Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

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 McDaniel and Dylan Higgins (20:46) to discuss some big storylines from the amateur draft, including Tigers top pick Casey Mize, the teams with the most at stake, the prevalence (or lack thereof) of two-way players, Yankees switch-everything draftee Anthony Seigler, Jordyn Adams, Kyler Murray, and baseball vs. football in the draft, Luke Heimlich, the role of data in the draft, social-media skeletons, the best draft names, a few favorite picks, and more. Then Ben wraps up with a few updates and news about an additional study about the baseball and home runs. Audio intro: Everclear, "Out of My Depth" Audio interstitial: Unlikely Friends, "Fifteen Rounds" Audio outro: Harry Nilsson, "The Lottery Song" Link to Ben’s pitcher hitting article Link to Beth Davies-Stofka’s Baseball Prospectus article Link to Meredith Wills’ baseball study  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

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 great, groundbreaking “fireman,” and Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer John Hiller (19:21), who discusses his conversion from hockey to baseball, surviving multiple mid-career heart attacks, training and conditioning (or the lack thereof) among players of his era, learning new pitches, his phenomenal, record-setting 1973 season, the fireman mindset, starting vs. relieving, the evolution of reliever usage, the 1968 World Series, his memories of Lou Whitaker, Alan Trammell, and Jack Morris, and more. Audio intro: You Am I, "Billy" Audio interstitial: Frankie Cosmos, "Fireman" Audio outro: The Fireman, "Sing the Changes" Link to Ben’s article about Mike Trout Link to Jeff’s article about Matt Kemp Link to Joe Posnanski’s article about John Hiller Link to Ben’s article about Josh Hader Link to list of most valuable 1970s relievers Link to EW interview with left-handed catcher  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

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 Shane Bieber as the successor to Josh Tomlin, baseball analogs to the J.R. Smith debacle in the NBA Finals, and two upcoming baseball events. Then (26:21) they talk to former major leaguer and EW folk hero John Jaso about his attempt to talk his way past an usher at Tropicana Field last week, his affinity for sailing, his laid-back, “Such is Life” philosophy, why he didn’t always fit in well within baseball clubhouses, the difficulty of being oneself within a hierarchical, regimented sport, his memories of catching Felix Hernandez’s perfect game and coming up with the 2008 Rays, his recovery from concussions, his opinion of hitting for the cycle, and more. Audio intro: Oddisee, "Such is Life" Audio interstitial: Neil Young, "John Oaks" Audio outro: Montero, "Clear Sailing" Link to Saber Seminar event page Link to Beyond the Baselines: Celebrating Women in Baseball Link to video of John Jaso Tropicana Field usher encounter Link to “Such is Life” tweet Link to Jaso’s retirement announcement  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

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 Kole Calhoun, and more. Then they answer listener emails about Gleyber Torres‘ power and the Yankees’ pursuit of the all-time team home-run record, errors and official scoring, the decline of Felix Hernandez, a two-handed pitcher, how the game would be different if MLB changed the ball every year, Josh Tomlin’s strange distinction, Hanley Ramirez and vesting options, and how to get into advanced stats, plus Stat Blasts about leaguewide launch angle, the teams with the most players ever to play each position in a single season, and the worst-hitting 2018 team positions. Audio intro: Dawes, "From a Window Seat" Audio outro: King Crimson, "Two Hands" Link to photo of Ben’s Angels brunch Link to Ken Rosenthal’s Rob Manfred Q&A Link to story about David Hesslink and the Mariners’ trade Link to EW interview with David Hesslink  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

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 “Casey at the Bat,” using advanced stats, historical context, and clues from the text to make the case that the mighty Casey has gotten a bad rap. Audio intro: Albert Hammond Jr., "Holiday" Audio interstitial 1: Joe Rathburn, "The Ballad of Casey at the Bat" Audio outro: The Olivia Tremor Control, "Holiday Surprise 1, 2, 3" Link to Zach’s expansion article Link to “Casey at the Bat” Link to Dom’s “Casey at the Bat” thread  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the Red Sox designating Hanley Ramirez, comparing Mookie Betts to Barry Bonds, a listener's real-world use of tOPS+, intentional plays in baseball, and the impact of baseballs on the home run surge. They also discuss betting on baseball and the historical aspects and future of baseball betting.

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, three down,” Kyle Schwarber‘s defense, Shohei Ohtani’s home-run rates, starters as openers, famous players, bunting practice for prospects, Jordan Hicks and HBP danger, the “fair-foul hit,” intentional balks, and sunk costs, plus a Stat Blast about Colin Moran and a high-pitch homer. Audio intro: Bahamas, "Stronger Than That" Audio outro: Coldplay, "Bigger Stronger" Link to Jay Jaffe’s Mike Trout post Link to Ron Gardenhire video Link to Michael Taylor face Link to rock-paper-scissors story Link to intentional-balk story Link to ESPN’s world-fame list Link to Jeff’s Colin Moran post  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

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 book (which includes a chapter by Ben), Upon Further Review: The Greatest What-Ifs in Sports History, how baseball’s what-ifs rank among the major sports’, and what does and doesn’t make for a fascinating hypothetical. Audio intro: The Baseball Project, "Extra Inning of Love" Audio interstitial: Snoop Dogg (Feat. Suga Free), "What If" Audio outro: Waylon Jennings, "Are You Sure Hank Done it This Way" Link to Brockmire’s official site Link to Upon Further Review  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

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 on with other teams, the evolution of in-game management, the optimization of bunting, batting orders, and bullpens, why analysis is no longer the province of small-market teams, whether smarter baseball is more boring baseball (and if so, who’s to blame), and how the evolution of baseball has changed baseball writing. Audio intro: Smash Mouth, "105" Audio interstitial: Teenage Fanclub, "The First Sight" Audio outro: Superchunk, "Smarter Hearts" Link to Jeff’s Jordan Hicks post Link to Bryan Grosnick’s “Opener” post Link to DRaysBay “Opener” analysis Link to Joe Sheehan newsletter  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

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 forthcoming book, Power Ball. Later, they bring on ESPN MLB senior editor Christina Kahrl (32:03) to discuss when an MLB team will hire the league’s first female GM, the progress the game has and hasn’t made in embracing gender diversity, and her own experience being accepted by the baseball community. Audio intro: The Mountain Goats, "The Legend of Chavo Guerrero" Audio interstitial 1: The Rolling Stones, "The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man" Audio interstitial 2: Electric Light Orchestra, "Wild West Hero" Audio outro: Mac DeMarco, "For the First Time" Link to research about prospect promotion age Link to West Coast League website Link to the preorder page for Power Ball Link to Christina’s espnW article Link to Ben’s Sherri Nichols article  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source