I’ve pulled my support from FanGraphs. Here’s why
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“There aren’t many mediums I can publicly bring this to the table. I’m a longtime supporter and listener of FanGraphs. When I was out of work last year due to COVID, I had to make a lot of cutbacks. But one I didn’t make was my support to this site. I believe this site is incredibly important. The podcast is a very nice compliment. I’ve worked in front office environments where these resources are commonplace. However, I can’t morally support this podcast anymore. Bringing in Kevin Goldstein I feel was an incredibly significant character-defining moment of this platform. With many of the bigger names on the site moving on to work with teams, Meg and Dave felt it was necessary to bring in another familiar face. However, the person brought back was an exiled Astros front office member - an organization not only obviously who has a history of egregious cheating, but one that created a culture that allowed front office members to drunkenly scream at female reporters about how great Robert Osuna is. And I’ve challenged Kevin many times in chat about how he did nothing with his power to suggest changing the culture, even down to fighting for more rights for interns, all he did was admit I was right. He’s gutless. And he’s a part of why baseball isn’t for everyone. As he’s become more tenured at the team, he’s been more hostile towards those he interacts with. Perhaps a bit extra defensive? I want no part in it. It’s not one bad seed. I find it to be a serious flaw in the integrity of David and Meg, who I once revered. Next was the elimination of comments for job postings on site. Conveniently, many job postings from teams fail to mention that the jobs are poorly compensated, if at all. In the past, myself or others would make sure to note to readers in the comments section that working for free isn’t all its cracked up to be. There was actually a lot of productive discourse where I felt we helped steer a lot of people in the right direction. Then suddenly, no comments. FanGraphs generally has done well at allowing an open platform, but this is where the line is drawn? Calling the teams out who post these job listings but fail to mention compensation or career path? That’s really lousy. And once again, a huge character indictment on Meg and David. You can constantly peddle articles asking for support, but won’t even allow those who pay in the site’s darkest moment to try and help others in a way you refuse to? I get why you can’t say anything. However, if you choose to integrate social conversation into your site’s content, it’s not just the things on the field that need to be called out. There’s a lot behind the scenes that is vile. And you’re not allowing impressionable young professionals any kind of way to not fall into some of the traps teams lay out. And finally, pertaining to the podcast itself, I’m tired of hearing you complain about your job, Meg. Your tweets are complaining about late nights of transactions. Every podcast is complaining about how you couldn’t have Day X off due to a trade. For someone who was seemingly and rightfully very nervous about their employment last year, there sure is a lot of public complaining. And don’t get me wrong. I worked in the belly of the beast and it is exhausting. You think I liked working every holiday until 10p-1am? No. But people pay to listen to you. Your website is carried by memberships. Yet you’re here complaining about how you don’t even want to do it. You’ve been around long enough - you know the nature of the business. It’s fair to be annoyed that work comes calling after hours. But it’s baseball. This is what it is. And it’s a big part of why I left it. I just don’t see any value in you using this podcast as a way to blow steam about how you just can’t believe that a baseball transaction happened late at night. Such a novel concept. I like what Meg brings to the table in a lot of these conversations. However, I have no interest in what your job satisfaction is or is not. This doesn’t feel like it’s for you. You don’t like being online (who does), you don’t like engaging with your reader base (don’t blame you), and you don’t like erratic baseball hours (I get it). But then stop doing it. An editor has to do a lot of these things without silencing people the way you do or complaining the way you do. I just don’t get it. I’m just so disappointed because I’m a fan of what you do and the content you’ve brought - that it genuinely saddens me that I can’t listen to this show anymore. Look, again, I’ve given this site and it’s editor a hard time. Nobody’s perfect. No system is perfect. To many, the tools at FanGraphs are worth the subscription alone. Ben and Meg have some good podcast chemistry. The website offers lots of diverse content. But, they’re character has been exposed a fair amount the last year. And the podcast can be a drag when the host and editor has zero desire to do her job or interact with others besides who she drinks with at the Winter Meetings in any meaningful way. Just seems like there’s a lot missing here. I really can’t believe I’ve stopped giving this site of all places money after all I feel they’ve given to me. And maybe I’m a huge jerk. I don’t know. I try not to be. But I needed to voice my opinion somewhere it mattered. And this doesn’t matter THAT much, but emails can be ignored and I refuse to comment further on their website. If I don’t pay for the site, I won’t use it. It’s important to pay for the services you use, so it’s a sacrifice on my end as well. Regardless, the hiring and putting up with of Kevin and the removal of job postings comments were big deals to me. And the podcast is uncomfortable because it’s clear a lead doesn’t like their role as a website editor and personality. So what’s left? Plenty for some. Not so much for others. I just happen to fall into the latter category. Not that it matters.”
64rj__ via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/04/22
More reviews of Effectively Wild
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“This is a fun show. They need more guest stars to add different points of view, and the show would be improved if they made some effort to cover more teams nstead of random topics, but the show is good.”
Tarakas via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/12/13
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“I'm a fan who doesn't know a ton about advance statistics but trying to learn. This is a good show that mixes some SABR references but isn't so over your head that you can't follow. If you liked ESPN's Baseball Today, this is a great one to listen to.”Read full review »
clthomp2 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/06/13
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“The podcast is the perfect length to start your day. Extremely insightful look at what is currently happening in baseball. I love the concept and don't care about the voices. Anyone who complains about that should hear the other end of their phone conversations. Keep up the great work.”Read full review »
matt kanzler via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/09/12
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