Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley answer listener emails about Kyle Schwarber batting leadoff, teams paying their players not to do in-game, on-field interviews, the phrase “potential World Series preview,” a team purchasing and privatizing a valuable public baseball website, a player who can’t hit anything except grand slams, a player who homers in every game he plays but is usually injured, Justin Verlander’s Hall of Fame plaque cap, and what constitutes a “teammate” (plus a real-time reaction to the Astros releasing José Abreu). Then (1:06:33) Ben meets major leaguers Daniel Schneemann and Jamie Westbrook and (1:17:58) briefly reacts to news about MLB disciplining “perfect” umpire Pat Hoberg for gambling. Audio intro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Jake on Schwarber Link to MLB.com on Schwarber Link to NBCS on Schwarber Link to Inquirer on Schwarber Link to Reddit on Schwarber Link to Phillies batting orders Link to Schwarber splits Link to most HR since 2022 Link to 2023 P/PA leaderboard Link to 2024 P/PA leaderboard Link to Ben on interviews Link to mic’d-up Maldonado Link to FG WS odds Link to MLBTR on Ramírez Link to CapFriendly Link to Sportico on CapFriendly Link to RMNB on CapFriendly Link to Athletic on CapFriendly Link to ESPN on CapFriendly Link to THN on CapFriendly Link to PuckPedia Link to Texas Leaguers Link to Hit Tracker Link to Chamberlain’s stats Link to Orr’s stats Link to Christopher book Link to Posnanski on Christopher Link to bases-loaded splits Link to Tabler Stathead Link to SI on Tabler Link to NYT on Tabler Link to Tabler blog post Link to McCartney clip Link to MLBTR on Abreu Link to Verlander option info Link to A-Rod/Judge post Link to listener emails database Link to B-Ref new debuts Link to MLBTR on Schneemann Link to Forbes on Schneemann Link to MLB.com on Schneemann Link to Deseret on Schneemann Link to Triple-A wRC+ leadersr Link to Triple-A xWOBA leaders Link to Guardians prospects list Link to Elias stat Link to MLBTR on Westbrook Link to MLB.com on Westbrook Link to MLB.com on Westbrook 2 Link to Westbrook’s Insta Link to Constellation Energy League Link to Athletic on Hoberg Link to ESPN on Hoberg Link to MLBTR on Hoberg Link to EW episode on Hoberg Link to Ump Scorecards ranking Link to perfect game tweet Link to ballpark meetup forms Link to meetup organizer form  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Twitter Account  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about this season’s giant cluster of wild card contenders, the potential for an inactive trade deadline, the role the White Sox will play, whether the compression of the standings is good or bad for baseball, and expanded-playoffs incentives. Then (33:46) they talk to NPR producer Alana Schreiber, creator and executive producer of the NPR/MLB podcast Road to Rickwood, about the history of the park that’s hosting its first MLB game this month, plus a postscript (1:17:48) about a postseason mid-PA pitching change. Audio intro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to MLBTR on the Biggio trade Link to Ben on preseason projections Link to Sheehan on parity Link to FG playoff odds Link to MLB standings Link to Road to Rickwood Link to Road to Rickwood site Link to MLB on RtR Link to NPR on RtR Link to HoF on Rickwood Link to Wickwood wiki Link to MLB at Rickwood wiki Link to MLB’s Rickwood page Link to Bull Durham anecdote Link to Shelton on EW Link to EW Episode 1887 Link to 1991 ALCS game Link to ALCS game log Link to 1991 article page 1 Link to 1991 article page 2 Link to Ben on mid-PA changes Link to ballpark meetup forms Link to meetup organizer form  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Twitter Account  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Bryce Harper pandering to Londoners, Kiké Hernández booting a ball during an in-game interview, banning player scouting cards to lower BABIP, the effect on home runs of widening the foul lines, Yusei Kikuchi, Tyler Soderstrom, and a foul-territory hypothetical, crediting managers for sacrificial ejections, Aaron Judge’s scalding hot streak, Luis Gil performing like Gerrit Cole, the Yankees’ candlelit clubhouse, Matt Waldron as the small-sample best pitcher in baseball, the dynamic duo of Tarik Skubal and Cole Ragans, follow-ups about non-hated dynasties, the Angels’ resilient attendance, a mid-PA pitching change, and pterodactyls and dinosaurs, plus closing banter about Buster Olney’s hacked-Twitter Luis Robert Jr. trade rumors. Audio intro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Harper pandering article Link to Harper’s slide Link to Harper’s bat Link to AP on Kiké’s interview Link to Roberts on the error Link to video of error Link to Ben on in-game interviews Link to Kikuchi collision Link to Servais ejection Link to Raley’s bunt Link to Raleigh’s slam Link to Episode 2033 Stat Blast Link to Judge leaderboard Link to rained-out stats Link to BP on Gil Link to Apstein on candles Link to Waldron leaderboard Link to pitching fWAR leaders Link to tweet about Boone mixup Link to Ben on mid-PA changes Link to pterosaur wiki Link to pterodacytl wiki Link to quetzalcoatlus wiki Link to grackle wiki Link to cassowary wiki Link to Olney article 1 Link to Olney article 2 Link to Olney article 3 Link to OF leaderboard Link to ballpark meetup forms Link to meetup organizer form  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Twitter Account  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s recent resurgence, then answer listener emails about what a dynastic team could do to avoid being widely hated, a mid-plate-appearance batting change, widening the foul lines to increase offense, whether reducing pitcher injuries would be worth bringing back pitcher hitting, the popularity of a perfect ump, the fairness of unintentional foul tips, and which Mario Kart power-up would be best in baseball, plus additional banter about the Angels’ surprisingly small post-Ohtani attendance drop and ((1:09:51) a Stat Blast (with Michael Mountain) about championship win probability MVPs, combining regular-season and postseason stats, and more. Audio intro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Vlad leaderboard Link to Ben on the Dodgers Link to Paine on the Giants Link to Ben on mid-PA changes Link to PH penalty post Link to foul lines article 1 Link to foul lines article 2 Link to foul lines article 3 Link to foul lines article 4 Link to foul lines article 5 Link to foul lines article 6 Link to foul lines article 7 Link to Ben on pitcher hitting 1 Link to Ben on pitcher hitting 2 Link to Hoberg EW segment Link to Mario Kart items Link to previous Mario question Link to Caldwell article 1 Link to Caldwell article 2 Link to listener emails database Link to Sam’s Angels tweets Link to team attendance changes Link to ESPN strength of schedule Link to Michael’s Stat Blast cover Link to Sam on postseason stats Link to Michael’s cWPA spreadsheet Link to yearly cWPA leaders Link to Kiner and Rickey article Link to Ben on Britton Link to Ben on pitch-clock history Link to 1970 GCL batting Link to 1970 GCL Pirates Link to Andino headshots Link to Curse of the Andino Link to Sam on single-play WAR Link to ballpark meetup forms Link to meetup organizer form  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Twitter Account  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the showdowns between Paul Skenes and Shohei Ohtani, Skenes’s strengths and weaknesses as a pitcher and an entertainer, the least and most exciting types of strikes, and more. They then discuss the improbable longevity of Aroldis Chapman’s triple-digit pitch speeds, whether the risk of losing the most games ever should stop the White Sox from selling, whether outfield positioning is suppressing offense more than the shift ever did, the less lively but far-from-dead ball, the end of Atlanta’s shutout streak, Adam Duvall’s beer-cup throw as proof of concept for a skills competition, MLB’s latest curious sponsor, an unsightly London Series shirt, and a potential Kyle Tucker nickname. They also assess bears, sharks, pterodactyls, and other natural predators. Audio intro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Ohtani-Skenes video Link to “Paulk” Skenes video Link to Sam on Skenes Link to Bonds vs. Gagne Link to R.J. on Skenes Link to Skenes postgame interview Link to Skenes HR reaction Link to Ohtani-Skenes-Chapman game Link to Skenes Baseball Savant page Link to Heart zone data Link to Chase zone data Link to article on Skenes fastball Link to info on foul-ball rates Link to Longenhagen on Skenes Link to Woodward on Skenes Link to Chapman max speeds Link to Cooper on Chapman Link to Chapman Instagram story Link to EW Episode 1 Link to MLBTR on the Sox Link to Passan on the Sox Link to FG playoff odds Link to BaseRuns standings Link to Russell on OF defense Link to Rob on playing deeper Link to Rob on OF defense Link to Episode 1907 wiki Link to 1907 Unglaub arc article Link to Ben on moving the mound Link to EW on time-traveling GM Link to Teoscar batted ball tweet Link to Chapman reaction Link to longest no-shutout streaks Link to Duvall video Link to Paine on Duvall Link to buildsubmarines.com Link to buildsubmarines.com release Link to Good Sam Club release Link to Camping World release Link to Doosan release Link to EW on beer/cerveza Link to beer/cerveza follow-up Link to London shirt tweet Link to London shirt tweet 2 Link to Reed tweet Link to split scarves tweet Link to Reed/shirt post Link to Dan Flashes meme Link to mother is mothering meme Link to shark-punching article Link to lowest team OBPs Link to lowest team wRC+ Link to ballpark meetup forms Link to meetup organizer form  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Twitter Account  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss MLB’s clearing of Shohei Ohtani and banning of five other players for betting on baseball (including Tucupita Marcano’s permaban), touching on MLB’s culpability (or lack thereof), gambling ads, the future, and more. Then (39:32) they banter about the latest instance of Tommy Pham going aggro, which demotion is more surprising, Spencer Torkelson’s or Edouard Julien’s, leaguewide parity and a purported lack of good teams, a Garrett Crochet trade rumor, a memorable Brewers-Phillies game, a skills competition at the Futures Game, the Rangers’ resistance to Pride Night (1:16:18), a suggested Kyle Tucker nickname, a Reed Garrett update, a decrease in position-player pitching, why mid-PA pitching changes haven’t caught on, and SABR’s new determination about which Negro Leagues were major-league quality. Audio intro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Davy Andrews, “Edouard Julien, Are You Gonna Rule Again?” Link to MLBTR on Ohtani Link to MLB bans press release Link to Marcano MaML Link to Baumann on the ban Link to 2015 Cosart story Link to naming rights story Link to regulation article 1 Link to regulation article 2 Link to regulation article 3 Link to regulation article 4 Link to regulation article 5 Link to Weaver on Pham Link to latest Pham play Link to Statcast on the send Link to 2022 Pham play Link to Pham-Pederson dispute Link to Pham wiki Link to Pham tweet Link to Pham on the Mets Link to Pham in AZ info 1 Link to Pham in AZ info 2 Link to Dan S. on Tork/Julien Link to preseason Julien post Link to preseason projections Link to MLBTR on Suwinski Link to Sam tweet Link to Sheehan on the ALC Link to end of Pac-12 baseball Link to indy Oregon team Link to Ben on team mediocrity Link to EW on team mediocrity Link to Ben on Morgan quotes Link to FJM Link to Crochet rumor Link to Hoskins/Dahl game Link to skills comp info Link to KBO bunt derby clip Link to Levi on the website slogan Link to Levi on Pride Night Link to Ghiroli on Pride Night Link to AP on Pride Night Link to LAT on Pride Night Link to Rob Mains on PPP Link to article on Tucker Link to Clemens on mid-PA changes Link to Ben L. on mid-PA changes Link to SABR on the Negro Leagues Link to Lester/Thorn on EW Link to ballpark meetup forms Link to meetup organizer form  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Twitter Account  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley bring on FanGraphs associate editor Matt Martell to discuss the scenes at Citi Field that kicked off the Mets’ Jorge López saga, the resulting DFA and fallout, and what this silly/sad sequence of events suggests about the potential for player intent to be lost in translation, how off-the-field issues can manifest on the field, and the line between LOLMets and more serious situations. Then (42:00) Ben and Meg are joined by Trout-tier Patreon supporter Andrew Simard to explore the podcast as a sleep aid and answer listener emails about a jack-of-all-trades team vs. a specialist team, learning baseball lingo and the “double out,” the need for a nickname for Kyle Tucker, Anthony Rizzo and batter’s-box mobility, strike-zone multipliers, and spending surplus wins on playoff power-ups. Audio intro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to López comments Link to López glove throw Link to Matt’s thread Link to DiComo tweet Link to DiComo thread Link to Beverley ball throw Link to Beverley pod incident Link to Mintz López column Link to López Insta Story Link to López Insta post Link to MLBTR on López Link to MLBTR on Díaz Link to 2023 López IL stint Link to Mets Reddit thread Link to Mrs. Met story Link to Hechavarría video Link to Hechavarría story Link to Becker on the Mets Link to Baseball Sleep Radio Link to Sleep Baseball host on EW Link to lineup makeup research Link to Ben on Trial By Content Link to Ben on House of R Link to Tucker HR robbery Link to King Tuck’s Court video Link to King Tuck’s Court Twitter Link to King Felix’s Court Link to recent EW on Tucker Link to darts “double out” Link to B-Ref career WAR leaders Link to new Rizzo adjustment Link to previous Rizzo adjustment Link to Ben on moving the mound Link to HBP penalty email Link to Golden Batter rule Link to Cosmic Baseball story Link to listener emails database Link to Ben on Button Mash Link to ballpark meetup forms Link to meetup organizer form  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Twitter Account  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Simeon Woods Richardson’s podcast-approved use of written notes, whether David Fry or Jurickson Profar has the most delightfully surprising stats, Kevin Pillar’s post-White Sox hot streak, MLB’s offensive outage in May, Blake Snell and other slow-starting late-starting starters, Matt Waldron’s knuckleball usage and Jeremiah Estrada’s strikeout streak, and the worst way for the zombie runner to end a game. Then (45:35) they talk to Keith Morrisroe, Nationals bullpen cart driver, about the finer points of bullpen-cart operation and receiving a tip from reliever (and rider) Steven Okert. Audio intro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Ian Philips, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to notes tweet Link to FG Profar post Link to FG Fry post Link to Fry faceplant tweet Link to preseason projections Link to top wRC+, min. 120 PA Link to top May wRC+, min. 60 PA Link to MLBTR on Sox and Pillar Link to MLBTR on Angels and Pillar Link to Sheehan on May offense Link to Savant drag dashboard Link to Baumann on late-signing SP Link to AP Snell gamer Link to MLBTR on Clevinger Link to Waldron knuckler usage Link to MLB.com on Estrada Link to Phillies-Giants game Link to walk-off sac flies Link to previous Okert tip pod Link to Okert article 1 Link to Okert article 2 Link to Keith’s GMU page Link to Keith’s LinkedIn Link to Okert ballpark splits Link to Twins Daily on Keith Link to previous Fletcher pod Link to Fletcher investigation news Link to Fletcher box score Link to Fletcher line Link to Fletcher pitch data Link to Fletcher K pitch Link to Kieschnick Jr. news Link to ballpark meetup forms Link to meetup organizer form  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Twitter Account  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the career and competitive implications of Ronald Acuña Jr.’s latest season-ending injury, the retirement of infamous ump Angel Hernandez, the aesthetics of umps issuing warnings, the Brewers’ success sans Craig Counsell and David Stearns, a new unwritten rule against any(?) bunting, White Sox players vs. White Sox skipper Pedro Grifol, Tim Anderson’s offense, Aaron Judge’s defense, and team meetings prior to Patrick Corbin starts. Then (1:02:12) they talk to official MLB historian John Thorn and Negro Leagues researcher Larry Lester about MLB adding Negro Leagues stats to its official major league historical record, pensions for surviving Negro Leagues players, the East-West Classic, and more, plus a few follow-ups (1:43:07). Audio intro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to FG on Acuña Link to Dan S. on Atlanta Link to EW on modeling depth Link to Acuña injury video Link to MLB.com on Acuña injury Link to MLB.com on ATL returns Link to MLBTR on ATL OF help Link to The Athletic on Hernandez Link to USA Today on Hernandez Link to Athletic Hernandez profile Link to BP on Hernandez Link to ump pointing pre-PCA HR Link to Counsell boos Link to BP on Counsell homecoming Link to Lindor chants tweet Link to Lindor boos tweet Link to more Lindor Link to Smith Berry beef Link to bunting Stat Blast Link to Sam on unwritten rules Link to FG on the Guardians Link to BaseRuns standings Link to Grifol story Link to Anderson errors video Link to Anderson errors story Link to BP on Judge Link to Judge barrels Link to Judge’s 20 games Link to Janes tweet Link to 2023 meeting story Link to Sam on Corbin Link to MLBTR on Robles Link to MLB news story Link to Negro Leagues hub Link to hitting leaderboards Link to pitching leaderboards Link to John’s website Link to Larry’s website Link to AP on stat integration Link to Seamheads database Link to Retrosheet data Link to Athletic stats story Link to MLB.com stats story Link to pensions story Link to East-West story Link to MLB at Rickwood Field Link to Ben’s 2020 report 1 Link to Ben’s 2020 report 2 Link to shift violation Link to shift violation rule Link to Cueto Windbigler video Link to Cueto Windbigler story Link to Moon Hound on Bandcamp Link to ballpark meetup forms Link to meetup organizer form  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Twitter Account  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about which slow-starting 2023 pennant winner (Diamondbacks or Rangers) is more likely to get back on track to return to October, explain (9:37) the saga of Dick Windbigler, the rare pitcher who actually hurt himself by pausing mid-delivery (featuring an appearance by Dick’s widow, Melba Windbigler), then (30:04) answer listener emails about the requirements for claiming to have seen a game played in every MLB ballpark, the funniest MVP chant alternatives, changing the penalty for shift violations, and clustering hits and outs, meet major leaguers (1:01:44) Ryan Loutos and Jacob Hurtubise, and Stat Blast (1:14:50) about the least productive hitting streaks and more (plus a postscript). Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)” Audio outro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to playoff odds changes Link to 1973 Windbigler article Link to Windbigler HoF page Link to induction story Link to obit Link to UT Martin baseball alumni Link to delayed Mets game Link to phantom players wiki Link to Sam on NoPAPH Link to EW on obscure awards Link to shift violation Link to interference call play Link to Close Call Sports post Link to Rogers tweet Link to story on MLB response Link to listener emails database Link to B-Ref new debuts Link to WashU baseball alumni Link to Loutos on FGA Link to MLB.com on Loutos Link to MLBTR on Loutos Link to Student Life on Loutos Link to BA on Loutos Link to West Point baseball alumni Link to Hurtubise FG interview Link to Hurtubise article 1 Link to Hurtubise article 2 Link to Hurtubise article 3 Link to Hurtubise article 4 Link to Hurtubise article 5 Link to Cards prospect list Link to Reds prospect list Link to Kyle Cripps Stat Blast cover Link to lowest-OPS hitting streaks Link to Kenny Jackelen’s Twitter Link to triples-only games Link to longest walk-less streaks Link to longest ND streaks Link to longest BB + ND streaks Link to Verdugo clip 1 Link to Verdugo clip 2 Link to Verdugo clip 3 Link to Elly clip Link to Adolis clip Link to one-team-players post Link to one-team-players data Link to Paine on revolving-door teams Link to TCU highlight Link to Ben on mid-PA changes Link to ballpark meetup forms Link to meetup organizer form  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Twitter Account  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source