FanGraphs Audio: Opening Day Jubilation

Episode 916

Happy Opening Day! On this episode, we cover some 2021 projections — and the reactions to them — before catching up with a former major league manager.

• To start the show, Meg Rowley is joined by Ben Clemens and Dan Szymborski to discuss the 2021 positional power rankings. The trio goes over the process behind the projections and some of the biggest surprises — including “the great Rangers shortstop controversy.” Meg, Ben, and Dan also discuss their Opening Day excitement, the potential effects of a few super-teams hoarding starting pitching depth, and our spring Membership drive. [5:53]
• In the second half, David Laurila welcomes Jeff Banister, former manager of the Texas Rangers. Banister discusses what it’s like to work with a college program nowadays before sharing some of his favorite Opening Day memories. He and David also discuss the decades-long Pirates rebuild and the many challenges associated with such slow progress. David also puts Banister on the spot with a trivia question that he’s the answer to. [34:37]

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Audio after the jump. (Approximate 1 hour play time.)

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