Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Rich Hill’s latest perfect game bid, whether the Tigers are as good as they’ve looked, Jared Jones’ elbow surgery and the Pirates’ offensive outage, Paul Skenes and whether lower arm slots will protect pitchers’ arms, Pete Crow-Armstrong and the players who’ve ascended to “main character” status this season, and more listener suggestions for what to call tandem home run robberies and homers that clear the fence due to defensive miscues. Audio intro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to latest Hill game Link to Hill footage Link to 2016 Hill game Link to Hill on EW Link to BaseRuns standings Link to Sheehan on Detroit Link to projected RoS SP WAR Link to Jones note Link to Passan on Skenes Link to Heyman on Skenes Link to Skenes slot video Link to Pirates unfun fact Link to team offense since 4/23 Link to VAA explainer Link to arm-slot injury study Link to Russell on n=1 Link to The Bandwagon on Brown Link to last-year pitcher WAR Link to BP on Brown Link to 2025 EW bold predictions Link to 2025 FG bold predictions Link to combined WAR leaderboard Link to chase rate leaderboard Link to story on PCA moving back Link to PCA on his mom Link to The Bandwagon on main characters Link to free month of The Bandwagon Link to Paine on the Cardinals Link to Passan on the Cardinals Link to team defense leaderboard Link to Meg on farting Link to Carpenter retirement Link to Carpenter leaderboard 1 Link to Carpenter leaderboard 2  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Elly De La Cruz’s unspectacular start to the season, the firing of Brandon Hyde and what it would take for them to blame a manager for a team’s disappointing season, the hubbub about Juan Soto’s hustle, MLB’s announcement about Rivalry Weekend’s success, Kyle Schwarber and the lineage of non-Hall-of-Fame hitters who’ve appeared to have a chance at “magic number” milestones, MLB’s attempt to define the swing, the overwhelming array of Statcast stats, the latest call for Shohei Ohtani to specialize, and more. Audio intro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes 2, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to FG on the O’s Link to FG playoff odds Link to BaseRuns standings Link to Girardi firing article Link to ESPN on Valentine Link to FG on the Twins Link to Soto flight confusion Link to Ben on Jeter vs. Cano Link to Soto in-game interview info Link to Ben on in-game interviews Link to Soto plays Link to Mendoza quote Link to MLB press release Link to Vedder Cup story Link to Schwarber HR stat Link to Stathead query Link to most HR since 2022 Link to swings article 1 Link to swings article 2 Link to new Savant leaderboard Link to article on new metrics Link to FG on Royals pitching Link to Ohtani strikeout Link to Pereda ball Link to Ohtani article Link to Sam on Ohtani  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about listener suggestions for terms for tandem home run robberies (and the opposite of home run robberies), whether it’s so O’sver in Baltimore, Jacob deGrom succeeding despite slightly less dominant stuff, and the realness of the rivalries in MLB’s inaugural “Rivalry Weekend,” then (48:46) answer listener emails about awarding hit by pitches based on location, not contact, which player actually “starts the scoring,” whether defenders should save the ball from their first putout, a pitcher hitting month, and pantsless mascots, plus a postscript (1:38:32) on Ayami Sato, the first woman to play pro baseball in Canada. Audio intro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to WhatIfSports offer page Link to team wRC+ w/RISP Link to team batting Clutch Link to team wOBA-xwOBA Link to FG playoff odds Link to BaseRuns records Link to MLBTR on the O’s Link to deGrom FG post Link to Rivalry Weekend info Link to Vedder Cup story Link to Sam on the no-go zone Link to Rob Arthur on HBPs Link to Billy the Marlin pics Link to Billy video Link to Grant on mascots Link to listener emails database Link to Hang Up and Listen  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Julio Rodríguez gifting a homer and then taking one away, two Red Sox outfielders teaming up to make a catch, home-run-robbery terminology, Conor Jackson and remembering some guys who were good for your fantasy team, pouring one out for the Austin Barnes Dodgers era, lopsided scores, and the A’s, then (55:30) discuss Pete Rose’s reinstatement from the permanently ineligible list: why it happened, what it means, and what’s next. Audio intro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Julio gift Link to Julio robbery Link to Sox catch Link to The Bandwagon on the catch Link to Office Space clip Link to Patrick on lopsided scores Link to EW bold predictions Link to BaseRuns standings Link to A’s sprint speeds Link to Ben on Rose’s reinstatement Link to Ben’s Rose obit Link to Jay on Rose Link to Wetzel on Rose  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about an expert’s stance on stretching, whether the White Sox were the funniest team for the new Pope to support, what Paul Skenes signing up for the WBC signifies, an optimistic take on the odds of a lost season, Bud Black’s firing and the dreaded “vote of confidence,” Roki Sasaki’s struggles, a petty Shohei Ohtani, how opposing teams have handled Aaron Judge, a Javier Báez rebound, sliding mitts as fashion accessories, a real-time reaction to a Rich Hill signing, and more, plus (1:36:48) updates and a preliminary postscript on Pete Rose’s reinstatement from the ineligible list. Audio intro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to NYT on stretching Link to trigger point info Link to end range of motion Link to NYT on Baseball Pope Link to Phillips on the Pope Link to 2005 Pope video Link to 2006 Trump photo Link to papal infallibility wiki Link to JLD on the Rizzler Link to Keke Palmer meme Link to Skenes WBC story Link to Hannah on Skenes Link to The Bandwagon entry Link to Bud Black quotes Link to Pirates Shelton statement Link to MLB.com on Sasaki Link to pitcher zone rate leaders Link to pitcher contact rate leaders Link to Sasaki IL news Link to latest on Kershaw Link to Ohtani video Link to Ohtani story Link to Hannah on Skenes Link to hitter zone rate leaders Link to Clemens on walking Judge Link to defense vs. Judge Link to Jay on Aranda Link to Jay on Báez Link to sliding mitts story Link to MLBTR on Hill Link to FG SP WAR Link to FG SP projections Link to Rose news Link to 2015 Jackson story Link to Thorn in 2016 Link to Thorn in 2019 Link to 2020 ESPN report Link to March ESPN report Link to April ESPN report Link to calling Trump report Link to MLB ban wiki Link to Ben’s Rose obit Link to Rose death reactions Link to Rose ban text Link to Jackson details  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Ben Lindbergh and Ben Clemens of FanGraphs banter about the latest positional drama regarding Rafael Devers, then discuss whether and why pitchers leaguewide are Yu Darvish-ing and Tyler Holton-ing—that is, throwing more pitch types, and varying their pitch types more based on batter handedness—before answering listener emails about home strike zones and combining bad teams to make a good team. Then (44:42) Ben continues the “baseball jobs” series by bringing on Adam Auer, major league dietician for the Brewers and former minor and major league strength and conditioning coach, to talk about how teams are improving player performance through nutrition, exercise, and recovery, followed (1:41:49) by Emory Brinkman, senior editor for Stats Perform, who discusses generating viral fun facts, parsing statistical qualifiers, and data-wrangling. Audio intro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 1: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)” Audio interstitial 2: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to WhatIfSports offer page Link to MLBTR on Devers Link to Ben on adaptation score Link to adaptation score sequel Link to BP on Holton Link to BP on Brown Link to Ben L. on Rays changeups Link to 2008 SP pitch usage Link to 2024 SP pitch usage Link to Ben on the Orioyals Link to Adam on LinkedIn Link to MLB dietician origins Link to Adam’s hiring Link to Minasian comments Link to Emory on LinkedIn Link to Stats Perform Link to Schneemann fact Link to Alonso fact Link to Carpenter fact Link to Ohtani fact Link to unremarkable day fact Link to shutouts fact Link to Ohtani fact 2 Link to BWJ fact Link to Young graphic Link to @OptaJoe Link to deGrom post Link to Pirates statement Link to Freeland comments  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

In this episode, John W. Miller, author of 'The Last Manager,' discusses the legacy of Earl Weaver and the changing role of baseball managers in the data-driven game. Will Bardenwerper, who wrote 'Homestand,' reflects on the cultural significance of baseball in small towns amidst economic challenges. Jacob MacArthur Mooney, author of 'The Northern,' explores the nuances of storytelling in baseball literature. Together, they dive into nostalgia, the evolution of minor leagues, and the balance between tradition and modern analytics in the sport.

Ben Lindbergh brings on Brandon Uffner, an Orioles and Braves fan, to talk about his two teams’ slow starts to the season, his prescription for fixing them, how he came to root for them, managing his competing loyalties, and more. Then (36:01) he talks to Austin, a White Sox and Rockies fan, about both of his teams bottoming out and how that has or hasn’t affected his appetite for baseball. Finally, (1:04:59), Frequent Stat Blast Correspondent Ryan Nelson joins to deliver several Stat Blasts. Audio intro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to playoff odds changes Link to BaseRuns standings Link to Laurila on walk-off groundouts Link to walk-off out 1 Link to walk-off out 2 Link to walk-off out 3 Link to Mets streak tweet Link to rule 34 wiki Link to catching mask trick Link to lone pitcher example Link to new-name data Link to listener emails database  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Mike Trout’s latest injury, Pete Alonso’s renaissance, a Daulton Varsho recovery catch, Andrés Muñoz the cat guy, and the called strike zone (sort of) shrinking. Then (40:49) they bring on top-tier Patreon supporter Carson Otter to talk about his background with baseball and the podcast, share his baseball-related work experience, and answer listener emails about home teams hiring umpires, the one Statcast stat about Babe Ruth they would want, and a way to extend a consecutive-games-played streak without playing. Audio intro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to WhatIfSports offer page Link to Ella Black series Link to Ella Black event details Link to Jay on Trout Link to Blum on Trout Link to Trout wOBA-xwOBA Link to Trout hypotheticals Link to The Athletic on Alonso Link to Varsho play Link to Varsho quote Link to Muñoz story Link to recent pets study Link to The Athletic on the zone Link to postseason HFA Link to umpiring history Link to EBUG history Link to Ottavino on Ruth Link to Ben on caliber of play Link to Ripken injury info Link to listener emails database Link to Homestand Link to “Wake up babe” meme  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the unexpected power of Meg’s Mariners (and Jorge Polanco, specifically), in contrast to the Rangers’ unexpectedly light-hitting lineup. They also discuss a Jackson Chourio comment about Julio Rodríguez, the long-awaited comeback of Lance McCullers Jr. and the thus-far-deflating comeback of Sandy Alcantara, the literally diminished Mookie Betts, Jose Altuve’s self-knowledge, a Rockies theory, and the existence of Maverick Handley. Then (38:11) Meg gives Ben some alone time with Tigers reliever John Brebbia, who talks about iPhones vs. Androids, social media, the prospect of becoming Ben’s friend, indy ball, beards, spreadsheets, pitching for the 2024 White Sox, going from worst-to-first in the AL Central, being the new guy in a tightly bonded bullpen, pitch-calling, adapting, Brebbia’s alma mater as a pitching powerhouse, whether baseball players (other than Brebbia) are funny, his post-playing future, a potential new nickname, and more, plus a postscript (1:49:21). Audio intro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Ella Black series Link to Ella Black event details Link to Dodgers bidets article Link to FG post on Polanco Link to Chourio video Link to Mookie’s Savant page Link to Altuve story Link to Ben on MLB talent level Link to Tigers Brebbia video Link to first EW Brebbia banter Link to second EW on Brebbia Link to Step Brothers scene Link to collected Brebbia clips Link to Players’ Weekend video Link to Brebbia pitch-type splits Link to Brebbia’s Wikipedia page Link to Elon major leaguers Link to Bunny Hearn info Link to TLOU scene  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source