Effectively Wild Episode 2506: All-Star Showers Bring Second-Half Flowers

Effectively Wild Episode 2506: All-Star Showers Bring Second-Half Flowers

July 16, 2026 · 39 min

About this episode

Meg Rowley is joined by Craig Goldstein to discuss the All-Star Game, CBA negotiations, and the upcoming second half of the baseball season.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon . With Ben Lindbergh serving jury duty, Meg Rowley is joined by Baseball Prospectus editor-in-chief Craig Goldstein. The pair discuss the perils of hotel pillows and showers, then turn their attention to the 2026 All-Star Game, how the in-person experience compares to the TV one, and the challenges of making it a fun event relative to the Home Run Derby. Then Craig offers his thoughts on the CBA negotiations and Rob Manfred’s approach to communicating (38:58), before he and Meg discuss a few of the things they are looking forward to (and one thing they’re dreading) about the season’s second half, including the White Sox, good teams playing well, a potentially weird deadline, and Pete Crow-Armstrong . Audio intro : El Warren, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Audio outro : Josh Busman, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Link to the Five and Dive episode where Craig discusses the Rays Link to Craig on the weird deadline ahead Link to Steven Goldman on the All-Star Game Link to Jake Mintz on the All-Star Game Sandlot tribute Link to Jayson Stark on the AL’s…

People in this episode

Hosts: Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley

Guest: Craig Goldstein

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Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Baseball Prospectus

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