Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

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 work experience, and answer listener emails about home teams hiring umpires, the one Statcast stat about Babe Ruth they would want, and a way to extend a consecutive-games-played streak without playing. Audio intro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to WhatIfSports offer page Link to Ella Black series Link to Ella Black event details Link to Jay on Trout Link to Blum on Trout Link to Trout wOBA-xwOBA Link to Trout hypotheticals Link to The Athletic on Alonso Link to Varsho play Link to Varsho quote Link to Muñoz story Link to recent pets study Link to The Athletic on the zone Link to postseason HFA Link to umpiring history Link to EBUG history Link to Ottavino on Ruth Link to Ben on caliber of play Link to Ripken injury info Link to listener emails database Link to Homestand Link to “Wake up babe” meme  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 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 Altuve’s self-knowledge, a Rockies theory, and the existence of Maverick Handley. Then (38:11) Meg gives Ben some alone time with Tigers reliever John Brebbia, who talks about iPhones vs. Androids, social media, the prospect of becoming Ben’s friend, indy ball, beards, spreadsheets, pitching for the 2024 White Sox, going from worst-to-first in the AL Central, being the new guy in a tightly bonded bullpen, pitch-calling, adapting, Brebbia’s alma mater as a pitching powerhouse, whether baseball players (other than Brebbia) are funny, his post-playing future, a potential new nickname, and more, plus a postscript (1:49:21). Audio intro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Ella Black series Link to Ella Black event details Link to Dodgers bidets article Link to FG post on Polanco Link to Chourio video Link to Mookie’s Savant page Link to Altuve story Link to Ben on MLB talent level Link to Tigers Brebbia video Link to first EW Brebbia banter Link to second EW on Brebbia Link to Step Brothers scene Link to collected Brebbia clips Link to Players’ Weekend video Link to Brebbia pitch-type splits Link to Brebbia’s Wikipedia page Link to Elon major leaguers Link to Bunny Hearn info Link to TLOU scene  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 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 race, and Rob Manfred and Pete Rose, plus follow-ups on towering bat flips, players kissing, unequal leg lengths, and more. Audio intro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Ella Black series Link to Ella Black event details Link to Dodgers bidets article Link to Ben’s bidet article Link to Greinke quote Link to Sam on TLOU Link to 2003 Tigers on TLOU Link to 2003 Tigers in Doctor Strange Link to Simpsons episode Link to Lin-Manuel story 1 Link to Lin-Manuel story 2 Link to Laurila on ground-offs Link to Judge non-HR Link to triple play Link to triple play story Link to Luzardo story Link to BaseRuns standings Link to Jay on the four-homer game Link to Rangers-Giants walk-off play Link to Contreras flip Link to Twins Insta post Link to one Correa kiss Link to latest Correa kiss Link to Dodgers depth chart Link to Manfred comments  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 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 Johnson pitch face 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 Ella timeline Link to info on Ella’s family Link to info on the Pinkertons 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