Effectively Wild Episode 1226: Straight from the Fireman’s Mouth
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the improving defense of Mike Trout and Matt Kemp, two minor observations prompted by amateur draft coverage, and a confusing quirk in the standings, then time travel back to a dramatically different era in bullpen usage by bringing in the most valuable reliever of the 1970s: Detroit Tigers great, groundbreaking “fireman,” and Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer John Hiller (19:21), who discusses his conversion from hockey to baseball, surviving multiple mid-career heart attacks, training and conditioning (or the lack thereof) among players of his era, learning new pitches, his phenomenal, record-setting 1973 season, the fireman mindset, starting vs. relieving, the evolution of reliever usage, the 1968 World Series, his memories of Lou Whitaker, Alan Trammell, and Jack Morris, and more.
Audio intro: You Am I, "Billy"
Audio interstitial: Frankie Cosmos, "Fireman"
Audio outro: The Fireman, "Sing the Changes"
Link to Ben’s article about Mike Trout
Link to Jeff’s article about Matt Kemp
Link to Joe Posnanski’s article about John Hiller
Link to Ben’s article about Josh Hader
Link to list of most valuable 1970s relievers
Link to EW interview with left-handed catcher
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