Effectively Wild Episode 2515: All Fun and Games

by
August 8, 2026

EWFI
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon.

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the long-in-the-making major league debut of gravity-defying, strikeout-celebrating reliever Jefry Yan, Steven Kwan’s resurgence, a lineup with lots of Juniors, a scooter celebration, a double FARTBAT, Luis Arraez abandoning home plate, MLB players’ low-stakes conspiracies, a head-to-head MVP battle, the Mets’ Francisco Lindor–Juan Soto drama, the A’s firing David Forst, a pitcher plate appearance, and more. Then (1:02:46) Ben brings on YouTubers Noah Campbell (aka SOFTDRINKTV) and Taylor McNelis (aka WildLion Games) to discuss the decline in the quantity and quality of sports video games, how well baseball lends itself to gaming, the golden age of baseball video games, and whether a few new challengers might endanger MLB The Show’s dominance.

Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)”
Audio interstitial: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Reddit post on Yan
Link to first Yan episode
Link to second Yan episode
Link to Yan debut story
Link to Yan debut video
Link to Yan leap on single
Link to Guardians’ Yan mockery
Link to MLBTR on Brebbia
Link to Brebbia’s second EW appearance
Link to previous Kwan chat
Link to Kwan leaderboard
Link to Kwan pillow quote
Link to sports nepo babies article
Link to article on baseball nepo babies
Link to Ryan HoF page
Link to Giants scooter celly
Link to Arraez abandonment
Link to @ScoringChanges explanation
Link to Marlins misplay
Link to EW Episode 500
Link to PCA comments
Link to Saucedo comments
Link to Ottavino comments
Link to PCA vs. Ohtani game
Link to Peralta/Lindor/Soto report
Link to 2025 Yankees bullpen blowup
Link to Lindor/McNeil article
Link to MLBTR on Forst
Link to Mikolas PA article
Link to Nusbaum tweet
Link to Button Mash
Link to The Ringer-Verse
Link to SOFTDRINKTV on YouTube
Link to WildLion Games on YouTube
Link to Paine on sports games 1
Link to Paine on sports games 2
Link to Jabroni Baseball video
Link to EA buyout
Link to EA layoffs report
Link to EA layoffs report
Link to College Football microtransactions
Link to Ben on MVP Baseball 2005
Link to Noah on MVP Baseball 2005
Link to Super Mega Baseball 4 article
Link to Metalhead on EW 1
Link to Metalhead on EW 2
Link to Taylor on SMB4 roster updates
Link to Taylor’s SMB4 review
Link to Zach Kram on Backyard Baseball
Link to Backyard Baseball comeback article
Link to Backyard Baseball wiki
Link to Taylor’s Backyard Baseball review
Link to Noah on MLB Power Pros
Link to Indoor Baseball
Link to Noah on Indoor Baseball
Link to Noah on MVP 06: NCAA Baseball
Link to Noah’s MLB The Show 26 review
Link to Taylor’s MLB The Show 26 review
Link to Power Pros wiki
Link to Professional Baseball Spirits wiki
Link to article about eBaseball Pro Spirit 2026
Link to Noah on eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT
Link to eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 on PS5
Link to Noah on eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 news
Link to Noah’s eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 review
Link to Taylor’s eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 review

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