Episode Details

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about which slow-starting 2023 pennant winner (Diamondbacks or Rangers) is more likely to get back on track to return to October, explain (9:37) the saga of Dick Windbigler, the rare pitcher who actually hurt himself by pausing mid-delivery (featuring an appearance by Dick’s widow, Melba Windbigler), then (30:04) answer listener emails about the requirements for claiming to have seen a game played in every MLB ballpark, the funniest MVP chant alternatives, changing the penalty for shift violations, and clustering hits and outs, meet major leaguers (1:01:44) Ryan Loutos and Jacob Hurtubise, and Stat Blast (1:14:50) about the least productive hitting streaks and more (plus a postscript).

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

Link to playoff odds changes
Link to 1973 Windbigler article
Link to Windbigler HoF page
Link to induction story
Link to obit
Link to UT Martin baseball alumni
Link to delayed Mets game
Link to phantom players wiki
Link to Sam on NoPAPH
Link to EW on obscure awards
Link to shift violation
Link to interference call play
Link to Close Call Sports post

Listen Now