Effectively Wild Episode 2259: Rated Rooker

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Cody Bellinger trade, the Yankees’ and Cubs’ next moves, Guaranteed Rate Field changing to Rate Field, and the results of MLB’s inquiry into pitcher injuries. Then (31:39) they bring back A’s slugger Brent Rooker to discuss his monster 2024, his work as a World Series correspondent, misconceptions about hitting, how Sutter Health Park will play, leaving the Coliseum, his future with the A’s, unreported injuries, ballplayer parental leave, his favorite meals of the year, learning chess, his 2025 goals, and much more.

Audio intro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to FG post on Bellinger
Link to Guaranteed Rate wiki
Link to Rate Field announcement
Link to ESPN on the MLB research
Link to Passan on the MLB research
Link to the AP on the MLB research
Link to The Athletic on the MLB research
Link to Ben on pitcher injuries
Link to Ben on too many pitchers
Link to Rooker’s first pod appearance
Link to FG post on Rooker
Link to correspondent announcement
Link to Annie Hall scene
Link to story on surgery
Link to “not trading” tweet
Link to extension story
Link to weddings story
Link to crosswords research
Link to Sutter Health story
Link to park factors
Link to Rooker’s TikTok
Link to Rooker’s Instagram
Link to Rooker’s Twitter
Link to EW gift subscriptions