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 (1:13:30) 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 (1:26:38) 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
Podcast (effectively-wild): Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the inadequacies of dental insurance and Ben’s rewarding trip to Citi Field, a Marlins marketing strategy, Richard Bleier’s balk debacle, pitchers getting the memo about throwing strikes to Aaron Judge and Judge’s difference-making performance even when he doesn’t homer, preliminary Stat Blasts (41:33) about the most consecutive secondary pitches thrown to a batter in a game and the redundancy of RBI as a Triple Crown stat, finding things to savor in the regular season even with a shortage of standings suspense, more Stat Blasts (59:33) about the Braves’ extreme day/night split revisited, Fibonacci Sequence scoring, getting replaced before a second PA in both ends of a doubleheader, combined/relay cycles, Albert Pujols and homering on the most dates during the regular season, and games getting away from cruising pitchers, plus a Past Blast from 1909 (1:33:56) and a real-time reaction to Judge’s 61st (1:38:40).
Audio intro: Ezra Furman, “My Teeth Hurt” Audio outro: Son Volt, “Afterglow 61”
Link to Marlins marketing tweet Link to Dan S. on Meneses Link to Bleier balks story Link to Bois’s balk rules Link to Sam Miller on balks Link to Rob Mains on the Year of the Balk Link to first episode about Judge/strikes Link to consecutive secondaries sheet Link to FG Junis post Link to article on HR/SB leaders Link to FG standings suspense post Link to Stathead Link to Stathead webinar Link to Ryan Nelson on Twitter Link to Atlanta day/night data Link to Fibonacci Sequence explainer Link to Fibonacci games Link to doubleheader replacement data Link to post on relay/combined cycles Link to relay/combined cycles sheet Link to Seinfeld reference clip Link to info on ex-cruising pitchers Link to Russell on replacing pitchers Link to EW emails database Link to 1909 story source Link to Tim Murnane SABR bio Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter Link to video of Judge’s homer Link to Lindsey on relievers catching HR
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the latest hitting heroics by 30-year-old rookie Joey Meneses, then discuss the Guardians clinching the AL Central title, underdogs that defy the projections and playoff odds, and Albert Pujols’s 700th homer. After that (47:00), they talk to Death Cab for Cutie singer/songwriter/guitarist Ben Gibbard about the Mariners’ stretch run and playoff prospects, the sound of settling (for the third wild card), the greatness of Julio Rodríguez, the strengths and weaknesses of the roster, the future of the franchise, celebrity M’s fans, monitoring the Mariners during Death Cab concerts, the band’s stylistic evolution on new album Asphalt Meadows, the reception to the record, and more, plus a Past Blast (1:37:07), a few followups, and a closing word from Ben G.
Audio intro: Death Cab for Cutie, “A Movie Script Ending” Audio interstitial: Death Cab for Cutie, “I’ll Never Give Up on You” Audio outro: Ben Gibbard, “Duncan, Where Have You Gone?”
Link to Ben on Meneses Link to Jayson Stark on the Guardians Link to Zack Meisel on the Guardians Link to Zack on the celebration Link to article on Guardians’ youth Link to article on old-school Guardians Link to SIS on Giménez’s defense Link to Ben on contact and the playoffs Link to FG preseason playoff odds Link to FG preseason staff predictions Link to MLB tweet about odds Link to Guardians’ tweet about odds Link to playoff odds check Link to second playoff odds check Link to BP IL Ledger Link to Rob Mains on weak divisions Link to Ben on Pujols Link to Death Cab album/merch Link to Death Cab tour schedule Link to stream Asphalt Meadows Link to Death Cab on Metacritic Link to story on why we like music Link to Church cancellation story Link to Church rescheduling story Link to “Ichiro’s Theme” Link to Ben G.’s first EW appearance Link to 1908 article source Link to SABR on the 1908 Winter Meetings Link to article on lineups and gambling Link to Shantz interview episode Link to Pujols swing montage
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the man who tried to return Roger Maris’s 61st home run ball, two Mickey Mantle letters, the 2017 Zac Gallen/Sandy Alcantara trade, how Maury Wills changed (and dominated) basestealing, and Aaron Judge’s recent value even when he hasn’t hit homers, then answer listener emails (38:15) about hitters setting their own strike zones, Atlanta’s extreme day/night winning percentage split, the shift ban and the Stanky rule, which pitchers will suffer from the new pickoff-attempt rules, and immaculate innings that include an automatic strike from the pitch clock (with a digression into “timer” vs. “clock”), followed by a research-intensive Stat Blast (1:05:53) into whether working quickly improves the defense behind a pitcher, and a double Past Blast (1:27:58) from 1907, including an ahead-of-its-time proposal by the eccentric Bob Unglaub.
Audio intro: Styx, “Havin’ a Ball” Audio outro: Drive-By Truckers, “Bob”
Link to 2022 article about Durante Link to 2016 article about Durante Link to offer for Judge ball Link to article about Judge ball value Link to other article about Judge ball Link to 1961 Mantle letter Link to 1973 Mantle letter Link to BP on Gallen Link to article about 2017 trade Link to Jeff on the 2017 trade Link to Wills SABR bio Link to Wills obit Link to Pages From Baseball’s Past Link to Craig Wright on SBs Link to Wright on Wills Link to 1960–65 SB leaders Link to 1962 NL MVP voting Link to video of Judge near-homer Link to Defector on the Judge flyout Link to Defector on walking Judge Link to EW emails database Link to Stathead on Atlanta’s split Link to EW Stanky draft Link to Stanky maneuver story Link to Stanky maneuver image Link to Russell on the running game Link to list of immaculate innings Link to Stathead Link to Savant pitch tempo page Link to Savant defense behind pitcher Link to Savant team defense Link to Mike Fast on pace and defense Link to Ben on pace and defense in 2017 Link to pace and defense Stat Blast data Link to 1907 Cubs story source Link to list of in-season exhibitions Link to SABR baseball cards site Link to SABR baseball cards tweet Link to Unglaub’s 1907 arc idea Link to article on eccentric Unglaub Link to article on Unglaub not playing Link to Unglaub SABR bio Link to Rob Arthur on deeper defense Link to Rob on better defense Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter Link to DraftKings ad
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the ethics of returning or selling a valuable home run ball, a dilemma involving Aaron Judge on Apple TV+, selling the opposing team’s gear in a ballpark, the Tigers hiring Scott Harris and the Royals firing Dayton Moore, the Mets and Reds setting hit-by-pitch records, Canada dropping its vaccine requirement in time for the MLB playoffs, the lack of standings-derived suspense in the 2022 regular season, the latest Joey Meneses news, and a record number of MLB debuts and 4-WAR rookies, plus a Past Blast from 1906.
Audio intro: The Format, “Give it Up” Audio outro: Richard Thompson, “I’ll Never Give it Up”
Link to tweet about ball decision Link to Freedman’s response Link to Sheehan’s response Link to Goldstein’s response Link to article about Jeter ball Link to Sports Night episode script Link to Judge on Apple article Link to article on Giants vendor Link to Posnanski on Moore Link to Royals Review on Moore Link to Moore on Eldred Link to article on Harris hiring Link to article on Mets HBP record Link to post on Buck asking for ball Link to post on Reds HBP record Link to Baumann on Mets HBPs Link to Defector on the Mets/Reds Link to Canada vaccination change Link to May EW episode on standings Link to Gilligan on season suspense Link to Foolish on Meneses Link to 2022 MLB debuts Link to Ben on 2022 rookies Link to 1906 story source Link to 1906 game Link to Lush’s SABR bio Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter Link to Ohtani golfing clip
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about pitchers throwing a perplexing number of strikes to an unstoppable Aaron Judge, Judge’s sensational September, upcoming contract, and more, Shohei Ohtani’s pitching prowess, new pitches, and switch-hitting potential, Oneil Cruz’s recent surge, Yordan Alvarez and how much of slumps can be explained by nagging injuries, Max Scherzer and other pitchers getting pulled from in-progress no-hitters or perfect games, the continued excellence of post-peak Clayton Kershaw, the record quality-start streak of Framber Valdez, the bouncebacks of Shane Bieber and Yu Darvish, the record longevity of Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina as a pitcher-catcher duo, and the broken bones of Ozzie Albies and Chris Sale, plus updates on Fox’s flames and the sale of Twins.com, a Past Blast from 1905, and a few final followups.
Audio intro: 10cc, “Good Morning Judge” Audio outro: The Inbreds, “Don’t Try So Hard”
Link to Judge’s 60th Link to Judge and the Triple Crown Link to Petriello on Judge’s season Link to Craig’s judge homers thread Link to September player zone rates Link to September MLB zone rate Link to tweet about Judge’s 5 Barrels Link to wiki for multiple-alarm fire Link to new Ohtani breaking ball Link to new Ohtani sinker Link to Ohtani FTX ad Link to Cruz against deGrom Link to Cruz’s shot into river Link to BP on Cruz Link to article on injured Alvarez Link to Scherzer on being pulled Link to article about May Link to Stathead on hitless starts Link to article on Framber’s QS streak Link to Stathead on longest QS streaks Link to article on Jack Taylor Link to post on long pitching streaks Link to Dan S. on Bieber and Nola Link to Katie on Wainwright/Molina Link to Sale’s 2022 Link to Albies’ 2022 Link to Jay Jaffe on Albies Link to Sam on flames Link to score bug EW episode Link to Ben on Twins.com Link to 1905 story source Link to 1905 game Link to info on gloves on field Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter Link to 1906 pit story Link to Sam on the pit Link to Ashburn quote Link to football grenade photo Link to Bugs Bunny video clip
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about minor leaguers officially joining the MLBPA and what minor league unionization might do to the game’s distribution of revenue, follow up on Gold Gloves for utility players, toilet flappers, and Joey Meneses, discuss Jon Berti’s pursuit of 40 stolen bases, what pickoff-attempt restrictions will do to the running game, and why they don’t mind making things easier for runners, examine a Jake McCarthy attempted steal of home, give the Diamondbacks their due, and muse on the different types of steals of home, the potential of the terms “sayonara hit” and “hero interview,” and the homer-hitting prowess of Eugenio Suárez before answering additional listener emails about the effects of the rules changes on infielder offense and pitchouts, swinging twice at one pitch, attempting to get out of tagging up, why the raglan sleeve is associated with “baseball shirts,” deciding to go double or nothing after scoring, emergency backup pitchers, directional arrows projected on the field, and the virtues of teams being pretty good instead of great or terrible, plus musings on listeners learning they like Scott Boras and pitch-clock countdowns on score bugs, and a Past Blast from 1904.
Audio intro: Ducks Ltd., “It’s Easy” Audio outro: Ryan Pollie, “Steal Away”
Link to Evan on unionization Link to Russell on minor league pay Link to story on utility Gold Gloves Link to story on Meneses interception Link to Meneses letter Link to Korky flapper sizing page Link to Baumann on Berti Link to Russell on the running game Link to McCarthy steal attempt video Link to BP on the steal attempt Link to Altuve’s steal of home Link to Ben C. on Arozarena running Link to Ben on Murakami and Sasaki Link to HR leaders since 2018 Link to pitchouts by season Link to Sam on pitchouts Link to Ben on pitchouts Link to post on 2016 2B offense Link to post on Moustakas at second Link to story on shifting and infielders Link to story on slowest possible pitch Link to info on swing timing Link to info on pitch timing Link to story on Pence’s double hit Link to raglan sleeve wiki Link to story on baseball-shirt sexiness Link to ESPN Daily on the EBUG Link to Dodgers-Mets laser story Link to EW listener emails database Link to 1904 story source Link to SABR game story Link to Sol White’s book Link to Rube Foster SABR bio Link to 1904 World Series info Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley talk (4:09) to baseball agent and attorney Scott Boras, the founder, owner, and president of the Boras Corporation (as if you didn’t know who Scott Boras was), about his busiest days, his process for brainstorming metaphors, similes, and puns, his fondness for nautical analogies, other wordplay-related matters, the CBA, his agency’s evolving use of analytics and player-improvement techniques, the unionization of minor leaguers and the conditions he faced as a minor league player, exploiting loopholes, his origin story as a negotiator, whether he’d give it all up to have been a big leaguer, and more. Then (51:45) Ben and Meg discuss Boras’s career and Stat Blast (1:08:30) about Shohei Ohtani’s hitting on days when he pitches, plus (1:30:45) a double Past Blast from 1903.
Audio intro: Sparks, “Metaphor” Audio interstitial: Dan Bern, “Negotiation” Audio outro: Willie Nelson, “Still Not Dead”
Link to EW wiki page on Boras Link to Jeff’s nautical analogies tweet Link to USS San Diego quote Link to Soto Star/Mission Bell quote Link to 2018 Boras Mets lines Link to Jay-Z Boras quote Link to Boras Corp website Link to 2000 Boras NYT story Link to 2007 Boras NYT story Link to A-Rod binder story Link to Boras ESPN story Link to story on Boras loopholes Link to Boras MiLB stats Link to Boras umbrella quote Link to Verducci Boras/Gilbert story Link to Dennis Gilbert wiki Link to Travis Sawchik on agencies Link to Stathead Link to Stathead query Link to Russell on tired pitchers Link to Ohtani Stat Blast data Link to TIME article on Ohtani Link to MLB.com article on Ohtani Link to Devan Fink on Ohtani hitting Link to 1903 story source Link to 1903 story source 2 Link to 1903 story source 3 Link to SABR game recap Link to Boston Globe cartoon Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter Link to 1939 article Link to first 1907 article Link to second 1907 article Link to 1949 article Link to Tallulah Bankhead wiki Link to MLBPA news Link to early Boras analogy episode
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the old-and-improved Albert Pujols, Mike Trout’s homer streak, the White Sox winning, Elvis Andrus making the A’s pay, James Karinchak’s inconclusive hair inspection, the Dodgers prematurely celebrating a clinching (and the concept of clinch creep), the puzzle of Cody Bellinger, and the retrospective puzzle of Edwin Díaz’s 2019, plus followups (53:48) on Carlos Correa, bigger bases, and shifting, listener emails (1:02:17) about bigger baseballs and/or bats, and a Past Blast (1:18:53) from 1902.
Audio intro: David Bowie, “Saviour Machine” Audio outro: Fiona Apple, “Extraordinary Machine”
Link to hitting leaders since 8/10 Link to Stathead on big platoon splits Link to story on Pujols and 697 Link to Pujols’ rolling wRC+ Link to Reddit thread on Pujols homers Link to Jay Jaffe on Trout Link to Trout HR streak story Link to story on Andrus vs. A’s Link to team SS wRC+ since 8/17 Link to TLR story Link to Ben Clemens on Karinchak Link to Rob Arthur on spin Link to story on Dodgers mistake Link to Reddit thread on Dodgers clinch Link to Poscast episode on clinching Link to Dan S. on Bellinger Link to Eric Stephen tweet Link to 2019 EW episode on Díaz Link to Petriello’s shifting thread Link to Rob Arthur on shifting Link to EW listener emails database Link to story about old bat sizes Link to Eno Sarris on bats Link to 1902 story source Link to Hoy vs. Taylor SABR story Link to Hoy’s SABR bio Link to info on Hoy’s nickname Link to Taylor’s SABR bio Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about how the White Sox have played in Tony La Russa’s absence, then discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the rules changes coming to MLB in 2023: a pitch clock, restrictions on pickoff attempts and the shift, and bigger bases (with asides on a new WAR, Zack Greinke’s front-office acumen, and Ben’s hiccup cure). Then (52:40) they’re joined by historian Richard Hershberger for an in-person Past Blast from 1901, plus a long-term perspective on responses to times of rapid change in baseball, the sport’s cyclical nature, and more.
Audio intro: Phoenix, “1901” Audio outro: Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses, “Change Is”
Link to La Russa report Link to MLB story on rules changes Link to ESPN story on rules changes Link to info on infield dimensions Link to Evan on player objections Link to MLBPA statement Link to episode on pitch clock history Link to MLB BABIP by year Link to Rob Mains on August offense Link to Rob Arthur on spin Link to Ben on banning the shift in 2015 Link to Jeff on banning the shift in 2018 Link to shift loophole idea Link to Russell on banning the shift Link to Justin Choi on banning the shift Link to BA on the shift Link to BA on the rules changes Link to Justin Choi on banning the shift Link to info on hiccups Link to info on “intractable” hiccups Link to article on Greinke in Milwaukee Link to article on Greinke in L.A. Link to article on Greinke in Arizona Link to article on the new WAR Link to other article on the new WAR Link to Richard Hershberger’s Strike Four Link to Richard’s SABR archive Link to 1901 story source Link to episode on 1889 relief experiment Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter Link to Evan on voluntary recognition Link to Michael Baumann on unionization Link to Stengel HoF bio