Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Effectively Wild Episode 2519: The Secret Life of Walter

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the deepening monetary morass surrounding Mark Walter and whether it will eventually ensnare the Dodgers, the struggles of Edwin Díaz [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/edwin-diaz/14710/stats/pitching] and Kyle Tucker [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/kyle-tucker/18345/stats/batting], L.A.’s incentive to try for a bye, the Dodgers’ and Mets’ offseason oopsies, Pete Crow-Armstrong’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/pete-crow-armstrong/27769/stats/batting]s heroics, the hot hitting of Denae Benites and the WPBL’s offensive environment, Joshua Báez [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/joshua-baez/29596/stats/batting] and MLB’s debutant ball, Colt Emerson [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/colt-emerson/33575/stats/batting]’s hidden hurt, the AL’s wild card mid-off, a four-team whirlwind for Jake Rogers [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jake-rogers/19452/stats/batting], the longest team trade droughts, and more. Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u9uMDVhB3JbuuT3HQYDzXcl4cXc-mY4Z/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LwE1yLYIymQe16tQBjqWkF9Tx8DNlZez/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to Walter Mitty wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_Life_of_Walter_Mitty] Link to Ben on Walter [https://www.theringer.com/2025/06/19/nba/los-angeles-lakers-sale-mark-walter-10-billion] Link to Bloomberg on Walter [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-13/mark-walter-dangled-guggenheim-stake-to-quickly-secure-loans] Link to WSJ on Walter [https://www.wsj.com/finance/walter-dodgers-lakers-investigation-3e114ef9] Link to Baker on Walter [https://www.theringer.com/2026/08/13/nba/mark-walter-los-angeles-lakers-money-sold-federal-investigation-dodgers] Link to Reuters on Walter [https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-prosecutors-focus-four-businesses-tied-billionaire-mark-walter-wsj-reports-2026-08-17/] Link to The Athletic on Walter [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7508777/2026/08/12/dodgers-lakers-sale-shohei-ohtani-mark-walter/] Link to Chelsea shares story [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7519895/2026/08/17/todd-boehly-mark-walter-chelsea-shares-sales/] Link to Ohtani clause story [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7511597/2026/08/13/shohei-ohtani-dodgers-mark-walter-key-man-clause/] Link to Walter tweet [https://x.com/JoePompliano/status/2087970653295042996] Link to more on Walter [https://josimarfootball.com/2026/08/17/credit-in-the-straight-world-2/] Link to Tucker/PCA tweet [https://x.com/MegMontemurro/status/2089572285111759088] Link to one-day WAR [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&season=2026&season1=2026&ind=0&type=8&month=1000&startdate=2026-08-17&enddate=2026-08-17&team=0] Link to Opta/PCA fun fact [https://x.com/OptaSTATS/status/2089562907386184184] Link to 1957 Power game [https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KC1/KC1195705070.shtml] Link to FG WAR leaderboard [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/war] Link to Tucker miss 1 [https://www.reddit.com/r/Dodgers/comments/1vqbn2t/lowlight_dodger_fans_make_their_frustrations/] Link to Tucker miss 2 [https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/1vrd4go/kyle_tucker_drops_another_fly_ball/] Link to Tucker home offense [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/kyle-tucker/18345/splits?position=NP&season=0&split=1.1&statgroup=2] Link to Tucker road offense [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/kyle-tucker/18345/splits?position=NP&season=0&split=1.2&statgroup=2] Link to Karros comment [https://x.com/ChadMoriyama/status/2089570577183015385] Link to BP on Tucker [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/109539/kyle-tucker-is-unwell/] Link to Tucker in the dugout [https://www.reddit.com/r/Dodgers/comments/1vrmdpm/kyle_tucker_seemed_to_have_a_hard_time_today_in/] Link to Tucker and Ohtani [https://x.com/4869_harutoathl/status/2088472389508284736] Link to Tucker summary [https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/kyle-tucker-booed-dodgers/] Link to Díaz IL story [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7522281/2026/08/18/dodgers-edwin-diaz-injury-il/] Link to Dodgers bye incentive [https://x.com/Buster_ESPN/status/2088594533819048352] Link to Sheehan on Stearns [https://www.joesheehan.com/2026/08/newsletter-excerpt-august-5-2026-third.html] Link to Sam on Stearns [https://bsky.app/profile/sammillerbb.bsky.social/post/3mt3cfczre22h] Link to Ben on the Mets [https://www.theringer.com/2026/01/28/mlb/the-rebuilt-new-york-mets-are-bucking-baseball-history] Link to WPBL leaderboard [https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/stats/] Link to WPBL RA9 [https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=b910b711] Link to MLB RA9 [https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/2026-value-pitching.shtml] Link to BP on WPBL offense [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/109544/in-graphical-detail-a-home-run-battle-brewing-in-springfield-wpbl-denae-benites-kelsie-whitmore-jamie-mackay/] Link to Benites wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denae_Benites] Link to BP on Benites [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/109381/in-graphical-detail-denae-benites-the-catcher-that-cant-be-stopped/] Link to Benites MLB comps [https://imgur.com/fd3HH3y] Link to Cade Skywalker [https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Cade_Skywalker] Link to Simmons Mariners tweets [https://sodomojo.com/bill-simmons-is-the-biggest-cheerleader-for-the-only-mariners-cause-left-to-root-for] Link to Emerson story 1 [https://www.mlb.com/news/colt-emerson-placed-on-injured-list-wrist-inflammation] Link to Emerson story 2 [https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/colt-emerson-lands-on-injured-list-brock-rodden-takes-roster-spot-mariners-notebook/] Link to Nightengale on Wilson [https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2026/08/16/mlb-rumors-manager-hot-seat-mattingly/91322287007/] Link to Murphy’s hidden injury [https://www.mlb.com/news/sean-murphy-right-hip-surgery-miss-rest-of-2025-regular-season] Link to Watchmen quote [https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/870108-the-photograph-is-in-my-hand-it-is-the-photograph] Link to Watchmen meme template [https://imgflip.com/memegenerator/392020536/Doctor-Manhattan-it-is-1985] Link to Ben on debutant batters [https://www.theringer.com/2026/08/17/mlb/brand-new-batters-are-making-the-majors-look-easy-mlb-debuts-joshua-baez] Link to debutants spreadsheet [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VUobgcIpq6N1C4zw670NlsAVxvSF3C5fAm5Qsvy4KRk/edit?usp=sharing] Link to MLB Báez video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QJdGWANMdU] Link to ESPN Báez video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3gVACCqgsw] Link to Callahan triple video [https://x.com/tigers/status/2089052352548311426] Link to Callahan triple story [https://www.mlb.com/news/brett-callahan-2-run-triple-first-pitch-mlb-debut] Link to Cobb/Irwin article [https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/may-18-1912-major-league-baseballs-first-strike/] Link to Paine on post-deadline confusion [https://neilpaine.substack.com/p/mlbs-trade-deadline-somehow-made] Link to FG playoff odds [https://www.fangraphs.com/standings/playoff-odds/fg/mlb] Link to post-deadline odds changes [https://www.fangraphs.com/standings/playoff-odds/fg/mlb?date=2026-08-17&dateDelta=2026-08-03] Link to wild card standings [https://www.mlb.com/standings/wild-card#] Link to Crizer on the AL standings [https://bandwagon.ghost.io/mlb-al-postseason-race-is-chaotic-and-contrived/] Link to Rogers fun fact [https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/1vq2s8b/since_july_25_jake_rogers_has_played_for_detroit/] Link to Rogers feature [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7517765/2026/08/17/jake-rogers-record-teams-white-sox-tigers/] Link to Rogers wedding story [https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2025/12/17/tigers-jake-rogers-wife-wedding/87815602007/] Link to trade droughts article [https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-teams-longest-trade-droughts] Link to Atlanta-Philly trades [https://www.baseball-reference.com/friv/trade-partners.cgi?franch_ID_1=ATL&franch_ID_2=PHI] Link to Cleveland-KC trades [https://www.baseball-reference.com/friv/trade-partners.cgi?franch_ID_1=CLE&franch_ID_2=KCR] Link to Dodgers-Tigers trades [https://www.baseball-reference.com/friv/trade-partners.cgi?franch_ID_1=LAD&franch_ID_2=DET] Link to Red Sox-Yankees trades [https://www.baseball-reference.com/friv/trade-partners.cgi?franch_ID_1=BOS&franch_ID_2=NYY] Link to fourth out wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_out] Link to Jaffe on John [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/tommy-john-1943-2026-crafty-lefty-and-first-recipient-of-a-game-changing-surgery] Link to Episode 1580 Stat Blast [https://effectivelywild.fandom.com/wiki/Episode_1580:_Meet_Me_Halfway#Stat_Blast] Link to Cubs-Cardinals game [https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN202608140.shtml] Link to Cubs-Nationals game [https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/WAS/WAS202608130.shtml] Link to Hembekides clip [https://x.com/PaulHembo/status/2088316061615612032] Link to Hembekides graph [https://x.com/PaulHembo/status/2088619410089013580] Link to Wilson overturn [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49587533/overturn-helps-ss-wilson-push-errorless-run-113-games] Link to Yan tweet 1 [https://x.com/awfulannouncing/status/2088773488584904947] Link to Yan tweet 2 [https://x.com/spencernusbaum_/status/2088760844964241906] Link to Burgos gamelogs [https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=burgora01&t=p&year=2026] Link to Burgos post [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/red-sox-drop-series-finale-225956290.html] [https://i.imgur.com/hT2AX6G.jpg] Sponsor Us on Patreon [http://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild] [https://i.imgur.com/xQIHgp3.png] Give a Gift Subscription [https://patreon.com/effectivelywild/gift] [https://i.imgur.com/tNOGFnG.png]podcast@fangraphs.com Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com [podcast@fangraphs.com] [https://i.imgur.com/gj3wTt4.png] Effectively Wild Subreddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/28HuIsx.png] Effectively Wild Wiki [http://effectivelywild.wikia.com/wiki/Effectively_Wild_Wiki] [https://i.imgur.com/n16jO21.png] Apple Podcasts Feed [http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/effectively-wild-daily-baseball/id545919715]  [https://i.imgur.com/fQfPcpV.png] Spotify Feed [https://open.spotify.com/show/18kbXy9p0jHw3o8f2cQlCj] [https://i.imgur.com/sjL4TbJ.png] YouTube Playlist [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXytxPs81CsUSJmN1mQMr526CdeDpf4vK] [https://i.imgur.com/jbkZAC1.png] Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/waJFv7Y.png] Bluesky Account [https://bsky.app/profile/ewpod.bsky.social] [https://i.imgur.com/DAtijEo.jpg] Twitter Account [https://twitter.com/ewpod] [https://i.imgur.com/YXW4kOd.png] Get Our Merch! [https://breakingt.com/collections/fangraphs] Source [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2519-the-secret-life-of-walter/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2518: Dear John

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild/membership]. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the latest apparent change in the baseball’s behavior (this time it seems to be deader) and, in a tribute to Tommy John [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/tommy-john/1006515/stats/pitching] (11:35), retrace the timeline of his trailblazing surgery and his return to a major league mound 50 years ago through contemporaneous accounts and quotes. Then (55:58) they bring on top-tier Patreon supporter Jamie Verbrugge to discuss his podcast and baseball backgrounds before answering listener emails (1:05:02) about the upper bounds of a cup of coffee, a really entertaining but trophy-less season vs. a really boring championship season, an undercover baseball robot, whether Jefry Yan [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jefry-yan/27902/stats/pitching] would celebrate a strikeout on an overturned ball call, whether fans are suggestible enough to be fooled by fake home run distances, an ultimate frisbee-style integrity rule for baseball, the value of Ron Washington, and the advisability of bringing the infield in, followed by Stat Blasts (2:01:49) about Pete Crow-Armstrong [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/pete-crow-armstrong/27769/stats/batting] leading his league in offense and defense, every team in a divison having the same recent record, team games with high matching run, hit, and walk totals, pitchers who got a win, a loss, and a save in a single three-game series, team games with streaks of the same start to each offensive inning, bullpens where one pitcher out-WARed all the others combined, and strikeout-free shutouts. Audio intro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VtGnSCg2jHV4rEAyhuDuD1WHJrnluwXp/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio interstitial: Sean .P, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/17BLnrn53h0YsHUvT6MqOaWGeKp0bJeQW/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wNnie0fLF2HVQsb4d-w5OqxMzyqfvImV/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to Sheehan on the ball [https://www.joesheehan.com/2026/08/newsletter-excerpt-august-13-2026-fun.html] Link to Savant drag dashboard [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/drag-dashboard] Link to earlier ball analysis 1 [https://x.com/BallparkPal/status/2082841365847683539] Link to earlier ball analysis 2 [https://x.com/GOATedAnalytics/status/2085756892974916020] Link to John’s statement [https://x.com/Yankees/status/2086116517595209831] Link to MLB.com on John’s statement [https://www.mlb.com/news/tommy-john-misses-old-timers-day-for-health-reasons] Link to Reuters on John’s illness [https://www.reuters.com/sports/former-p-tommy-john-hospice-care-pens-farewell-letter--flm-2026-08-08/] Link to Tommy John wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_John] Link to Frank Jobe wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Jobe#Tommy_John_surgery] Link to Jaffe on John [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/tommy-johns-career-was-more-than-just-a-surgical-procedure/] Link to career IP leaders [https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/IP_career.shtml] Link to Grant on Posey/Avila [https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2016/3/11/11202432/buster-posey-rule-home-plate-collisions-goose-gossage-argle-bargle] Link to NanoNeedle article [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7274811/2026/05/13/tigers-tarik-skubal-elbow-surgery-explained/] Link to Maness repair article [https://www.stltoday.com/sports/professional/mlb/cardinals/maness-a-trailblazer-new-surgery-for-elbow-repair-cut-recovery/article_165ee721-5a36-58f9-8d8e-fb515ba037da.html] Link to TJ timeline links [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1S_YoTJK9o88zoXm1hlGowVpQaW8SdkuTpleftECZAFo/edit?usp=sharing] Link to TJS database [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gQujXQQGOVNaiuwSN680Hq-FDVsCwvN-3AazykOBON0/edit?gid=0#gid=0] Link to Strom surgery article [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-houston-chronicle/203580466/] Link to Bordley surgery article 1 [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-modesto-bee/203580498/] Link to Bordley surgery article 2 [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-breeze/203580510/] Link to Ben’s baseball/America course [https://gufaculty360.georgetown.edu/s/course-catalog/a1oHp00000GvwE3IAJ/hist281101?id=00336000014RdQSAA0] Link to Ben C. on Skubal and Detroit [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/lets-put-tarik-skubal-back-on-the-tigers/] Link to Dickson on “cup of coffee” [https://www.baseball-almanac.com/dictionary-term.php?term=cup%20of%20coffee] Link to Asimov’s Robot series [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robot_series] Link to Super Baseball 2020 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Baseball_2020] Link to Baseball Highlights 2045 [https://www.eagle-gryphon.com/products/baseball-highlights-2045-bases-loaded?srsltid=AfmBOop11eQXQZxjLEP7TbLWoUMfsVSDsXMYXNkZE0PjvC66XsECxN4V] Link to Data smell Reddit thread [https://www.reddit.com/r/startrek/comments/iulj0n/i_wonder_if_data_had_a_metallic_smell_to_him/] Link to Skenes photos [https://www.justjared.com/2026/08/12/pirates-paul-skenes-goes-shirtless-for-miami-beach-day-with-baywatch-star-girlfriend-livvy-dunne/] Link to Yan game video [https://www.milb.com/live-stream-games/g816333] Link to Yan box score [https://www.milb.com/bootstrap?state=/gameday/816333/final/box] Link to Yan Savant search [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast-search-minors?hfPR=called%5C.%5C.strike%7C&hfC=2strikes%7C&hfSea=2026%7C&player_type=pitcher&hfABSFlag=is%5C.%5C.challenge+abs%5C.%5C.review%7ChfFlag%3Dis%5C.%5C.tracked%7C&hfFlag=is%5C.%5C.challengeabs%5C.%5C.lost%7C&pitchers_lookup%5B%5D=642376&group_by=name-event&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&chk_is..tracked=on#results] Link to ultimate’s integrity rule [https://watchufa.com/empire/news/2019-6400-integrity] Link to Arraez/Washington article [https://www.mlb.com/news/luis-arraez-improving-defense-with-giants] Link to article on Wash in 2027 [https://sfstandard.com/2026/08/11/ron-washington-sf-giants-2027-coaching-staff/] Link to SIS infield-in study [https://www.sportsinfosolutions.com/2019/05/03/the-effectiveness-of-infield-in-defense/] Link to Ben on shifting vs. RHB [https://www.theringer.com/2020/10/21/mlb/defensive-shift-world-series-los-angeles-dodgers-will-smith-tampa-bay-rays] Link to Stirnweiss SABR bio [https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/snuffy-stirnweiss/] Link to PCA/Snuffy Blast spreadsheet [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aluzT6E5paAt2_BdQEWEtKY-oUOXHaPPgr7YMGkXsr8/edit?usp=sharing] Link to AL Central streaks image [https://imgur.com/yeHJrB9] Link to 13-13-13 Stathead query [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/sharing/bfPRD] Link to win/loss/save spreadsheet [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZphzB-hHM-j0PWGywy5IvTHmCbOJ-bPye3V7BMlZYGk/edit?usp=sharing] Link to leadoff streaks info [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XjJvxqTGjyuMyZ5fdYqz4ENxKbX8Az_jV0p38xkk0KE/edit?usp=sharing] Link to 2026 Guardians relievers [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&lg=all&type=8&season=2026&season1=2026&ind=0&team=5&qual=0&month=0&stats=rel&pagenum=1&pageitems=50] Link to bullpen WAR gaps spreadsheet [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ozNubcg9s13gNOBfKUeAjNGFOVFM2jsOjon0Lr2j5_A/edit?usp=sharing] Link to Tigers-Guardians gamer [https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/tigers-shut-out-guardians-without-strikeout] Link to zero-K, zero-run games [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/sharing/A319O] Link to listener emails database [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-8lpspHQuR5GK7S_nNtGunLGrx60QnSa8XLG_wvRb4Q/edit?usp=sharing] Link to MLB All-Century Team [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Baseball_All-Century_Team] Link to BNS Jays play podcast [https://www.sportsnet.ca/podcasts/at-the-letters/weird-ways-to-win/] [https://i.imgur.com/hT2AX6G.jpg] Sponsor Us on Patreon [http://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild] [https://i.imgur.com/xQIHgp3.png] Give a Gift Subscription [https://patreon.com/effectivelywild/gift] [https://i.imgur.com/tNOGFnG.png]podcast@fangraphs.com Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com [podcast@fangraphs.com] [https://i.imgur.com/gj3wTt4.png] Effectively Wild Subreddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/28HuIsx.png] Effectively Wild Wiki [http://effectivelywild.wikia.com/wiki/Effectively_Wild_Wiki] [https://i.imgur.com/n16jO21.png] Apple Podcasts Feed [http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/effectively-wild-daily-baseball/id545919715]  [https://i.imgur.com/fQfPcpV.png] Spotify Feed [https://open.spotify.com/show/18kbXy9p0jHw3o8f2cQlCj] [https://i.imgur.com/sjL4TbJ.png] YouTube Playlist [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXytxPs81CsUSJmN1mQMr526CdeDpf4vK] [https://i.imgur.com/jbkZAC1.png] Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/waJFv7Y.png] Bluesky Account [https://bsky.app/profile/ewpod.bsky.social] [https://i.imgur.com/DAtijEo.jpg] Twitter Account [https://twitter.com/ewpod] [https://i.imgur.com/YXW4kOd.png] Get Our Merch! [https://breakingt.com/collections/fangraphs] Source [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2518-dear-john/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2517: You Can’t Give Them Extra Outs

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about MLB franchise appreciation, Stat Blast about what the resurgence of three-inning saves and the expanding distribution of saves say about pitcher usage, and learn about a new baseball injury. Then (43:28) they bring on Lindsay Imber of Close Call Sports and the official scorer behind the MLB Scoring Changes account to explain the “fourth-out” rule that confused fans and players this week and to pick nits with the MLB rulebook. Finally (1:30:50), Ben brings back former major leaguer John Poff [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/john-poff/1010411/stats/batting] to read from his new book, reflect on his use of “greenies” and players’ political differences, and share a new fundraising initiative [https://www.gofundme.com/f/oldtime-baseball-part-10] for the Standing Rock Reservation, followed (2:13:45) by a few updates. Audio intro: The Spaghettis, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KIeoBr9umeDgG2NCtot-YRv1emuJCNFT/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio interstitial: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lGyXnWwEoa3G1mWIJfdeNs8HHFLR8Ml7/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gbPLdUli8iCoR0VI_Een0wsDnkm_n8i2/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to Yankees “capital infusion” [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7505191/2026/08/11/yankees-investment-apollo-private-equity/] Link to story about Yankees valuation [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7506902/2026/08/12/yankees-apollo-private-equity-record-valuation/] Link to story about Lakers sale [https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/49590362/josh-kushner-bob-iger-buy-lakers-12b] Link to impending Padres sale [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7506067/2026/08/11/mlb-san-diego-padres-sale/] Link to FIFA takeover attempt [https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/07/fifa-josh-kushner-thrive-capital-infantino-trump/] Link to Infantino wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianni_Infantino] Link to Littleton save [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq6pyb8jcUA] Link to save rule [https://www.mlb.com/glossary/standard-stats/save] Link to pope hat giveaway [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7507490/2026/08/12/pope-hat-night-chicago-white-sox-sellout/] Link to Latz stats [https://bsky.app/profile/rangersmediabot.bsky.social/post/3msk2r4kegb2h] Link to Atlanta’s three-out savers [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/sharing/XXUWB] Link to data on three-out saves [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ObSjLjVQCW0kJP7UNHus1Ba4VLKrB05lG1R0f6iIPLo/edit?usp=sharing] Link to data on save-getters by season [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rPyEFPWlN4mQ0uW7x9vEOVlmCqwo_cg2ocaVgaEavhU/edit?gid=1561878218#gid=1561878218] Link to multi-inning RP outings data [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1n7icNZ7TZieTQUsUQzi3FM06Vw9jH2yWm-pvJMf-YWA/edit?usp=sharing] Link to Herfindahl–Hirschman index wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herfindahl%E2%80%93Hirschman_index] Link to annual HHI data [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JVK-tqluX6b38rlIP9Uh6psz72OKK_LeflbHUvccW5A/edit?usp=sharing] Link to HHI graph [https://imgur.com/4Ib42He] Link to Inverse Participation Ratio [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purity_(quantum_mechanics)#Inverse_Participation_Ratio_(IPR)] Link to THT on three-inning saves [https://tht.fangraphs.com/down-with-the-three-inning-save/] Link to SB Nation on three-inning saves [https://www.sbnation.com/2011/5/25/2189598/mlb-three-inning-save-scott-atchison-terry-francona-tony-la-russa] Link to Medium post on three-inning saves [https://medium.com/@liamhanley/bryse-wilson-and-the-novelty-of-the-three-inning-save-9ef433f6bb93] Link to WSJ closers story [https://www.wsj.com/sports/baseball/baseball-closers-are-on-the-verge-of-extinction-d763215e] Link to Ben on saves slipping in 2017 [https://www.theringer.com/2017/05/01/mlb/2017-mlb-april-bullpen-results-is-the-save-slipping-ee5c33b343bf] Link to Betteridge’s law wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betteridge%27s_law_of_headlines] Link to parakeet bounceback news [https://phys.org/news/2026-05-birds-extinct-parakeet-lifeline-randy.html] Link to Goodhart’s law wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodhart%27s_law] Link to league SP splits [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2026&month=0&season1=2026&ind=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&team=0%2Css&stats=sta] Link to league RP splits [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2026&month=0&season1=2026&ind=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&team=0%2Css&stats=rel] Link to FG post on Goodhart’s law [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/they-dont-make-barrels-like-they-used-to/] Link to other FG post on Goodhart’s law [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/they-dont-make-pitch-models-like-they-used-to/] Link to Arrigheti report [https://bsky.app/profile/keeganmatheson.bsky.social/post/3msqx7ntyrs2h] Link to more on Arrigheti [https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/blue-jays-get-clarity-about-spencer-arrighetti-foot-injury/] Link to Morton’s neuroma wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morton%27s_neuroma] Link to Morton’s neuroma causes [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette/203719841/] Link to Mayo Clinic on Morton’s neuroma [https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mortons-neuroma/symptoms-causes/syc-20351935] Link to more on Morton’s neuroma [https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15118-mortons-neuroma] Link to even more on Morton’s neuroma [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7211826/] Link to Ben on the 2015 ALDS game [https://grantland.com/the-triangle/2015-mlb-playoffs-blue-jays-rangers-alds-game-5-seventh-inning-oral-history/] Link to Ben on confused counts [https://www.theringer.com/2018/05/08/mlb/four-ball-non-walk-ian-kinsler] Link to @ScoringChanges [https://x.com/ScoringChanges] Link to @ScoringChanges fourth-out tweet [https://x.com/ScoringChanges/status/2086992601379635643] Link to @CloseCallSports [https://x.com/CloseCallSports] Link to Close Call Sports website [https://www.closecallsports.com/] Link to Close Call Sports YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@CloseCallSports/] Link to Lindsay wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindsay_Imber] Link to Lindsay’s fourth-out video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ypv15fLh5dQ] Link to Lindsay’s Sale video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDzySgmeX6o] Link to Lindsay’s Wheeler video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHNf1jEDPx0] Link to fourth out wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_out] Link to fourth-out story 1 [https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-red-sox-delayed-for-rule-check] Link to fourth-out story 2 [https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-red-sox-4th-out-rule-revisited] Link to SABR on fourth outs [https://sabr.org/journal/article/the-elusive-fourth-out-what-teams-dont-know-will-bite-them/] Link to The Athletic fourth-out explainer [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7507448/2026/08/12/mlb-rule-red-sox-blue-jays-confusion/] Link to Bois on balks [https://www.sbnation.com/2012/1/4/2679318/gifs-20-16] Link to Sam on balks [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/21515/pebble-hunting-the-balk-the-black-sheep-of-the-baseball-rulebook/] Link to xkcd comic [https://xkcd.com/2501/] Link to Schneider quote [https://bsky.app/profile/keeganmatheson.bsky.social/post/3msthd44d4c25] Link to 2016 Schneider game [https://x.com/ScoringChanges/status/2087041445744226422] Link to Strike Four [https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/strike-four-9798765180778/] Link to Poff Stat Blast [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-1349-wonder-hamster/] Link to first Poff appearance [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-1739-poff-piece/] Link to second Poff appearance [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-1860-start-them-young/] Link to Halls of Fame discussion [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2373-the-ballpark-panopticon/] Link to Poff’s first Hall of Fame [https://www.hancockhof.com/hof-bios/john-poff] Link to Poff’s second Hall of Fame [https://www.milb.com/news/2025-okc-hall-of-fame-inductees] Link to Poff’s book [https://bookshop.org/p/books/out-of-my-life-and-two-visions-john-poff/5236c98a2c2bc85f] Link to Carlin routine [https://www.baseball-almanac.com/humor7.shtml] Link to baseball exceptionalism wiki [https://effectivelywild.fandom.com/wiki/Baseball_exceptionalism] Link to greenies info [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/4740/under-the-knife-amphetamines-and-baseball/] Link to Ben on PEDs and the ball [https://www.theringer.com/2018/09/28/mlb/mark-mcgwire-sammy-sosa-steroid-era-home-run-chase] Link to “Buffalo Bill ‘s” poem [https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47244/buffalo-bill-s] Link to Standing Rock wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standing_Rock_Sioux_Reservation] Link to Gilbert Kills Pretty Enemy art [https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/gilbertiii-killsprettyenemy] Link to John’s fundraiser [https://www.gofundme.com/f/oldtime-baseball-part-10] Link to Scherzer’s piano-playing [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7138069/2026/03/23/max-scherzer-blue-jays-piano-thumb-injury/] Link to Kendrick cameo story [https://www.mlb.com/news/ted-lasso-at-the-negro-leagues-baseball-museum] Link to Skenes velo graph [https://www.brooksbaseball.net/velo.php?player=694973&b_hand=-1&gFilt=regular&pFilt=FA&time=game&minmax=ci&var=maxmph&s_type=2&startDate=03/30/2007&endDate=08/12/2026] Link to Skenes game story [https://www.mlb.com/pirates/news/paul-skenes-exits-early-offense-quiet-in-pirates-loss-to-marlins] Link to Liquid I.V. powder [https://www.liquid-iv.com/products/grillos-pickles-hydration-multiplier?g_acctid=758-869-0410&g_adgroupid=193419966383&g_adid=819641534051&g_adtype=search&g_campaign=Tin_Brand+-+HM+Flavors&g_campaignid=23649268481&g_keyword=liquid+iv+pickle+flavor&g_keywordid=kwd-2473498900719&g_network=g&utm_campaign=23649268481&utm_content=819641534051&utm_term=193419966383&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23649268481&gbraid=0AAAAADlzFY_S9pcJeOpQTr4TxAJPKq7Nx&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkOvTBhDgARIsAKUNyRuFgNR6p4A9bb7o7fVHmZ2d9Tm7Lgsqklxw40G7YFXbW0kcoz1YwroaAm8PEALw_wcB&Flavor=LIMITED+EDITION+Grillo%27s+Pickles%C2%AE&Size=10PK&one-time=43871114428452] Link to Rocker pickle-juice game [https://www.mlb.com/news/kumar-rocker-recalled-to-majors-delivers-scoreless-start] Link to Stanton yoga report [https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-judge-giancarlo-stanton-change-offseason-workouts] Link to Foulke wife tweet [https://x.com/KeithFoulke/status/2014096261612200112] Link to Foulke firing report [https://www.sj-r.com/story/sports/mlb/2026/08/11/keith-foulke-fired-wpbl-boston-hunters-3-games/91246841007/] [https://i.imgur.com/hT2AX6G.jpg] Sponsor Us on Patreon [http://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild] [https://i.imgur.com/xQIHgp3.png] Give a Gift Subscription [https://patreon.com/effectivelywild/gift] [https://i.imgur.com/tNOGFnG.png]podcast@fangraphs.com Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com [podcast@fangraphs.com] [https://i.imgur.com/gj3wTt4.png] Effectively Wild Subreddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/28HuIsx.png] Effectively Wild Wiki [http://effectivelywild.wikia.com/wiki/Effectively_Wild_Wiki] [https://i.imgur.com/n16jO21.png] Apple Podcasts Feed [http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/effectively-wild-daily-baseball/id545919715]  [https://i.imgur.com/fQfPcpV.png] Spotify Feed [https://open.spotify.com/show/18kbXy9p0jHw3o8f2cQlCj] [https://i.imgur.com/sjL4TbJ.png] YouTube Playlist [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXytxPs81CsUSJmN1mQMr526CdeDpf4vK] [https://i.imgur.com/jbkZAC1.png] Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/waJFv7Y.png] Bluesky Account [https://bsky.app/profile/ewpod.bsky.social] [https://i.imgur.com/DAtijEo.jpg] Twitter Account [https://twitter.com/ewpod] [https://i.imgur.com/YXW4kOd.png] Get Our Merch! [https://breakingt.com/collections/fangraphs] Source [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2517-you-cant-give-them-extra-outs/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2516: Baseball Is So Back

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a quick hook for Keith Foulke [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/keith-foulke/231/stats/pitching] in the WPBL and Stat Blast about the historic outcome of a series between two streaking teams before analyzing an update on Giancarlo Stanton’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/giancarlo-stanton/4949/stats/batting]s status, the effect of era on Jacob Wilson’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jacob-wilson/33266/stats/batting]s errorless streak, the significance of baseball’s resurgence in Hollywood (as evidenced by a Netflix Yankees series, three upcoming baseball movies, and a baseball tangent on Ted Lasso), Mike Krukow [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/mike-krukow/1007185/stats/pitching] and the best team scenario for a beloved broadcaster’s farewell tour, Max Scherzer [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/max-scherzer/3137/stats/pitching]’s small-sample resurgence, and the latest on Hunter Greene [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/hunter-greene/22182/stats/pitching], Paul Skenes [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/paul-skenes/33677/stats/pitching], and Gerrit Cole [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/gerrit-cole/13125/stats/pitching]. Audio intro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qjDTYA9tQlZDQBpZqZUEosHoKN8nMQxR/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Pt4d-z71jiJ_H4Zb23Kos4vuP__tzf8t/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to Dak quote [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRWB1WUCzs8] Link to Dak Wookieepedia page [https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Dak_Ralter] Link to Hobbie’s Hoth fate [https://www.cbr.com/derek-hobbie-klivian-hoth-survival-death-explained-star-wars/] Link to Boston Hunters announcement [https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/2026/08/09/boston-hunters-name-jemile-weeks-manager/] Link to Hunters tweet [https://x.com/i/status/2086591302104121395] Link to WPBL standings [https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/standings/] Link to Weeks hiring story [https://www.mlb.com/press-release/rickie-weeks-to-take-on-new-role-with-the-brewers] Link to story about A’s streak snapping [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/chance-break-another-streak-against-065237499.html] Link to story about Sox streak-snapping [https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-streak-of-nine-straight-series-wins-snapped-by-athletics] Link to Stat Blast streaks data 1 [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h_LBfh4PwT1ybw80bgVaV66No0mpLCrrfxOonjTk3jk/edit?usp=sharing] Link to Stat Blast streaks data 2 [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1o-FdUEs90etbcwtesKEcjgCIO0Flve2sl6qS4swu9CQ/edit?usp=sharing] Link to harmonic mean wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonic_mean] Link to so over/so back meme [https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/its-so-over-were-so-back] Link to FG preseason predictions [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-fangraphs-2026-staff-predictions/] Link to Boone/Stanton quote 1 [https://x.com/BryanHoch/status/2084380848946618772] Link to Boone/Stanton quote 2 [https://x.com/BryanHoch/status/2086138310817099844] Link to Casas swinging exchange [https://x.com/MacCerullo/status/1806061965149720770] Link to Casas swinging article [https://www.bostonherald.com/2024/06/26/red-sox-1b-triston-casas-provides-update-after-mri-comes-back-clean/] Link to Casas surgery [https://www.mlb.com/press-release/triston-casas-undergoes-successful-surgery] Link to Stanton chips quote [https://www.nj.com/yankees/2026/02/yankees-giancarlo-stanton-cant-open-bag-of-chips-due-to-ongoing-pain-but-eyes-full-season.html] Link to Stanton/Panterra video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2bjQE-GNXs] Link to Stanton/Panterra post [https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2017/8/31/16233280/giancarlo-stanton-lexy-panterra] Link to Stanton ESPN photo shoot [https://www.espn.com/espn/photos/gallery/_/id/9428872/image/24/giancarlo-stanton-2013-body-issue-bodies-want-espn-magazine#] Link to Wilson story 1 [https://www.mlb.com/news/jacob-wilson-mlb-error-free-shortstop-record] Link to Wilson story 2 [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49570864/athletics-wilson-sets-record-111-errorless-games-row] Link to errorless leaderboard [https://x.com/AthleticsRants/status/2086549722752303279] Link to 2025 Wilson fielding game log [https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=wilsoja05&t=f&year=2025] Link to 2026 Wilson fielding game log [https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=wilsoja05&t=f&year=2026] Link to 2002 Bordick fielding game log [https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=bordimi01&t=f&year=2002] Link to Korach tweet [https://x.com/KenKorachRadio/status/2086561095943328113] Link to annual fielding averages [https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/field.shtml] Link to leaguewide batted-ball stats [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=0&type=2&month=0&ind=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sortcol=0&sortdir=default&startdate=&enddate=&team=0%2Css&season1=2002&season=2026&pagenum=1] Link to leaguewide K rate stats [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=0&type=1&month=0&ind=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=&enddate=&season1=2002&season=2026&team=0%2Css&sortcol=5&sortdir=default&pagenum=1] Link to 2002 team batted-ball stats [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=0&type=2&month=0&ind=0&team=0%2Cts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sortcol=4&sortdir=desc&startdate=&enddate=&season1=2002&season=2002&pagenum=1] Link to 2026 team batted-ball stats [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=0&type=2&month=1000&ind=0&team=0%2Cts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sortcol=4&sortdir=desc&startdate=2026-03-01&enddate=2026-08-09&season1=&season=] Link to Sam on errors [https://pebblehunting.substack.com/p/errors-are-hits-now] Link to Stat Blast on errors [https://effectivelywild.fandom.com/wiki/Episode_2030:_Deadline_Dilemmas_and_Needs#Stat_Blast] Link to dill-flavored Liquid I.V. [https://www.liquid-iv.com/products/grillos-pickles-hydration-multiplier?g_acctid=758-869-0410&g_adgroupid=193419966383&g_adid=819641534051&g_adtype=search&g_campaign=Tin_Brand+-+HM+Flavors&g_campaignid=23649268481&g_keyword=liquid+iv+pickle+flavor&g_keywordid=kwd-2473498900719&g_network=g&utm_campaign=23649268481&utm_content=819641534051&utm_term=193419966383&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23649268481&gbraid=0AAAAADlzFY_S9pcJeOpQTr4TxAJPKq7Nx&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkOvTBhDgARIsAKUNyRuFgNR6p4A9bb7o7fVHmZ2d9Tm7Lgsqklxw40G7YFXbW0kcoz1YwroaAm8PEALw_wcB&Flavor=LIMITED+EDITION+Grillo%27s+Pickles%C2%AE&Size=10PK&one-time=43871114428452] Link to Netflix Yankees series [https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/new-york-yankees-netflix-drama-jason-bateman-mlb-josh-wakely-1236829636/] Link to Gehrig movie news [https://deadline.com/2026/07/glen-powell-lou-gehrig-movie-richard-linklater-1236999778/] Link to Glen Powell’s IMDb [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1412974/] Link to Cooper story 1 [https://baseballresearcher.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-pride-of-yankees-seeknay.html] Link to Cooper story 2 [https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/09/sports/baseball/researcher-concludes-pride-of-the-yankees-film-was-not-flipped.html] Link to The Catch movie info [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/tim-robbins-sissy-spacek-cast-emma-stone-chris-pine-rom-com-1236631730/] Link to Hanks movie news [https://deadline.com/2026/07/tom-hanks-mlb-the-comebacker-release-date-1236972868/] Link to Stone as Padres fan [https://www.reddit.com/r/Padres/comments/xygwm7/emma_stone_is_a_padres_fan/] Link to Stone as Mets fan [https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/1v6chb6/emma_stone_is_distraught/] Link to EW baseball movies episode [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2163-littell-big-league/] Link to Lasso NLBM story [https://www.mlb.com/news/ted-lasso-at-the-negro-leagues-baseball-museum] Link to Lasso NLBM scene [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alsbOnJzypk] Link to recent Kendrick EW appearance [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2465-before-you-can-say-jackie-robinson/] Link to B-Ref career pitching WAR [https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/WAR_pitch_career.shtml] Link to FG career pitching WAR [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&month=0&ind=0&startdate=&enddate=&season1=1871&season=2026] Link to Eephus on Prime Video [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWFZRFGP] Link to Eephus EW interview [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2293-impossible-sliders-and-extremely-slow-curves/] Link to Josef Suk wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josef_Suk_(composer)] Link to Olympics art awards [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_competitions_at_the_Summer_Olympics] Link to Suk’s Scherzo Fantastique [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TISaiU-fkAE] Link to fantastic scherzo explainer [https://americansymphony.org/concert-notes/josef-suk-scherzo-fantastique/] Link to more fantastic scherzo info [https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/jams.2011.64.3.527] Link to Johnson strikeouts discrepancy [https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/1vjbt9i/walter_johnsons_career_strikeout_total_is/] Link to Scherzer vs. Johnson story [https://www.mlb.com/news/max-scherzer-enters-top-10-all-time-strikeout-leaderboard] Link to Jay on Scherzer and Cole [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/max-scherzer-headlines-a-big-weekend-for-strikeout-feats/] Link to Ryan SABR bio [https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/nolan-ryan/] Link to MLBTR on Greene’s surgery [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/08/hunter-greene-to-undergo-elbow-surgery.html] Link to White Sox Kwan call [https://www.reddit.com/r/ClevelandGuardians/comments/1vizqcc/steven_kwan_instantly_homers_after_white_sox/] Link to previous Skenes discussion [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2502-the-cycle-of-major-league-life/] Link to Skenes leaderboard [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&type=8&season=2026&month=1000&season1=2026&ind=0&startdate=2026-07-10&enddate=2026-08-09&team=0&pageitems=100&sortcol=20&sortdir=default&qual=0] Link to Cole leaderboard [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&type=8&season=2026&month=1000&season1=2026&ind=0&startdate=2026-05-22&enddate=2026-08-09&team=0&qual=0&pagenum=1&pageitems=50] Link to BaseRuns standings [https://www.fangraphs.com/standings/pythagorean-baseruns] Link to George injury update [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7499377/2026/08/07/kendall-george-dodgers-knee-surgery-bat-dog/] Link to Lasko injury update [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/prospect-shares-positive-spinal-surgery-175412424.html] Link to Trout birthday fun fact [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7500036/2026/08/07/mike-trout-birthday-home-run-la-angels/] [https://i.imgur.com/hT2AX6G.jpg] Sponsor Us on Patreon [http://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild] 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[https://breakingt.com/collections/fangraphs] Source [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2516-baseball-is-so-back/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2515: All Fun and Games

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild/membership]. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the long-in-the-making major league debut of gravity-defying, strikeout-celebrating reliever Jefry Yan [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jefry-yan/27902/stats/pitching], Steven Kwan’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/steven-kwan/24610/stats/batting]s resurgence, a lineup with lots of Juniors, a scooter celebration, a double FARTBAT, Luis Arraez [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/luis-arraez/18568/stats/batting] abandoning home plate, MLB players’ low-stakes conspiracies, a head-to-head MVP battle, the Mets’ Francisco Lindor [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/francisco-lindor/12916/stats/batting]–Juan Soto [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/juan-soto/20123/stats/batting] 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) [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gRbN55AUmEHEfjljyqFNWloCLSTXu527/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio interstitial: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jVOMAuZop-4BhxnZ1JQaULw7FlW2XJD_/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r_SutdDwCAJtoMBaw5CjiM-mhsRmG6ii/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to Reddit post on Yan [https://www.reddit.com/r/effectivelywild/comments/1vgsfru/jefry_yan/] Link to first Yan episode [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2290-season-preview-series-diamondbacks-and-nationals/] Link to second Yan episode [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2294-season-preview-series-dodgers-and-rockies/] Link to Yan debut story [https://www.mlb.com/news/jefry-yan-celebrates-after-strikeouts-in-mlb-debut] Link to Yan debut video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmySA9LAYcs] Link to Yan leap on single [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/sporty-videos?playId=6b00c001-2115-39b0-83e7-022d94e94dfe] Link to Guardians’ Yan mockery [https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/jefry-yan-s-signature-leap-was-ruthlessly-mocked-by-the-guardians/ar-AA29wxgu] Link to MLBTR on Brebbia [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/08/red-sox-to-sign-john-brebbia-to-minor-league-deal.html] Link to Brebbia’s second EW appearance [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2496-our-daily-breb/] Link to previous Kwan chat [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2502-the-cycle-of-major-league-life/] Link to Kwan leaderboard [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&type=8&season=2026&month=1000&season1=2026&ind=0&qual=0&startdate=2026-07-01&enddate=2026-08-06&team=0] Link to Kwan pillow quote [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6236437/2025/04/04/mlb-players-money-saving-hacks/] Link to sports nepo babies article [https://nikolavukovic.substack.com/p/why-athletes-are-increasingly-the] Link to article on baseball nepo babies [https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/2167845/the-son-also-rises-its-a-golden-age-for-major-leaguers-kids] Link to Ryan HoF page [https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/ryan-nolan] Link to Giants scooter celly [https://ftw.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2026/08/06/giants-player-trolls-harrison-bader-over-scooter-crash-celebration-mlb/91202534007/] Link to Arraez abandonment [https://x.com/MLB/status/2085508791618138298] Link to @ScoringChanges explanation [https://x.com/ScoringChanges/status/2085499785944170967] Link to Marlins misplay [https://www.mlb.com/news/ronald-acuna-jr-hits-home-run-after-it-deflects-off-two-marlins-players] Link to EW Episode 500 [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-500/] Link to PCA comments [https://awfulannouncing.com/mlb/pete-crow-armstrong-babe-ruth-never-existed.html] Link to Saucedo comments [https://bsky.app/profile/razzball.bsky.social/post/3ms6r2jrcus2e] Link to Ottavino comments [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25506993/free-agent-pitcher-adam-ottavino-says-whiff-babe-ruth] Link to PCA vs. Ohtani game [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/109228/box-score-banter-les-jeux-sont-faits/] Link to Peralta/Lindor/Soto report [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49536047/former-mets-pitcher-peralta-initiated-sitdown-soto-lindor] Link to 2025 Yankees bullpen blowup [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6531473/2025/08/02/yankees-new-bullpen-acquisitions-implode-marlins/] Link to Lindor/McNeil article [https://www.mlb.com/news/francisco-lindor-and-jeff-mcneil-offer-explanation-for-incident] Link to MLBTR on Forst [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/08/athletics-fire-david-forst.html] Link to Mikolas PA article [https://www.mlb.com/news/nationals-snap-seven-game-losing-streak-vs-phillies] Link to Nusbaum tweet [https://x.com/spencernusbaum_/status/2085190380425728100] Link to Button Mash [https://www.theringer.com/podcasts/button-mash] Link to The Ringer-Verse [https://open.spotify.com/show/3z9QIZzDR4o34uBBbsxb0z] Link to SOFTDRINKTV on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@SOFTDRINKTV] Link to WildLion Games on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@WildLionGames/videos] Link to Paine on sports games 1 [https://neilpaine.substack.com/p/will-college-football-25-save-the] Link to Paine on sports games 2 [https://neilpaine.substack.com/p/the-paradox-of-sports-video-gaming] Link to Jabroni Baseball video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ntcTFIEw_4] Link to EA buyout [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leveraged_buyout_of_Electronic_Arts] Link to EA layoffs report [https://kotaku.com/bloodbath-ahead-for-ea-as-it-looks-to-cut-700-million-in-annual-costs-under-saudi-arabia-2000721875] Link to EA layoffs report [https://kotaku.com/bloodbath-ahead-for-ea-as-it-looks-to-cut-700-million-in-annual-costs-under-saudi-arabia-2000721875] Link to College Football microtransactions [https://kotaku.com/ea-sports-reverses-course-on-college-football-microtransactions-following-player-revolt-2000714972] Link to Ben on MVP Baseball 2005 [https://grantland.com/the-triangle/mvp-baseball-2005-mod-community-mlb-video-games/] Link to Noah on MVP Baseball 2005 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_XtDTJTj9M] Link to Super Mega Baseball 4 article [https://remapradio.com/articles/super-mega-baseball-4-and-the-quest-for-the-perfect-game/] Link to Metalhead on EW 1 [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-589/] Link to Metalhead on EW 2 [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-1530-thats-why-they-play-the-games/] Link to Taylor on SMB4 roster updates [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-815tI2J_Qc] Link to Taylor’s SMB4 review [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LETB2xvIzW0] Link to Zach Kram on Backyard Baseball [https://www.theringer.com/2017/10/10/features/backyard-baseball-20-year-anniversary] Link to Backyard Baseball comeback article [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/13/style/backyard-baseball-video-game-teacher.html] Link to Backyard Baseball wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backyard_Baseball] Link to Taylor’s Backyard Baseball review [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzBdRQTLNb4] Link to Noah on MLB Power Pros [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLO8wXmtxwQ] Link to Indoor Baseball [https://store.steampowered.com/app/3434700/Indoor_Baseball/] Link to Noah on Indoor Baseball [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14JWmYG6KeY] Link to Noah on MVP 06: NCAA Baseball [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjiQ161F0Jk] Link to Noah’s MLB The Show 26 review [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfTnRAVct14] Link to Taylor’s MLB The Show 26 review [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU89c1d7O0k] Link to Power Pros wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Pros] Link to Professional Baseball Spirits wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_Baseball_Spirits] Link to article about eBaseball Pro Spirit 2026 [https://www.sportico.com/business/tech/2026/konami-japanese-baseball-video-game-us-shohei-ohtani-1234938997/] Link to Noah on eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHKE4DjOo_E] Link to eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 on PS5 [https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP0101-PPSA34491_00-PROBBSPIRITS26AE] Link to Noah on eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 news [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0mERTjtTbI] Link to Noah’s eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 review [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaGlbMRxsXM] Link to Taylor’s eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 review [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPZMjsvYm2Y] [https://i.imgur.com/hT2AX6G.jpg] Sponsor Us on Patreon [http://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild] [https://i.imgur.com/xQIHgp3.png] Give a Gift Subscription [https://patreon.com/effectivelywild/gift] [https://i.imgur.com/tNOGFnG.png]podcast@fangraphs.com Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com [podcast@fangraphs.com] [https://i.imgur.com/gj3wTt4.png] Effectively Wild Subreddit 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[https://breakingt.com/collections/fangraphs] Source [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2515-all-fun-and-games/]