Effectively Wild Episode 2456: The Hierarchy of Power in the MLB Universe is About to Change
<p><img loading="lazy" 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="auto, (max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px" /><br />
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/randy-arozarena/19290/stats/batting" target="_blank">Randy Arozarena</a> making up with <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/cal-raleigh/21534/stats/batting" target="_blank">Cal Raleigh</a>, the response to their announcement of the podcast’s <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c3ZJ21_5CSpH6fPsG-BNNahj2xmWSwxgMsJFXbnbgho/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">new freemium model</a>, 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 <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/kevin-mcgonigle/sa3022895/stats/batting" target="_blank">Kevin McGonigle</a> and <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jonathan-wetherholt/sa3025154/stats/batting" target="_blank">JJ Wetherholt</a> made Opening Day rosters and <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/konnor-griffin/sa3065496/stats/batting" target="_blank">Konnor Griffin</a> (and <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/john-brebbia/12777/stats/pitching" target="_blank">John Brebbia</a>) didn’t, <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/pete-crow-armstrong/27769/stats/batting" target="_blank">Pete Crow-Armstrong</a> and <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/cristopher-sanchez/20778/stats/pitching" target="_blank">Cristopher Sánchez</a> extensions, and how politicians should talk about sports fandom if they want to sound authentic.</p>
<p><strong>Audio intro</strong>: The Gagnés, “<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jVOMAuZop-4BhxnZ1JQaULw7FlW2XJD_/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>”<br />
<strong>Audio outro</strong>: Daniel Leckie, “<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MDiYT6nzp-be6mFJdJgEZtCfPxSRWERW/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>”<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/TwoBestFriendsPlay/comments/1hpmpqe/the_hierarchy_of_power_in_the_dc_universe_is/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to “hierarchy of power” supercut</a><br />
<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arozarena-raleigh-mariners-handshake-ac39b879a579bbbff2738dd6644bdf69" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Arozarena statement</a><br />
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-is-going-freemium/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to freemium model announcement</a><br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c3ZJ21_5CSpH6fPsG-BNNahj2xmWSwxgMsJFXbnbgho/edit?usp=sharing" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to written explanation</a><br />
<a href="https://ewstats.com/competitions/predictions" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to EWStats site</a><br />
<a href="https://auctions.mlb.com/charity-auction-2026-world-baseball-classic---home/isynmv1/aucd/6131691" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to espresso auction</a><br />
<a href="https://auctions.mlb.com/2026-world-baseball-classic---italy-game-used-jersey/isynmv1/aucd/6124722" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Jac jersey auction</a><br />
<a href="https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/03/world-baseball-classic-final-ten-million-viewers/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to WBC TV ratings</a><br />
<a href="https://awfulannouncing.com/mlb/ken-rosenthal-team-usa-narrative-world-baseball-classic.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Rosenthal comments</a><br />
<a href="https://x.com/underdogmlb/status/2034837700185137377" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Webb quote</a><br />
<a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/wbc-title-bigger-baseball-ronald-061458368.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Acuña quote</a><br />
<a href="https://www-nj-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.nj.com/sports/2026/03/yankees-aaron-judges-wbc-comment-has-michael-kay-flummoxed-im-somewhat-taken-aback.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Kay comments</a><br />
<a href="https://www.nydailynews.com/2026/03/19/mets-carlos-mendoza-venezuela-world-baseball-classic-ronny-mauricio/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to McLean/Holmes story</a><br />
<a href="https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/88aa18c67913b0f6cfe182e846f6365dc5ab9bf8" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to NPB “ghost win” story</a><br />
<a href="https://x.com/yakyucosmo/status/2034513343596425486" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to NPB “ghost win” tweet</a><br />
<a href="https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39345002/what-nhl-rules" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to NHL overtime rules</a><br />
<a href="https://www.theringer.com/2026/03/23/mlb/keep-mlb-front-offices-off-the-field-pitch-calling-scouting-cards" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Ben on front-office meddling</a><br />
<a href="https://www.theringer.com/2024/07/18/mlb/the-case-for-wider-mlb-foul-lines-rule-changes-strikeouts-batting-average" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Ben on the foul lines</a><br />
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7138517/2026/03/22/konnor-griffin-pittsburgh-pirates-minor-leagues-prospect/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to <em>The Athletic</em> on Griffin</a><br />
<a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/projections?type=fangraphsdc&stats=bat&pos=all&team=27&players=0&lg=&z=1774348605&sortcol=&sortdir=desc&pageitems=30&statgroup=dashboard&fantasypreset=dashboard" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Pirates hitter projections</a><br />
<a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/03/rockies-release-john-brebbia.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to MLBTR on Brebbia</a><br />
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/its-a-good-day-to-be-pcas-cpa" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to FG post on PCA</a><br />
<a href="https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/march-2026/welcome-to-the-pca-show/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to profane PCA profile</a><br />
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/phillies-re-extend-cristopher-sanchez/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to FG post on Sánchez</a><br />
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/are-the-braves-finally-running-out-of-pitchers/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to FG post on Strider</a><br />
<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/davecolon.bsky.social/post/3mhsxja6tyk24" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Mamdani quote</a><br />
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/15/style/mayor-adams-mets-yankees-hat.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Adams cap</a><br />
<a href="https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2021/02/05/new-york-city-mayor-red-sox-fan-bill-de-blasio-yankees-hat/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to de Blasio cap</a><br />
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/24/us/politics/hillary-clinton-cubs.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Hillary caps story 1</a><br />
<a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2016/10/20/18386618/sweet-hillary-s-baseball-politics-a-cubs-yankees-saga" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Hillary caps story 1</a><br />
<a href="https://www.indy100.com/viral/new-york-trash-wheelie-bins" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to “trash revolution” story</a><br />
<a href="https://slate.com/podcasts/hang-up-and-listen/2025/11/new-york-mayors-race-mamdani-cuomo-and-the-knicks" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to HUAL on Mamdani</a><br />
<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/ewstats.com/post/3mhqfeocb222o" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to statue prizes</a><br />
<a href="https://ewstats.com/competitions/mlfad" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to MLFAD picks</a><br />
<a href="https://slate.com/podcasts/hang-up-and-listen/2026/03/the-wnbas-new-cba-includes-salary-increases-revenue-sharing-and-sets-a-historic-precedent-for-womens-sports" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Meg on HUAL</a><br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Observer_effect_(physics)" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to observer effect wiki</a><br />
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5698236/2024/08/13/mlb-playoffs-standings-national-league-the-windup/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to four playoff teams article</a></p>
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<p><a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2456-the-hierarchy-of-power-in-the-mlb-universe-is-about-to-change/" rel="nofollow">Source</a></p>
