, and where they’re going.
Ben and Sam talk to Alejandro Aldama of the Independent Group for Baseball Investigation about the state of sabermetrics in Cuba.
Ben and Sam discuss events from Wednesday’s games, the new transfer rule, and the injuries that could cost teams playoff spots.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about Barry Bonds vs. Mike Trout, Billy Hamilton, teams taking the long view, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss whether they’re buying several statistical developments from the season’s first week.
Ben and Sam discuss the impact of extensions on the players’ share of baseball’s record revenues.
Ben and Sam talk about Ned Yost’s tactics, expanded replay’s first few days, Bo Porter’s bullpen philosophy, and more.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about Mike Trout (as usual), clubhouse etiquette, the worst teams in baseball, catcher framing and unwritten rules, and more.
Ben and Sam talk to Jonah Keri about his new book about the Montreal Expos, Up, Up & Away, as well as expansion draft strategy and spelling defense with a c.
Ben and Sam cover a range of topics, including Mike Trout, Hanley Ramirez, and who’s hitting cleanup for the Marlins.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about the Miguel Cabrera contract extension, bullpen usage, productive at-bats, multiple Mike Trouts, and more.
Ben and Sam preview the Dodgers’ season with Doug Thorburn, and Nick talks to Los Angeles Times Dodgers beat writer Dylan Hernandez (at 25:52).
Ben and Sam preview the Rays’ season with Tommy Rancel, and Nick talks to Fox Sports Florida’s Andrew Astleford (at 21:48).
Ben and Sam preview the Nationals’ season with Craig Goldstein, and Nick talks to Washington Post Nationals beat reporter Adam Kilgore (at 22:17).
Ben and Sam preview the Tigers’ season with Paul Sporer, and Nick talks to MLB.com Tigers beat writer Jason Beck (at 29:00).
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about supercomputers, heartbeat monitors, players using stats, and more.
Ben and Sam preview the Red Sox’ season with Marc Normandin, and Nick talks to WEEI.com Red Sox beat writer Alex Speier (at 18:53).
Ben and Sam preview the Giants’ season with Grant Brisbee, and Nick talks to Giants radio and TV broadcaster and ESPN play-by-play voice Dave Flemming (at 23:20).
Ben and Sam preview the Athletics’ season with Ken Arneson, and Nick talks to San Francisco Chronicle A’s beat writer Susan Slusser (at 27:12).
Ben and Sam preview the Cardinals’ season with Will Leitch, and Nick talks to 101 ESPN St. Louis host Kevin Wheeler (at 30:36).
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about Andrelton Simmons, finishers who can’t close, pitcher injuries, and more.
Ben and Sam preview the Angels’ season with Matt Welch, and Nick talks to Los Angeles Times Angels beat writer Mike DiGiovanna (at 30:05).
Ben and Sam preview the Braves’ season with Mark Smith, and Nick talks to Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Mark Bradley (at 24:34).
Ben and Sam preview the Rangers’ season with Lana Berry, and Nick talks to Fort Worth Star-Telegram Rangers beat writer Jeff Wilson (at 26:14).
Ben and Sam preview the Reds’ season with Craig Fehrman, and Nick talks to Cincinnati Enquirer Reds beat writer John Fay (at 24:50).
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about MLBAM’s new tracking technology and the future of scouting, nine-man rosters, baseball spoilers, and more.
Ben and Sam preview the Yankees’ season with Emma Span, and Nick talks to Wall Street Journal Yankees beat writer Daniel Barbarisi (at 22:15).
Ben and Sam preview the Mariners’ season with Mike Curto, and Nick talks to Seattle Times Mariners beat writer Ryan Divish (at 26:49).
Ben and Sam preview the Padres’ season with Geoff Young, and Nick talks to MLB.com Padres beat writer Corey Brock (at 22:23).
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about scouting based on one swing, how much GMs know, paying young players, psyching out opponents, and more.
Ben and Sam preview the Indians’ season with Susan Petrone, and Nick talks to MLB.com Indians beat writer Jordan Bastian (at 21:16).
Ben and Sam preview Arizona’s season with azcentral sports Diamondbacks beat writer Nick Piecoro, and Nick Wheatley-Schaller talks to FOX Sports Arizona’s Diamondbacks TV play-by-play voice, Steve Berthiaume (at 27:47).
Ben and Sam preview the Royals’ season with Craig Brown, and Nick talks to Kansas City Star Royals beat writer Andy McCullough (at 25:35).
Ben and Sam preview the Blue Jays’ season with Adam Sobsey, and Nick talks to Sportsnet baseball columnist Shi Davidi (at 22:49).
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about MLB’s blackout policy, the Phillies and the NCAA, missing triples, the save rule, and more.
Ben and Sam preview the Rockies’ season (and analyze Coors Field) with Russell A. Carleton, and Nick talks to Denver Post Rockies beat writer (and National Baseball Writer) Troy Renck (at 30:39).
Ben and Sam preview the Pirates’ season with Michael Clair, and Nick talks to Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Pirates reporter Travis Sawchik (at 27:45).
Ben and Sam preview the Phillies’ season with Bill Baer, and Nick talks to Matt Gelb, who covers the Phillies for the Philadelphia Inquirer (at 20:58).
Ben and Sam introduce a new sponsor, then preview the White Sox’ season with Ken Funck, and Nick talks to CSNChicago.com White Sox insider Dan Hayes (at 27:44).
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about Mike Trout, Masahiro Tanaka, Javier Baez, and more, and Ben talks to Ricky Smith about being Jetered (at 44:17).
Ben and Sam preview the Orioles’ season with Paul Sporer, and Nick talks to MLB.com Orioles beat writer Brittany Ghiroli (at 22:07).
Ben and Sam preview the Mets’ season with Will Woods, and Nick talks to Newsday Mets beat writer Marc Carig (at 20:54).
Ben and Sam preview the Cubs’ season with Ken Funck, and Nick talks to Daily Herald Cubs beat writer Bruce Miles (at 20:53).
Ben and Sam preview the Twins’ season with Aaron Gleeman, and Nick talks to Star Tribune Twins beat writer Phil Miller (at 23:22).
Ben and Sam answer emails about an auction for playing time, Mike Trout’s plate approach, a contract that could kill baseball, and more.
Ben and Sam preview the Marlins’ season with David Roth, and Nick talks to Sun-Sentinel Marlins beat writer Juan C. Rodriguez (at 29:09).
Ben and Sam preview the Astros’ season with Zachary Levine, and Nick talks to Houston Chronicle Astros beat writer Evan Drellich (at 23:12).
Ben and Sam talk about pitchers, catchers, and PECOTA projections reporting for spring training.
Ben and Sam draft teams based on their projected gains (and losses) in the standings this season.
Ben, Sam, and special guest Ryan Sullivan answer listener emails about instant replay, roster changes, shortening the lineup, Seinfeld, and more.
Ben and Sam talk to Jack Moore about the history of Orioles physicals and Peter Angelos’ time with the team.
Ben and Sam talk to Dan Brooks about why the expanded replay review system should motivate managers to challenge early and often.
Ben and Sam discuss Jon Lester and whether the Rays and Red Sox have figured out how to make players reluctant to leave.
Ben and Sam discuss Baseball Prospectus 2014 and Mariachi A-Rod, then answer listener emails about quality of competition, contract clauses, PED placebos, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss several subjects either closely or loosely related to the Yankees’ signing of Masahiro Tanaka.
Ben and Sam discuss Bobby Abreu, then answer listener emails about pushing PEDs, the best Barry Bonds stats, walk-up music, players becoming GMs, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss the least beloved baseball figures and whether it makes sense to compare Masahiro Tanaka to other Japanese pitchers, then answer a listener email hypothetical.
Ben and Sam discuss Fat A-Rod and instant replay, then answer listener emails about Babe Ruth, Roger Clemens, and the darkness that lurks within all of us.
Ben and Sam discuss Delmon Young, then pick candidates to become the 2014 versions of 2013 players.
Ben and Sam discuss hypothetical questions about Mike Trout, Barry Bonds, Mark Mulder and more.
Ben and Sam talk to Andy McCullough about the latest legal developments in the Alex Rodriguez saga, the A-Rod episode of 60 Minutes, and more.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about hiring GMs, a Hall of Fame-level LOOGY, restructuring divisions, and more.
Ben and Sam talk to Jay Jaffe about the 2014 Hall of Fame voting results, election-season mud-slinging, the 2015 ballot, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss BP’s Hall of Fame ballot, then review early scouting reports on the players BP would have voted in.
Ben and Sam discuss the remaining big-name free agents and talk about which might be best served by one-year deals.
Ben and Sam discuss what the early results of the Hall of Fame voting say about the induction process.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about switching agents, the spitball, rule changes, advanced stats in other sports, and more.
Ben and Sam review Bill James’ old baseball predictions for 2015, then issue their own for 2030.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about a three-Andrelton infield, modern-day barnstorming, signing and trading Kendrys Morales, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss recent trades and signings, focusing on moves by the Indians, White Sox, and Diamondbacks, Kevin Towers’ changing approach to building a bullpen, and the reliever market.
Ben and Sam talk to Jason Coskrey of The Japan Times about Masahiro Tanaka and the recent changes to the NPB-MLB player posting system.
Ben and Sam discuss the Giants’ offseason and their thoughts on Brian Sabean and other general managers.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about trading within the division, stats on baseball broadcasts, Mike Trout, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss home plate collisions, the neighborhood play, and moves by the Mariners, Mets, and Nationals.
Ben and Sam discuss the Dodgers’ outfield situation, then talk about the two trades made on Tuesday.
Ben and Sam discuss Roy Halladay, Mark Prior, rumors from the Winter Meetings, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss the Robinson Cano signing and the weekend’s big story about the Mariners’ front office.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about the high-strikeout era, baseball with soccer scoring, unintentional walks and reaching on error, and more.
Ben and Sam talk about the idea that trying to win is costing teams money, then discuss what the industry says about this week’s transaction activity.
Ben and Sam discuss the Hall of Fame and answer listener emails about brawls with Brian McCann, catcher framing, park effects, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss the early movement on the free agent market, then break down the Jose Molina, Brian McCann, and Joe Smith signings.
Ben and Sam discuss Jhonny Peralta’s contract with the Cardinals, and whose responsibility it should be to publish PED users.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about switching positions between batters, specialist scouts, risk-averse skippers, a team of top prospects, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss the Ian Kinsler-Prince Fielder trade, then talk to Baseball South Australia’s Drew Samuelson about the incredible Canberra Cavalry.
Ben and Sam discuss the new kind of coach being hired by big-league teams this offseason.
Ben and Sam discuss Jay Z’s potential to be a new kind of agent, and whether they’d want to be one of his clients.
Ben and Sam talk to Jason Parks about why he thinks the Minnesota Twins have the best minor-league talent in baseball.
Ben and Sam answer a strong selection of listener emails on award voting, the BBWAA, defensive stats, Phillies analytics, lefty catchers, free agent compensation systems, and more.
Ben and Sam talk to Evaluating Baseball’s Managers author Chris Jaffe about how to assess managers and what the latest managerial hirings mean.
Ben and Sam talk to Field of Schemes author Neil DeMause about the Braves’ proposed new park and public financing for sports stadiums.
Ben and Sam select 20 minor league free agents with decent chances to see big league playing time in 2014.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about pitcher hitting, the Phillies’ new analyst, Scott Boras’ use of stats, and more.
Ben and Sam talk to author Kevin Kerrane about the Dollar Sign on the Muscle reprint and the world of scouting.
Ben and Sam talk to former big leaguer Adrian Cardenas about why he decided to walk away from baseball shortly after making his MLB debut.
Ben and Sam discuss who did and didn’t get qualifying offers, which player stands to lose the most money as a result, and why the system doesn’t make sense.
Ben and Sam talk to Colin Wyers about how he got hired by the Astros, working in baseball, and where sabermetrics is headed.
Ben and Sam review the World Series and talk about the 2013 seasons and futures of the Red Sox and Cardinals with Zachary Levine.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about the playoffs, then discuss how MLB could disincentivize tanking for higher draft picks.
Ben and Sam discuss David Ortiz, Jon Lester and Adam Wainwright, and the latest questionable moves by Mike Matheny and John Farrell.
Ben and Sam critique the managerial moves of Game Two, then talk about the kind of pitchers the Red Sox hit best.
Ben and Sam compare notes from Game One of the World Series, discussing Adam Wainwright’s performance, Dana DeMuth’s perplexing call, the Cardinals’ good and bad defensive plays, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss the Dodgers’ and Tigers’ futures, then break down Tim Lincecum’s contract and answer listener emails.
Ben and Sam talk to Russell Carleton about whether momentum and previous playoff experience matter, whether bunts are always bad, and the importance of shutdown innings.
Ben and Sam talk about ALCS Game 5, then discuss how the Dodgers could get the most NLCS value out of Clayton Kershaw.
Ben and Sam talk about ALCS Game 4 and NLCS Game 5, then answer listener emails about sabermetrics and strikeouts.
Ben and Sam discuss the latest action in a pitching-dominated postseason, then answer emails about power outages, platoon splits, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss the improbable outcomes of the first three games between the Cardinals and Dodgers.
Ben and Sam discuss Justin Verlander in the wake of his ALDS performance, then answer some listener emails.
Ben and Sam discuss Cubs prospects and (at the end of the episode) Joe Girardi’s managerial decision, then talk about the Pirates’ loss and answer some listener emails.
Ben and Sam discuss the current true talent of Miguel Cabrera, then talk about pitchers starting on short rest in October.
Ben and Sam talk about two managers in the news, then discuss a pair of prospects Ben saw in Arizona.
Ben and Sam talk to Brian Kenny about the reaction to his campaign to kill the win and why sabermetrics needs a confrontational face.
Ben and Sam discuss Dayton Moore’s comments about the Royals’ season, then talk playoff starters.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about unusual outfield alignments, high schoolers versus big leaguers, modern starters used like Cy Young, and more.
Ben and Sam preview the Reds-Pirates Wild Card game, then talk to Lone Star Ball’s Adam J. Morris about the Rangers’ season and tiebreak defeat.
Ben and Sam discuss Mariano Rivera’s farewell, Carlos Gomez’s suspension, and Bud Selig’s legacy.
Ben and Sam discuss whether contenders use their starters optimally in September, then talk about the Astros’ approach to team-building.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about MVP debates, the future of soft-tossing pitcher, Hall of Fame voting, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss Manny Machado’s injury and season, then talk about playoff rotations.
Ben and Sam discuss a World Series suggestion by Scott Boras and the Hall of Fame cases of three PED-implicated players. (Breaking Bad spoilers from 2:00-6:00.)
Ben and Sam discuss Hanley Ramirez’s season and future, then talk about various teams’ chances to make it to October in 2014 (and beyond).
Ben and Sam discuss Billy Hamilton, the Rangers’ “collapse” narrative, the Rays’ pickup of Freddy Guzman, and the AL Wild Card race.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about extreme tiebreak scenarios, home run robberies, the winningest and losingest players, Mike Trout, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss why players don’t choose year-to-year contracts, then rank contending teams by rootability.
Ben and Sam discuss the onslaught of articles about which teams are best-suited for October, then talk about the Cooperstown cases of Vladimir Guerrero and Todd Helton.
Ben and Sam pick potential comeback players for next season, then discuss Bill James’ list of the ways in which teams have improved over the last 10 years.
Ben and Sam discuss whether 2013 was a success or failure for the Marlins relative to expectations, then talk about how the Yankees should approach Derek Jeter’s age-40 season.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about Mariano Rivera’s workload, rarely applied rules, FIELDf/x and shifts, quality starts, and more.
Ben and Sam talk about whether teams should step up advance scouting in the upper minors, then discuss the difference (or lack thereof) between the PEDs MLB bans and the procedures it allows.
Ben and Sam discuss (again) whether Mike Trout or Bryce Harper will have the better career, then talk about where they would rank today’s top pitchers and position players for the future.
Ben, Sam, and guest Harry Pavlidis draft slow-throwing starters, and Harry explains the intricacies of classifying pitches and scouting pitchers from PITCHf/x.
Ben and Sam discuss the debatable value of Billy Hamilton, then forecast the free agencies of Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann, Phil Hughes and others.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about PED placebos, deceptively bad seasons, advanced stats in fantasy baseball, and more.
Ben and Sam talk to MLBDailyDish.com writer Chris Cotillo about how he became a baseball newsbreaker before the age of 18.
Ben and Sam talk to Cincinnati Enquirer reporter C. Trent Rosecrans about the Reds, Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips, and the trials and travails of beat writing.
Ben and Sam discuss how Wladimir Balentien’s explosive season in Japan would translate to the majors, then examine the notion that Billy Beane’s teams play better in the second half.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about rare plays they wish they would see, players wearing heart rate monitors, and more.
Ben and Sam try to come to terms with Matt Harvey’s elbow injury, then discuss a player poll about Alex Rodriguez.
Ben and Sam discuss Jack Zduriencik and the future of the Mariners, then talk about CC Sabathia’s dismaying season.
Ben and Sam pick a perceived clubhouse leader for each team, then talk about whether teams should ever refuse to sign certain players on moral grounds.
Ben, Sam, and guest co-host Russell Carleton discuss whether and how the Dodgers should discipline Yasiel Puig, teams that would want to take mulligans on their trade deadlines, and things sabermetricians are still getting wrong.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about when every team will have won a World Series, the best baseball Kickstarters, rooting for draft picks, one-pitch pitchers, and more.
Ben and Sam reevaluate whether the Marlins’ early promotion of Jose Fernandez made sense, then talk about where Robinson Cano will end up.
Ben and Sam banter about the Saber Seminar, then discuss Clayton Kershaw’s odds of induction into the Hall and the best-ever years for young players.
Ben and Sam talk about how the A’s are winning in an unusual way for a small-market team, then discuss why the Dodgers have been the exception to the trend of money not leading to wins.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about baseball with clockwise bases, whether in-game managerial moves help or hurt, who pays players who get released, and more.
Ben, Sam, and guest Zachary Levine mull over four questions about Miguel Cabrera, then talk about the World Series odds of the Tigers and other teams.
Ben and Sam discuss the next potential star from Cuba and the future of Cuban baseball, then revisit a trade for Wil Myers that didn’t happen.
Ben and Sam do a grab-bag episode on an assortment of topics, including Kenley Jansen’s hidden perfect game, Phillies outfielder updates, teams that own other teams, and a comment by Kerry Wood.
Ben and Sam discuss Mike Trout’s chances of becoming the best player ever, then talk about how the Phillies’ Chase Utley extension will work out.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about the best free agents available, expanded rosters, a world without Tommy John surgery, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss a cricket replay review controversy, a few of Ruben Amaro’s regrettable moves, and the suspensions of Jhonny Peralta and Nelson Cruz.
Ben and Sam discuss whether teams should pick up various 2014 options, then talk about whether teams can make unwritten rules work to their advantage.
Ben and Sam discuss whether several extensions would still be signed today, then talk about the Cubs’ decision to exceed their international spending allowance.
Ben and Sam discuss their favorite and least-favorite deadline moves, the biggest upgrades, teams that should have sold, and more.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about the consequences of abolishing the trade deadline, baseball’s war on PEDs, time traveling front offices, and more.
Ben and Sam revisit the question of whether wealthy teams are winning (and will win) more, then discuss a proposal to push the trade deadline back.
Ben and Sam discuss whether an owner overruling a GM can ever be a good thing, then revisit the Tigers’ decision to extend Justin Verlander well before he was a free agent.
Ben and Sam talk to Star-Ledger beat writer Andy McCullough about the experience of covering the Alex Rodriguez story, and how it will all play out.
Ben and Sam talk about events from baseball’s history that would be bigger stories today, then dicuss narratives to explain the Nationals’ season.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about rating prospect ratings, baseball without rain delays, updating the box score, and more.
Ben and Sam interview former big-league outfielder Gabe Kapler about his respect for sabermetrics and the purpose advanced stats can serve for players.
Ben and Sam talk about whether it’s ever fair to suspect that a player is taking PEDs, then discuss Ruben Amaro’s comments about public prospect rankings.
Ben and Sam try to figure out why more pitchers’ careers don’t look like Derek Lowe’s, then talk about the latest Matt Garza trade rumors.
On EW’s one-year anniversary, Ben and Sam chat with Jason Wojciechowski about baseball and copyright law, then answer other listener emails.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about knuckleballers, batting practice, crazy Coors Field seasons, Bryce Harper’s hair, and more.
Ben and Sam talk about the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game, then discuss Chris Davis’ comments about the home run record.
Ben and Sam discuss whether we should care about pitch counts in no-hitters, then talk about the gap between Joe Blanton’s actual and estimated ERA.
Ben and Sam draft the worst player contracts to see who can spend the most money for the least production.
Ben and Sam discuss batter-pitcher matchup stats, ancient players on the comeback trail, and the underdog Yankees.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about the best name for a future baseball player, no-trade clauses, RBI and wins, and a starter with Mariano Rivera’s cutter. Cameo by a raccoon.
Ben and Sam discuss Carlos Gomez’ valuable season and the Cubs’ willingness to trade players they recently signed as free agents.
Ben and Sam pick the worst players eligible for the All-Star Game, then discuss Josh Hamilton’s smokeless tobacco use.
Ben and Sam discuss whether hardcore quantitative analysts make good GM material, then estimate the likelihood that under-30 players will make the Hall of Fame.
Ben and Sam discuss their technical difficulties, Alex Rios’ trade value, and the origins of the surprisingly successful Pirates.
Ben and Sam discuss three things about the Twins, then talk about Dylan Bundy and the PRP approach to treating partial UCL tears.
Ben and Sam talk about whether Kawasaki being sent to the minors tells us anything about chemistry, then discuss how much the Tigers’ defense hurts them.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about park effects, player development, hitting .400, and more.
Ben and Sam revisit some predictions and discussions from prior episodes to see how their thoughts have changed.
Ben and Sam talk about pitchers who are struggling despite lofty strikeout-to-walk ratios, then pick the perfect run environment.
Ben and Sam talk about a pair of All-Star candidates, then discuss Royals GM Dayton Moore’s comments about Kauffman Stadium suppressing walks.
Ben and Sam discuss Matt Harvey’s response to hazing, Albert Pujols’ recent resurgence, and players we’re underrating because of the run environment.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about young pitchers, prospects switching positions, Jose Iglesias’ high BABIP, and base coaches.
Ben and Sam discuss their expectations for Zack Wheeler and other young pitchers, then talk about the true story behind the Dodgers signing Yasiel Puig.
Ben and Sam discuss what Mariano Rivera’s retirement might cost us, then talk about whether it’s possible to evaluate scouts statistically.
Ben and Sam discuss the evolution and future of on-field celebrations, then pick the players they’d most want to appear in the Home Run Derby.
Ben and Sam discuss whether college pitchers should stop pitching for their college teams after being drafted, then talk about the Red Sox and advance scouting.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about baseball bloodlines, managers revealing too much, giving up in extras, calling games, and more.
Ben and Sam talk to Kevin Goldstein about the amateur draft, his scouting assignments, the Astros’ system, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss how impressive it is when players play sick, whether hitting coaches are more important than they’d previously thought, and the season’s most disappointing teams.
Ben and Sam discuss the mystery of mock drafts, how Joey Votto might age, the kinds of information scouts can trust, and the Royals’ lineup evolution.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about umpires, catchers, and home field advantage, a wall in front of home plate, game length, and the anti-DH movement.
Ben and Sam talk about where the White Sox should go from here, then discuss the (over?)hyping of Yasiel Puig’s big-league debut.
Ben and Sam discuss whether the ability to spend big helps teams as much as it once did, then talk about their expectations for Tim Lincecum and Chris Davis.
Ben and Sam discuss B.J. Upton’s slump and mechanical flaws, then talk about the impact an international draft would have on scouting.
Ben and Sam discuss the Royals’ power outage and the comments made by their hitting coach, then talk about surprising physical signs that scouts study.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about errors, ancient players, whether hitters should swing more often on 3-0, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss the Phillies, Blue Jays, and being a buyer or seller in the multi-Wild Card era, then talk about the significance of Jose Canseco’s internet notoriety.
Ben and Sam discuss how the Jesus Montero-Michael Pineda trade has turned out so far, then talk about your ticket refund/giveaway ideas.
Ben and Sam talk about some recent conflicts between veterans and young players, then discuss Don Mattingly’s comments about the Dodgers’ lack of grit.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about refunds for team losses, catcher receiving, defensive positioning, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss whether they’ve underrated Patrick Corbin, then talk about whether there’s a bias against redheads in baseball.
Ben and Sam talk about the circumstances under which they’d feel comfortable recommending that a manager be fired, then discuss different beliefs about hot streaks.
Ben and Sam answers listener questions about catcher framing, a very unusual reliever, and cautionary MRIs.
Ben and Sam team up for a simulpodcast with Carson Cistulli of FanGraphs and FanGraphs Audio to discuss whether the Yankees have been lucky, the best way to watch baseball, and the value of old scouting reports.
Ben and Sam discuss listener emails about whether rising strikeout rates make defense less valuable, whether the worst teams should face off at the end of the year, and more.
Ben and Sam talk about how a player’s willingness to crash into walls affects their expectations for him, then discuss whether Albert Pujols can improve if he keeps playing.
Ben and Sam draft starting pitchers age 25 and under, then discuss whether there’s any significance to the fact that we haven’t seen a no-hitter yet this season.
Ben and Sam talk to Sports on Earth Senior Writer Will Leitch about the evolution of baseball coverage and the fan’s relationship with sports media.
Ben and Sam discuss the sunscreen scandal and how much clubhouse chemistry matters to the Astros.
Ben and Sam answer emails about what it would look like if a hitter got the yips, what Starlin Castro could turn into, errors in sabermetric research, and more.
With All-Star voting officially underway, Ben and Sam make their incredibly premature picks, with Jason Wojciechowski joining them to settle any disputes.
Ben and Sam discuss Scott Kazmir’s win over the weekend, then talk about the Angels’ outlook for the rest of this season and beyond.
Ben and Sam discuss whether a pitcher’s body language can cost him strikes, whether it’s worth trading for relievers early in the season, a study about perceptions of steroid use, and whether a low BABIP is always unlucky.
Ben and Sam discuss whether the league will ever take steps to prevent extremely long games, then talk about what baseball would be like without playoffs.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about whether good minor-league teams could beat bad major-league teams, the Braves and Ks, whether the Jays should regret letting John Farrell go, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss the news about Stephen Strasburg’s forearm and talk about why Manny Machado’s performance this season hasn’t gotten more attention.
Ben and Sam discuss how deep a hole the Blue Jays have dug, then talk about whether it’s fair for people to gloat about the Diamondbacks’ decision to trade Justin Upton based on what’s happened so far this season.
Ben and Will discuss the confusing career of Ike Davis, then talk about whether there are any prospects teams wouldn’t trade straight up for Giancarlo Stanton.
Ben and Paul talk to Corey Dawkins about Chad Billingsley’s elbow, then discuss the Mariners’ decision to start Robert Andino over Brendan Ryan and the state of Seattle’s organization.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about whether PECOTA underestimates the Yankees, how to improve ERA, Coco Crisp the MVP candidate, and in-season stats vs. projections.
Ben and Sam discuss the velocity losses of some of baseball’s best starters, then talk about whether players should have prophylactic appendectomies.
Ben and Sam discuss the short-lived success of starters without great stuff who rely on deception, then talk about Matt Harvey and the Blue Jays’ use (or abuse) of the waiver system.
Ben and Sam discuss the implications of teams’ ability to trade international bonus pool space, and whether it makes sense to enforce the rule about time between pitches.
Ben and Sam discuss Brett Gardner’s new approach at the plate, and how hitters adjust to pitchers.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about the future of the DH role, whether teams rest starters in games they expect to lose, whether it makes sense to bat Giancarlo Stanton leadoff, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss how big a signing bonus Mark Appel will get in the amateur draft, then assess Mike Scioscia’s job security.
Ben and Sam discuss how the Marlins’ lack of lineup protection has affected Giancarlo Stanton so far.
Ben and Sam discuss the brawl between the Dodgers and Padres, then talk about Ben’s latest catcher framing research.
Ben and Sam discuss the situation surrounding Barry Zito’s contract for 2014, and the Royals’ hot, small-sample start.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about batter-pitcher matchups, curious outfield alignments, where to put a player who can’t play defense, and what baseball would be like without innings.
Ben and Sam talk about the performance impact of velocity loss, then discuss the Astros’ astronomical early-season strikeout rate.
Ben and Sam talk about why the Marlins have put service-time considerations aside in Jose Fernandez’s case, then discuss Jose Bautista’s comments about umpires.
Ben and Sam discuss the latest injury to Brian Roberts, Evan Longoria running by Ben Zobrist, and the speculation about a Profar-for-Taveras trade.
Ben and Sam share their thoughts on Roy Halladay, Tim Lincecum, Yu Darvish, Fernando Rodney, the Royals, Tom Milone, Shaun Marcum, and more.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about whether we should let where and for how much a player signs influence how we expect him to play, then revisit their team predictions from the end of last season and discuss what started the sabermetric revolution.
Ben and Sam discuss the recent news about extensions for Justin Verlander, Buster Posey, and Elvis Andrus.
Ben and Sam talk to Jason Parks about the forthcoming Fringe Average Podcast and BP prospect book, the ranking process, and how player development differs between teams.
Ben and Sam talk about Tim McCarver’s impending retirement and share their thoughts on broadcasting, then discuss whether changes in players’ routines have reduced the importance of clubhouse chemistry.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about PECOTA’s projections for the Yankees and Blue Jays, how the amateur draft and free agency would work in an auction format, and whether teams should offer players like Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg $100 million lifetime contracts after drafting them.
Ben and Sam discuss Yasiel Puig’s spring hot streak, how perceptions of him have changed since his signing, and what the Dodgers will do with him now.
Ben and Sam discuss whether the supposed split between scouts and statheads about the outlook for the Astros actually exists.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about the worst team to work for, what baseball would look like without outfield fences, when it’s okay to give up on high draft picks, and how Mariano Rivera compares to top starting pitchers.
Ben and Sam talk to former Los Angeles Dodgers General Manager Dan Evans about his history as a baseball renaissance man and his new roles with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Northern League.
Ben and Sam discuss the rumored approach of the international approach with highly informed guest Jorge Arangure.
Ben and Sam discuss Aroldis Chapman’s role and how much control players should have over the way they’re used by their teams.
Ben and Sam talk to Ian Miller about his WBC experience and the response to the tournament in the US and abroad.
Ben and Sam discuss their expectations for Tim Lincecum and Roy Halladay after their disappointing 2012 seasons and struggles this spring.
Ben and Sam discuss the Brewers’ Carlos Gomez extension and the increasing scarcity of impact free agents.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about how many games a team formed from the three worst teams in baseball would win, whether catchers (and non-catchers) should be allowed to block the plate, and expanding active rosters.
Ben and Sam discuss Ben’s trip to Phoenix for the SABR Analytics Conference, covering the sabermetrics of marketing, clubhouse chemistry, knuckleballers, bullpen usage, the WBC, Kyle Lohse, and other topics along the way.
Ben and Sam preview the Rockies’ season with Geoff Young, and Pete talks to MLB.com Rockies beat writer Thomas Harding (at 16:42).
Ben and Sam preview the Padres’ season with Geoff Young, and Pete talks to San Diego Union-Tribune writer Tom Krasovic (at 18:00).
Ben and Sam preview the Diamondbacks’ season with Doug Thorburn, and Pete talks to AZCentral Sports Diamondbacks beat writer Nick Piecoro (at 19:39).
Ben and Sam preview the Dodgers’ season with Jay Jaffe, and Pete talks to MLB.com Dodgers beat writer Ken Gurnick (at 15:21).
Ben and Sam preview the Giants’ season with Ian Miller and Josh Shepardson, and Pete talks to San Jose Mercury News and Bay Area News Group Giants reporter Alex Pavlovic (at 22:26).
Ben and Sam preview the Cubs’ season with Colin Wyers, and Pete talks to CSNChicago.com Cubs beat writer Patrick Mooney (at 19:43).
Ben and Sam preview the Pirates’ season with R.J. Anderson, and Pete talks to Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Pirates beat writer Rob Biertempfel (at 17:03).
Ben and Sam preview the Brewers’ season with Ken Funck, and Pete talks to MLB.com columnist Mike Bauman (at 19:37).
Ben and Sam preview the Cardinals’ season with Ken Funck, and Pete talks to St. Louis Post-Dispatch sports columnist Joe Strauss (at 18:06).
Ben and Sam preview the Reds’ season with Jay Jaffe and Geoff Young, and Pete talks to Cincinnati CBS affiliate sports anchor/reporter Zach Wells (at 18:35).
Ben and Sam preview the Marlins’ season with Daniel Rathman, and Pete talks to Sun-Sentinel Marlins beat writer Juan C. Rodriguez (at 16:59).
Ben and Sam preview the Mets’ season with Jason Wojciechowski, and Pete talks to Newsday baseball columnist David Lennon (at 22:11).
Ben and Sam preview the Phillies’ season with Paul Sporer, and Pete talks to CSNPhilly.com Phillies Insider Jim Salisbury (at 19:27).
Ben and Sam preview the Braves’ season with Zachary Levine, and Pete talks to Atlanta Journal-Constitution sports columnist Mark Bradley (at 16:42).
Ben and Sam preview the Nationals’ season with Paul Sporer and Daniel Rathman, and Pete talks to Adam Kilgore, who covers the Nationals for the Washington Post (at 19:51).
Ben and Sam preview the Astros’ season with Jason Collette, and Pete talks to MLB.com correspondent Richard Justice (at 16:54).
Ben and Sam preview the Mariners’ season, and Pete talks to Seattle Times Mariners writer Geoff Baker (at 18:53).
Ben and Sam preview the Angels’ season, and Pete talks to Orange County Register Angels beat writer Jeff Fletcher (at 24:40).
Ben and Sam preview the Rangers’ season with Jason Cole, and Pete talks to ESPN Dallas staff writer and blogger Richard Durrett (at 20:48).
Ben and Sam preview the Athletics’ season with Doug Thorburn, and Pete talks to Bay Area News Group A’s beat writer John Hickey (at 19:07).
Ben and Sam preview the Twins’ season with Michael Bates and Bill Parker, and Pete talks to Star Tribune reporter Phill Miller (at 20:26).
Ben and Sam preview the Indians’ season with Matthew Kory and Paul Sporer, and Pete talks to MLB.com Indians reporter Jordan Bastian (at 19:57).
Ben and Sam preview the Royals’ season with Craig Brown, and Pete talks to Kansas City Star columnist Sam Mellinger (at 26:26).
Ben and Sam preview the White Sox’ season with Ken Funck, and Pete talks to Chicago Tribune White Sox beat writer Mark Gonzales (at 16:24).
Ben and Sam preview the Tigers’ season with Paul Sporer, and Pete talks to MLB.com Tigers beat writer Jason Beck (at 17:49).
Ben and Sam preview the Red Sox’ season with Matthew Kory, and Pete talks to Boston Globe and Boston.com columnist Chad Finn (at 22:13).
Ben and Sam preview the Blue Jays’ season with Matthew Kory, and Pete talks to Toronto Star Blue Jays reporter Brendan Kennedy (at 17:32).
Ben and Sam discuss whether the latest PED revelations really revealed anything worrisome before previewing the Rays’ season with Adam Sobsey. Then Pete talks to Tampa Bay Tribune Rays reporter Roger Mooney (at 25:30).
Ben and Sam preview the Orioles’ season with Derek Carty, and Pete talks to MLB.com Orioles reporter Brittany Ghiroli (at 13:22).
Ben and Sam preview the Yankees’ season, and Pete talks to ESPN New York columnist Wallace Matthews (at 15:45).
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about pitcher injuries and pitching prospects, hitter BABIPs (specifically Mike Trout’s), and whether they boo baseball players.
Ben and Sam discuss an assortment of topics, including the Astros’ outlook for 2013 and beyond, Alex Rodriguez’s long-awaited surgery, the Marlins and the MLBPA, and whether baseball broadcasts on the radio will survive.
Ben and Sam discuss PECOTA’s projections for top draft picks from 2007 and talk about whether FIELDf/x and comparable technologies will ever pose a threat to scouts.
Ben and Sam discuss the three-way trade between the Mariners, A’s, and Nationals and talk about whether Seattle was too fixated on adding power this offseason.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about how much steroids help, the best farm systems in baseball, and how they’d try to negotiate a hypothetical trade.
Ben and Sam answer several questions submitted but not answered during Ben’s Monday chat.
Ben and Sam discuss TV shows, the lack of things to talk about, and some interesting findings about pitchouts.
Ben and Sam try to figure out whether the sabermetric movement has helped keep Jack Morris out of the Hall of Fame or given him a better chance to get in.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about the Hall of Fame, preparing for interleague play, the 162-game schedule, and methods of preserving parity.
Ben and Sam discuss the Hall of Fame voting and what their own ballots would look like.
Ben and Sam reflect on one of the slowest days of the offseason and then discuss the lack of movement in the market for Kyle Lohse.
Ben and Sam discuss Joe Maddon’s value and the ways in which managers might have more or less impact than the typical non-baseball boss.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about how players with criminal pasts should be treated and how much pitchers’ non-pitching skills matter.
Ben and Sam ask and answer eight mostly unrelated questions about baseball and themselves.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about Ian Kinsler, how to decide when it’s time to change GMs, R.A. Dickey and the dome, and more.
Ben and Sam discuss Edwin Jackson and the rest of the Cubs’ offseason signings and talk about how the specter of draft-pick compensation is affecting some free agents.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about the Angels’ offense, the dreaded mental block known as the yips, and the impact of the time pitchers take between pitches.
Ben and Sam are joined by Jason Parks for a discussion of the R.A. Dickey deal and the risks and rewards of trading top prospects.
Ben and Sam are joined by Ian Miller and Riley Breckenridge, the heroes behind Productive Outs, to talk about the Angels, Josh Hamilton, and whether fans should worry about bad contracts anymore.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about whether a Yankees fan can learn to like Kevin Youkilis, whether the Diamondbacks got enough back for Trevor Bauer, why teams love left-handed starters, and more.
Ben and Sam talk to Kevin Goldstein about his life after leaving Baseball Prospectus to work for the Houston Astros, what he’s working on, and what he’s learned about how baseball teams work. Also, what he’s drinking.
Ben and Sam weigh in on the Rays-Royals trade involving James Shields and Wil Myers a day after the dust settles.
Ben and Sam discuss the Zack Greinke signing and the Dodgers’ astronomical payroll with Mike Petriello of Dodgers blog Mike Scioscia’s Tragic Illness.
Ben and Sam discuss Koji Uehara’s signing with the Red Sox and attempt to figure out why he doesn’t make more money and high-leverage appearances.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails mostly (but not entirely) about things that happened on day two of the Winter Meetings.
Ben and Sam discuss the trade value of two of the players whose names were most often bandied about in rumors on the first day of the Winter Meetings.
Ben and Sam discuss and pick out the most interesting parts of Bob Elliott’s article on how the big Blue-Jays Marlins trade went down.
Ben and Sam discuss why prospect Alex Meyer isn’t the Twins’ usual type, then wonder why teams didn’t think Russell Martin was worth more than the Pirates paid him.
Ben and Sam break down the Braves’ signing of B.J. Upton and discuss the discrepancy between different appraisals of his value.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about how the Reds might save some money on Aroldis Chapman, whether certain teams might benefit more from framing than others, and where we would rank Marvin Miller in the pantheon of important historical baseball figures.
Ben and Sam discuss Evan Longoria’s second extension and why players aren’t holding out for a bigger slice of the revenue pie.
Ben and Sam discuss what we can learn from the rumors that Royals prospect Wil Myers is available via trade.
Ben and Sam discuss whether MLB’s Commissioner should have the power to block a trade, as Bud Selig considered doing to the Marlins-Blue Jays blockbuster.
Ben and Sam discuss whether Manny Acta’s lousy career win-loss record has any bearing on his likelihood of success if he becomes the Blue Jays’ manager.
Ben and Sam discuss the finding that Jose Molina’s receiving was worth 50 runs and talk about what it’s implications for baseball might be.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about whether the Marlins or Astros will win more games in 2013, who’ll be the next retiring player to get the Chipper Jones treatment, when Yasmani Grandal will play for the Padres, and how the Angels should align their outfielders.
Ben and Sam break down the Marlins-Blue Jays trade from every angle, or at least all the angles that occurred to them at the time.
Ben and Sam discuss the Reds’ and Angels’ approaches to bullpen-building, how Cincinnati’s philosophy affects Aroldis Chapman’s future, and which way the wind is blowing where the closer role is concerned.
Ben and Sam discuss whether Josh Hamilton could end up signing a reasonable contract after all and talk about whether the Yankees can commit to and compete despite their goal to get under the luxury tax threshold by 2014.
Ben and Sam discuss whether recent events and rumors portend more young players on the move, and why.
Ben and Sam answer listener emails about the importance of coaches, defensive stats, and how we know whether pitchers should gain or lose weight, with guest appearances by Colin Wyers and Doug Thorburn.
Ben and Sam discuss the discrepancies between lists of the top free agents this offseason.
Ben and Sam welcome Matthew Kory to the podcast to discuss the David Ortiz contract negotiations and the outlook for the Red Sox this winter.
Ben and Sam discuss what the Ervin Santana trade says about the Royals’ rotation and the pitching market, then talk about what Rick Hahn’s ascension to the GM role in Chicago means for the future of front offices.
Ben and Sam discuss the three-year deal the Dodgers gave Brandon League and reliever salaries in general, then talk about whether Gold Glove voters and advanced defensive stats agree more often than they used to.
Ben and Sam discuss the decisions the Angels are about to make concerning Dan Haren and Ervin Santana and talk about what their 2013 rotation will look like, then predict 2013’s division/World Series winners and last-place teams.
Ben and Sam discuss the start of the offseason and what the Giants’ second World Series win in three seasons says about GM Brian Sabean.
Ben and Sam discuss all the notable events from World Series Game Two, including Madison Bumgarner’s impressive outing, the line drive off of Doug Fister’s head, and Jim Leyland’s decision to play the infield back in the seventh, then assess the odds of a comeback by the Tigers.
Ben and Sam discuss the unpredictable outcome of World Series Game One and observe that Delmon Young is starting to look a lot like Stanley from The Office.
Ben and Sam discuss the most interesting angles heading into the series and succumb to the pressure to make their picks.
Ben and Sam discuss whether the NLCS performances of several players affected how they think about them or changed the narratives that followed them into the series.
Ben and Sam discuss how the postponement of Game Four hurt the Yankees, talk about how terrible at baseball Hunter Pence appears to be and whether he’s always looked like that, and conclude by revisiting the widespread anti-Cardinals sentiment among baseball fans and examining their own emotional allegiances.
Ben and Sam discuss Joe Girardi’s decision(s) not to pinch-hit for any of his left-handed hitters late in Game Three of the ALCS.
Ben and Sam discuss whether Matt Holliday’s takeout slide at second was against the rules and why the Cardinals are so widely disliked, then talk about how Ryan Vogelsong has rewarded the Giants for their faith during a string of bad starts.
Ben and Sam catch up on the Yankees-Tigers ALCS and Ben’s beat-writing adventures, then talk about why players and stats disagree about the difficulty of pitching on short rest, and Jim Leyland’s comments about closers.
Ben and Sam catch up with the latest action developments in each of the just-completed or still-in-progress playoff series, then discuss Darren O’Day in greater depth.
Ben and Sam discuss Game Three of the Yankees-Orioles ALDS, the decision to pinch-hit for Alex Rodriguez, and A-Rod’s future in New York, then talk about why the Stephen Strasburg debate won’t go away.
Ben and Sam bring on Jason Wojciechowski to discuss whether the 2-3 playoff format is the abomination he makes it out to be, then talk about how the A’s Game Three victory changes (or doesn’t change) their odds of beating the Tigers.
Ben and Sam talk to Not Jim Tracy about his resignation from the Rockies, then discuss how the narratives surrounding each playoff series have held up over the first few days of games.
Ben and Sam are joined by Marc Normandin, formerly of Baseball Prospectus and currently of SB Nation, to discuss which teams will win a World Series in the next five years, the changing role of beat writers, and Joe Saunders, the Orioles’ starter in tonight’s play-in game.
Ben and Sam join/are joined by Carson Cistulli of FanGraphs for a longest-ever episode about the worst predictions teams and players made about themselves, Bryce Harper’s historical significance, and the baseball players who led the league in our hearts in 2012. We talked for almost an hour, so adjust your commutes accordingly.
Ben and Sam discuss the Mariners’ decision to bring in (and lower) Safeco Field’s fences, then talk about what the seasons of Tsuyoshi Nishioka and Norichika Aoki say about the difficulty of projecting the performance of Japanese imports.
Ben and Sam discuss Jeff Luhnow’s plan to interview his players at the end of each season, then talk about why players and front-office executives are backing different candidates for AL MVP.
Ben and Sam discuss whether the second wild card has made the stretch run more exciting, then talk about why papers publish columns that criticize advanced stats without making an effort to understand them.
Ben and Sam discuss whether the A’s all-rookie rotation bodes well for their future, then talk about whether the average strikeout rate has risen too high.
Ben and Sam discuss the decline of Ubaldo Jimenez and whether the Rockies saw it coming when they sent him to Cleveland, then talk about the Angels’ off-season plans for Torii Hunter and Dan Haren.
Ben and Sam discuss what we can learn from Travis Snider’s revelations about his relationships with his former manager and hitting coach, then talk about whether they would bring Melky Cabrera back for the NLCS.
Ben and Sam revisit their discussion from last week on aces in October, talk about the new old Ichiro, and tell you more than you need to know about Orioles starter Steve Johnson.
Ben and Sam size up this winter’s free-agent first basemen and estimate how much money James Loney will make, then talk about whether the Dodgers’ pursuit of a playoff spot is leading to dangerous decisions.
Ben and Sam discuss whether Alex Anthopoulos is taking too long to turn around Toronto, then talk about why we can’t find the secret to success in October. Also, Sam drops his wedding ring.
Ben and Sam talk about how we talk about the AL MVP debate, then discuss Mike Trout’s ability to adjust from at-bat to at-bat.
Ben and Sam discuss whether teams will get creative with their Wild Card rosters, then talk about Miguel Cabrera’s Triple Crown chances and why we should care if he wins.
Ben and Sam discuss the Giants’ starting rotation and decide what it would take to trust Barry Zito, then talk about how they decide which teams to root for.
Ben and Sam talk about why they haven’t talked about the Reds more often, then discuss whether Anthony Rizzo has proved his critics wrong.
Ben and Sam discuss the Orioles’ exciting 14-inning victory over Tampa Bay, then break down Rafael Soriano’s season and his upcoming opt-out decision.
Ben and Sam discuss the state of the Brewers, which is a lot like the state of the Phillies, then talk about Max Scherzer’s long-awaited improvement and which team won the 2009 trade that brought him to Detroit.
Ben and Sam discuss whether the Phillies’ recent run of success should affect our expectations for the team in 2013, then talk about a potential scheme to get drafted pitchers into big-league bullpens quickly.
Ben and Sam thank their listeners for being more numerous than Astros fans who watch the team on TV, dissect Wilin Rosario’s defense, and pick the most likely candidates for 2013 Comeback Player of the Year.
Ben and Sam discuss Yadier Molina’s career year, catcher defense, and catcher aging, then talk about Omar Vizquel and the point at which clubhouse chemistry can’t cancel out poor on-field production.
Ben and Sam discuss the Tigers’ predictably bad defense and the unpredictably bad Brandon Wood.
It’s an all-AL East episode, as Ben and substitute co-host Jason Wojciechowski discuss a counterproductive proposal to fix what ails the Yankees, then talk about the latest Bobby Valentine controversy.
Ben and Sam consider whether the ballpark might be to blame for the Rockies’ lackluster first two decades, then discuss the annual phenomenon of attendance shaming.
Ben and Sam discuss two baseball mysteries: the Orioles’ success in 2012, and MLB’s blackout policy.
Ben and Sam slum it with a bunch of bad teams from baseball’s underclass and speculate about which has the least hope of going all the way before 2022, then discuss Jimmy Rollins’ benching and how much running out a popup really matters.
Ben and Sam discuss whether a team should have claimed Joe Mauer, what he’s worth, and what his future will look like, then talk about the end of Erik Bedard’s stay in Pittsburgh and how sad it is when a guy who’s always either good or injured goes bad.
Ben and Sam discuss sabermetric managerial favorite Davey Johnson’s impact on the Nationals, whether certain managers can make their players play better, and what the ideal relationship between a GM and manager might be.
Ben and Sam question the conclusions of an article in The Atlantic about racial bias in baseball broadcasting, then talk about whether Brian McCann’s best is behind him and whether his down year is the result of bad hitting hitting or bad luck.
Ben and Sam discuss the futures of the two teams involved in the weekend’s blockbuster trade, then talk about whether the Astros would benefit from signing Roger Clemens.
Ben and Sam discuss Austin Jackson’s excellent catch, whether he’s the best defensive center fielder in baseball, and whether it’s even possible to decide one way or another, then dissect Seattle’s eight-game winning streak to see if it’s the start of something good or a fluke that will soon be forgotten.
Ben and Sam revisit the trade that sent Dan Haren to the Angels in light of Haren’s down year and Tyler Skaggs’ debut for the Diamondbacks, then talk about how Derek Jeter has remained productive at age 38 and examine whether the Yankees are in any trouble in the AL East.
Ben and Sam talk about Brett Anderson’s Tuesday return from Tommy John surgery and its impact on Oakland’s potential playoff rotation, then discuss whether Stephen Drew would be wise to test the free-agent market this winter in light of the other shortstops available.
Ben and Sam discuss Kenny Williams’ contention that the poorly rated White Sox farm system is just misunderstood, then consider whether the Cubs should be concerned about Starlin Castro’s makeup.
The Rays demolished the Angels in a four-game weekend sweep, which gives Ben and Sam the idea to discuss the two teams’ divergent directions since the deadline and reevaluate Anaheim’s offseason approach.
Ben and Sam discuss the possibility that the Nationals might enter the playoffs without either Bryce Harper or Stephen Strasburg, then talk about how the White Sox have defied injuries yet again and proved the pre-season predictions wrong.
Ben and Sam discuss how they came to know that Melky Cabrera was about to be suspended for a positive PED test before the news broke, and how they decided what to do about it.
Ben and Sam reach a milestone (the 20-minute mark) as they tackle the topics of clubhouse chemistry and whether there’s more to Jeff Mathis than meets the eye.
Ben and Sam discuss the significance of a potential big-league promotion for Jurickson Profar and investigate the link between Johan Santana’s no-hitter and his subsequent struggles.
Ben and Sam discuss the impact of CC Sabathia’s elbow soreness on the Yankees’ short- and long-term outlooks, and the difference between winning a division and winning a wild card under the new playoff format.
Ben and Sam discuss two players exceeding all expectations in 2012: R.A. Dickey and Eric Chavez.
Ben and Sam discuss Manny Machado’s surprising promotion to the majors and Roy Oswalt’s tumultuous transition to the bullpen.
Ben and Sam discuss the significance of Mike Trout’s 21st birthday and Mets manager Terry Collin’s comments about injured reliever Tim Byrdak’s workload.
Ben and Sam talk about the presents, futures, and contracts of two starters having interesting seasons: Cliff Lee and Ben Sheets.
Ben and Sam discuss players who turn down trades to contenders, Yu Darvish, and their standards for playoff starters.
Ben and Sam reevaluate the NL West after the deadline and take stock of this season’s converted starters.
Ben and Sam discuss whether the Orioles should be buyers and what teams mean when they dub a prospect “untouchable.”
After a weekend sweep of the Giants by the Dodgers, Ben and Sam size up the NL West and discuss a hot Matt Moore-on-Mike Trout match-up.
Ben and Sam examine how the Nationals have gone about implementing and publicizing Stephen Strasburg’s innings limit and revisit Billy Beane’s trades from last winter in light of Oakland’s success.
Ben and Sam discuss the fallout from the Ryan Dempster debacle and a fascinating factoid about the Phillies’ staff.
Ben and Sam discuss the disappointing Miami Marlins and resurgent southpaw Francisco Liriano.
Our first episode didn’t destroy the internet, so we decided to do a second. We talked about Trevor Bauer.
The first episode of BP’s new daily podcast is ready for your ears, if your ears are ready for it. After months of deliberation and well-intentioned procrastination, we’ve gotten the Effectively Wild podcast off the ground. Between Up and In and Tower of Power, BP is already well stocked with weekly podcasts, so we’re trying […]