Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Effectively Wild Episode 2507: Nothing Ventured, Nothing Named 20.07.2026 1h 48min

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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Effectively Wild Episode 2506: All-Star Showers Bring Second-Half Flowers 17.07.2026 38min

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. 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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Effectively Wild Episode 2505: Game Recognize (All-Star) Game 15.07.2026 1h 41min

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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Effectively Wild Episode 2504: I Choo-Choo-Choose You 14.07.2026 1h 40min

MLB Draft 2026 What Do Real Prospects Think About MLB’s Draft Proposal?2026 Mock Draft 1.0The Biggest (Literally) Draft Class YetJackson Flora's Evolution, Alain Gomez-Gudino's Incredible Journey, and Other Tales from the 2026 Draft Class2026 MLB Draft Preview and Updated RankingsDay 1 Draft Chat2026 Mock Draft 2.0: The Day OfThe MLB Draft Is Once Again for Diehards OnlyDay 1 Recap2026 Futures Game Recap: More Next Year, PleaseEffectively 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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Effectively Wild Episode 2503: Very Important Prey 11.07.2026 36min

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. 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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Effectively Wild Episode 2502: The Cycle of Major League Life 10.07.2026 1h 45min

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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Effectively Wild Episode 2501: Stay on Target 07.07.2026 1h 43min

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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Effectively Wild Episode 2500: Yet Another “Things We Like About Baseball” Draft 04.07.2026 1h 55min

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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Effectively Wild Episode 2499: Sit-Down Meeting 03.07.2026 39min

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. 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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Effectively Wild Episode 2498: MLB’s Bully Pulpit 01.07.2026 1h 45min

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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Effectively Wild Episode 2497: Follow the Bouncing Ball 27.06.2026 25min

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. 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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Effectively Wild Episode 2496: Our Daily Breb 26.06.2026 1h 59min

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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Effectively Wild Episode 2495: Rank Amateurs 23.06.2026 1h 52min

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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Effectively Wild Episode 2494: Culture WAR 18.06.2026 37min

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. 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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Effectively Wild Episode 2493: Baseball Has Marked the Time 17.06.2026

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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Effectively Wild Episode 2492: Pride Goeth Before Baseball 16.06.2026 1h 34min

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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Effectively Wild Episode 2491: How Not to Get Hurt 13.06.2026 2h 18min

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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Effectively Wild Episode 2490: Hogging the Spotlight 12.06.2026 36min

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. 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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Effectively Wild Episode 2489: Baseball: Better Late Than Never 10.06.2026 2h 4min

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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Effectively Wild Episode 2488: Ohtani Rules 06.06.2026 35min

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. 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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source