Archive for Effectively Wild

Effectively Wild Episode 529: Do Fans Know Better Than Major League Baseball?

Ben and Sam banter about September call-ups and game length, then discuss whether MLB and its owners are acting in the long-term interests of the sport.


Effectively Wild Episode 528: David Epstein on Nature, Nurture, and Baseball

Ben and Sam talked to David Epstein, author of The Sports Gene, about whether women will make the majors, whether Babe Ruth could compete today, whether genetics explain injury rates, and more.


Effectively Wild Episode 527: The Roster Expansion Email Show

Ben and Sam answer listener emails about expanded rosters, waiver claims, hidden perfect games, and more.


Effectively Wild Episode 526: The Most Predictable Lineups of 2014

Ben and Sam discuss which lineups have deviated from preseason projections by the most, and what it means.


Effectively Wild Episode 525: Oakland’s Swoon and the AL West Race

Ben and Sam talk to Jason Wojciechowski about how Oakland’s lead evaporated and how the AL West will be won.


Effectively Wild Episode 524: Deep Thoughts About Beating the Shift

Ben and Sam banter about the latest in Andrelton Simmons defense, then discuss why hitters don’t often go the other way against the defensive shift.


Effectively Wild Episode 523: The Bo and Baez Email Show

Ben and Sam answer listener emails about bat speed, umpire bias, and error bars and then Play Index about Javier Baez and Bo Jackson.


Effectively Wild Episode 522: The Season’s Best Unsung Transactions

Ben and Sam banter about balls and strikes and then discuss 2014’s top transactions relative to the amount of attention they received at the time.


Effectively Wild Episode 521: The Rusney Castillo Contract

Ben and Sam take the Ice Bucket Challenge and then discuss the signing of new Red Sox center fielder Rusney Castillo.


Effectively Wild Episode 520: Garrett Richards and the Most Pivotal Pain of 2014

Ben and Sam discuss the Angels’ loss of Garrett Richards and the other costliest injuries of 2014.