Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Effectively Wild Episode 2461: If You Build it, They Will Checksum

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]. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about rookie batters’ blistering start to the season, then Stat Blast (10:15) about how long it typically takes for there to be no remaining teams that are winless or undefeated (or both), the latest a team won or lost by a margin that matched its record, and the seasons that featured the most Hall of Famers (at all, and in their primes). Then they talk to three listeners who created brand-new apps/sites that enhance the experience of following the season: Tristan Rodman of Baseball Scores [https://www.baseballscores.io/] (28:00), Zach Gines of First Pitch [https://firstpitch.streamlit.app/] (46:45), and Ezra Thompson of Play-O-Graph [https://www.play-o-graph.com/] (1:09:30), followed by assorted updates (1:26:58). Audio intro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VtGnSCg2jHV4rEAyhuDuD1WHJrnluwXp/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 freemium model announcement [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-is-going-freemium/] Link to written explanation [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c3ZJ21_5CSpH6fPsG-BNNahj2xmWSwxgMsJFXbnbgho/edit?usp=sharing] Link to checksum explainer [https://medium.com/@minosahu31/what-is-a-checksum-a-complete-guide-for-developers-e33145de9bb6] Link to seasonal rookie batting lines [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&month=0&ind=2&rost=&age=&filter=&players=0&team=0%2Css&startdate=&enddate=&season1=1871&season=2026&sortcol=17&sortdir=default&pagenum=1] Link to 2026 rookie batting line [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2026&season1=2026&ind=2&rost=&age=&filter=&players=0&team=0%2Css&month=0] Link to 2026 rookie pitching line [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2026&season1=2026&ind=2&rost=&age=&filter=&players=0&team=0%2Css&month=0] Link to Baumann on Painter [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/help-us-andrew-painter-my-people-cry-out-for-salvation] Link to Kepner on the rookies [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7159361/2026/03/30/mlb-rookies-wetherholt-delauter-stewart-benge-murakami/] Link to aging curve research 1 [https://tht.fangraphs.com/aging-curves-revisited-damn-strikeouts/] Link to aging curve research 2 [https://medium.com/@matan_k/no-sport-for-old-men-baseballs-changing-aging-curve-5158f09ca4d3] Link to Ben on 2015 rookies [https://grantland.com/the-triangle/2015-mlb-prospect-onslaught-carlos-correa-kris-bryant-noah-syndergaard/] Link to Ben on 2015 youth [https://grantland.com/the-triangle/2015-mlb-mike-trout-bryce-harper-young-mvps/] Link to Fernandez debut game [https://www.mlb.com/news/jose-fernandez-homers-twice-in-mlb-debut-as-d-backs-beat-tigers] Link to two-homer-debuts query [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/sharing/oeAJf] Link to winless/undefeated teams data [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cp6OX0UH12NlvTOzmWoBbbhyXGpSijZCYjwpmyLjsH8/edit?usp=sharing] Link to 1894 game [https://www.statmuse.com/mlb/game/5-30-1894-cin-at-bsn-14297] Link to 1911 game [https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BSN/BSN191105120.shtml] Link to 1986 game [https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CAL/CAL198604200.shtml] Link to 1993 game [https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN199304250.shtml] Link to 1996 game [https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL199604300.shtml] Link to 2000 game 1 [https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN200004290.shtml] Link to 2000 game 2 [https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/COL/COL200004300.shtml] Link to HoFers data [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KI6aOUGA5iQTYGs5i4zJPut_rZmmEp26SoEIXy8Yw98/edit?usp=sharing] Link to HoFers graph [https://imgur.com/QYzXH7V] Link to Frisch VC info [https://cooperstownexpert.com/2017/01/frankie-frischs-vets-committee-selections-defined-damaged-hall/] Link to listener emails database [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-8lpspHQuR5GK7S_nNtGunLGrx60QnSa8XLG_wvRb4Q/edit?usp=sharing] Link to Baseball Scores site [https://www.baseballscores.io/] Link to Tristan’s site [https://www.tristanfriedbergrodman.com/] Link to The Gagnés theme 1 [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jVOMAuZop-4BhxnZ1JQaULw7FlW2XJD_/view?usp=drive_link] Link to The Gagnés theme 2 [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RfWSunUgqlpqIEFR2LYWjwsb3nNYyBWx/view?usp=drive_link] Link to @dril tweet [https://x.com/dril/status/1008896576876670977] Link to Angell quote [https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7426143-since-baseball-time-is-measured-only-in-outs-all-you] Link to First Pitch site [https://firstpitch.streamlit.app/] Link to NERD scores [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/nerd-scores-return-with-something-not-unlike-a-vengeance/] Link to B-Ref Stream Finder [https://www.baseball-reference.com/stream-finder.shtml] Link to Skubal-Gallen gamer [https://www.mlb.com/news/zac-gallen-pitches-six-scoreless-innings-vs-tigers] Link to Play-O-Graph site [https://www.play-o-graph.com/] Link to playograph wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playograph] Link to FotMob [https://www.fotmob.com/] Link to Moneyball clip [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viUiDANtRJc] Link to Grounds Crew Baseball site [https://groundscrewbaseball.com/] Link to The Number Wall site [https://thenumberwall.com/] Link to “meme” origins [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meme#Early_formulations] Link to Yates press conference [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNZEeJN83Sc] Link to Orioles tap-off [https://www.mlb.com/news/first-mlb-game-ending-abs-challenge-is-a-win-for-orioles] Link to Crawford walk-off story [https://www.mlb.com/news/justin-crawford-first-career-walk-off-hit-caps-phillies-comeback] Link to pre-Artemis II batted balls [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2026%7C&hfSit=&player_type=batter&hfOuts=&home_road=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&hfEventOuts=&hfEventRuns=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=2026-04-01&hfMo=&hfTeam=&hfOpponent=&hfRO=&position=&hfInfield=&hfOutfield=&hfInn=&hfBBT=&hfFlag=is%5C.%5C.bunt%5C.%5C.not%7C&metric_1=api_h_launch_speed&metric_1_gt=110&metric_1_lt=&group_by=name&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=launch_speed&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&chk_stats_launch_speed=on#results] Link to Artemis II launch story [https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/01/science/live-news/artemis-2-nasa-launch] Link to xkcd comic [https://xkcd.com/2501/] Link to Bucknor play story [https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/umpire-cb-bucknors-bad-week-continues-with-blown-call-that-leaves-brewers-and-rays-managers-laughing-021557488.html] Link to Bucknor play video [https://x.com/JomboyMedia/status/2039158471313018918] Link to Bucknor injury story [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48371126/umpire-bucknor-leaves-rays-brewers-foul-tip-hits-mask] Link to Ben on forgotten counts [https://www.theringer.com/2018/05/08/mlb/four-ball-non-walk-ian-kinsler] Link to Bois on forgotten counts [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qKWMgs4HG4] Link to Retrosheet forgotten counts [https://retrosheet.org/PitchCountMistakes.htm] Link to video of Smith PA [https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/s/MOjLzDSsFB] Link to Smith PA on Gameday [https://www.mlb.com/gameday/red-sox-vs-astros/2026/03/31/824212/play/42] Link to Alvarez PA on Gameday [https://www.mlb.com/gameday/red-sox-vs-astros/2022/08/03/662725/play/20] Link to Chris’s Reddit post [https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/s/1Htwa51AEG] [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-2461-if-you-build-it-they-will-checksum/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2460: The Arc of History Bends Toward .500

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Joey Wiemer [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/joey-wiemer/27690/stats/batting], Colt Emerson [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/colt-emerson/sa3022923/stats/batting]’s contract, the concept of “sticking at shortstop,” and pre-arbitration (and pre-debut) extension trends, then (29:11) answer listener emails about A.J. Preller trading himself, Harrison Bader [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/harrison-bader/18030/stats/batting] and the press conference threshold, plotting to prevent a switch-hitter from batting from both sides, no-selling a World Series ring ceremony, giveaway promotions at every game, a Craig Kimbrel [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/craig-kimbrel/6655/stats/pitching] PitchCom hypothesis, the top five MLB owners, pitch-count limits in a World Series perfect game bid, technical fouls in baseball, the aesthetic appeal of platooning, and lifetime .500 franchises. Audio intro: Garrett Krohn, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-zryFrA5vGf46iu7jSvWSrkrDXTfJ3zY/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-zryFrA5vGf46iu7jSvWSrkrDXTfJ3zY/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to Baumann on Wiemer [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/how-long-could-joey-wiemer-have-kept-getting-on-base-before-you-suspected-the-involvement-of-shadowy-outside-forces/] Link to MLB.com on Wiemer [https://www.mlb.com/news/joey-wiemer-reach-safely-streak-2026-season] Link to FG combined WAR leaderboard [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/war] Link to “small sample” song [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw9qqvm-LT8] Link to Voros’ Law [https://x.com/jaseidler/status/900742942004039680] Link to “WDJDD?” (short) [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cO6WP8Xh2AFhl34k02ct6IXA2KUhw22W/view?usp=drive_link] Link to “WDJDD?” (long) [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q9mEeRS6LxrDMczJFC8tD6PRYyNcKhLA/view?usp=drive_link] Link to MLBTR on Emerson [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/03/mariners-colt-emerson-agree-to-contract-extension.html] Link to Nichols’ Law of Catcher Defense [https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Nichols_Law_Of_Catcher_Defense] Link to Passan tweet about Emerson [https://x.com/JeffPassan/status/2038984202646106560] Link to FG post on Pratt [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/brewers-cooper-pratt-reportedly-agree-to-extension/] Link to Sam on extensions [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/20079/pebble-hunting-the-future-of-contract-extensions/] Link to Bader story [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7011599/2026/01/30/sf-giants-harrison-bader-center-field-defense/] Link to Seinfeld “sponge-worthy” clips [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qt70xMsvdM] Link to Kiri on promotions [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-50-most-eyebrow-raising-team-promotions-of-2026/] Link to “Things Fitting Perfectly Into Other Things” [https://thingsfittingperfectlyintothings.tumblr.com/] Link to Meg on the baseball penalty box [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/what-if-baseball-had-a-penalty-box/] Link to Diamondbacks bullpen story [https://arizonasports.com/mlb/arizona-diamondbacks/opening-day-roster/3615485/] Link to “Maddux” stat [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maddux_(statistic)] Link to Ben on ex-player execs [https://www.theringer.com/2024/02/16/mlb/baseball-general-manager-front-office-former-players-jerry-dipoto-chris-young] Link to franchise W-L records [https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/] Link to listener emails database [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-8lpspHQuR5GK7S_nNtGunLGrx60QnSa8XLG_wvRb4Q/edit?usp=sharing] [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-2460-the-arc-of-history-bends-toward-500/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2459: Pump the ABS Brakes

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Mike Trout’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/mike-trout/10155/stats/batting]s hot start, Dub Gleed’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/william-gleed/sa3032302/stats/batting]s (nick)name, the challenge system as a mainstream sensation, several tactical considerations, listener emails, premature conclusions, and pedantic points after a weekend’s worth of ABS action, Munetaka Murakami [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/munetaka-murakami/37120/stats/batting]’s early slugging, a Brewers call-up and extension, NBC’s broadcast crews, and more, plus a few follow-ups. Audio intro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZIp68xsf3VligZWlp_LIlfw_k-0KNsJt/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/18ypilLuC54vxaDVVNtUuHSx9gP2ZcLug/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to the other ABS [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-lock_braking_system] Link to Gleed trade story [https://www.mlb.com/news/leo-jimenez-traded-from-blue-jays-to-marlins] Link to challenge system tweet 1 [https://x.com/i_zzzzzz/status/2038287903378333925] Link to challenge system tweet 2 [https://x.com/SamAdlerBell/status/2038437383012516251] Link to Ben on the challenge system [https://www.theringer.com/2026/03/25/mlb/is-mlb-challenge-system-already-doomed-full-abs-balls-strikes-umpires] Link to Sam on the challenge system [https://pebblehunting.substack.com/p/abs-and-the-human-element] Link to UmpScorecards data [https://umpscorecards.com/data/umpires] Link to Rosenthal on the challenge system [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7156806/2026/03/30/automated-ball-strike-system-mlb-success/] Link to Passan on the challenge system [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48346818/mlb-2026-automated-balls-strikes-challenges-abs-best-worst-opening-weekend] Link to ABS system wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automated_Ball-Strike_System] Link to FG community blog [https://community.fangraphs.com/] Link to Petriello on 2025 ABS data [https://www.mlb.com/news/abs-challenge-system-statistical-breakdown-2025] Link to team ABS leaderboard [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/abs-challenges?challengeType=catching-team&level=mlb&gameType=regular&year=2026&sort=n_challenges&sortDir=desc&page=0&pageSize=50&dataMode=for] Link to ABS dashboard [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/abs] Link to ABS player leaderboard [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/abs-challenges] Link to Crizer on the challenge system [https://bandwagon.ghost.io/delauter-and-the-delorean/] Link to debutant dingers query [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/tiny/guoVD] Link to 2026 debutant dingers [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/sharing/bGp6g] Link to Murakami NPB analysis [https://1point02.jp/op/gnav/column/bs/column.aspx?cid=54068] Link to Murakami fun fact [https://x.com/jaycuda/status/2038430412100325549] Link to Reds Opening Days story [https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/openingday/2021/03/30/cincinnati-reds-opening-day/6927264002/] Link to Shelton ejection clip [https://x.com/JomboyMedia/status/2038358447087906913] Link to Bucknor story [https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/cb-bucknor-umpire-abs-system-mlb-reds-red-sox/] Link to Bucknor challenges [https://x.com/CBoxSports/status/2038019886987804681] Link to Bucknor scorecard [https://x.com/UmpScorecards/status/2038263756535353367] Link to Bucknor story [https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/cb-bucknor-umpire-abs-system-mlb-reds-red-sox/] Link to Cora ejection [https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/1s6exey/highlight_trevor_story_is_irate_after_a_check/] Link to ABS and manager ejections info 1 [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7086734/2026/03/05/mlb-abs-manager-ejections-aaron-boone/] Link to ABS and manager ejections info 2 [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7144957/2026/03/25/abs-mlb-managers-umpires-argue/] Link to ABS and manager ejections info 3 [https://apnews.com/article/robot-umpires-abs-ejections-b50fe554c47712f95da18d1015c2afe4] Link to Quero call-up info [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/105682/the-call-up-jeferson-quero/] Link to MLBTR on Pratt [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/03/brewers-cooper-pratt-reportedly-working-on-extension.html] Link to FG Brewers list [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/milwaukee-brewers-top-47-prospects/] Link to Sam on check swings [https://pebblehunting.substack.com/p/what-if-all-checked-swings-were-just] Link to AP on Benetti [https://apnews.com/article/nbc-mlb-jason-benetti-acd628aef41b78a2679e83a21d0e6e0b] Link to MLBTR on Pratt [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/03/brewers-cooper-pratt-reportedly-working-on-extension.html] Link to listener emails database [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-8lpspHQuR5GK7S_nNtGunLGrx60QnSa8XLG_wvRb4Q/edit?usp=sharing] Link to “burn the ships” wiki [https://effectivelywild.fandom.com/wiki/Burn_the_Ships] Link to article about Syracuse team [https://www.syracuse.com/orangelacrosse/2026/03/syracuse-lacrosse-will-no-longer-wear-warm-up-shirts-after-group-calls-phrase-especially-cruel.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-2459-pump-the-abs-brakes/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2458: The Opening Day Debutant (Base)ball

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]. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the pleasures of and precedents for the historic rookie performances on Opening Day, the pains of Netflix’s Opening Night broadcast, an Opening Day disaster for Paul Skenes [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/paul-skenes/33677/stats/pitching], Oneil Cruz [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/oneil-cruz/21711/stats/batting], and a bird near Carson Benge [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/carson-benge/35177/stats/batting], Freddie Freeman [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/freddie-freeman/5361/stats/batting]’s gameday fit, a perplexing (un?)fun fact about the Phillies and Jhoan Duran [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jhoan-duran/21029/stats/pitching], why players don’t always challenge when they “should,” Nico Hoerner [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/nico-hoerner/21479/stats/batting] and Shane Baz [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/shane-baz/22264/stats/pitching] extensions, baseball movies being back (thanks to Tom Hanks), and more, plus a Stat Blast (1:28:40) about Black Ink streaks and a postscript (1:37:14) featuring a follow-up and a few bonus Blasts. Audio intro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CJziS-LZMoyB13avq991af2-c9KaGfoU/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 freemium model announcement [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-is-going-freemium/] Link to written explanation [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c3ZJ21_5CSpH6fPsG-BNNahj2xmWSwxgMsJFXbnbgho/edit?usp=sharing] Link to 2026 new debuts [https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/2026-debuts.shtml] Link to RE24 query [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/sharing/ayy6Z] Link to 2026 RE24 players [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/sharing/TxSzy] Link to 1914 RE24 players [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/sharing/42LPv] Link to 1938 RE24 players [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/sharing/I4sef] Link to 1950 RE24 players [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/sharing/oglpr] Link to RE24 glossary [https://library.fangraphs.com/misc/re24/] Link to B-Ref RE24 leaders [https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/re24_bat_career.shtml] Link to total bases query [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/sharing/WvWz8] Link to 2026 TB players [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/sharing/Wai4f] Link to 1938 TB players [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/sharing/nz12a] Link to 1.000 OPS query [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/sharing/9aVSG] Link to 2026 1.000 OPS players [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/sharing/9ZKJA] Link to 1901 1.000 OPS players [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/sharing/Zzaa7] Link to 1938 1.000 OPS players [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/sharing/j6scs] Link to Dick Crutcher bio [https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/Dick-Crutcher/] Link to Baumann on the rookies [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/welcome-to-the-big-leagues-boys-it-can-only-get-worse-from-here/] Link to “Baseball’s Sad Lexicon” [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball%27s_Sad_Lexicon] Link to first White Sox game [https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIL/MIL202603260.shtml] Link to Marchand on the Netflix game [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7148046/2026/03/26/mlb-netflix-yankees-giants/] Link to Bonds story [https://www.mlb.com/news/how-barry-bonds-was-nearly-a-yankee] Link to Bonds at Rickwood game [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p3CJ-M1hXM] Link to 180-degree rule [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/180-degree_rule] Link to FG post on Skenes [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-worst-start-of-paul-skenes-career/] Link to Ben on the Pirates and A’s [https://www.theringer.com/2026/03/26/mlb/pittsburgh-pirates-sacramento-athletics-mlb-lopsided-dark-horses-paul-skenes-konnor-griffin] Link to Pirates HR celebration [https://www.mlb.com/news/inside-the-pirates-pittsburgh-themed-home-run-celebration] Link to Benge on the bird [https://bsky.app/profile/timbritton.bsky.social/post/3mhykftibzs2h] Link to Freeman post 1 [https://x.com/Dodgers/status/2037307527155847315] Link to Freeman post 2 [https://bsky.app/profile/iamwhatyousay.bsky.social/post/3mhyqp5gpnk27] Link to Stark post [https://bsky.app/profile/jaysonst.bsky.social/post/3mhypylfnds27] Link to Sam post [https://bsky.app/profile/sammillerbb.bsky.social/post/3mhyreddni22i] Link to Phillies home closers query [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/sharing/Rbk3i] Link to Phillies road closers query [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/sharing/iVpTC] Link to Phillies OD home games [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/sharing/w71wm] Link to Phillies OD road games [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/sharing/UmXPR] Link to home OD saves by team [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aEnBJ4kcg3EC44gQMIMgRVEkBeTIamSsPHpHUMpusUI/edit?usp=sharing] Link to Kruk comment [https://bsky.app/profile/johngonzalez.bsky.social/post/3mhylzkhmbk2u] Link to Tango on location uncertainty [https://tangotiger.com/index.php/site/article/abs-challenge-rates-by-proximity-to-border-of-strike-zone] Link to Petriello on catcher challenges [https://www.mlb.com/news/abs-spring-training-2026-takeaways] Link to Ben’s catcher research [https://www.theringer.com/2018/03/26/mlb/three-theories-on-catcher-plate-performance] Link to MLBTR on Hoerner [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/03/cubs-nico-hoerner-agree-to-extension.html] Link to MLBTR on Baz [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/03/orioles-shane-baz-finalizing-extension.html] Link to upcoming FA class [https://www.mlb.com/news/baseball-s-next-free-agent-classes] Link to Hanks movie announcement [https://variety.com/2026/film/news/tom-hanks-baseball-movie-combacker-bad-bunny-1236699572/] Link to Hanks typewriter collection [https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jan/14/tom-hanks-typewriters-display] Link to Night Swim wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_Swim] Link to Caught Stealing wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caught_Stealing] Link to Eephus EW interview [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2293-impossible-sliders-and-extremely-slow-curves/] Link to Ben on Rogue One and Andor [https://www.theringer.com/2025/05/16/star-wars/five-takeaways-from-rewatching-rogue-one-after-andor-star-wars] Link to Black Ink info [https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Black_Ink] Link to Black Ink data 1 [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DpWwNi-Cs7-8RZUqNJ0e4sB_W_dhPYRcXEv_L0wv3WU/edit?usp=sharing] Link to Black Ink data 2 [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DFvokl9qKZe1Qi1_7qw8eJ4YzKVUR-Yd4H7xIRtzk6o/edit?usp=sharing] Link to Ben on Trout’s Black Ink [https://www.theringer.com/2019/08/07/mlb/mike-trout-home-runs-league-leader-stats] Link to blowout 1 [https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TOR/TOR202009220.shtml] Link to blowout 2 [https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TOR/TOR202009230.shtml] Link to blowout 3 [https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA200006180.shtml] Link to blowout 4 [https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BOS/BOS200006190.shtml] Link to blowout 5 [https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA190407130.shtml] Link to blowout 6 [https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA190407140.shtml] Link to blowout 7 [https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA197807271.shtml] Link to blowout 8 [https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA197807272.shtml] Link to Vinay’s data [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ohH_ou9M3HYP5H4XHAjCL-qRLLlEXLRP?usp=sharing] Link to 1930 game [https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA193009012.shtml] Link to Sam on record talent [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27535188/what-greatest-collection-talent-ever-one-roster] Link to Davy on Mets basestealing [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-mets-could-swipe-some-base-stealing-records/] Link to Newsday on Mets basestealing [https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/mets-antoan-richardson-base-stealing-juan-soto-brandon-nimmo-un62giix] Link to story on Richardson and Riley [https://www.mlb.com/news/antoan-richardson-might-have-austin-riley-running-in-2026] Link to listener emails database [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-8lpspHQuR5GK7S_nNtGunLGrx60QnSa8XLG_wvRb4Q/edit?usp=sharing] [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-2458-the-opening-day-debutant-baseball/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2457: The 2026 Team Fun Draft

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the number of Opening Days/Nights at the start of the regular-season schedule and how long they think the challenge system will last, review some of their favorite offseason transactions, and do their annual draft of all 30 MLB teams in order of how fun they’ll be to follow this season. Audio intro: The Spaghettis, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KIeoBr9umeDgG2NCtot-YRv1emuJCNFT/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OsA2tZMe8hrgFONo1iYv7od0ZFea8mpx/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to Craig on Opening Days/Nights [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/105581/deep-but-playable-do-you-know-when-opening-day-is/] Link to broadcast dilemma [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7144726/2026/03/25/yankees-giants-mlb-opening-night-netflix-youtube-nbc/] Link to Ben on the challenge system [https://www.theringer.com/2026/03/25/mlb/is-mlb-challenge-system-already-doomed-full-abs-balls-strikes-umpires] Link to Ben on the labor situation [https://www.theringer.com/2026/03/23/mlb/mlb-mlbpa-labor-battle-faq-lockout-work-stoppage-2027-season] Link to champing/chomping [https://www.npr.org/sections/memmos/2016/06/09/605796769/chew-on-this-is-it-chomping-or-champing] Link to Rogers tattoo story [https://www.thebanner.com/sports/orioles-mlb/orioles-trevor-rogers-calvin-wooden-fan-tattoo-butt-CHL6KCDBUNAJLDTAYWUBQTNDBM/] Link to Langs Giants stat [https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:2x5bs276hs2ibqgwzhnx2jae/post/3mhtofk26ls27] Link to pod duration calculator [https://podduration.rknight.me/] Link to Adames challenge reaction [https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/1s23kz9/willy_adames_is_in_disbelief_that_the_sultanes/] Link to EWStats site [https://ewstats.com/competitions/predictions] Link to freemium model announcement [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-is-going-freemium/] Link to written explanation [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c3ZJ21_5CSpH6fPsG-BNNahj2xmWSwxgMsJFXbnbgho/edit?usp=sharing] [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-2457-the-2026-team-fun-draft/]