Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley follow up on their 2022 minor league free agent draft results, banter about ALDS Game 2, teams “not making excuses,” the Rangers hiring Bruce Bochy, and other news, and answer listener emails about a suggestion for changing the number of games per playoff round, how an average person would do in the field if they knew where the ball was going to go, a 75-foot-tall batter, the most embarrassing kind of whiff, multiple “first” pitches, the phrase “a whole new ballgame,” and a ballpark named after the podcast, plus a Past Blast from 1919. Audio intro: Sloan, “You Don’t Need Excuses to Be Good” Audio outro: Billy Corgan, “Black Sox” Link to 2022 draft results Link to Raymond’s EW wiki post Link to Boone comments Link to Severino comments Link to data on Bregman HR Link to data on Judge flyout Link to FG post on ALDS G2 Link to postseason ZiPS Link to story on McCullers/champagne Link to Jay on postseason SP Link to Bochy news Link to Dusty report Link to Profar’s swing Link to story on Veeck’s “giant” Link to EW emails database Link to 1919 story source Link to SABR’s Eight Myths Out Link to SABR on the Black Sox scandal Link to SABR on Speaker’s columns Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter Link to Patreon/Discord instructions  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 the results of the 2022 minor league free agent draft, discuss Gold Glove finalists and a study about the lack of special ways to win in the postseason, recap the first few Championship Series games (and banter about José Alvarado and same-named athletes in multiple sports), and answer listener emails about the name of the Division Series, on-screen strike zone graphics, and spotting higher-seeded teams a game before the start of a postseason series, plus a Past Blast from 1918, concluding banter about Shohei Ohtani’s comments about the Angels’ season and José Ramírez’s post-postseason surgery, and a postscript. Audio intro: Nada Surf, “What is Your Secret” Audio outro: Andrew Weiss and Friends, “Everybody Loves a Comeback” Link to 2022 draft results Link to Raymond’s EW wiki post Link to Gold Glove finalists Link to FiveThirtyEight on Gold Gloves Link to 2021 story on Soto’s defense Link to Dan S.’s playoffs study Link to Russell’s playoffs study Link to Russell on playoff homer-hitting Link to Rosenthal on the playoff format Link to ZiPS playoff odds Link to study on playoff randomness Link to FG post on NLCS G1 Link to FG post on NLCS G2 Link to MLB.com on Snell Link to MLB.com on Padres’ rally Link to MLB.com on Alvarado Link to FG post on ALCS G1 Link to MLB.com on ALCS G1 Link to BP ALCS game preview Link to Reddit on the best-of-9 WS Link to ALCS G1 ump scorecard Link to Division Series wiki Link to BP K-Zone plea Link to FG post on KBO playoffs Link to EW emails database Link to 1918 story source Link to 1918 Ruth box score Link to MLB.com on Ruth’s lost homer Link to Reddit on Ruth’s homers Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter Link to Ruth homers book Link to Ohtani Angels story Link to Ohtani WBC story Link to Ramírez surgery news Link to Japan athletes poll Link to U.S. athletes poll Link to Patreon/Discord instructions  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

Meg Rowley returns from her trip to Seattle to banter with Ben Lindbergh about attending the 18-inning ALDS Game 3, the Mariners’ heartbreaking loss, the fans’ heartening response, and the franchise’s future, as well as overmatched postseason hitters, what scoreless extra-inning games could portend for the zombie runner, the outcomes of the other Division Series, why the NL’s upsets prompted playoff-format handwringing, the cognitive dissonance required to put stock in postseason success, the outlook for the ALCS and the NLCS, and much more, plus a Past Blast from 1917. Audio intro: Dentist, “Upset Words” Audio outro: The Wombats, “I Don’t Know Why I Like You But I Do” Link to Meg’s dispatch from Game 3 Link to Davy Andrews on Game 3 Link to Raleigh injury news Link to Jay Jaffe on the Dodgers Link to Ben Clemens on NLDS managers Link to Jake Mintz on Marsh’s hair Link to Jay on ALDS Game 5 Link to Boone/Holmes comments Link to Rosenthal on the playoff format Link to study on playoff randomness Link to Ginny Searle on the playoffs Link to Rob Arthur on stratification Link to Joe Posnanski on playoff Ks Link to FG’s NLCS preview Link to 1917 story source Link to Shore’s SABR bio Link to SABR on Shore’s perfect game Link to Shore EW discussion Link to Batting by F.C. Lane Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter Link to rigor mortis quote Link to Schwarber homer Link to Harper GIF Link to Patreon/Discord instructions  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 on the road, Ben Lindbergh reunites with his former Ringer MLB Show colleagues Michael Baumann, Zach Kram, and Bobby Wagner to discuss the moods of Mets and Phillies fans and catch up on the first few days of Division Series action, touching on Yordan Alvarez, Robbie Ray, a playoff walk-off oddity, Bryce Harper, Zack Wheeler, Phil Maton, Max Fried, Jeremy Peña, geese, soup, and much more, plus a Past Blast from 1916 and a postscript. Audio intro: Mark Lanegan, “Together Again” Audio outro: Dead Kennedys, “Soup is Good Food” Link to Jake Mailhot on Ray/Alvarez Link to MLB.com on Ray/Alvarez Link to The Athletic on Ray/Alvarez Link to Eno on Ray/Alvarez Link to Zach’s walk-off data Link to Stark on the Alvarez homer Link to Petriello on the Alvarez homer Link to Davy Andrews on ALDS G2 Link to Ben Clemens on Alvarez Link to Ben L. on Alvarez in 2019 Link to Ben on playoff second-guessing Link to Ben on playoff rookies Link to info on Peña adjustment Link to story on Maton Link to story on Plesac Link to Eno on Fried Link to Ben on the Castellanos meme Link to article on the goose Link to 1916 story source Link to SABR on the Giants’ streak Link to Perritt’s SABR bio Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter Link to Correa TV segment Link to Correa opt-out news Link to Correa baby news Link to goose email episode Link to Sutter SABR bio  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 what would happen if a dominant starting pitcher were caught using sticky stuff in a playoff game, then set up the biggest storylines and scheduling considerations of the division series round, consider which matchup is most likely to result in an upset, and preview each AL and NL series, plus banter about taxing home run balls, and a Past Blast from 1915. Audio intro: The Society of Rockets, “Western Division” Audio outro: Phish, “The Divided Sky” Link to Musgrove quote Link to BP’s ALDS previews Link to BP’s NLDS previews Link to FG’s Yankees-Guardians preview Link to midges story Link to FG’s Dodgers-Padres preview Link to FG’s Braves-Phillies preview Link to terms of Strider extension Link to Bloomberg on HR balls Link to 1915 story source Link to SABR on the MLBPA’s origins 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 and break down all four wild card series, beginning with big-picture thoughts on the weekend as a whole and the Mariners’ improbable Game 2 comeback win before going series-by-series and discussing Mariners-Blue Jays (8:52), Guardians-Rays (33:03), Phillies-Cardinals (48:39), and Mets-Padres (1:05:50), plus a Past Blast (1:39:25) from 1914. Audio intro: Dan Auerbach, “Never in My Wildest Dreams” Audio outro: Meat Loaf, “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” Link to Castillo’s velo by game Link to rally shoe tweet Link to Crawford double Link to Jake Mailhot on M’s-Jays G1 Link to Justin Choi on M’s-Jays G2 Link to M’s-Jays WE graph Link to Kyle on Guardians-Rays G1 Link to Jake on Guardians-Rays G2 Link to Guardians challenge Link to Baumann on Phils-Cards G1 Link to Baumann on Phils-Cards G2 Link to story on Pujols retirement Link to Ben Clemens on Mets-Pads G1 Link to Kyle on Mets-Pads G2 Link to Davy Andrews on Mets-Pads G3 Link to Musgrove inspection video Link to tweet about Padres one-hitter Link to Sarah’s tweet Link to McCutchen tweet Link to Showalter/deGrom video Link to deGrom destination report Link to The Athletic on int’l blackouts Link to Forbes on int’l blackouts Link to 1914 story source Link to SABR on the Chase game Link to SABR on the Supreme Court 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 the beginning of the playoffs and playoff podcasting, share a few words (17:43) from the diligent author of the retiring Stephen Vogt’s exhaustive Wikipedia page, preview the four wild card series (30:54) and hype up the playoff field, meet major leaguers (1:07:25) Nate Eaton and Brian O’Keefe, and discuss two Royals firings and the coming managerial merry-go-round, plus a Past Blast (1:23:57) about 1913. Audio intro: Midnight North, “Wild Card” Audio outro: The Felice Brothers, “Saint Stephen’s End” Link to Patrick on Vogt’s retirement Link to Craig Wright on Vogt’s retirement Link to MLB.com on Vogt’s retirement Link to Vogt’s Wikipedia page Link to Vogt’s page “before” Link to Vogt’s page “after” Link to Matz’s Wikipedia page Link to Colin’s Wiki hub Link to Colin on Twitter Link to Colin’s books Link to EW on long Wikipedia pages Link to 2020 list of long pages Link to ESPN on the playoff field Link to FG’s Jays-M’s preview Link to FG’s Rays-Guardians preview Link to FG’s Mets-Padres preview Link to FG’s Cards-Phillies preview Link to postseason ZiPS post Link to BP’s AL previews Link to BP’s NL previews Link to B-Ref’s new debuts page Link to arm strength leaderboard Link to Petriello on arm strength Link to Tango on arm strength Link to FG report on Eaton Link to BA on Eaton Link to story on Eaton’s promotion Link to The Royals Reporter on Eaton Link to The Seattle Times on O’Keefe Link to Rosenthal on managerial changes Link to MLBTR on Ohtani’s contract Link to 1913 story source Link to 1913 box score Link to 1993 box score Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter Link to suppose.tv Link to Reddit post on streaming Link to Ben on Alcantara Link to Ben on Judge and Ohtani  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 efforts to get the new dictionary definition for “ghost runner” changed, how to watch the playoffs when one has cut the cord, Meg’s Rookie of the Year voting deliberations, the underrated Jeff McNeil, the two teams whose per-game attendance declined this season, MLB’s problem gambling PSAs, a DraftKings ad, and more, plus Stat Blasts (56:12) about the worst best players on a team, the change in the percentages of players who make the playoffs and the World Series in their careers, and Mike Trout’s emoji and exclamation point use on Twitter, followed by a Past Blast (1:28:25) from 1912. Audio intro: XTC, “Your Dictionary” Audio outro: Ty Segall, “It’s Over” Link to “ghost runner” definition Link to playoff broadcasting schedule Link to McNeil Stathead query Link to team attendance page Link to article on Ohtani qualifying Link to article on Trout’s game Link to MLB press release Link to DraftKings ad Link to article on Ohtani grand slam Link to Stathead Link to Ryan Nelson on Twitter Link to worst team WAR leaders Link to playoff/WS appearance data Link to Trout’s first airplane tweet Link to Trout’s latest airplane tweet Link to Trout tweet data Link to 1912 story source Link to SABR on Cubs ownership history Link to Chance SABR bio Link to new book about Murphy Link to Posey ownership story Link to Hornsby story 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 the Braves’ first sacrifice bunt of the season, Meg’s gratitude for the effect Mariners fandom has had on her life, the Orioles’ status as impressive also-rans, Atlanta overtaking the Mets, how to assess an MLB season, and the playoff field being set. They also react in real time to Aaron Judge’s 62nd home run and discuss Jon Berti stealing his 40th base, the latest Astros leadership turmoil, and a dismaying dictionary addition, followed by a Past Blast from 1911. Then (46:33) they talk to Jordan Shusterman of Céspedes Family BBQ and Fox Sports about witnessing Cal Raleigh’s drought-ending homer in person, the nickname “Big Dumper,” Jordan’s journey as a Mariners fan (and Meg’s reaction to the team clinching), the potential end of playoff droughts, and more, plus postscript updates and followups. Audio intro: MC5, “Rocket Reducer No. 62 (Rama Lama Fa Fa Fa)” Audio interstitial: Matthew Sweet, “Finally” Audio outro: The Hollies, “The Very Last Day” Link to Harris sac bunt Link to FG post on Braves bunting Link to Stats & Info Orioles tweet Link to Judge homer story Link to Baumann on Berti Link to Rosenthal on the Astros Link to Nightengale on the Astros Link to dictionary announcement Link to “ghost runner” entry Link to 1911 story source Link to “slobber-ball” game story Link to Walsh SABR bio Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter Link to Raleigh at-bat video Link to Jordan’s article Link to Kelenic’s tweet Link to Kelenic’s emoji Link to Sims call Link to Rizzs call Link to Elias on Raleigh Link to Baumann on playoff expansion Link to Baseball Bar-B-Cast podcast Link to playoff bracket  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 fight for the third wild card in the National League and the way in which the expanded playoff format shifts attention toward middling teams, appreciating postseason success and regular-season success, the regular-season dominance of the Dodgers, home-run-record derangement syndrome (17:52) and a middle ground between the warring absolutists worked up one way or another about Aaron Judge (or pitchers not pitching to him), a better name for the combined cycle, a suspicious Carlos Correa quote, a counterintuitive observation about Yadier Molina’s basestealing suppression, Tony La Russa reportedly not returning to the White Sox next season, Rich Hill planning to pitch again, pedantic questions (1:13:01) about non-baseball ballparks, payoff pitches, and long balls vs. big balls, plus a new name for the Grand Junction Rockies, a new use for a descending mound, and a Past Blast (1:26:09) from 1910. Audio intro: Vampire Weekend, “Obvious Bicycle” Audio outro: AC/DC, “Big Balls” Link to study on chance in the playoffs Link to Ginny Searle on the Dodgers Link to Maris Jr. quote Link to Ben on the PED era Link to Rob Arthur on PED HR outliers Link to Lamont video Link to Connecticut baseball divide Link to Correa video Link to Correa quote text Link to Russell on Molina Link to Edwards on Molina Link to TLR report Link to Hill report Link to EW emails database Link to “last strike” EW wiki page Link to GJ Rockies renaming report Link to GJ Chubs EW wiki page Link to pit clock EW wiki page Link to 1910 story source Link to cork ball source Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter Link to Ohtani game story Link to Sheehan on middling teams Link to Lasagna story  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