Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Ben and Slate’s Mike Pesca banter about incentive clauses, happiness, analogies, injuries, and the Mets, then discuss sabermetric thinking about non-baseball subjects, optimism, podcasting, and preparation. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben, Carson Cistulli, and Eric Longenhagen scrutinize an unearthed video of Mike Trout taking batting practice in high school from both sides of the plate. Then Ben and Carson discuss podcasting, umpiring, Jeff Sullivan and more. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and SB Nation’s Grant Brisbee banter about baseball ads, then talk about last season’s forgettable baseball stories, Grant’s favorite writing of 2016, covering the playoffs in person, and Barry Bonds and the BBWAA. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

In Sam’s last show as co-host, he and Ben talk to Astros pro scouting director Kevin Goldstein. Then, Ben talks to incoming co-host Jeff Sullivan before Jeff leaves on a fantastically timed vacation. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

In their penultimate show as co-hosts, Ben and Sam answer listener emails about baseball amnesia, iconic photos, Mike Trout hitting lefty, designing ballparks, and more before reminiscing about how they almost didn’t do email episodes. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam announce Sam’s upcoming departure from the podcast and Effectively Wild’s future at FanGraphs with Ben and Jeff Sullivan, and then discuss several big questions about baseball’s next 50 years. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss the seemingly aimless Oakland Athletics and bring on two unwitting contestants (Eric Roseberry and Steve Givarz) to play the first Effectively Wild game show, “Name that Oakland A’s Position Player.” var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben, Sam, Grant Brisbee, and Jeff Sullivan produce a sequel to Episode 500 by drafting 12 more things about baseball. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam banter about Ivan Nova, early Hall of Fame voting, and a potential fat player, then answer listener emails about Mark Melancon and strikeouts, splitting the Rookie of the Year award, a renegade league, two-way players, CBA loopholes, changing the schedule, and the best possible highlights. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

For the fourth consecutive year, Ben and Sam draft the 20 minor league free agents they hope will earn the most major league playing time next season. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam banter about good deeds by two podcast listeners, then discuss several topics inspired by a selection of baseball writers’ self-selected favorite stories from 2016, including pitcher abuse, fans running on the field, and the home run spike. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam talk to The Ringer’s Michael Baumann about his ranking of the 25 most underpaid players and how front-office salaries limit diversity. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam banter about Josh Harrison and old-timey pitch names, then answer listener emails about sabermetrics and fandom, baseball and birthdates, players’ phone numbers, managing bullpens, and more. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam talk to BP’s Meg Rowley about the downs and (mostly) ups of the recently finished first season of Fox drama Pitch (includes some spoilers). var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam read a passage from The New Bill James New Historical Abstract and discuss whether contemporary observations of baseball players still have something to add to today’s closer-to-comprehensive statistical record. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam banter about Veeck As in Wreck and front offices hiring stat-savvy former players, then answer listener emails about the real Mike Trout, likeable teams, unwatchable players, and more. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam banter about Veeck As in Wreck, Willie Mays, and the term “hot stove league,” then discuss some of the Winter Meetings’ major moves, including big closer contracts and the Chris Sale and Adam Eaton trades. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam banter about pitch limits, an MLB.com headline, and news about Rich Hill and Shohei Otani, then discuss the implications of several of the new CBA’s most noteworthy changes. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam banter about the possibly unprecedented complete lack of luddite teams, then discuss the Royals as sellers, the reliever market, and Braves trade rumors. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben, Sam, and BP’s Russell Carleton banter about Nolan Ryan as a reliever, the possibility of a strike in 2021, and how teams should use the money the new CBA prevents them from spending. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam banter about an endless lockout and an A.J. Ellis rumor, then answer listener emails about odd MVP votes in Japan, peak Pedro vs. peak Koufax, what they would bid for Charley Kershaw’s baseball career, and mo var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam banter about a scene from Major League, an Adam Jones tweet, and the return of Nora Morse, then talk to BP’s Jeff Paternostro about the Yankees’ farm system, the Mets’ Yoenis Cespedes signing, and the future of international free agency. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam banter about a baseball TV trope and a Roger Angell passage, then discuss how they would have asked and answered interview questions for the Twins and Diamondbacks GM jobs and what they thought of the Mariners’ and Diamondbacks’ Jean Segura-Taijuan Walker trade and the Twins’ Jason Castro signing. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben, Sam, and Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times draft a few of their favorite baseball books. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam banter about Kyle Gaedele, then share their thoughts on Mike Trout’s second MVP Award and what it does and doesn’t say about both Trout and the BBWAA. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source