<img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" src="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png" alt="EWFI" width="590" height="206" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-242076" srcset="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png 590w, https://blogs.fangraphs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi-300x105.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px" />
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please <a href="https://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild" target="_blank">visit our Patreon</a>.
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a report that <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/tarik-skubal/22267/stats/pitching" target="_blank">Tarik Skubal&#8217;</a>s surgically cleaned-up elbow contained only a solitary &#8220;loose body,&#8221; why the NL now has the upper hand over the AL and whether the latter&#8217;s lackluster win-loss records matter, Meg&#8217;s thrilling, frustrating in-person <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/paul-skenes/33677/stats/pitching" target="_blank">Paul Skenes</a> spectator experience, <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/kazuma-okamoto/37123/stats/batting" target="_blank">Kazuma Okamoto</a>&#8217;s move back in the box, and <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/rico-garcia/20023/stats/pitching" target="_blank">Rico Garcia&#8217;</a>s impressive .000 BABIP streak, plus a follow-up on why good framers have struggled at challenging, listener emails (57:54) about making more knuckleballers, a popup that never comes down, retiring not just numbers, but names, rotating umpires within games, extra-inning non-scoring, and &#8220;extra bases,&#8221; followed by a bunch of postscript updates.
Audio&nbsp;intro: Guy Russo, &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/18ypilLuC54vxaDVVNtUuHSx9gP2ZcLug/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>&#8221;
Audio&nbsp;outro: Andy Ellison, &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-zryFrA5vGf46iu7jSvWSrkrDXTfJ3zY/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>&#8221;

<a href="https://x.com/JonHeyman/status/2052440163490443597" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Heyman tweet</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Z-U2HUl7lg" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to &#8220;Torn and Frayed&#8221;</a>
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodies_Bodies_Bodies" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Bodies Bodies Bodies</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/carlos-rodon-gives-update-on-elbow-rehab-at-ny-baseball-writers-gala" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Rodón quote</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2432-what-stars-deserve/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Rodón EW discussion</a>
<a href="https://www.joesheehan.com/2026/05/newsletter-excerpt-may-6-2026-gap.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Sheehan on NL vs. AL</a>
<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZoaN16P-VNIcZ7XRUdGIdL23yHMHzoFME52_ObY6boM/edit?usp=sharing" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to team run differential data</a>
<a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/standings/pythagorean-baseruns" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to 2026 team run differentials</a>
<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NNzIc_uNPO8U1WbmhmCLVG5t_RZAIEUzjRFY58QotoY/edit?usp=sharing" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to winning records data 1</a>
<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JmWXpML2KXJ0vi4hA0Llbq-r_1fERUa5zOKc0eCnV9U/edit?usp=sharing" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to winning records data 2</a>
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interleague_play#Interleague_statistics" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to AL vs. NL record by year</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/paul-skenes-dominant-over-8-innings-in-pirates-win" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Skenes start gamer</a>
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=skenepa01&year=Career&t=p#all_times" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Skenes TTOP</a>
<a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/red-hot-padres-post-first-1-0-win-at-coors-field-in-20-years-035957194.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to 1-0 game at Coors</a>
<a href="https://savantle.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Savantle</a>
<a href="https://x.com/mike_petriello/status/2052386833699385824" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Petriello&#8217;s Okamoto tweet</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/how-kazuma-okamoto-made-a-key-adjustment" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Petriello&#8217;s Okamoto article</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/kazuma-okamoto-records-first-career-multihomer-game" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Okamoto quesadilla article</a>
<a href="https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/100920/in-the-dirt-stand-where-you-can-hit-it/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to depth in box correlations</a>
<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YbwUcqMhkRdXfg_-LkUSqfpqWgHcraOiTuuesxeqpo4/edit?usp=sharing" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to .000 BABIP streaks</a>
<a href="https://www.baltimoresun.com/2026/04/16/orioles-rico-garcia-journey-mlb-josh-tolentino/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Garcia profile</a>
<a href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/fielding-run-value?dateEnd=2026-05-06&gameType=Regular&seasonStart=2026&seasonEnd=2026&type=pitcher&position=0&minInnings=q&minResults=1" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to fielder support for pitchers</a>
<a href="https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/878/pitching-and-defense-how-much-control-do-hurlers-have/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Voros BABIP article</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-1399-the-longest-leader/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to EW Episode 1399</a>
<a href="https://www.theringer.com/2019/09/02/mlb/knuckleball-pitch-future-technology" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Ben&#8217;s article on knuckleballs</a>
<a href="https://knuckleballnation.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Knuckleball Nation website</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/featured/knuckleball-academy-in-california" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Knuckleball Nation article</a>
<a href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=KN%7C&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2026%7C2025%7C2024%7C2023%7C2022%7C2021%7C2020%7C2019%7C2018%7C2017%7C2016%7C2015%7C2014%7C2013%7C2012%7C2011%7C2010%7C2009%7C2008%7C&hfSit=&player_type=pitcher&hfOuts=&home_road=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&hfEventOuts=&hfEventRuns=&hfABSFlag=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=&hfMo=&hfTeam=&hfOpponent=&hfRO=&position=&hfInfield=&hfOutfield=&hfInn=&hfBBT=&hfFlag=is%5C.%5C.nonpitcher%5C.%5C.pitcher%5C.%5C.not%7C&metric_1=&group_by=league-year&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=pitches&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc#results" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to knuckleball total by year</a>
<a href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=KN%7C&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2026%7C2025%7C2024%7C2023%7C2022%7C2021%7C2020%7C2019%7C2018%7C2017%7C2016%7C2015%7C2014%7C2013%7C2012%7C2011%7C2010%7C2009%7C2008%7C&hfSit=&player_type=pitcher&hfOuts=&home_road=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&hfEventOuts=&hfEventRuns=&hfABSFlag=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=&hfMo=&hfTeam=&hfOpponent=&hfRO=&position=&hfInfield=&hfOutfield=&hfInn=&hfBBT=&hfFlag=is%5C.%5C.nonpitcher%5C.%5C.pitcher%5C.%5C.not%7C&metric_1=&group_by=name-year&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=pitches&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc#results" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to pitcher knuckleball totals</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-1716-hey-mickey/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Jannis on EW</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/must-c-grandy-s-foul-disappears-c2196935883" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Granderson popup clip</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/cut4/curtis-granderson-hit-a-foul-pop-that-never-came-down-c282896830" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Granderson popup post</a>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1987/02/23/sports/sports-of-the-times-jesse-orosco-and-the-law-of-gravity.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Orosco glove article 1</a>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/29/sports/baseball/jesse-oroscos-pitching-career-is-defined-by-a-joyous-toss-of-a-glove.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Orosco glove article 2</a>
<a href="https://metsmerizedonline.com/jesse-oroscos-glove-has-been-found/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Orosco glove article 3</a>
<a href="https://www.thecurrent.org/feature/2018/03/15/what-happened-to-princes-guitar-after-while-my-guitar-gently-weeps" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Prince guitar toss article</a>
<a href="https://www.espn.com/espnw/sports/story/_/id/26879474/us-women-open-winner-jeongeun-lee6-makes-name-herself" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Lee6 article 1</a>
<a href="https://golf.com/news/why-us-womens-open-winner-has-6-last-name/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Lee6 article 2</a>
<a href="https://www.golfdigest.com/story/the-six-jeongeun-lees-have-the-same-name-but-identities-all-their-own" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Lee6 article 3</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/fangraphs-weekly-mailbag-april-4-2026/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Baumann on the Muncys</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-1700-dirty-secrets-and-naked-truths/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to EW Episode 1700</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-1715-its-academic/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to EW Episode 1715</a>
<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Y6zLAXQNo5fFT0FPI87EptONmboupGYdAtq-u0Jm2Xo/edit?usp=sharing" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to scoreless zombie-inning streaks</a>
<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-8lpspHQuR5GK7S_nNtGunLGrx60QnSa8XLG_wvRb4Q/edit?usp=sharing" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to listener emails database</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/jasson-dominguez-injured-on-collision-with-wall" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Domínguez injury story</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/spencer-jones-yankees-prospect-call-up" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Jones call-up story</a>
<a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&type=c%2C4%2C6%2C11%2C12%2C13%2C21%2C-1%2C34%2C35%2C40%2C41%2C-1%2C23%2C37%2C38%2C50%2C317%2C61%2C-1%2C111%2C-1%2C203%2C199%2C58%2C212&season=2026&month=1000&season1=2026&ind=0&v_cr=202301&qual=140&startdate=2026-03-01&enddate=2026-05-06&team=0" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to 2026 TTO% leaders</a>
<a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&type=c%2C4%2C6%2C11%2C12%2C13%2C21%2C-1%2C34%2C35%2C40%2C41%2C-1%2C23%2C37%2C38%2C50%2C317%2C61%2C-1%2C111%2C-1%2C203%2C199%2C58%2C212&month=0&ind=1&v_cr=202301&qual=y&startdate=&enddate=&season1=1947&season=2026" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to all-time single-season TTO% leaders</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AePiAE8fNLE" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Frazier&#8217;s sign-off</a>
<a href="https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/denny-matthews/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Matthews SABR article</a>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7259403/2026/05/07/dodgers-dalton-rushing-controversy/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Rushing feature</a>
<a href="https://x.com/ChrisCotillo/status/2048204364742046173" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Coaches4Hire LLC photo</a>
<a href="https://brokersnapshot.com/Company?dot=3860987&prefix=MC&docket=1410431" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Coaches4Hire LLC info</a>
<a href="https://www.coaches4hire.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to coaches4hire.com</a>
<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20260207220648/https://www.coaches4hire.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to archived Coaches4Hire site</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/coaches4hire10/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Coaches4Hire Insta</a>

<a href="http://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> <img decoding="async" alt="" height="18" src="https://i.imgur.com/hT2AX6G.jpg" style="width: 18px;height: 18px" width="18" />&nbsp;Sponsor Us&nbsp;on&nbsp;Patreon</a>
<a href="https://patreon.com/effectivelywild/gift" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> <img decoding="async" alt="" height="18" src="https://i.imgur.com/xQIHgp3.png" style="width: 18px;height: 18px" width="18" />&nbsp;Give a Gift Subscription</a>
<a href="mailto:podcast@fangraphs.com"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="18" src="https://i.imgur.com/tNOGFnG.png" style="width: 18px;height: 18px" width="18" /></a>&nbsp;Email Us:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:podcast@fangraphs.com">podcast@fangraphs.com</a>
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/effectivelywild/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="" height="18" src="https://i.imgur.com/gj3wTt4.png" style="width: 18px;height: 18px" width="18" />&nbsp;Effectively Wild Subreddit</a>
<a href="http://effectivelywild.wikia.com/wiki/Effectively_Wild_Wiki" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="" height="18" src="https://i.imgur.com/28HuIsx.png" style="width: 18px;height: 18px" width="18" />&nbsp;Effectively Wild Wiki</a>
<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/effectively-wild-daily-baseball/id545919715" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="18" src="https://i.imgur.com/n16jO21.png" style="width: 18px;height: 18px" width="18" />&nbsp;Apple Podcasts Feed</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/18kbXy9p0jHw3o8f2cQlCj" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="18" src="https://i.imgur.com/fQfPcpV.png" style="width: 18px;height: 18px" width="18" />&nbsp;Spotify Feed</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXytxPs81CsUSJmN1mQMr526CdeDpf4vK" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="18" src="https://i.imgur.com/sjL4TbJ.png" style="width: 18px;height: 18px" width="18" />&nbsp;YouTube Playlist</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/effectivelywild/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="18" src="https://i.imgur.com/jbkZAC1.png" style="width: 18px;height: 18px" width="18" />&nbsp;Facebook Group</a>
<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/ewpod.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="" height="18" src="https://i.imgur.com/waJFv7Y.png" style="width: 18px;height: 18px" width="18" />&nbsp;Bluesky Account</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/ewpod" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="" height="18" src="https://i.imgur.com/DAtijEo.jpg" style="width: 18px;height: 18px" width="18" />&nbsp;Twitter Account</a>
<a href="https://breakingt.com/collections/fangraphs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="" height="18" src="https://i.imgur.com/YXW4kOd.png" style="width: 18px;height: 18px" width="18" />&nbsp;Get Our&nbsp;Merch!</a>
<script>var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {});</script>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2476-bodies-babips-batters-boxes-and-birds/" rel="nofollow">Source</a>

Podurama

Home

Trending

Personal

Your Podcasts

New Episodes

My Files

Favourite Episodes

Tags (Folders)

Recently Played

Bookmarks

Followed Playlists

Effectively Wild Episode 2476: Bodies, BABIPs, Batter’s Boxes, and Birds

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

AI Chapters

AI Insights

Reviews