Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

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 finish in last, whether umpires would stand somewhere else in a full-ABS situation, the record for career games pitched without a decision, catcher’s gear designed for a one-knee-down stance, why more Japanese catchers haven’t joined MLB, and more. Audio intro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to WhatIfSports (coupon code “EFFECTIVELYWILD”) Link to Ella Black series Link to Ella Black event details Link to Lugo bat flip Link to Caminero bat flip Link to Caminero article Link to tallest buildings wiki Link to Meet a Major Leaguer Link to Angels prospect list Link to Blum on Johnson 1 Link to Blum on Johnson 2 Link to Ben on DBU Link to Blue Jays prospect list Link to MLB.com on Roden Link to Sportsnet on Roden Link to Laurila on Roden 1 Link to Laurila on Roden 2 Link to BA on Roden Link to Brian May wiki Link to The Bachelor Australia wiki Link to Ben on international Bachelor Link to Quasar wiki Link to Sagittarius A* wiki Link to B-Ref new debuts Link to Dan S. on Rockies vs. Sox Link to relocated ump image Link to career G w/o decision Link to single-season G w/o decision Link to consecutive G w/o decision Link to G w/o decision to start career Link to Díaz legs quote Link to tall-catchers episode Link to Opening Day catcher video Link to catcher gear 1 Link to catcher gear 2 Link to catcher gear 3 Link to Opening Day catcher video Link to short catchers Link to Allen on NPB catchers Link to 2009 Johjima story Link to FG NPB data Link to Mori’s player page Link to listener emails database Link to Andy’s angles sketch  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

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” Link to Ella Black series Link to Ella Black event details Link to MLBTR on Hill Link to MLBTR on Chavez Link to team SP WAR Link to projected SP WAR Link to MLB.com on Wood Link to pulled air balls Link to Wood’s Savant page Link to Jay on Judge Link to The Bandwagon on Judge Link to strikeouts study Link to Sam on Skenes Link to Skenes max velos Link to Clemens on steals Link to CNBC salary cap piece Link to CNBC private equity piece Link to latest Manfred comment Link to earlier Manfred comment Link to BP on Manfred and fandom Link to cricket popularity piece Link to Rogers statue story Link to Curse of the Colonel  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

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, Pete Alonso’s slugging and running, Juan Soto’s lineup protection, a Dodgers trade rumor, hitters tapping their helmets, Mike Trout’s fan-interference epiphany and odd batting line, Patrick Corbin’s venomous encounter, MLB’s approach to Jackie Robinson Day, Aaron Judge’s WBC captaincy, a talent differential between leagues, and more, plus Shohei Ohtani the dad, the Comerica keyhole, and other postscript updates. Audio intro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Ella Black series Link to Ella Black event details Link to Hoffman report Link to Elias quote Link to playoff odds changes Link to bobbleheads database Link to Raleigh bobblehead Link to tweet about Diaz Link to Elias quote Link to Snitker article Link to MLBTR on Steele Link to Strider story Link to McKenzie story Link to 2024 Cortes story Link to Cortes update Link to MLBTR on Siri Link to Soto on lineup protection Link to FG on Soto’s comments Link to Alonso running Link to Roberts rumor Link to Bohm helmet tap Link to Lee exchange article Link to Trout on fan interference Link to Corbin news Link to latest Jackie release Link to Jackie language changes Link to Jackie language story Link to Trump/Manfred story Link to Judge/WBC story Link to Olney leagues tweet Link to AL logo Link to NL logo Link to Ohtani birth announcement Link to Ward call-up Link to Canadiens story Link to “burn the ships” wiki Link to keyhole story Link to The Clubhouse precedents  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

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 mysteries that have surrounded her ever since she debuted—and, just as suddenly, disappeared—in 1890. On Part 3, “Ella’s Legacy,” Ben reveals what he’s learned (and what we may never know) about Ella, connects her story to today, and pays his respects in person. Only a Woman: Ella Black, Lost and Found Part 1-Ella's LegendPart 2-Ella's SeasonPart 3-Ella's Legacy Link to Ella’s writing Link to headstone photo Link to gravesite photo Link to family photos Link to possible Ella photo Link to Nancy/possible Ella photo Link to Ella’s signature Link to voice cast Link to guest list Link to period music Link to pianist’s website Link to “The Journalist” poem Link to “Only a Newspaper” excerpt  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

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 mysteries that have surrounded her ever since she debuted—and, just as suddenly, disappeared—in 1890. On Part 2, “Ella’s Season,” Ben chronicles Ella’s coverage of baseball’s civil war, explores her own disputes with skeptics, and explains how both conflicts ended. Only a Woman: Ella Black, Lost and Found Part 1-Ella's LegendPart 2-Ella's SeasonPart 3-Ella's Legacy  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

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 mysteries that have surrounded her ever since she debuted—and, just as suddenly, disappeared—in 1890. On Part 1, “Ella’s Legend,” Ben introduces Ella, explains the circumstances that made her so extraordinary, and sets up the stakes of the 1890 baseball civil war. Only a Woman: Ella Black, Lost and Found Part 1-Ella's LegendPart 2-Ella's SeasonPart 3-Ella's Legacy  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

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 Effectively Wild scripted series and (1:26:37) follow-ups. Audio intro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Horny)” Link to Orioles bobblehead Link to O’s promotions page Link to Rubenstein wiki Link to Rubenstein video Link to Chubs story 1 Link to Chubs story 2 Link to Chubs story 3 Link to EW Episode 1396 Link to Jackalopes wiki Link to Spartanburgers wiki Link to Spartanburg wiki Link to Netflix doc Link to Cora quote Link to budget issues Link to Duran story 1 Link to Duran story 2 Link to Casas clip Link to 2024 Sox playoff odds Link to Ripperger scorecoard Link to Hammerheads gamer Link to Hammerheads box score Link to Tavares taxes story Link to Paris box position Link to Paris side view Link to Mahomes pants story Link to extension deadlines list Link to The Pitt thread Link to Wade/Ward wiki Link to EW Episode 1890  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

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 like to attend the amateur baseball event of the year: the Division III showdown between Yeshiva and Lehman, who entered their Wednesday doubleheader on the two longest active losing streaks in college baseball. Audio intro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Rosenthal on Vlad Link to Sosa play Link to Clemens on depth Link to Clemens on depth on EW Link to MLBTR on López Link to team SP projections Link to MLBTR on Snell Link to MLBTR on Robles Link to Petriello on Robles Link to Robles batting change Link to Michael on the game Link to original Reddit post Link to postgame Reddit post Link to Caltech story Link to Yeshiva team stats Link to Yeshiva vs. Lehman stats Link to Game 2 video Link to Ben on Salina Link to Michael’s manuscript Link to Michael on the Czech team  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

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 Wild Theme (Pedantic)” Audio outro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Manfred interview Link to Baumann on Vlad Link to MLBTR on Vlad Link to post-Vlad FA class Link to Rogers spending info Link to cheap players article Link to Ben on paywalls Link to Hannah on Skenes Link to cut Skenes quote Link to Pence on pants Link to Pence pants video Link to Pence pants comments Link to Odor pants video Link to Rangers pants video Link to Rangers pants blog Link to more pants photos Link to Giants jerseys Link to Roberts on White House Link to Mookie on White House Link to White House visit  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

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 Marte, Dennis Santana’s sartorial innovation, the end of Comerica Park’s dirt strip, players being told not to tap their helmets, a mid-plate-appearance pitching change, a 12-6 slider, the Dodgers’ new, Ohtani-related celebration, ESPN’s annual executives/scouts survey, being “on gear” in climbing, and Carshield baseball ads. Audio intro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to early season BABIPs Link to Ben on 2020 BABIP Link to Ben on lower league BABIPs Link to playoff odds changes Link to Baumann on the Braves Link to Chavez transactions page Link to Hill Stat Blast Link to Chavez Stat Blast Link to Clemens on Mookie Link to 2002 NL East Link to Castillo fun fact Link to FG on Merrill Link to Union-Tribune on Merrill Link to FG on Campbell Link to Campbell on “friends” Link to FG on Marte Link to The Bandwagon on Marte Link to MLBTR on Marte Link to A’s attendance article Link to ESPN survey Link to Goold tweet Link to EW on “strategy” in 2024 Link to Ben on “strategy” Link to Harper quote Link to EW on The Pitt Link to new 12-6 slider Link to Santana clip Link to Comerica change Link to Ben on pickoff moves Link to ballpark homogenization Link to Ohtani celly 1 Link to Ohtani celly 2 Link to Freeman injury info Link to Vlad report Link to Shapiro quote Link to Curb clip Link to Ghiroli article Link to Carshield EW episode Link to FTC press release Link to FTC complaint  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source