Effectively Wild Episode 2358: Is That a Pancake in Your Pocket, or Are You Just Happy to See Me?

Date: August 8, 2025
Hosts: Ben Lindbergh (The Ringer) & Meg Rowley (FanGraphs)
Theme: Daily baseball statistical analysis, fun facts, listener emails, and whimsical baseball conversation

Brief Overview

In this characteristically playful and stats-driven episode, Ben and Meg dig into a medley of "fun facts" and listener questions that inspire deeper dives into baseball history, game theory, unusual records, and the culture of fandom. Topics range from the Marlins’ improbable dominance over the Yankees, Ty Cobb’s legendary power flex, historic blowouts, position player pitching, quirky food traditions, and the definition of “perfect” batting games. The episode bounces between rigorous statistical tidbits and the hosts’ trademark banter and digressions (including an extended sidebar on pocket pancakes and food safety).

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Marlins’ Winning Record vs. Yankees

[01:27–06:38]

• Fun Fact: The Miami Marlins, after a recent sweep, are the only MLB team with a career winning record against the Yankees (25–24 including postseason).
• Contextual Amusement: Both hosts express delight at this quirky stat, especially in light of Yankees fans’ general expectations and the ongoing DNA swap from Yankees to Marlins in the front office.
• Historical Irony: Ben notes that as a former Yankees fan, the 2003 World Series loss (Yankees vs. Marlins) felt “like an afterthought” compared to the emotionally charged ALCS that year.
  • “We won the real World Series. Sorry, Marlins fans. What could be more condescending than saying, ‘Oh, yeah, I guess you beat us in that World Series, but it doesn’t quite count.’” (Ben Lindbergh, 05:11)
• Relating to Fandom: Discussion on emotional rollercoaster of Yankees and Mariners fans; fun ribbing about who really has it worse.

2. Ty Cobb’s “I Can Hit for Power If I Want To” Story

[11:45–25:12]

• Origin: Prompted by Kyle Stowers’ two-game power outburst compared to Ty Cobb’s legendary stretch in 1925.
• The Anecdote: Cobb, tired of hearing about Babe Ruth, allegedly told reporters he would aim for homers—and then hit three in a single game, five in two days, all over the fence, at age 38.
  • “He just flexed for like two days and was like, ‘See? Nothing to it. No sweat.’” (Ben, 17:22)
• Myth or Fact? Both hosts weigh their skepticism, especially regarding Cobb’s stories which are often apocryphal. Ben references Charles Leerhsen’s Terrible Beauty for a fairer portrait of Cobb.
• The Ichiro Parallel: Debate whether legendary contact hitters like Ichiro "could have" been sluggers—Meg is skeptical but open; both appreciate Ichiro’s uniqueness.
  • “Hard to have grown up around the myth of Ichiro... If he really wanted to, he yeah, probably could have done it.” (Meg, 20:40-21:04)
• Historical Power: Ben details Cobb’s league rankings in home runs, the park contexts, and the evolving value of hitting approaches.

3. The Toronto Blue Jays’ Historic Rout of the Rockies

[27:39–37:55]

• The Blowout: Jays outscored Rockies 45–5 over three games (later corrected to 45–6) with scores of 15–1, 10–4, and 20–1.
• Fun Fact Extravaganza:
  • Largest 3-game run differential in the integration era (+39).
  • Most hits in a 3-game series (63) since 1901.
  • Tied MLB record for biggest 3-game run differential since 1901.
  • Rockies set ignominious “records” in their defeat.
• Position Player Pitching Impact: Discussion of Austin Nola’s mop-up pitching inflating the blowout stats; both hosts note that modern usage of position players alters the context of some records.
• Host Reflections:
  • Meg: “It was a drubbing, an undisputed drubbing... But also, drubbing on the Rockies. So maybe, it is just three wins worth of stuff.” (33:19)
  • Ben: “This was so convincing a victory that it feels like it should carry over somehow. To me it should be worth more than three wins.” (32:35)

4. Quirks, Digressions, and Listener Questions

— Luxury Tax World Series Exemption

[38:04–45:12]

• What if the World Series winner was exempt from the luxury tax?
• Generally, the hosts feel it would have minimal effect; the odds are too long to meaningfully alter payroll strategy for most owners.

— The Lost Art of the Curtain Call

[45:12–60:14 | Spend extra focus here]

• Odd Moment: Byron Buxton’s cycle curtain call coinciding with a Willie Castro homer—fans confused which to cheer.
  • “It’s a moment of baseball feel goodery, yet one in which there was clearly room for more goodery.” (Emailer Alex, paraphrased at 47:55)
• Does the Pitch Clock Spoil Celebrations?:
  • Meg: “I don’t find myself longing for curtain calls that last longer. We do a pretty okay job.”
    • Both agree the awkward overlap was “just a strange little circumstance” and not a real trend or issue.

— “Pocket Pancake” and Food Safety Banter

[56:45–60:14]

• Rockies Manager’s Pocket Pancake: Ben recounts the story of Brewers manager Pat Murphy pulling out a pancake from his pocket during a game broadcast and offering it to a reporter. This launches a comedic tangent about the pros and cons of various walking-around foods and food safety.
  • “So he’s trying to make pancake like a walking around food.” (Meg, 57:10)
  • “It’s either like Pat Murphy saliva or lint, I guess.” (Ben, 57:34)

— Nonpartisan (Swappable) Bullpens

[61:07–66:36]

• Amusing, doomed-to-failure proposal where managers could call upon opposing bullpen members to pitch for them. Both hosts gently roast the impracticalities and “committee” problems this would create.
  • “It would be very difficult to parse this... They’re still employed by a particular team, paid by that team. But they are kind of mercenaries in this scenario.” (Ben, 62:54)

5. Defining “Perfect” Hitting Games

[68:00–75:11]

• Listeners propose ways to parallel pitching definitions (“no-hitter,” “perfect game,” “immaculate inning”) for batters.
  • “A perfect day at the plate is hit in every plate appearance and maybe all homers is an immaculate day.” (Patreon supporter Jameson, 69:05)
  • “No outer is just that—a batter makes no outs.” (ibid)
• Both hosts like “no outer” as a term for reaching base every time, but they enjoy entertaining multiple definitions, given the many “cool” ways to have a great batting game.

— [Bonus] The Search for the All-Triples Game

[100:53–101:10]

• Ben checks: No one in MLB history has had an “all triples game” with more than two plate appearances.

6. Is a Carlos Correa Giants Jersey Still Funny?

[76:07–81:43]

• Listener Nathan (who is autistic and unsure about social cues) asks if his custom Carlos Correa Giants jersey—a reference to Correa’s abortive signing—retains any humor since Correa never played for the Giants and has changed teams again.
  • Meg says: “I think it’s funny. I don’t know if I am a representative sample... but you have at least one person who, if I saw that in the ballpark, I’d go, ‘Oh my God, that’s funny.’” (78:14)
  • Ben: Chalks it up as a “deep cut,” more niche over time, but for those who get it, it’s a winner.

7. September Roster Size: 40, 28, or 30?

[82:05–86:09]

• The old 40-man roster led to “silly” games; now it’s 28, which feels a bit small.
  • “I want to see those guys, you know, and there are probably two more who people on teams would be like, ‘yeah, you bring those two guys up…’” (Meg, 83:42)
• Both lean toward a “happy medium” of 30, though Ben prefers smaller rosters for the sake of meaningful appearances.

Statistical Oddities & "Stat Blasts"

[86:28–101:13]
[Sample highlights; full details in episode]

• Longest Walkoff-less Season: Highest total wins without a walkoff is 80 (1919 Tigers).
• Most Road-Only Homers: Goose Goslin (1926) hit all 17 HRs on the road; Trey Turner is approaching this with all 11 on the road in 2025.
• Most Balls Thrown w/ Zero Walks: Rick Rhoden, 55 balls in a 136-pitch CG with 0 walks (1988).
• Highest “Strike Rate” Game: Kevin Gausman, 86.1% strikes, 6 IP, May 30, 2021.
• Highest-Same Inning Outburst: Braves & Reds, 8 runs each in the 8th inning, a new record.
• Oldest Combined Battery: Jack Quinn (47) and Wally Shang (40) in 1930—87+ years combined.
• Oldest Pitcher/Hitter Matchup: Roger Clemens (44) vs. Julio Franco (48) in 2007.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Meg, on Yankees fans:
  “...By the end of it, I wanted to twist the knife. How ridiculous. I’m glad you have good memories of a nice thing, you know, one of the many nice things you’ve been able to experience as a fan of that franchise.” (05:37)

• Ben, on Ty Cobb’s power display:
  “He just flexed for like two days and was like, ‘See? Nothing to it. No sweat.’” (17:22)

• Meg, on Ichiro’s hypothetical power:
  “I have a hard time believing that there are things that had he put his mind to it, Ichiro couldn’t have done.” (20:40)

• The “Pocket Pancake” Saga:
  “So he’s trying to make pancake like a walking around food.” (Meg, 57:10)
  “It’s either like Pat Murphy saliva or lint, I guess.” (Ben, 57:34)

• Meg, defining drubbing:
  “It was a drubbing, an undisputed drubbing. No other way to characterize it, but as a drubbing. But also, drubbing on the Rockies. So maybe... it really is just three wins worth of stuff.” (33:21)

• On “No Outers” and Hitting Records:
  “No outer is just that—a batter makes no outs.” (Emailer Jameson, 69:05)

• Listener Nathan’s Jersey Question (hilarious):
  “I think it’s funny. ...but you have at least one person who… would go, ‘Oh my God, that’s funny.’” (Meg, 78:14)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Marlins-Yankees Fun Fact: 01:27–06:38
• Ty Cobb Power Outburst: 11:45–25:12
• Blue Jays vs. Rockies Blowout: 27:39–37:55
• Luxury Tax/World Series Exemption: 38:04–45:12
• Curtain Calls, Pitch Clock, and Food Tangents: 45:12–60:14
• Pocket Pancakes & Food Safety: 56:45–60:14
• Nonpartisan Bullpens: 61:07–66:36
• Defining “Perfect” at the Plate: 68:00–75:11
• Carlos Correa Giants Jersey: 76:07–81:43
• September Rosters: 82:05–86:09
• Stat Blast (fun facts & records): 86:28–101:13

Final Thoughts

This episode is Effectively Wild in its purest form: heady with data and old-timey stats, riddled with listener participation, and leavened by warm, self-effacing banter. The hosts’ appreciation for baseball’s idiosyncrasies, history, and offbeat trivia shines through, as does their willingness to detour into food safety or the finer points of jersey-based humor. If you missed this one, you missed a perfect blend of baseball nerdery and joy—with perhaps a few linty pancakes along the way.