Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley
  • 4.7 (2.6K)
  • Baseball
  • Updated Semiweekly

Daily baseball statistical analysis and commentary

  1. 2d ago

    Effectively Wild Episode 2518: Dear John

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the latest apparent change in the baseball’s behavior (this time it seems to be deader) and, in a tribute to Tommy John (11:35), retrace the timeline of his trailblazing surgery and his return to a major league mound 50 years ago through contemporaneous accounts and quotes. Then (55:58) they bring on top-tier Patreon supporter Jamie Verbrugge to discuss his podcast and baseball backgrounds before answering listener emails (1:05:02) about the upper bounds of a cup of coffee, a really entertaining but trophy-less season vs. a really boring championship season, an undercover baseball robot, whether Jefry Yan would celebrate a strikeout on an overturned ball call, whether fans are suggestible enough to be fooled by fake home run distances, an ultimate frisbee-style integrity rule for baseball, the value of Ron Washington, and the advisability of bringing the infield in, followed by Stat Blasts (2:01:49) about Pete Crow-Armstrong leading his league in offense and defense, every team in a divison having the same recent record, team games with high matching run, hit, and walk totals, pitchers who got a win, a loss, and a save in a single three-game series, team games with streaks of the same start to each offensive inning, bullpens where one pitcher out-WARed all the others combined, and strikeout-free shutouts. Audio intro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: Sean .P, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Sheehan on the ball Link to Savant drag dashboard Link to earlier ball analysis 1 Link to earlier ball analysis 2 Link to John’s statement Link to MLB.com on John’s statement Link to Reuters on John’s illness Link to Tommy John wiki Link to Frank Jobe wiki Link to Jaffe on John Link to career IP leaders Link to Grant on Posey/Avila Link to NanoNeedle article Link to Maness repair article Link to TJ timeline links Link to TJS database Link to Strom surgery article Link to Bordley surgery article 1 Link to Bordley surgery article 2 Link to Ben’s baseball/America course Link to Ben C. on Skubal and Detroit Link to Dickson on “cup of coffee” Link to Asimov’s Robot series Link to Super Baseball 2020 Link to Baseball Highlights 2045 Link to Data smell Reddit thread Link to Skenes photos Link to Yan game video Link to Yan box score Link to Yan Savant search Link to ultimate’s integrity rule Link to Arraez/Washington article Link to article on Wash in 2027 Link to SIS infield-in study Link to Ben on shifting vs. RHB Link to Stirnweiss SABR bio Link to PCA/Snuffy Blast spreadsheet Link to AL Central streaks image Link to 13-13-13 Stathead query Link to win/loss/save spreadsheet Link to leadoff streaks info Link to 2026 Guardians relievers Link to bullpen WAR gaps spreadsheet Link to Tigers-Guardians gamer Link to zero-K, zero-run games Link to listener emails database Link to MLB All-Century Team Link to BNS Jays play podcast  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

  2. 3d ago

    Effectively Wild Episode 2517: You Can’t Give Them Extra Outs

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about MLB franchise appreciation, Stat Blast about what the resurgence of three-inning saves and the expanding distribution of saves say about pitcher usage, and learn about a new baseball injury. Then (43:28) they bring on Lindsay Imber of Close Call Sports and the official scorer behind the MLB Scoring Changes account to explain the “fourth-out” rule that confused fans and players this week and to pick nits with the MLB rulebook. Finally (1:30:50), Ben brings back former major leaguer John Poff to read from his new book, reflect on his use of “greenies” and players’ political differences, and share a new fundraising initiative for the Standing Rock Reservation, followed (2:13:45) by a few updates. Audio intro: The Spaghettis, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Yankees “capital infusion” Link to story about Yankees valuation Link to story about Lakers sale Link to impending Padres sale Link to FIFA takeover attempt Link to Infantino wiki Link to Littleton save Link to save rule Link to pope hat giveaway Link to Latz stats Link to Atlanta’s three-out savers Link to data on three-out saves Link to data on save-getters by season Link to multi-inning RP outings data Link to Herfindahl–Hirschman index wiki Link to annual HHI data Link to HHI graph Link to Inverse Participation Ratio Link to THT on three-inning saves Link to SB Nation on three-inning saves Link to Medium post on three-inning saves Link to WSJ closers story Link to Ben on saves slipping in 2017 Link to Betteridge’s law wiki Link to parakeet bounceback news Link to Goodhart’s law wiki Link to league SP splits Link to league RP splits Link to FG post on Goodhart’s law Link to other FG post on Goodhart’s law Link to Arrigheti report Link to more on Arrigheti Link to Morton’s neuroma wiki Link to Morton’s neuroma causes Link to Mayo Clinic on Morton’s neuroma Link to more on Morton’s neuroma Link to even more on Morton’s neuroma Link to Ben on the 2015 ALDS game Link to Ben on confused counts Link to @ScoringChanges Link to @ScoringChanges fourth-out tweet Link to @CloseCallSports Link to Close Call Sports website Link to Close Call Sports YouTube channel Link to Lindsay wiki Link to Lindsay’s fourth-out video Link to Lindsay’s Sale video Link to Lindsay’s Wheeler video Link to fourth out wiki Link to fourth-out story 1 Link to fourth-out story 2 Link to SABR on fourth outs Link to The Athletic fourth-out explainer Link to Bois on balks Link to Sam on balks Link to xkcd comic Link to Schneider quote Link to 2016 Schneider game Link to Strike Four Link to Poff Stat Blast Link to first Poff appearance Link to second Poff appearance Link to Halls of Fame discussion Link to Poff’s first Hall of Fame Link to Poff’s second Hall of Fame Link to Poff’s book Link to Carlin routine Link to baseball exceptionalism wiki Link to greenies info Link to Ben on PEDs and the ball Link to “Buffalo Bill ‘s” poem Link to Standing Rock wiki Link to Gilbert Kills Pretty Enemy art Link to John’s fundraiser Link to Scherzer’s piano-playing Link to Kendrick cameo story Link to Skenes velo graph Link to Skenes game story Link to Liquid I.V. powder Link to Rocker pickle-juice game Link to Stanton yoga report Link to Foulke wife tweet Link to Foulke firing report  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

  3. 5d ago

    Effectively Wild Episode 2516: Baseball Is So Back

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a quick hook for Keith Foulke in the WPBL and Stat Blast about the historic outcome of a series between two streaking teams before analyzing an update on Giancarlo Stanton’s status, the effect of era on Jacob Wilson’s errorless streak, the significance of baseball’s resurgence in Hollywood (as evidenced by a Netflix Yankees series, three upcoming baseball movies, and a baseball tangent on Ted Lasso), Mike Krukow and the best team scenario for a beloved broadcaster’s farewell tour, Max Scherzer’s small-sample resurgence, and the latest on Hunter Greene, Paul Skenes, and Gerrit Cole. Audio intro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Dak quote Link to Dak Wookieepedia page Link to Hobbie’s Hoth fate Link to Boston Hunters announcement Link to Hunters tweet Link to WPBL standings Link to Weeks hiring story Link to story about A’s streak snapping Link to story about Sox streak-snapping Link to Stat Blast streaks data 1 Link to Stat Blast streaks data 2 Link to harmonic mean wiki Link to so over/so back meme Link to FG preseason predictions Link to Boone/Stanton quote 1 Link to Boone/Stanton quote 2 Link to Casas swinging exchange Link to Casas swinging article Link to Casas surgery Link to Stanton chips quote Link to Stanton/Panterra video Link to Stanton/Panterra post Link to Stanton ESPN photo shoot Link to Wilson story 1 Link to Wilson story 2 Link to errorless leaderboard Link to 2025 Wilson fielding game log Link to 2026 Wilson fielding game log Link to 2002 Bordick fielding game log Link to Korach tweet Link to annual fielding averages Link to leaguewide batted-ball stats Link to leaguewide K rate stats Link to 2002 team batted-ball stats Link to 2026 team batted-ball stats Link to Sam on errors Link to Stat Blast on errors Link to dill-flavored Liquid I.V. Link to Netflix Yankees series Link to Gehrig movie news Link to Glen Powell’s IMDb Link to Cooper story 1 Link to Cooper story 2 Link to The Catch movie info Link to Hanks movie news Link to Stone as Padres fan Link to Stone as Mets fan Link to EW baseball movies episode Link to Lasso NLBM story Link to Lasso NLBM scene Link to recent Kendrick EW appearance Link to B-Ref career pitching WAR Link to FG career pitching WAR Link to Eephus on Prime Video Link to Eephus EW interview Link to Josef Suk wiki Link to Olympics art awards Link to Suk’s Scherzo Fantastique Link to fantastic scherzo explainer Link to more fantastic scherzo info Link to Johnson strikeouts discrepancy Link to Scherzer vs. Johnson story Link to Jay on Scherzer and Cole Link to Ryan SABR bio Link to MLBTR on Greene’s surgery Link to White Sox Kwan call Link to previous Skenes discussion Link to Skenes leaderboard Link to Cole leaderboard Link to BaseRuns standings Link to George injury update Link to Lasko injury update Link to Trout birthday fun fact  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

  4. Aug 8

    Effectively Wild Episode 2515: All Fun and Games

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the long-in-the-making major league debut of gravity-defying, strikeout-celebrating reliever Jefry Yan, Steven Kwan’s resurgence, a lineup with lots of Juniors, a scooter celebration, a double FARTBAT, Luis Arraez abandoning home plate, MLB players’ low-stakes conspiracies, a head-to-head MVP battle, the Mets’ Francisco Lindor–Juan Soto drama, the A’s firing David Forst, a pitcher plate appearance, and more. Then (1:02:46) Ben brings on YouTubers Noah Campbell (aka SOFTDRINKTV) and Taylor McNelis (aka WildLion Games) to discuss the decline in the quantity and quality of sports video games, how well baseball lends itself to gaming, the golden age of baseball video games, and whether a few new challengers might endanger MLB The Show’s dominance. Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)” Audio interstitial: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Reddit post on Yan Link to first Yan episode Link to second Yan episode Link to Yan debut story Link to Yan debut video Link to Yan leap on single Link to Guardians’ Yan mockery Link to MLBTR on Brebbia Link to Brebbia’s second EW appearance Link to previous Kwan chat Link to Kwan leaderboard Link to Kwan pillow quote Link to sports nepo babies article Link to article on baseball nepo babies Link to Ryan HoF page Link to Giants scooter celly Link to Arraez abandonment Link to @ScoringChanges explanation Link to Marlins misplay Link to EW Episode 500 Link to PCA comments Link to Saucedo comments Link to Ottavino comments Link to PCA vs. Ohtani game Link to Peralta/Lindor/Soto report Link to 2025 Yankees bullpen blowup Link to Lindor/McNeil article Link to MLBTR on Forst Link to Mikolas PA article Link to Nusbaum tweet Link to Button Mash Link to The Ringer-Verse Link to SOFTDRINKTV on YouTube Link to WildLion Games on YouTube Link to Paine on sports games 1 Link to Paine on sports games 2 Link to Jabroni Baseball video Link to EA buyout Link to EA layoffs report Link to EA layoffs report Link to College Football microtransactions Link to Ben on MVP Baseball 2005 Link to Noah on MVP Baseball 2005 Link to Super Mega Baseball 4 article Link to Metalhead on EW 1 Link to Metalhead on EW 2 Link to Taylor on SMB4 roster updates Link to Taylor’s SMB4 review Link to Zach Kram on Backyard Baseball Link to Backyard Baseball comeback article Link to Backyard Baseball wiki Link to Taylor’s Backyard Baseball review Link to Noah on MLB Power Pros Link to Indoor Baseball Link to Noah on Indoor Baseball Link to Noah on MVP 06: NCAA Baseball Link to Noah’s MLB The Show 26 review Link to Taylor’s MLB The Show 26 review Link to Power Pros wiki Link to Professional Baseball Spirits wiki Link to article about eBaseball Pro Spirit 2026 Link to Noah on eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT Link to eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 on PS5 Link to Noah on eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 news Link to Noah’s eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 review Link to Taylor’s eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 review  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

  5. Aug 5

    Effectively Wild Episode 2514: The Deadline, From Adell to Zeferjahn

    After talking Tarik Skubal and a few other early acquisitions in the preceding pod, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley recap the rest of the trade deadline in detail, from Adell to Zeferjahn (with many non-ex-Angels in between): the biggest surprises, the winners and losers, and the various reminders that life comes at you fast. Audio intro: Garrett Krohn, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Skubal trade EW discussion Link to Ben on the Skubal trade Link to Andy M. on the Brewers and Skubal Link to Brewers “we tried” article 1 Link to Brewers “we tried” article 2 Link to Hogg post Link to Roberts quote Link to Skubal quote Link to Dodgers super-rotation post Link to SP RoS projections Link to SP depth charts Link to Trueblood on the Brewers Link to mlb.com trade tracker Link to FG trade post round-up Link to FG winners/losers post Link to Ben on Spider-Man Link to Baumann’s Rockies headline Link to Wade/Ward wiki Link to Brebbia news Link to Harper OF move Link to May monthly award winners Link to Toboni comments Link to Elias comments Link to ZiPS deadline breakdown Link to Kostka tweet Link to FG farm rankings Link to “subtle” oblique strain Link to Lombard call-up Link to Lombard dinger Link to white flag trade Link to Law on Mayer Link to Partners INW Link to wildfire response fund Link to fire relief fund Link to Red Cross donation site  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

  6. Aug 3

    Effectively Wild Episode 2513: Abandon Zyhir Hope, All Ye Who Enter Here

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley break down the Dodgers’ trade for Tarik Skubal from multiple angles: the Tigers’ return, expectations for Skubal and the Dodgers, why other teams let the trade happen, and the significance for the sport. Then they discuss a smattering of other moves (including deals for Freddy Peralta and Luis Castillo) before closing banter about a shampoo disclosure in the Baltimore booth. Audio intro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Ben on the Skubal trade Link to Other Ben on the Skubal trade Link to Longenhagen on the Skubal trade Link to Sheehan on the Skubal trade Link to Paine on the Skubal trade Link to Dodgers discourse article Link to Friedman quote Link to FG’s pre-deadline top 100 Link to SP RoS projections Link to Baumann on the Brewers/Rays Link to FG playoff odds Link to San Andreas meme Link to payroll/winning correlation Link to more on payroll/winning correlation Link to Rosenthal column Link to Dodgers playoff improvement Link to BP on competitive balance Link to Sheehan on rentals Link to Clemens on rentals Link to Paine on deadline impact Link to Cooper on prospect trades Link to FG farm rankings Link to FG on the Peralta trade Link to MLBTR on the Castillo trade Link to FG on the Twins trade Link to FG on the Brewers/Guardians trade Link to FG on the Atlanta/KC trade Link to MLBTR on the Doval trade Link to Paine on everybody being a buyer Link to “C’mon, do something” meme Link to Queens vs. Heights gamer Link to The West Wing scene  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

  7. Aug 1

    Effectively Wild Episode 2512: The Superhero Baseball Draft

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. Ben Lindbergh brings on baseball-loving comic-book experts David Harper (of SKTCHD and Off Panel: A Comics Interview Podcast) and Tiffany Babb (of The Comics Courier, The Comics Staple, The Fan Files, and Interesting Jobs the Podcast) to assemble superpowered baseball teams. First they banter about Harrison Bader’s scooter troubles and David’s and Tiffany’s baseball/comic-book backgrounds, trade-deadline desires, and favorite baseball/comics crossovers. Then (37:20) they take turns filling out rosters from the ranks of Marvel/DC superheroes. Audio intro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Bader article 1 Link to Bader article 2 Link to Bader article 3 Link to another Bader report Link to 2014 Bader incident Link to Bumgarner story Link to Kent injury story 1 Link to Kent injury story 2 Link to Giants vehicular injuries Link to Bader suspension article Link to MLBTR on Bader’s suspension Link to Shanahan injury article Link to Midnight Sun Game Link to Midnight Sons wiki Link to Brand New Day box office Link to The Death of Superman wiki Link to Goldman on power levels Link to Granillo on baseball and supes 1 Link to Granillo on baseball and supes 2 Link to Granillo on baseball and supes 3 Link to superhero strength scale wiki Link to Peanuts podcast episode Link to Joe Shlabotnik wiki Link to Peanuts baseball analysis Link to FG on the Angels/Rangers trade Link to MLBTR on the Minter trade Link to West Coast Avengers Annual #2 Link to Bullseye bio Link to David’s Eisner acceptance speech Link to Eisner Awards wiki Link to SKTCHD Link to Off Panel Link to SKTCHD draft post Link to SKTCHD HoF post Link to SKTCHD Avengers post Link to Tiffany’s website Link to The Comics Courier Link to The Comics Staple Link to Interesting Jobs the Podcast Link to The Fan Files Link to The Fan Files Insta videos Link to The Fan Files TikTok videos Link to SI on baseball and superheroes 1 Link to SI on baseball and superheroes 2 Link to Clemens home run video Link to Clemens home run article Link to Clemens fun facts thread Link to ultimate grand slam wiki  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

  8. Jul 31

    Effectively Wild Episode 2511: Will the WPBL Be a W?

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the end of Ben’s jury duty and Meg’s first colonoscopy, then discuss an investigation into Dodgers owner Mark Walter’s finances, Roki Sasaki’s big glove, Munetaka Murakami’s performance against good velocity, a squirrel sighting (and top prospect Max Clark’s arrival) in Detroit, baseball’s animal kingdom, who gets to claim Jimothy, the frustrating Mariners, Curtis Mead’s im-mead-iate injury, and pre-deadline unrest in Philly. Then (1:05:16) FanGraphs contributor Kiri Oler joins to preview the Women’s Pro Baseball League’s inaugural season and consider its prospects for long-term success. Audio intro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to WSJ on Walter’s finances Link to WSJ on Walter’s stroke Link to Ben on the Dodgers in 2015 Link to WSJ on Sasaki Link to June FG post on Sasaki Link to Roki’s rolling WAR Link to Roki’s four-seamer speed by start Link to Murakami vs. velo article Link to extended squirrel video Link to MLB.com squirrel article Link to BP squirrel article Link to PAWS page Link to animal appearances video Link to MLB.com on Clark’s call-up Link to BP on Clark’s call-up Link to baseball exceptionalism wiki Link to Jimothy wiki Link to M’s Jimothy promotion Link to Trash Pandas’ Jimothy promotion Link to food guarding info Link to Mead injury article Link to Mead recovery report Link to BP IL Triage tool Link to Gelb on the Phillies Link to Paine on the Phillies Link to WPBL wiki Link to Kiri on the WPBL teams Link to Kiri on WPBL managers Link to Kiri’s 2025 pod appearance Link to Kiri on other women’s leagues Link to WPBL team pages Link to AP on the WPBL Link to ESPN’s WPBL press release Link to 2025 WPBL announcement Link to Women’s Baseball World Cup article Link to Ben on the OWL Link to A League of Their Own scene Link to Roki game story  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

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