Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about how many members of the All-Star Celebrity Softball Game roster they have heard of, honorary all-stars, and velocity spikes preceding arm injuries, then discuss an investigation concerning possible pitch-fixing by Luis L. Ortiz, a federal civil rights complaint about the Dodgers’ DEI policies, and Rob Manfred’s pitch to players in advance of CBA discussions.

Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Coachella formula

Link to the “celebrities”

Link to Simpsons clip

Link to influencer fame data

Link to MLBTR on honorary all-stars

Link to Atlanta pitchers story

Link to ESPN report on Ortiz

Link to Trueblood pitch videos

Link to Axios on Miller and L.A.

Link to The Athletic on Miller

Link to more on the complaint

Link to 2023 MLB complaint

Link to The Athletic on Manfred

Link to more from The Athletic

Link to the SBJ on Manfred

Link to Sheehan on Manfred

Link to MLBPA probe

Link to fan ban

Link to fan interview

Link to MLFAD data

Link to Waldron pitch usage

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the return of Richard Lovelady, the MLB season debut of knuckleballer Matt Waldron, the superlative Zack Wheeler, how other knuckleballers in baseball are faring, Rich Hill’s wait for a call-up, Shohei Ohtani vs. Vinnie Pasquantino, Jacob Misiorowski and the leaguewide rise in pitcher extension, James Wood’s four intentional walks in one game (and the Angels’ outlier IBB total), MLB’s strikeout plateau (or reversal), Luis Arraez’s pursuit of contact history, historic events involving Wilyer Abreu, Trevor Rogers, and Jack Leiter, a serial fan interferer, the biggest team attendance climbs and declines, and how MLB’s minor league parks have played.

Audio outro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to MLBTR on Lovelady

Link to uniforms changes

Link to best pitchers in June

Link to Posnanski on Wheeler

Link to AARP patch

Link to Pasquantino tweet

Link to extension leaderboard

Link to leaguewide extension

Link to leaguewide four-seam extension

Link to leaguewide four-seam velo

Link to velo leaders

Link to perceived velo leaders

Link to extension mailbag

Link to Ben on pitching distance

Link to Whitley on Wood

Link to Andrews on Wood

Link to four-IBB club

Link to 2025 team IBB

Link to IBB difference spreadsheet

Link to Bonds/Rays IBB post

Link to Rays IBB

Link to 2025 K%+ keaders

Link to all-time K%+ spreadsheet

Link to Dan S. on Arraez

Link to Rob on strikeouts

Link to MLB K rate by year

Link to non-pitcher K rate by year

Link to Abreu fun fact

Link to Rogers/Leiter fun fact

Link to Arizona fan story

Link to Arizona fan story 2

Link to Arizona fan tweet

Link to Hang Up episode

Link to attendance changes

Link to park factors

Link to Severino story 1

Link to Severino story 2

Link to Manfred quotes

Link to leaguewide TTO%

Link to player TTO%

Link to Marte update

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Kutter Crawford’s mysterious wrist accident, then discuss Wander Franco’s conviction (14:58) and Walker Monfort’s promotion (19:57) before checking in (33:36) on the players and teams on pace to overperform or underperform their preseason projections the most at the precise halfway point of the season. Finally (1:12:44), they answer listener emails about “secret teams” in MLB, throwback, quiet games at the ballpark, and Denzel Clarke.

Audio outro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to WhatIfSports offer page

Link to Crawford story 1

Link to Crawford story 2

Link to Sale accident

Link to Barmes story 1

Link to Barmes story 2

Link to Kent story

Link to injury cover-ups

Link to Franco story 1

Link to Franco story 2

Link to Monfort story

Link to halfway point

Link to Rays playoffs story

Link to projections comparison spreadsheet

Link to preseason projections

Link to on-pace projections

Link to preseason playoff odds

Link to listener emails database

Link to Belanger club

Link to most PA with low OPS+

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Dicky, er, Richard Lovelady’s short tenure with the Mets, round one of Paul Skenes vs. Jacob Misiorowski, the nature of modern pitcher’s duels, a Jacob-related fun fact, updates on Juan Soto and Jo Adell, revisiting childhood favorites through the lens of advanced stats, and public funding for the Diamondbacks, then (47:14) discuss fans crossing the line, player reprisals, and (1:08:07) Fernando Tatis Jr. suing Big League Advance.

Audio outro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to MLBTR on Lovelady

Link to Dietrich call-up

Link to Baumann on Skenes vs. Miz

Link to Jake/Jacob fact

Link to Opta interview

Link to Miz fact

Link to shutouts stat

Link to Wilson Fortnite story

Link to Diego Segui news

Link to David’s PED admission

Link to Diamondbacks funding story

Link to Field of Schemes on Arizona

Link to Marte story

Link to Santana story 1

Link to Santana story 2

Link to Santana story 3

Link to Duran story

Link to Hendriks story

Link to MLB harassment story

Link to NHL harassment story

Link to Francisco story

Link to Simpsons clip

Link to AP on BLA

Link to Calcaterra on BLA

Link to BLA EW interview

Link to FG post on BLA

Link to Taylor play 1

Link to Taylor play 2

Link to Taylor play 3

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Richard Lovelady’s qualified embrace of the nickname “Dicky,” the return of players named “Otto” to the major leagues, Denzel Clarke’s increasingly extreme offense-defense divide, Cal Raleigh’s records (and MVP) pursuit, Bryan Woo as Seattle’s starting stalwart, the underrated Eugenio Suárez, Byron Buxton’s success, the loudness of Yankee Stadium (and MLB ballparks in general), Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s shoeless sprint, the Phillies’ tandem slide, the demotion of Francisco Alvarez, catcher offense, and the Rockies’ reported interest in rehiring Bud Black, plus (1:23:53) postscript updates.

Audio outro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Lovelady article

Link to Lovelady tweets

Link to players named Otto

Link to baby-name data

Link to baby-name app

Link to Otto popularity

Link to FRV leaderboard

Link to Langs on Cal’s pace

Link to FG post on Cal

Link to B-Ref on Woo

Link to M’s WAR leaders

Link to team SP WAR

Link to team wRC+

Link to Players of the Week

Link to Suárez tweet

Link to Suárez career ranking

Link to Buxton surgery article

Link to Buxton recovery article

Link to plica syndrome wiki

Link to Jay on Yankee Stadium

Link to Jazz article

Link to Phillies slide article

Link to Phillies slide GIF

Link to Baumann comment

Link to Major League clip

Link to Phillies sprint speeds

Link to Alvarez demotion article

Link to MLBTR on Alvarez

Link to catcher offense

Link to shortstop offense

Link to Nightengale report

Link to Ben on ex-pitcher managers

Link to MLBTR on Brebbia

Link to team RP WAR

Link to Asensio article

Link to Myers play

Link to Angels Stathead query

Link to times on base wiki

Link to Colvin post

Link to Colvin article

Link to Colvin video

Link to NPR on broken bats

Link to maple vs. ash article

Link to Monrovians game info

Link to Kilroy was here wiki

Link to Sogard post

Link to Ben on long PAs

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Tommy Kahnle’s postgame shaving ritual, Hunter Bigge’s close call and danger from foul balls, Padres vs. Dodgers as baseball’s best rivalry, and a lost opportunity for a Tarik Skubal vs. Paul Skenes matchup, then (58:23) answer listener emails about the most influential owner of the century, the definition of an inside pitch, full-count pickoff attempts with two outs, a possible sliding-mitt drawback, and real baseball with fantasy scoring.

Audio outro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to WhatIfSports offer page

Link to “Tommy Can You Hear Me?”

Link to new Kahnle article

Link to tweet about Kahnle

Link to 2023 Kahnle article

Link to lowest pitcher ERAs

Link to Emma tweet

Link to Bigge article 1

Link to Bigge article 2

Link to on-deck-hitter fouls

Link to Sam on helmets

Link to Dodgers-Padres article 1

Link to Dodgers-Padres article 2

Link to Dodgers-Padres video

Link to Ohtani video

Link to Jazz article 1

Link to Jazz article 2

Link to Jazz article 3

Link to Jazz article 4

Link to staggered aces article 1

Link to staggered aces article 2

Link to staggered aces article 3

Link to Halvorsen throw

Link to Volpe slide article

Link to Volpe slide video

Link to listener emails database

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a possible Rays franchise sale, the latest on Elly De La Cruz, Oneil Cruz, Sandy Alcantara, and Aaron Judge, Andrew Benintendi as the current face of replacement level, Nats manager Dave Martinez’s comments about coaches, and Clayton Kershaw’s cap on Pride Night. Then (56:10) Ben brings back former guest, podcast host, and major leaguer Ross Stripling for an exit interview about his big league career, covering his greatest regrets and accomplishments, his historic debut, the evolution of the league, his swingman exploits, his future, and much more, followed by (2:04:11) a postscript.

Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2”

Audio outro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)”

Link to bold preseason predictions

Link to MLBTR on the Rays sale

Link to Sportico on the sale

Link to Pope’s baseball cap

Link to NYT on tax change

Link to Hang Up on tax change

Link to info on public land sales

Link to Forbes franchise valuations

Link to Sportico franchise valuations

Link to Davy on Cruz

Link to Judge slump stats

Link to BP on Judge vs. Crochet

Link to Posnanski on Judge vs. Crochet

Link to Judge vs. Crochet video

Link to 2023-25 hitter WAR

Link to Tango on Bloomquist

Link to Rockies HR record

Link to Martinez quotes

Link to Martinez video

Link to later Martinez quotes

Link to The Bandwagon on Martinez

Link to Rizzo on Martinez

Link to Kershaw cap story

Link to Bible verse

Link to 2023 Kershaw comments

Link to AP on Supreme Court decision

Link to NYT on the hotline

Link to L.A. Times on Dodgers silence

Link to Kiké Insta post

Link to story on Lakers sale

Link to EW Episode 859

Link to EW Episode 1397

Link to EW Episode 1997

Link to Stripling’s debut game

Link to Stripling’s debut game video

Link to swingman spreadsheet

Link to Ross’s podcast

Link to Ross’s “retirement” post

Link to Adrian Peterson story

Link to Stripling pitch usage

Link to story on Stripling and data

Link to Stripling’s salaries

Link to Stripling vs. batters

Link to Kiké crotch bump

Link to Stripling’s sprint

Link to Stripling on investing 1

Link to Stripling on investing 2

Link to Stripling on investing 3

Link to Stripling’s steal

Link to AP story on hustle

Link to Triple-A walk-off video

Link to Triple-A walk-off details

Link to Hill update

Link to Trevor Project info

Link to Trevor Project website

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss the Rafael Devers trade in depth, covering why Boston made the move, the resulting fan frustration, and the Giants impact. Then (57:56) they cover bad news about Christian Montes De Oca, John Brebbia, and Johnny O’Brien before bantering about Shohei Ohtani’s return to the mound, the Rays rotation, Charlie Morton’s turnaround, Patrick Corbin, why the Astros are still good, Aaron Boone, and tennis-style boundary reviews.

Audio outro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Ben L. on Devers

Link to Ben C. on Devers

Link to MLBTR on Devers

Link to MLBTR on Devers fallout

Link to other teams report

Link to Mookie reaction

Link to MLBTR on Van Belle

Link to MLBTR on Montes De Oca

Link to MLBTR on Brebbia

Link to Brebbia on EW

Link to EW Episode 1153

Link to Jeff on Johnny

Link to Johnny obit

Link to Ohtani article

Link to Ohtani cleaning clips

Link to Laurila on the Rays

Link to team SP IP

Link to Rangers IP

Link to Morton splits

Link to boundary call article

Link to Pope tweet

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Tarik Skubal dialing down his top-end fastball (and dominating nonetheless), Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s self-described 70 percent effort level, Ronald Acuña Jr. hitting more and running less, whether the Blue Jays are getting what they wanted out of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the debut of Jacob Misiorowski, Aaron Civale’s trade request (and trade), whether it matters that the baseball is flying less far, and a correction about Barrys, plus listener emails (1:13:20) about guaranteed WAR in the amateur draft, whether Mike Trout will wind up being the best Mike, and what makes a play (or a player) impressive.

Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to WhatIfSports offer page

Link to Skubal’s fastest pitch

Link to Skubal top speeds

Link to Skubal stats

Link to info on Misiorowski’s debut

Link to The Miz wiki

Link to marks vs. smarks

Link to Clemens on Acuña

Link to Acuña SB droughts

Link to Acuña sprint speeds

Link to best hitters

Link to Jazz quotes

Link to Ben and Jeff on percentages

Link to pulldowns explainer

Link to full-season best hitters

Link to best hitters since 4/9

Link to pulled-air-ball rates

Link to Vlad’s rates

Link to The Athletic on the baseball

Link to Savant drag page

Link to Civale trade request

Link to more on the request

Link to MLBTR on the trade

Link to team SP WAR

Link to team SP projections

Link to league wOBA/xwOBA

Link to first overall picks

Link to more on no. 1 picks

Link to no. 1 pick WAR

Link to more on no. 1 pick WAR

Link to loss aversion wiki

Link to B-Ref’s Skenes post

Link to RoS ZiPS projections

Link to 2026 ZiPS projections

Link to 2027 ZiPS projections

Link to Schmidt leaderboard

Link to Barrys game

Link to Muñoz cat photo

Link to Muñoz cat story

Link to Pillar catch

Link to listener emails database

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about depictions of the pitch clock in popular media, how the lack of advancing visual fidelity in baseball broadcasts makes it harder to identify when clips come from (and other ways we might distinguish eras at a glance), Hunter Dobbins drama and why it’s harder than it used to be to fake a pro baseball career, a fan exchange program, and Jackson Jobe’s surgery (with a Jacksons update), plus Stat Blasts (1:16:57) about the longest team streaks of one-run outcomes, the ultimate vulture wins, game-winning RBI leaders, the longest-tenured lineups, and players who were overshadowed on the day they debuted.

Audio outro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to info on internet outages

Link to “Hometown Hero” wiki

Link to “Hometown Hero” IMDb

Link to ESPN on pitch clock drama

Link to edited Trout vs. Ohtani

Link to Trueblood on catching

Link to initial Dobbins story

Link to Sherman report

Link to Dobbins response

Link to more on Dobbins response

Link to third Dobbins response story

Link to Lance B-Ref page

Link to Griffey explanation

Link to Vladito on the Yankees

Link to Big South League

Link to Mizuhara story

Link to Eric Adams story

Link to Hill opt-out story

Link to Toys movie

Link to aircraft carrier derby

Link to fan exchange post

Link to MLBTR on Jobe

Link to The Athletic on Jobe

Link to one-run-wins streak

Link to one-run-outcomes streak

Link to one-run-losses streak

Link to Lee/Gipson-Long game

Link to Foulke game 1

Link to Santana game

Link to Law game

Link to Harvey game

Link to Wilshere game

Link to Knowles game

Link to Moore game

Link to Cup of Coffee

Link to @ScoringChanges tweet 1

Link to @ScoringChanges tweet 2

Link to @ScoringChanges tweet 3

Link to GWRBI wiki

Link to ’80s Mets wins ranking

Link to career GWRBI leaders

Link to single-season GWRBI leaders

Link to longest-tenured lineups

Link to Van Belle call-up

Link to overshadowed debuts sheet 1

Link to overshadowed debuts sheet 2

Link to two Barrys game

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