Effectively Wild Episode 2456: The Hierarchy of Power in the MLB Universe is About to Change
Effectively Wild Episode 2456: The Hierarchy of Power in the MLB Universe is About to Change  
Podcast: Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast
Published On: Wed Mar 25 2026
Description: Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Randy Arozarena making up with Cal Raleigh, the response to their announcement of the podcast’s new freemium model, whether they would try to issue the official first ball/strike challenge in MLB history, the challenge system vs. the pitch clock, several straggling WBC topics (the Team Italy espresso machine auction results, great TV ratings, a Team USA strawman, reframing the hierarchy of high-level baseball competition, projecting future WBCs, and a non-called shot, plus NPB “ghost wins”), how Ben’s anti on-field-front-office-meddling rant resonated with readers, why Kevin McGonigle and JJ Wetherholt made Opening Day rosters and Konnor Griffin (and John Brebbia) didn’t, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Cristopher Sánchez extensions, and how politicians should talk about sports fandom if they want to sound authentic. Audio intro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to “hierarchy of power” supercut Link to Arozarena statement Link to freemium model announcement Link to written explanation Link to EWStats site Link to espresso auction Link to Jac jersey auction Link to WBC TV ratings Link to Rosenthal comments Link to Webb quote Link to Acuña quote Link to Kay comments Link to McLean/Holmes story Link to NPB “ghost win” story Link to NPB “ghost win” tweet Link to NHL overtime rules Link to Ben on front-office meddling Link to Ben on the foul lines Link to The Athletic on Griffin Link to Pirates hitter projections Link to MLBTR on Brebbia Link to FG post on PCA Link to profane PCA profile Link to FG post on Sánchez Link to FG post on Strider Link to Mamdani quote Link to Adams cap Link to de Blasio cap Link to Hillary caps story 1 Link to Hillary caps story 1 Link to “trash revolution” story Link to HUAL on Mamdani Link to statue prizes Link to MLFAD picks Link to Meg on HUAL Link to observer effect wiki Link to four playoff teams article  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source