Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

The hosts discuss the divergent Twitter reactions to a cat video and a tweet about Henry Kissinger. They explore the engagement of the tweets, the challenges of staying connected to baseball from afar, and the impact of weak divisions on playoff teams. They also delve into the way bodies are described in the baseball industry and investigate conflicting reports about historical baseball games.

Ben and Meg discuss their podcast's popularity, recent trade talks for Juan Soto, Reds and Mets moves. They also talk about MLB awards, changing Hall of Fame selection process, and analyze players' HOF chances. BBWA membership and voting process is discussed too.

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Eugenio Suárez trade and the Mariners’ payroll, the Cardinals signing Sonny Gray, the Tigers signing Kenta Maeda, the Dodgers re-signing Jason Heyward, and whether an outfielder can be said to “pick it.” Then (50:07) they follow up on listener responses to their latest email episode, focusing on […]

Ben Lindbergh talks to Portia, a superfan of Shohei Ohtani who runs a popular fan account. They discuss Ohtani's popularity, following him from 15 time zones away, the mysteries surrounding him, his non-baseball friendships, love for biking and the beach, and the active show hay community. The hosts also explore their passion for uncovering the lives, burial sites, and hidden stories of deceased baseball players.

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the proper pluralization of “POBO,” then (7:12) answer listener emails about baseball with a five-second pitch clock, how long fans will continue to boo pickoff attempts, what it would take for a team to pay a particular fan to attend (or not attend) its games, Freddie Freeman’s base […]

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Phillies re-signing Aaron Nola, the Braves signing Reynaldo López, trading for Aaron Bummer, and rearranging their roster, the Cardinals signing Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson, the Padres hiring Mike Shildt, Shohei Ohtani swearing teams to secrecy about his free-agent visits, and NHK’s Ohtani documentaries. Then (53:16) they […]

Discussion on unanimous MVP voting, appreciation for Shohei O'Tani's dog, debating dog-friendly spaces, exploration of Shohei Ohtani's baseball career documentary, mindset of a talented baseball player, interpretation of faith and cultural shifts, reflecting on the end of a career, MLB Trade Rumors' predictions and draft decisions, predicting contracts for Marcus Strowman and Jungkoo Lee, choices for centerfield defense and Patreon perks.

MLB owners approving A's move to Las Vegas, new time-saving measures, salaries of David Stearns and Craig Counsell, private flights to attract free agents, Dubai-based league Baseball United, sports washing and government investments in sports, ethical implications of investing in rapidly changing countries, and analyzing the increase in winning percentage for teams that score first in postseason games.

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a low-suspense awards week, the vastly varying paths to being a major league manager, the latest sign of the Angels player-development apocalypse, Brian Cashman on Giancarlo Stanton, the death of Padres owner Peter Seidler, Michael Jordan’s baseball career on For All Mankind, how much holding runners matters, and […]

Ben Clemens, FanGraphs writer, joins hosts Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley to discuss the free-agent market. They also talk about baseball players deemed sexiest by People magazine, the effectiveness of small ball in baseball, assessing foreign professional hitters and potential landing spots, and Cody Bellinger's performance and projection.