Archive for Effectively Wild

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a few days’ worth of Division Series action, including three series outcomes. Among other topics, they discuss clutchness, low scoring, scant starting pitching, paternity timing, pant tightness, fan interference, Yankees-fan frustration, postgame-panelist star power, Championship Series sympathy points, and MLB’s experiment in restricting outfielder positioning.

Audio intro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to postseason bracket
Link to carbon copy wiki
Link to Miller quote
Link to Miller usage article
Link to Lewis leave
Link to Vesia video
Link to playoff offense
Link to Ben on bullpenning
Link to Sam on bullpenning
Link to Dave on bullpenning
Link to SP% sheet
Link to Manny non-homers
Link to Hernández fun fact
Link to Hernández ADHD clip
Link to Paine on Yoshi/Hernández
Link to “acromioclavicular”
Link to “debridement”
Link to Apstein on Verducci
Link to Verducci author archive
Link to fan interference play
Link to fan ejection
Link to Latin phrase
Link to “clean hands” wiki
Link to Yankees offense stat
Link to Baumann post
Link to Boone’s record
Link to 2026 Yankees coaches
Link to Pedro tweet
Link to Atlanta RISP stat
Link to Machado/Verlander clip
Link to Contreras benching
Link to Ben on banning the shift
Link to Ben on pitcher limits
Link to Ben on foul lines
Link to EW episode on foul lines
Link to Eric’s OF report
Link to BA on OF positioning
Link to 2024 OF report
Link to EW Episode 2174
Link to Russell on OF defense
Link to Rob on playing deeper
Link to Rob on OF defense
Link to 1907 Unglaub arc article
Link to Bayesian umps article
Link to Sam on autostrikes 1
Link to Sam on autostrikes 2
Link to EW Episode 2097
Link to EW Episode 2532
Link to 2024 count splits
Link to 2025 count splits
Link to 2026 count splits

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Cal Raleigh and Josh Naylor and whether end-of-season surgeries for disappointing players are encouraging or frustrating, then share their takeaways from the first six Division Series games, including thoughts on Drew Rasmussen, an Austin Wells mistake, Rays crowds, Aaron Judge’s role in Rich Platelet, Poor Platelet, Grant Taylor (and whether postseason teams are pushing high-leverage relievers too far), the Blake Snell spectator experience, the upside and drawback of Chris Sale, two tantalizing fly balls (and a Ty France roof-related “what if”), how to tackle Jacob Misiorowski and Mason Miller, the Padres’ star scrubs, Jackson Chourio, and much more.

Audio intro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to MLBTR on M’s injuries
Link to FG on Rasmussen
Link to RHP SP velo
Link to Rasmussen leaderboard
Link to Wells article
Link to Wells clip
Link to Wells quote
Link to Wells math 1
Link to Wells math 2
Link to Wells math 3
Link to stop sign
Link to Apes movie clip
Link to Ben C. on 3B outs
Link to Judge taunt
Link to Schlittler comment
Link to Rays attendance article
Link to PH penalty info
Link to Somehow, Tellez returned
Link to Judge therapy info
Link to PPP study
Link to BP on Taylor
Link to Taylor as SP note
Link to Langs Taylor note
Link to Ben on not enough pitchers
Link to Pham comment 1
Link to Pham comment 2
Link to post on Pham
Link to Pham fly article
Link to Pham and Manfred
Link to Ben on October 2019 balls
Link to Sam on October 2019 balls
Link to Miz fouls fact
Link to Cleveland tourism videos
Link to Ben L. on Sale in 2018
Link to Ben C. on Sale
Link to Pages ABS ban
Link to FG Atlanta-LA preview
Link to Miller tipping story
Link to Erickson comment
Link to Langston pitch article
Link to France fly clip
Link to Tango on France’s fly
Link to Pelletier on France’s fly
Link to Leighton on France’s fly
Link to Sheehan on France’s fly
Link to Eno on France’s fly
Link to France fly data
Link to FG Brewers-Padres G1 recap
Link to FG Brewers-Padres G2 recap
Link to Chourio hit clip
Link to MLBTR on France
Link to AC joint info
Link to AC joint debridement info
Link to TFCC tear info
Link to wOBA-xwOBA leaderboard
Link to Harris transactions
Link to Salas history
Link to Merrill catch
Link to Díaz mechanical change

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley tease their first playoff livestream and banter about a listener suggestion for how to refer to a postseason that spans multiple months, Jason Benetti’s relationship with Liberty Biberty (including a real-time text exchange), the true alcohol intoxication levels of Munetaka Murakami and other players in clubhouse clinching celebrations (BAC Blast?), and whether MLB should schedule overlapping playoff games, then (35:21) recap the end of the wild card round, opine on the futures of the eliminated teams, lament the latest recurrence of the annual anti-analytics October backlash, preview the various Division Series (1:13:07), discuss the World Series matchups they most want to see, and much more.

Audio intro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2”

Link to long 19 century wiki
Link to Bluey Long Dog
Link to “Dog Park” ad
Link to Biberty background
Link to Biberty/Benetti spot 1
Link to Biberty/Benetti spot 2
Link to Biberty/Benetti spot 3
Link to Benetti text exchange
Link to Vasil clip 1
Link to Murakami clip 1
Link to Murakami clip 2
Link to Murakami clip 3
Link to Murakami clip 4
Link to ABV by beverage
Link to Ben’s 2009 photos
Link to A-Rod/Hudson relationship
Link to Hudson family history
Link to attendance news
Link to wild card attendance
Link to The Simpsons clip
Link to anemoia definition
Link to My Fair Lady scene
Link to Gray comments
Link to Contreras comments
Link to Stark on the Phillies
Link to Sale update
Link to Judge quote
Link to Burke quote
Link to Burke follow-up
Link to Burke’s Insta
Link to Yankees fits
Link to Volpe suit
Link to Trueblood on the Cubs
Link to ZiPS probabilities
Link to roster breakdowns
Link to BP NLDS 1 preview
Link to FG NLDS 1 preview
Link to FG NLDS 2 preview
Link to FG ALDS 1 preview
Link to FG ALDS 2 preview
Link to MLBTR on Lovullo
Link to Grand Teton news 1
Link to Grand Teton news 2

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about “October” as a (somewhat imprecise) metonym for the playoffs and the popularity of postseason coverage, praise the Yankees’ pitcher-averse roster construction, recap the highlights and lowlights from the first wild card games, ponder the possibility of pushing relievers too far, answer a listener email about the impact of managers, sympathize with and criticize the Astros for complaining about being booed by their fans, and discuss MLB’s petition to play a game in a national park, Zack Gelof’s lawsuit against the Tigers, and more.

Audio intro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: PJ Harding, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Episode 1753
Link to new MLB tagline
Link to Appelman post
Link to play-in tournament
Link to Baumann on the Yankees
Link to packing post
Link to Sheehan WC G1 recaps
Link to Riley homer
Link to Posnanski on Riley
Link to Turner non-play
Link to Miller AFL news
Link to Taylor outing
Link to Pope blessing
Link to Ben on innings shortfalls
Link to Tracy RP explanation
Link to Anthony update
Link to Musgrove fun fact 1
Link to Musgrove fun fact 2
Link to shutouts fun fact
Link to Astros booing story 1
Link to Astros booing story 2
Link to Astros booing story 3
Link to Burke quote
Link to Grand Teton story
Link to public lands story
Link to Craig on Gelof
Link to Greene quote
Link to lawyer explanation
Link to Ruf story
Link to Fowler story
Link to FG on Phillies-Braves G2
Link to Harper article
Link to Realmuto challenge
Link to Ruth exhibition
Link to Dihigo episode

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley wrap up the action from the end of the regular season, including the last starts of Justin Verlander and (maybe) Max Scherzer (with mini-Blasts about Verlander, Laz Diaz, Kirby Yates, and overshadowed career finales), the setting of the playoff field, the firing of Dan Wilson, a rained-out Game 162, several lackluster league leaders, and follow-ups about other stats and stories tracked on the show. Then (43:22), to preview the postseason, they do a draft of the offenses, fielders, starting rotations, and bullpens of all 12 playoff teams.

Audio intro: Sean .P, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to rainout news
Link to playoff field
Link to Verlander start story
Link to Verlander’s exit
Link to Diaz call tweet 1
Link to Diaz call tweet 2
Link to Diaz quotes
Link to Diaz salute
Link to Verlander on Diaz
Link to overshadowed-debuts pod
Link to overshadowed-finales sheet
Link to Yates story
Link to Scherzer start story
Link to Scherzer clip 1
Link to Scherzer clip 2
Link to career Ks leaderboard
Link to Springer update
Link to MLBTR on Wilson
Link to MLBTR on M’s coaches
Link to Dan S. on managerial firings
Link to Dipoto quote
Link to Lovullo status story
Link to Stearns quote
Link to Pouliot on league leaders
Link to Posnanski on league leaders
Link to Montgomery record
Link to Sam on Reynolds
Link to 2002 Hernandez article
Link to single-season K leaders
Link to yearly SB leaders
Link to three-inning saves by year
Link to 2026 three-inning saviors
Link to Ben on three-inning saves
Link to Alonso RBI feat
Link to Angels loss story
Link to PCA article
Link to FG WAR leaderboard
Link to WAR runners-up sheet
Link to Paine on lopsided contenders
Link to Paine on the playoff field
Link to Baumann on playoff offense
Link to Sheehan on playoff offense
Link to Bregman video
Link to Judge update
Link to article on Hedges hitting
Link to Hedges framing stats
Link to draft-prep sheet 1
Link to draft-prep sheet 2
Link to Green on Yan
Link to Lanterns recap

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the heroics of Astros outfielder Lucas Spence and the potential for pennant races and postseasons to anoint unlikely heroes, then discuss whether the playoff format puts too much priority on divisions and should incorporate reseeding prior to and/or following the wild card round. They also follow up (28:42) on a few topics from the preceding episode (the Marlins putting starting pitchers in the pen, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s apology, Randy Johnson’s home-defense baseballs), Stat Blast (40:34) about teams improving their winning percentage in several consecutive seasons, hitters who were the worst hitter for one team and the best hitter for a different team in the same season, and franchises that have seen the most visiting teams clinch on their field, before examining (58:19) new baseball and softball TV series. Finally (1:10:51), they talk to Sam Nichols (aka “sportydolphin”) about his MLB/WPBL stats site, the challenges in bringing sabermetrics to a fledgling league and a small-sample season, the WPBL’s most valuable player, league tactics, the WPBL community, and more.

Audio intro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Ted Berg, “Small Sample Size Song”
Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Spence story
Link to Axisa on the playoffs
Link to Paine on the playoffs
Link to Normandin on the playoffs
Link to Manfred on the playoffs
Link to Paine on regular-season predictiveness
Link to Junk appearance
Link to latest Guerrero comments
Link to previous Guerrero comment
Link to 1995 RJ article 1
Link to 1995 RJ article 2
Link to RJ vs. Kruk
Link to RJ on EW
Link to Grichuk homer
Link to clinches spreadsheet
Link to 2009 draft first round
Link to Sam on Grichuk
Link to listener emails database
Link to Colin From Accounts wiki
Link to Team Moms: Baseball trailer
Link to THR on Team Moms: Baseball
Link to Team Moms: Baseball review
Link to Kim K. on baseball
Link to Slo Pitch trailer
Link to Slo Pitch wiki
Link to Slo Pitch interview
Link to Heated Rivalry wiki
Link to Farmer Wants a Wife wiki
Link to previous week’s WPBL segment
Link to sportydolphin.fun
Link to The New Yorker on AIM
Link to sportydolphin run values
Link to sportydolphin draft analysis
Link to sportydolphin Scorigami
Link to sportydolphin photos
Link to sportydolphin fan voting
Link to Bradley on the championship
Link to sportydolphin linked writing
Link to D.A. Espinoza newsletter
Link to Mary Mustard newsletter
Link to Sam on LinkedIn
Link to Ben on the pitching shortage

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Alex Bregman likening getting hit by a baseball to getting hit by a baseball bat, the latest Aaron Judge-Aaron Boone drama, which records to root for in the AL West, the Max Scherzer–Justin Verlander career strikeouts rivalry, the Marlins’ pattern of using starters in relief, how many players in a new book about baseball superstars are actually superstars, the turnover among top hitters this season, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s comments about what he was paid for, the AL West making the Central look good, and more.

Audio intro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Bregman clip
Link to Bregman tape photo
Link to Parker mask
Link to Bregman update
Link to Newton’s Second Law
Link to “The Green Ribbon” collection
Link to Boone quotes
Link to Judge quotes
Link to Judge video
Link to Aarons update
Link to Dark Matter wiki
Link to Stanton jogging
Link to Stanton article
Link to Davis call of Ohtani fly
Link to Rockies 100-losses streak
Link to Scherzer article 1
Link to Scherzer article 2
Link to Verlander quote
Link to career strikeouts leaderboard
Link to Scherzer/Verlander article
Link to 2023 Scherzer quote
Link to Mandelbaums Seinfeld clip
Link to Alcantara article
Link to Alcantara postgame interview
Link to latest Alcantara fun fact
Link to Marlins tweet 1
Link to Marlins tweet 2
Link to Episode 305 wiki
Link to Episode 2465 wiki
Link to three-inning-saves Blast
Link to Dan S. on WBC players
Link to Baseball Superstars 2027
Link to previous Baseball Superstars
Link to wRC+ repeaters data
Link to 2025 wRC+ leaders
Link to 2026 wRC+ leaders
Link to Guerrero interview clip
Link to Guerrero article 1
Link to Guerrero article 2
Link to Guerrero article 3
Link to Guerrero value numbers
Link to private equity report

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s return from vacation and their podcast-producer search, then discuss the uncertain statuses of Aaron Judge, Alex Bregman, and Shohei Ohtani on the precipice of the playoffs, how similar finishes in consecutive seasons can produce extra-disappointing or surprisingly uplifting results (featuring thoughts on the Astros, Diamondbacks, and Cardinals), the Padres’ recent run, Paul Skenes pinning part of the blame for his inconsistent season on the WBC, what to call the Tigers’ rebranded ballpark, managerial moves for the Red Sox and Mets, Cade Cavalli’s extension, business updates involving the Yankees, Angels, and Dodgers, an Ichiro Suzuki sighting, and a pair of weird-lookin’ (hit by) pitches, plus a few follow-ups.

Audio intro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Spokane airport expansion
Link to Boone quotes
Link to Judge’s calf explanation
Link to Judge injury update
Link to FG post on Judge
Link to soleus muscle wiki
Link to Ewing Theory explainer
Link to Bregman report
Link to post-ASB WAR
Link to Bregman clip
Link to Bregman face photo
Link to Encarnacion clip
Link to coach box enforcement
Link to Ohtani training
Link to Ohtani return update
Link to Schwarber postseason comeback
Link to “Mr. Autumn Man” article
Link to BaseRuns records
Link to Ben on the Pirates
Link to Skenes comments
Link to Ben on WBC injuries
Link to Ben on WBC pitching
Link to Tigers park renaming
Link to Episode 1639 wiki
Link to bank merger info
Link to Busytown wiki
Link to Richard Scarry wiki
Link to Beer Barrel Man wiki
Link to Red Sox management moves
Link to Mets managerial move
Link to FG post on Cavalli extension
Link to Walter suit
Link to Levine on Walter 1
Link to Levine on Walter 2
Link to Yankees PE article
Link to MLB PE article
Link to Moreno ownership article
Link to Ichiro article
Link to Ichiro video
Link to Halvorsen pitch
Link to Halvorsen pitch article
Link to 2025 Halvorsen pitch
Link to Cantillo pitch
Link to Cantillo pitch article
Link to Windbigler wiki
Link to WPBL gamer
Link to WPBL draft analysis
Link to Ben on PCA vs. Miz
Link to Nakashima wiki
Link to Nakashima stats
Link to MLB sac bunt leaders
Link to Ben on Nakashima
Link to Nakashima retirement story
Link to Nakashima retirement clip
Link to Fighters fan on Nakashima
Link to NYT on sportsbooks

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With Meg Rowley on vacation, Ben Lindbergh goes long with a few guests and segments. First, Kiri Oler of FanGraphs and Bradley Woodrum of Baseball Prospectus join to banter about how Pete Crow-Armstrong and Jacob Misiorowski illustrate the differences in modern pitcher and hitter usage and value, Sandy Alcantara as the last innings eater, two more baseball movies, Ernie Clement’s post-All-Star-Game decline, and Jefry Yan’s more muted strikeout celebrations. Then (43:34) they break down the inaugural season of the WPBL: what went right, what went wrong, the Kelsie Whitmore-Denae Benites battle, the high-offense environment, their other favorite storylines, the future of the league, and more. After that (1:33:33), Ben brings on the manager of the Pioneer League’s RedPocket Mobiles, former major leaguer Dmitri Young, along with Mobiles co-GM and Pioneer League director of operations Al Maulding, to explain how the Mobiles suffered the longest losing streak in pro baseball history, life on a traveling team, indy-ball oddities, and more. Finally (2:36:23), Ben Stat Blasts about the most times reaching base before a first career hit, players who hit their first homers off position-player pitchers, and lineups composed of players with short surnames.

Audio intro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme 2”
Audio outro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to previous Bradley appearance
Link to previous Kiri appearance
Link to FG combined WAR leaderboard
Link to Eric André meme
Link to highest-WAR offensive seasons
Link to highest-WAR pitching seasons
Link to pitching rate-stats leaders
Link to on-pace leaderboard
Link to PCA fielding chances
Link to Miz fielding chances
Link to Miz fielding stats
Link to AP on Alcantara
Link to Trueblood on Alcantara
Link to Baumann on Alcantara
Link to IP leaderboard
Link to Ben on innings eaters
Link to baseball rom-com
Link to Powell-Linklater movie
Link to Hanks movie
Link to De Niro/Lasorda movie
Link to Lasorda and son article 1
Link to Lasorda and son article 2
Link to Wahlberg/Rose movie
Link to Ben’s Rose obit
Link to Ben on Rose and the HoF
Link to worst post-ASB hitters
Link to Clement vote totals
Link to Yan’s last leap
Link to Yan’s slide
Link to Yan’s MLB strikeout pitches
Link to Yan’s Insta post
Link to Yan/Jackson Insta post
Link to WPBL standings
Link to WPBL postseason results
Link to WPBL hitting leaders
Link to WPBL pitching leaders
Link to WPBL leaguewide stats
Link to 1871 NA leaguewide stats
Link to Defector on the WPBL
Link to AP on the WPBL
Link to Kiri on WPBL predecessors
Link to other WPBL article
Link to Gladys the Goose
Link to Bradley on Benites
Link to Bradley on Lee
Link to Bradley on grand slams
Link to Bradley on the playoffs
Link to Bradley on WPBL offense
Link to Ben on mid-PA changes
Link to Kiri’s last weekly recap
Link to Kiri on the Firebells
Link to Kiri on the Queens
Link to Apgar video
Link to Apgar article
Link to Sato wiki
Link to Robin Roberts Stadium
Link to WPBL draft order
Link to WPBL run values
Link to MLB-AUSL partnership
Link to article on the WPBL’s future
Link to Women’s Baseball World Cup
Link to The 39 Steps wiki
Link to MLB partner leagues
Link to Pioneer League wiki
Link to Pioneer League standings
Link to MLB.com on the Mobiles
Link to The Athletic on the Mobiles
Link to the Mobiles on the Mobiles
Link to Stockade wiki
Link to Ben on the Stockade
Link to The Only Rule
Link to Empire State Greys wiki
Link to Mobiles announcement
Link to Mobiles YouTube videos
Link to Mobiles Twitter thread
Link to Pioneer League knockout
Link to All-Star swing-off
Link to Northern Colorado Owlz
Link to Young wiki
Link to Young card collection info
Link to Young article 1
Link to Young article 2
Link to Young article 3
Link to Young article 4
Link to Young article 5
Link to Young article 6
Link to Young article 7
Link to betting-threats story
Link to PPP HR sheet
Link to Chapman wiki
Link to Hartung wiki
Link to Iorg game
Link to LaCoss homers
Link to Lara post-homer photo
Link to scoreboard photo
Link to 1946 game
Link to 2004 game
Link to 2024 game
Link to 1956 fun fact tweet
Link to 1926 game
Link to 2025 game 1
Link to 2025 game 2
Link to listener emails database

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After a brief PSA about an open producer position (email wanted@fangraphs.com with the subject line “Podcast Editor 2026” to apply) Ben Lindbergh (kind of) continues his quest to temporarily resurrect a few dearly departed baseball podcasts by bringing on MLB.com’s Mike Petriello, former host of Ballpark Dimensions, to banter about a record home run trot, which “Statcast era” records they’re most confident are also all-time records, Junior Caminero’s defense and the value of small-sample defensive splits, the latest Statcast tools, Statcast WAR, predictive vs. descriptive stats, a divisive standing ovation for Pete Alonso at Citi Field, and this week’s White Sox-Guardians series. Then (58:25) Ben chats with former Astros AGM Andrew Ball and former Phillies quantitative analyst Tom Kim about Tom’s new command metric, OpenCommand, whether public baseball research still has something to teach teams, the public-private knowledge gap, and overrated secrets.

Audio intro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: The Spaghettis, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Ballpark Dimensions podcast archive
Link to Caminero trot
Link to Caminero LIDOM trot
Link to Langs post
Link to Tater Trot Tracker
Link to exit-speed contributions
Link to Mike’s post on Caminero’s defense
Link to Mike on the Williams homer
Link to Mike’s last EW appearance
Link to 2024 bat tracking
Link to 2025 swing tracking
Link to Nats farm system article
Link to 2026 scoops article
Link to scoops leaderboard
Link to “I’m tired, boss” meme
Link to predicted xwOBACON
Link to VAAAA
Link to Baseball Savant
Link to “last mile” wiki
Link to standing Alons-O article
Link to team 1B WAR
Link to Piazza ovation
Link to Seaver ovation
Link to Pujols ovation
Link to Pham story
Link to White Sox-Guardians gamer
Link to Peters PA article 1
Link to Peters PA article 2
Link to Davy on Jack Reacher
Link to Andrew’s baseball bio
Link to The Athletic profile on Andrew
Link to Tom’s OpenCommand thread
Link to OpenCommand account
Link to OpenCommand github
Link to The Athletic on OpenCommand
Link to OpenCommand validation
Link to OpenCommand accuracy
Link to computer vision article 1
Link to computer vision article 1
Link to pitch-tipping detection info
Link to Tom on miss distance
Link to Tango on miss distance
Link to Sam on misses
Link to Ben on COMMANDf/x
Link to The Athletic on Command+
Link to “Stuff” model command stats
Link to BP on command 1
Link to BP on command 2
Link to team targets article
Link to team targets graph
Link to command value post
Link to Tom’s post on baseball analytics
Link to Andrew’s Substack
Link to Andrew on public baseball analysis
Link to Andrew on idea value
Link to Ben on baseball secrets
Link to Andrew on idea value
Link to Andrew on draft performance
Link to Hustle+ paper
Link to Ben on hustle
Link to Andrew’s podcast post
Link to Andrew’s podcast
Link to Marvel’s Wolverine clip 1
Link to Ben’s first Wolverine pod
Link to Ben’s second Wolverine pod
Link to previous Winquest banter
Link to Gasper story
Link to Paine on position-player pitchers

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