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 2527: Feels Like the First Time

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about duplicate episode titles and the Angels being slightly less bad than previously indicated, Stat Blast about extended team droughts between multi-hit MLB debuts, and discuss the arrival and role of Padres prospect Ethan Salas, a (deep breath) Cubs-produced, TikTok-based, baseball-themed, microdrama rom-com, whether they have any interest in VR baseball broadcasts, and an apparent change in Minor League Baseball’s ball, followed by additional Blasting about a Jordan Walker fact that may or may not be fun, catcher hot-swaps, center fielders on the mound, and all-win/loss days for divisions. Audio intro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to duplicate episode titles Link to Episode 1240 Link to Episode 1573 Link to Paine on Moreno/Kroenke Link to Kroenke’s land ownership Link to Langs post 1 Link to Langs post 2 Link to debutant dingers article Link to gaps between debuts Link to Close Encounters scene Link to Montes debut article Link to Ichiro rookie hits record Link to Ichiro video Link to Montes video Link to Ben on debutant batters Link to proj. strength of schedule Link to M’s rookie batting WAR Link to BP on Jenkins Link to BP on Salas Link to ESPN on Salas Link to New Yorker on microdramas Link to Quibi wiki Link to Variety on Nine Innings to Love Link to Nine Innings to Love trailer Link to The Notebook scene Link to VR broadcasts article Link to Jake/Jordan broadcast info Link to Ben’s plot hole video Link to Cooper on the MiLB ball Link to Cooper on college homers Link to Ben on the MiLB-to-MLB gap Link to Clay on the MiLB-to-MLB gap Link to FG on MiLB ball construction Link to Walker alleged fun fact Link to ITYSL meme Link to Williams vs. Wood post Link to catchers data Link to The Onion on Gillette Link to wild 1902 game Link to Garver EW episode Link to all-loss division days Link to all-win division days Link to listener emails database  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 2526: How Ballpark Sound Got Both Better and Worse

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley announce an upcoming livestream and then react to the semi-surprising sale of the Angels by Arte Moreno to Stan Kroenke, considering the significance of the sale price, the outlook for the franchise, the legacies of Moreno and Mike Trout, and what the sale might portend for CBA talks. Then (43:14), in the wake of recent reporting and discussion about the volume level at games, they talk to stadium acoustics expert Jack Wrightson of design firm WJHW about how stadium sound systems are simulated and constructed, how they’ve evolved, the sonic environments of baseball and other sports, how team preferences and practices vary, fan noise vs. PA noise, sound on the field vs. sound in the stands, why ballparks are sometimes too loud, and much more, plus (1:37:57) a few postscript follow-ups. Audio intro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Patreon registration Link to FG on the Angels sale Link to The Athletic sale article 1 Link to The Athletic sale article 2 Link to Trout quotes Link to mayor quotes Link to 2023 attendance Link to 2026 attendance Link to Moreno on fan preferences Link to Kroenke wiki Link to Moreno wiki Link to Paine on Moreno Link to new Angels park item Link to froyo fraud article Link to sale-price bubble analysis Link to WJHW “about” page Link to WJHW ballparks page Link to Jack’s WJHW bio Link to latest loudness article Link to loudness article 2 Link to loudness article 3 Link to loudness article 4 Link to loudness article 5 Link to sound level meter wiki Link to loudness wars wiki Link to SIS on Cowser Link to Langs post 1 Link to Langs post 2 Link to EW on Yandy and ABS Link to Tango on Yandy Link to Tango on the Rays Link to more Tango on the Rays Link to Jade on Skubal Link to new Plot Hole or Not Hole  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 2525: Espresso Written Consent

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the research Meg saw on her trip to Saber Seminar, a vintage Max Scherzer start, Tarik Skubal’s espresso-machine maneuver, a Kevin McGonigle double and rule 9.06(f), an international signing scandal (or in truth, two), MLB’s proposals for reworking offseason signings and roster rules, legal wrangling regarding prediction markets, WPBL difficulties, a Chris Sale gem, a costly FARTBAT, outfield additions, whether Shohei Ohtani will pitch again, the first team eliminated from division-title contention, and more. Audio intro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Saber Seminar site Link to Scherzer start Link to espresso article 1 Link to espresso article 2 Link to article on player frugality Link to McGonigle hit article Link to @ScoringChanges explanation Link to Posnanski post Link to old EW on automatic singles Link to ESPN report on signing scandal Link to MLB proposal article 1 Link to MLB proposal article 2 Link to Baumann on MLB proposals Link to NHL holiday roster freeze Link to MLB prediction-market deals Link to latest legal decision Link to prediction-markets piece 1 Link to prediction-markets piece 2 Link to WPBL standings Link to WPBL article 1 Link to WPBL article 2 Link to Sale article 1 Link to Sale article 2 Link to Sale game page Link to Baldwin game precedents Link to FARTBAT article Link to FARTBAT wiki Link to MLBTR on Pham Link to Pham vs. Myers spat Link to MLBTR on Cave Link to MLBTR on Robert Jr. Link to Ohtani update Link to Reddit Rockies post Link to Curt’s Bluesky post Link to Cowser catch clip Link to Cowser catch article Link to The Sun Never Sets  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 28

    Effectively Wild Episode 2524: Take This Cup From Me

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a baseball reference in summer sci-fi flick The End of Oak Street and new reporting on players’ unwillingness to wear cups, then (32:30) discuss career years for Pete Alonso and Gabriel Moreno, Mason Miller’s changeup, Cal Raleigh’s swing change, and whether MLB will follow other leagues’ leads in establishing a tournament or trophy apart from the playoffs, before Stat Blasting (1:17:47) about the worst/least-experienced lineups ever, the most prolifically .500 teams, and the hierarchy of double-play frequency. Audio intro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to The End of Oak Street wiki Link to David Robert Mitchell wiki Link to Detroit references in movie Link to Parrish 1982 gamelog Link to Doctor Strange Tigers reference Link to protective cups article Link to Luke 22:42-44 Link to Chisholm article Link to Forbes article on JKG Link to Time article on JKG Link to best hitters in August Link to on-pace leaderboard Link to pitch run values since 2025 Link to Miller’s changeup count Link to Cruz homer clip Link to Miller article 1 Link to Miller article 2 Link to game theory meme Link to Cal swing article Link to Neil on alternate champions Link to Neil on the NBA Cup Link to Knicks NBA Cup decision Link to regular-season-champion article Link to regular-season-champion episode Link to Yankees’ six-run win Link to Stat Blast wiki Link to Giants loss article 1 Link to Giants loss article 2 Link to Giants unfun fact Link to Sam post 1 Link to Sam post 2 Link to 2022 White Sox .500 records Link to Rochester Hop Bitters info Link to Preston’s FB post Link to “9 to 5” video Link to double-play data Link to Hembekides clip Link to Hembekides graph Link to Molina 3-2-8 double play Link to Nootbaar play  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 27

    Effectively Wild Episode 2523: Upon Further Review

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about takeaways from ESPN’s 30 for 30 podcast on Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhara, disappointing parity (46:41), the latest public-funding ballpark boondoggles in Kansas City and Tampa (52:22), and which AL wild card contender most deserves to squeak into October (1:12:58). Audio intro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani Link to Passan video on the Dodgers Link to Passan tweets on the Dodgers Link to EW episode on Ippei Link to criminal complaint Link to Starz show update Link to 2024 Shohei/Ippei clip Link to deMause/Bradbury EW episode Link to KC ballpark update Link to Tampa ballpark update Link to more on Tampa ballpark Link to Field of Schemes book Link to Field of Schemes post 1 Link to Field of Schemes post 2 Link to Field of Schemes post 3 Link to TIF wiki Link to This One Will Be Different Link to deMause Bluesky post Link to Hurtak Bluesky post Link to Nippon Ham wiki Link to Fighters wiki Link to fruit of the poisonous tree Link to Chinese wall wiki Link to national debt news Link to Alou brothers game Link to all-Alou-outfield article  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 26

    Effectively Wild Episode 2522: The New Funnest Fact

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about baseball’s new reigning fun fact (courtesy of Pete Crow-Armstrong and Randy Arozarena), Kade Anderson’s debut and Dan Wilson’s slow hook, a Cal Raleigh rally, and the firing of Astros GM Dana Brown, then Stat Blast (41:51) about a Phillies comeback, a strange Yankees streak, an unusual double play, getting hit by both pitched and batted balls, and consecutive same names in lineups, before finishing by discussing (58:37) follow-ups and errata pertaining to the previous week’s podcasts and (1:18:02) a sign-stealing/unwritten-rules controversy courtesy of the Cubs and Diamondbacks. Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2” Audio outro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to PCA/Randy fun fact 1 Link to PCA/Randy fun fact 2 Link to FG post on Anderson Link to Sheehan on Wilson/Anderson Link to Cal homers video Link to Cal homers article 1 Link to Cal homers article 2 Link to Cal slump analysis Link to MLBTR on Brown 1 Link to MLBTR on Brown 2 Link to Nightengale on Brown Link to Clemens on Brown Link to Wells gear 1 Link to Wells gear 2 Link to Schwarber homer video Link to FG Phillies post Link to Twins comeback article Link to comebacks Stat Blast results Link to Yankees scoring data Link to Stanton injury update Link to Judge injury update Link to double-play data Link to triple-Brown name game Link to Gasper clip Link to HBP/batted ball instances Link to listener emails database Link to sign-stealing article 1 Link to sign-stealing article 2 Link to Sam on unwritten rules Link to sign-stealing EW episode Link to Ben on coaching/front offices Link to Miz/Sale article 1 Link to Miz/Sale article 2 Link to Miz/Sale box score Link to Randy Johnson EW interview Link to other case of Miz-taken identity Link to Kelly/Mikolas article Link to Mikolas article 1 Link to Mikolas article 2 Link to puck-tracking tech  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 21

    Effectively Wild Episode 2521: Keep Your Eye on the Small Ball

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a Chris Sale vs. Jacob Misiorowski matchup and how often anticipated pitching duels live up to the hype, a controversial fair/foul call and ball-tracking tech in baseball compared to other sports, and what stadium decibel levels say about whom baseball belongs to, then (57:26) answer listener emails about the AL MVP race, Brayan Bello’s bullpen turnaround, the highest-scoring game in which each run was driven in by a different batter, the potential downside of a closer entrance spectacle, the oldest player who could go yard in a home run derby, the value of freezing time on the field, a game between players dressed as their teams’ mascots, and what makes players fun. Audio intro: PJ Harding, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Sale vs. Miz article Link to Miz zone rate by month Link to Miz velo by month Link to Miz/Sánchez close call Link to Miz/Skenes close call Link to pitching leaders since 4/12 Link to Sale jersey article Link to Ben on Sale in 2018 Link to LaRoche retrospective Link to Alonso call article Link to Yankees booth’s reaction Link to Petriello tweet Link to Tango tweet 1 Link to Tango tweet 2 Link to baseball exceptionalism wiki Link to Kepner on baseball usage Link to NFL measurement tech Link to goal-line tech wiki Link to hockey tech article Link to FoxTrax wiki Link to NBA tech article 1 Link to NBA tech article 2 Link to soccer connected ball info Link to Miller/Grogu video Link to hippo talk episode Link to latest loudness article Link to loudness article 2 Link to loudness article 3 Link to loudness article 4 Link to loudness article 5 Link to loudness prompt Link to “Nothing Night” origin Link to FG WAR leaderboard Link to Bello SP/RP split Link to biggest SP/RP splits Link to 1-RBI-guys games Link to urinalysis info Link to Mariners derby article Link to Ichiro derby video Link to Clair on Appling Link to Ben on Ichiro homers Link to list of MLB mascots Link to McCutchen “furries” lore Link to listener emails database Link to MLBTR on Anderson Link to leaguewide games per year Link to Small Axe Studios news Link to Batman/Superman comic Link to comic heroes roster Link to Benge article 1 Link to Benge article 2  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. Aug 20

    Effectively Wild Episode 2520: Catch 22–0

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Brewers’ record-tying shutout/blowout of the Mariners (warning: profanity), Bryce Rainer and the continued absence of a post-Ohtani two-way wave, the latest manifestation of Paul Skenes’s protracted struggles, the tater turnaround of Fernando Tatis Jr., the reason(s) for the diminishing viewership of “MLB at Field of Dreams,” and which baseball figure (or feature) could extend the Vin Scully/Connie Mack fun fact. Audio intro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Mariners vs. Brewers box score Link to biggest blowouts Link to Julio mistake Link to Mount Rainier wiki Link to Laurila on Rainer Link to article on Rainer’s signing Link to The Board at FG Link to Sam on Ohtani’s two-way balance Link to best past two-way prospects Link to Olerud pitching retrospective Link to article on Jobe vs. Skenes game Link to Tigers vs. Pirates game data Link to Tigers vs. Pirates box score Link to Stumpf on Skenes Link to Sawchik on Skenes Link to Oler on Skenes Link to Verducci on Skenes 1 Link to Verducci on Skenes 2 Link to Skenes photos Link to Skenes gamelog Link to Ashcraft gamelog Link to P/IP leaders Link to Tatis before Link to Tatis after Link to BP on Tatis Link to MLB at Field of Dreams wiki Link to article on Hall of Famers Link to article on audience size Link to EW Field of Dreams episode Link to MLB Speedway Classic wiki Link to Sam’s Scully/Mack piece Link to Ben’s comment  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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