Episode Details

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Christian Encarnacion-Strand and whether record compound names deserve an asterisk, the appeal of a Legends Home Run Derby, the origins of (and long-ago backlash to) the trade deadline, the greatness of NPB phenom Roki Sasaki, and the new balance of power among pitch types, then (1:03:41) answer listener emails about Shohei Ohtani trade returns, Ohtani’s 2024 salary if he signed a one-year contract, the Rays’ spending, and a change to All-Star Game player usage, plus a Future Blast (1:38:30) from 2034.

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

Link to longest-name records
Link to more on long names
Link to Lukas on Woods Richardson
Link to Lukas on Encarnacion-Strand
Link to Encarnacion-Strand call-up info
Link to original uni photo
Link to Stark on the HRD
Link to Weaver on the HRD
Link to story on Appling’s homer
Link to Home Run Derby X wiki
Link to SPBA wiki
Link to Craig Wright on the deadline
Link to Wright’s story series
Link to Ohtani bat flip

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