Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Scott Boras’s opinions about postseason pitch clocks and a neutral-site World Series, discuss Meg’s NL Rookie of the Year vote (14:16) and the rookie class, and then conduct two drafts: the eighth free-agent-contract over/under draft (35:37), and the fifth World Series odds movers draft (1:29:46), plus a Past Blast (1:48:40) from 1929 and a postscript. Audio intro: Whitehorse, “Best Bet” Audio outro: Aimee Mann, “Mr. Harris” Link to Boras’s pitch-clock comment Link to Boras on the World Series Link to Ben on the rookie class Link to Chris Gilligan on the rookies Link to Tango on the WARs Link to EW wiki on drafts Link to competitions/drafts sheet Link to Ben Clemens on RP signings Link to MLBTR top 50 FA Link to FanGraphs top FA Link to Keith Law’s top FA Link to qualifying offers Link to Stathead on tall hitters Link to WS odds spreadsheet Link to Fanduel odds Link to DraftKings odds Link to 1929 story source Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter Link to Craig Wright on few SB Link to NL RotY results Link to AL RotY results Link to Dan S. on Strider Link to Ben N-S on Rutschman Link to Tango’s math  Sponsor Us on Patreon Subscribe to Stathead (Code: WILD20)  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

With Meg Rowley off, Ben Lindbergh talks to three guests: James Wagner (4:55) of the New York Times about Scott Boras puns in the paper of record, why players who test positive for PEDs have disproportionately been from the Dominican Republic, and why players wear perfume and cologne on the field; Ian Araujo (41:46) about the origins, appeal, process, and future of his viral TikTok videos about identifying sports games in the backgrounds of movies and TV shows; and Jeff Pearlman (1:20:24) about his new biography of Bo Jackson, The Last Folk Hero, Jackson’s life and career, separating Bo facts from Bo fiction, and hypotheticals about Bo, plus a closing baseball news brief (1:59:45) and a Past Blast from 1928. Audio intro: The Americans, “Guest of Honor” Audio interstitial 1: Jim Lauderdale, “If You Look Real Close” Audio interstitial 2: Boogie Down Productions, “Bo! Bo! Bo!” Audio ioutro: Crowded House, “Be My Guest (Home Demo)” Link to Alden’s list of Boras puns Link to video of Nimmo pun Link to Correa’s Dior line Link to James’s NYT pun mention Link to Boras episode of EW Link to James’s PED/DR article Link to NYT article on Tatis Link to James on perfume/cologne Link to Ian’s TikTok account Link to The Athletic on Ian Link to Ian’s The Office video Link to Mel Magazine on Ian Link to Ben’s Elementary article Link to The Irishman Reddit thread Link to Defector on the buzzer-beater Link to second buzzer-beater story Link to Hilbert’s problems wiki Link to baseball Hilbert’s problems Link to article on TikTok security Link to The Last Folk Hero Link to Seitzer/Jackson excerpt Link to Bo’s tweet about autographs Link to 91-yard TD video Link to Bo scaling the wall Link to Jeff’s website Link to The Bad Guys Won Link to “Sho Knows” t-shirt Link to Astudillo report Link to MLBTR on Click Link to Jay Jaffe on Click Link to MLBTR on Powers Link to Dan Szymborski on Kershaw Link to FTX bankruptcy report Link to FTX sponsorship news Link to MLB/FTX press release Link to Ohtani/FTX press release Link to Emma’s tweet Link to tweet about Triple-A ABS Link to J.R.’s World Series data Link to 1928 story source Link to SABR on the DH rule Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter  Sponsor Us on Patreon Subscribe to Stathead (Code: WILD20)  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 share their impressions of HBO’s new feature-length documentary about Willie Mays, Say Hey, Willie Mays!, and reflect on Mays’s career, then (29:23) talk to director Nelson George about the making of the movie, what didn’t make the movie, his interactions with Mays and other legends, and much more, followed (1:04:59) by a postscript and a Past Blast from 1927. Audio intro: The Baseball Project, “Sometimes I Dream of Willie Mays” Audio interstitial: Michael Franti & Spearhead, “Say Hey (I Love You)” Audio outro: Gallagher and Lyle, “Willie” Link to Say Hey website Link to Say Hey trailer Link to story about banning Mays Link to story about basket catch Link to Mays on Bewitched Link to Mays response to Robinson Link to Alvin Dark controversy Link to Bill Greason’s SABR bio Link to MLBTR on Baker and Click Link to Michael Mountain’s cLI data Link to 1927 story source Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter  Sponsor Us on Patreon Subscribe to Stathead (Code: WILD20)  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, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs writer Ben Clemens banter about Game 6 of the World Series, the Series and the playoffs as a whole, Phillies manager Rob Thomson’s decision to pull Zack Wheeler in favor of José Alvarado, Yordan Alvarez’s titanic dinger, the Astros’ bullpen performance, and Kyle Schwarber’s bunt attempt, before discussing the Astros’ legacy, the 2022 team vs. the 2017 team, and the “dynasty” debate. Then (45:29) they cover Edwin Díaz’s extension with the Mets, what the Phillies have to teach teams about spending, and Other Ben’s ranking of the best free agents (1:01:15), touching on the strengths of the class, their expectations for the pace of the offseason, the contracts Aaron Judge and Jacob deGrom could get, the premium shortstops available, the best and worst values on the market, and more, plus a Past Blast (1:30:33) from 1926. Audio intro: Frazey Ford, “Season After Season” Audio outro: Ben Gibbard, “Star Sign” Link to Justin Choi on the Astros Link to Ben Lindbergh on the Astros Link to Zach Kram on the Astros Link to Jayson Stark on the Astros Link to The Onion on the Astros Link to Alvarez homer video Link to story about Alvarez’s hands Link to reliever familiarity research Link to Wheeler fatigue article Link to Eno on Cash and Snell Link to Devan Fink on Cash and Snell Link to story about Schwarber’s bunt Link to tweet about Astros’ bullpen Link to Baker’s Cosby comment Link to Dan Szymborski on Díaz Link to Ben C.’s free-agent ranking Link to Hamm’s Turner video Link to 1926 story source Link to SABR on the Grier game Link to SABR on Negro Leagues no-nos Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter Link to Minasian’s comments  Sponsor Us on Patreon Subscribe to Stathead (Code: WILD20)  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 review all of the action from the historic, eventful fourth and fifth games of the World Series, banter about a fan heckling Rob Manfred, and share multiple Past Blasts (33:22) from 1925 (plus a throwback, Philly-centric Past Blast from 1868). Then (50:08) they talk to Baseball Prospectus writer Michael Ajeto about Astros starter Cristian Javier’s unicorn fastball, the value of vertical approach angle, and the state of pitching analysis, plus a postscript. Audio intro: The Cribs, “Different Angle” Audio interstitial: Dawes, “From the Right Angle” Audio outro: Ringo Starr, “Vertical Man” Link to Baumann on Game 4 Link to Baumann on Game 5 Link to Ben Clemens on Peña Link to xBA figures from Game 4 Link to Walsh misplay Link to Hoskins misplay Link to Mancini play Link to McCormick play Link to Manfred letter Link to Manfred Reddit thread Link to Manfred heckling video Link to 1925 story source Link to Ban Johnson SABR bio Link to SABR on O’Connell and Dolan Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter Link to 1868 story source Link to @OldBaseballNews on Coolidge Link to Coolidge article source Link to collected “boner” articles Link to “boner” etymology Link to Michael on Javier Link to Passan on Javier Link to Michael on Gallen Link to Matt Lentzner on pitch angle Link to Ethan Moore on VAA Link to Alex Chamberlain on VAA Link to Chamberlain on VAA again Link to VAA primer on YouTube Link to Ben Clemens on the Giants Link to Robert Orr on the Giants Link to Bregman on hitting spin Link to Jackalopes name change Link to Ben on pitcher deception Link to Michael’s podcast  Sponsor Us on Patreon Subscribe to Stathead (Code: WILD20)  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 percentage of MLB fans who are paying close attention to the World Series, discuss the White Sox filling MLB’s last managerial vacancy by hiring Pedro Grifol (along with Charlie Montoyo as bench coach), and then reflect on a few aspects of Game 3 of the World Series, including Dusty Baker’s decision-making, the surprising postseason defensive success of Nick Castellanos, a pitch-tipping uproar, and more. After that (47:32), they mull over an Atlantic article about the impact of “Moneyballism” on baseball and American culture, note the record average fastball velocity and strikeout rate this postseason, Stat Blast (1:09:55) about how umpire accuracy affects offense (and what that might mean for a robo-ump-infused future), and close with a Past Blast from 1924 (1:24:35), plus a postscript about the Astros’ combined no-hitter in Game 4. Audio intro: Jack White, “A Tip From You to Me” Audio outro: Aimee Mann, “Momentum” Link to MLBTR on the Grifol hiring Link to MLBTR on the Montoyo hiring Link to Shakeia Taylor EW episode Link to study on manager demographics Link to Shakeia on manager demographics Link to Rob on manager demographics Link to James Wagner managers thread Link to Baumann on Game 3 Link to story about Baker and McCullers Link to story about Castellanos’s defense Link to clip of Harper and Bohm Link to Pedro on pitch-tipping Link to Rosenthal on pitch-tipping Link to The Atlantic article Link to Rany’s thread on the article Link to FG on postseason velo Link to BA on postseason velo Link to Passan on postseason velo Link to Ben Clemens on postseason Ks Link to umpire Stat Blast data Link to Lucas Apostoleris on Twitter Link to 1924 story source Link to story about Bohm comments Link to story about booing Santa Link to tweet about cheering Santa Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter Link to Russell on momentum Link to Russell on momentum again Link to FG World Series odds  Sponsor Us on Patreon Subscribe to Stathead (Code: WILD20)  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 umpire Pat Hoberg’s unprecedented “perfect game” behind the plate in Game 2 of the World Series, followed by musings on Nolan Arenado opting not to opt out of his contract, the Royals hiring Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro as their new manager, and Rob Manfred’s latest update on the zombie runner, then break down Games 1 and 2 of the World Series, reflect on the folly of predicting sweeps and seven-game series, and provide a Past Blast from 1923. Then (1:17:54) they bring on Umpire Scorecards creator Ethan Singer to explain how he realized an umpire perfect game had occurred, how Hoberg’s umpire perfecto was calculated, Hoberg’s track record, the squishy nature of ump perfection, the concepts of accuracy, expected accuracy, and consistency, the odds of a perfect game occurring, Umpire Scorecards in the robot-umps era, umpiring accuracy and difficulty in the postseason, the rest of the umps in the World Series, and more. Audio intro: John Cale, “Perfect” Audio interstitial: Ronnie Wood, “100%” Audio outro: Kiwi Jr., “Highlights of 100” Link to Ben on umpire perfect games Link to Hoberg article Link to Hoberg’s Twitter scorecard Link to Hoberg’s website scorecard Link to Hoberg game video Link to Bob Wolff Larsen call Link to Vin Scully Larsen call Link to MLBTR on Arenado Link to Jay Jaffe on Arenado Link to MLBTR on Quatraro Link to MLBTR on the White Sox search Link to Shakeia Taylor EW episode Link to study on manager demographics Link to Shakeia on manager demographics Link to Rob on manager demographics Link to James Wagner managers thread Link to zombie runner comments Link to 2020 zombie runner survey Link to The Athletic zombie runner survey Link to FG zombie runner survey Link to ZiPS postseason odds Link to FG WS Game 1 story Link to FG WS Game 2 story Link to Jaffe on Verlander in the WS Link to Posnanski on on Verlander in G1 Link to post on Díaz’s non-HBP Link to FG post on starters in relief Link to Valdez suspicion story Link to Maldonado/Pujols bats Link to Silver Slugger finalists Link to Ben on predicting sweeps Link to Joe’s newsletter Link to MLB.com WS predictions Link to ESPN WS predictions Link to The Athletic WS predictions Link to CBS Sports WS predictions Link to 1923 story source Link to SABR on radio broadcasts Link to article on televised World Series Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter Link to Ethan’s first EW interview Link to Umpire Scorecards leaderboard Link to World Series umpire lineup Link to MLB’s no-hitter redefinition Link to support Umpire scorecards Link to Ethan’s personal website Link to Ben in 2014 on postseason umps Link to Ben on MLB ump evaluations Link to 2015 article on ump improvement Link to 2016 article on ump improvement Link to study on umpire age Link to umps and high leverage study Link to EW on umpire decision fatigue Link to Baumann on rainout implications Link to NYT umpire interactive  Sponsor Us on Patreon Subscribe to Stathead (Code: WILD20)  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, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen banter about Ben’s latest ex-player Facebook friend recommendations and an MLB bourbon sponsorship, discuss (9:27) David Stearns stepping down from the Brewers’ top job, Adam Wainwright returning to the Cardinals, and Aaron Boone remaining the manager of the Yankees, and then (26:53) preview a few important factors to watch in the World Series, followed by a question (45:14) about Aaron Judge and scouting tall players, an explanation of how the Astros built and have maintained their player-development advantage (53:34), Eric’s insights (1:02:49) into impressive prospects in the Arizona Fall League (such as Rockies speeder Zac Veen), thoughts on Oswald Peraza, Anthony Volpe, and the Yankees’ infield of the future (1:25:50), and a preview (1:29:28) of what to watch in international and winter ball (including the top MLB prospects in NPB and the KBO), plus addenda (1:35:11) and a Past Blast from 1922. Audio intro: The Fratellis, “Boy Scout to the End” Audio outro: Ray Davies, “After the Fall” Link to Evan Williams contest Link to Jim Beam ad Link to sponsorship growth story Link to MLBTR on Stearns Link to Wainwright signing news Link to Baumann on Wainwright Link to news about Boone Link to news about Boone and Cashman Link to Jeter video Link to Michael Kay’s Lincoln comp Link to info on Kay’s diet Link to older post on Kay’s diet Link to Ben on player height increase Link to MLB.com on team makeup Link to Ben Clemens WS preview Link to FG post on Astros lefties Link to FG post on pitching to Harper Link to Silver Slugger finalists Link to AFL stats Link to AFL prospects on The Board Link to Veen play Link to Russell on winter ball Link to Ben on Murakami Link to info on LIDOM on MLB.TV Link to EW emails database Link to research about alternate titles Link to 1922 story source Link to SABR on the Supreme Court Link to SABR on the MLBPA Link to update on antitrust case Link to tweet about minor league CBA Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter  Sponsor Us on Patreon Subscribe to Stathead (Code: WILD20)  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 Ben’s baseball Facebook friend recommendations, the Phillies’ odds against the Astros in the World Series, Kyle Schwarber’s mechanical bull ride, a hidden perk of the Astros’ pitching depth, whether we judge managers too much by their rings, the career and legacy of Dave Dombrowski, the Marlins hiring Skip Schumaker as manager, the length of games this postseason, and Shohei Ohtani’s old team drafting another two-way player, followed by Stat Blasts (1:10:37) about when the AL/NL’s cumulative HR total overtook its cumulative SB total, a pitcher pinch running for the DH, and George Springer and the most hits before a first pinch hit, plus a Past Blast from 1921. Audio intro: Free, “Be My Friend” Audio outro: Thrush Hermit, “Skip the Life” Link to FG WS odds Link to reliever familiarity research Link to video of Schwarber’s ride Link to Posnanski on Davey Johnson Link to post on Dombrowski history Link to Bannister’s Dombrowski thread Link to MLBTR on Schumaker Link to MLB.com on Schumaker Link to Sam on nicknames Link to study on manager demographics Link to report on manager demographics Link to more on manager demographics Link to Acta’s mound tweet Link to MLB.com on game lengths Link to annual postseason offense Link to research on scoring and upsets Link to Yazawa news Link to Shinjo jersey news Link to Stathead Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter Link to EW emails database Link to CloseCallSports video Link to 1921 story source Link to SABR on the ’21 World Series Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter  Sponsor Us on Patreon Subscribe to Stathead (Code: WILD20)  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 are joined by FanGraphs writer (and Phillies fan) Michael Baumann, who covered the NLCS game in Philly, to recap the Phillies’ NLCS victory over the Padres, explain the minds of Phillies fans, celebrate Bryce Harper, review the Padres’ decisions, and much more, followed by breakdowns of the Astros-Yankees ALCS, the state and future of the Yankees, and the Phillies-Astros World Series matchup, plus a postscript and a Past Blast from 1920. Audio intro: Herman’s Hermits, “Leaning on a Lamp Post” Audio outro: Billy Swan, “Swept Away” Link to Baumann on NLCS G3 Link to Baumann on NLCS G4 Link to Baumann on NLCS G5 Link to Esteban Rivera on Harper’s HR Link to the Harper HR Link to MLB.com on the Harper HR Link to seismometer graph Link to The Athletic on Melvin Link to MLB.com on Melvin Link to Grisham bunt/scoring change Link to Profar check swing Link to Ben Clemens on the Yankees Link to Bader walk Link to Mike Axisa on the Yankees Link to story about Boone’s videos Link to tweet about Ortiz Link to StarTalk video Link to 1920 story source Link to SABR on Maharg Link to SABR on the Black Sox in 1920 Link to Caminiti book Link to Fiers confession Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter  Sponsor Us on Patreon Subscribe to Stathead (Code: WILD20)  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