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Ben Lindbergh

@benlindbergh.bsky.social

14K followers 19 following 69 posts

Senior Editor at The Ringer. Co-host of Effectively Wild, Button Mash (The Ringer-Verse), + Hang Up and Listen. Co-author of The MVP Machine and The Only Rule Is It Has to Work. Ex-FiveThirtyEight, Grantland, Baseball Prospectus.

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Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 8h

Chris Ryan siren! @chrisryan77.bsky.social joined me on Button Mash to talk about his gaming history, pitch video game adaptations of Taylor Sheridan shows, investigate the latest trend in Hollywood's gaming gold rush, and discuss GTA VI (and GTA VI soundtrack) hype. open.spotify.com/episode/2CCR...

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Hollywood's Gaming Adaptation Feeding Frenzy, With Chris Ryan | Button Mash

The Ringer-Verse · Episode

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 8h

Chris Ryan siren! @chrisryan77.bsky.social joined me on Button Mash to talk about his gaming history, pitch video game adaptations of Taylor Sheridan shows, investigate the latest trend in Hollywood's gaming gold rush, and discuss GTA VI (and GTA VI soundtrack) hype. open.spotify.com/episode/2CCR...

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Hollywood's Gaming Adaptation Feeding Frenzy, With Chris Ryan | Button Mash

The Ringer-Verse · Episode

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Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Gaming weeks don't get much busier or better than this: I Button Mashed with @matt-james.bsky.social and @steveahlman.bsky.social about Star Wars: Galactic Racer, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, and Gears of War: E-Day. Spoiler: We liked them all. But which was our favorite? open.spotify.com/s/WDCBiCe

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‘Star Wars: Galactic Racer,’ ‘Ace Combat 8,’ and ‘Gears of War: E-Day’ Reactions | Button Mash

The Ringer-Verse · Episode

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Gaming weeks don't get much busier or better than this: I Button Mashed with @matt-james.bsky.social and @steveahlman.bsky.social about Star Wars: Galactic Racer, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, and Gears of War: E-Day. Spoiler: We liked them all. But which was our favorite? open.spotify.com/s/WDCBiCe

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‘Star Wars: Galactic Racer,’ ‘Ace Combat 8,’ and ‘Gears of War: E-Day’ Reactions | Button Mash

The Ringer-Verse · Episode

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Scott Tobias @scotttobias.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Me and my cohort @kphipps3000.bsky.social were on the Ringer-Verse Recommends podcast with @benlindbergh.bsky.social to talk Dark Matter and Hope (me) and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Keith), and share our AppleTV sci-fi tiers. Good time: www.theringer.com/podcasts/the...

Ringer-Verse Recommends: September 2026 - The Ringer

Ben and Alex Kirshner make the case for ‘Silo.’ Then Scott Tobias and Keith Phipps join to talk ‘Dark Matter’ Season 2, Apple TV’s sci-fi series, ‘Star Trek: Strang...

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

www.theringer.com/2026/09/25/m...

MLB Teams Need Too Many Innings From Not Enough Arms

Starters and relievers are pitching less often, for less long, but the season is still the same length. Something’s gotta give.

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Matt James @matt-james.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

New Button Mash with @benlindbergh.bsky.social and @steveahlman.bsky.social! We've finished Control Resonant and Silent Hill Townfall! We have impressions to share for Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave! Find out which of these games I almost quit halfway through!

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'Control Resonant,' 'Silent Hill: Townfall,' and 'Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave' Reactions | Button Mash

The Ringer-Verse · Episode

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

www.theringer.com/2026/09/22/m...

Baseball’s Best Pitchers Aren’t Worth What They Used to Be (but Its Best Batters Are)

Pete Crow-Armstrong and Jacob Misiorowski are this MLB season’s most sensational stars. Why don’t their WAR totals look alike?

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Joshua Rivera @jmrivera.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I returned to the Ringer-verse to chat Resident Evil with @benlindbergh.bsky.social and Daniel Chin! Fun chat, with a guest appearance from Junebug www.theringer.com/podcasts/but...

‘Resident Evil’ Reactions - The Ringer

Ben, Daniel Chin, and Joshua Rivera team up to break down the new ‘Resident Evil’ movie reboot, cowritten and directed by Zach Cregger.

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Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

A very busy Button Mash! @matt-james.bsky.social, @marioprime.bsky.social, and I unsheathe adamantium takes on: •Nintendo's double Directs and the Ocarina remake •Wolverine—our reviews and the wider reception •The Blood of Dawnwalker and the best vampire video games open.spotify.com/episode/15w4...

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Nintendo Directs, 'Marvel's Wolverine,' and 'The Blood of Dawnwalker' Reactions | Button Mash

The Ringer-Verse · Episode

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Giovanni Colantonio @marioprime.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Always a pleasure to pop by Button Mash. Packed convo hot off the presses!

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

A very busy Button Mash! @matt-james.bsky.social, @marioprime.bsky.social, and I unsheathe adamantium takes on: •Nintendo's double Directs and the Ocarina remake •Wolverine—our reviews and the wider reception •The Blood of Dawnwalker and the best vampire video games open.spotify.com/episode/15w4...

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Nintendo Directs, 'Marvel's Wolverine,' and 'The Blood of Dawnwalker' Reactions | Button Mash

The Ringer-Verse · Episode

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Lewis Gordon @lewisgordon.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Capcom is on a generational run. But this is no renaissance: the company has never been greater. I reported on the secret of its success, from "Crapcom" in the early 2010s to its one-banger-after-another present, speaking to many of its most illustrious producers. www.theringer.com/2026/09/03/v...

How Capcom Cracked the Code of Game Development

The video game industry is in turmoil, but 2026 could be Capcom’s career year. How does the company behind ‘Resident Evil Requiem,’ ‘Pragmata,’ and ‘Onimusha: Way of the Sword’ keep pumping out hits?

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Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

On a new installment of the Plot Hole or Not Hole video series at The Ringer, I talked to Ocean's Eleven screenwriter Ted Griffin about whether there's an explanation for the movie's infamous decoy duffel bags full of flyers. How did they get into the Bellagio vault? www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0j7...

The TRUTH Behind the Most Famous Plot Hole in ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ (With Ted Griffin)

YouTube video by Ringer Movies

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

On a new installment of the Plot Hole or Not Hole video series at The Ringer, I talked to Ocean's Eleven screenwriter Ted Griffin about whether there's an explanation for the movie's infamous decoy duffel bags full of flyers. How did they get into the Bellagio vault? www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0j7...

The TRUTH Behind the Most Famous Plot Hole in ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ (With Ted Griffin)

YouTube video by Ringer Movies

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Wasn't sure anyone else would be talking about GTA today, so I asked @netw3rk.bsky.social and @jomiadeniran.bsky.social to join me for a Button Mash breakdown of the extended look: • What we thought! • What we learned • What we're still wondering • The Cyberleek saga open.spotify.com/episode/2Z1o...

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'Grand Theft Auto VI' Extended Look Instant Reactions | Button Mash

The Ringer-Verse · Episode

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

An in-depth, spoiler-free Star Wars Zero Company review, with @matt-james.bsky.social and @steveahlman.bsky.social: •How it compares to the best Star Wars games and stories •Star Wars games vs. Star Wars TV/movies •Untapped genres for Star Wars gaming •Kabb Uppercut open.spotify.com/episode/7yyn...

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'Star Wars Zero Company' Instant Reactions | Button Mash

The Ringer-Verse · Episode

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Rany Jazayerli @jazayerli.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Appearing on a video game podcast was a bucket list item I didn't even know was on my bucket list. I've podcasted with Ben regarding our shared love for baseball, for Foundation (books and show), and now video games. If we weren't born 11 years apart, I'd wonder if we were separated at birth.

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Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

New Button Mash! • @matt-james.bsky.social on The Duskbloods, GTA leaks, Sony live-service losers, Kratos recasting, Kingdom Hearts • @nicolecarpenter.bsky.social on game cloning and vibecoded copycats • @jazayerli.bsky.social on giving up and getting back into games open.spotify.com/episode/1NTX...

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'GTA' Leaks, Copycat Clones, and How to Get Back Into Gaming | Button Mash

The Ringer-Verse · Episode

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

New Button Mash! • @matt-james.bsky.social on The Duskbloods, GTA leaks, Sony live-service losers, Kratos recasting, Kingdom Hearts • @nicolecarpenter.bsky.social on game cloning and vibecoded copycats • @jazayerli.bsky.social on giving up and getting back into games open.spotify.com/episode/1NTX...

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'GTA' Leaks, Copycat Clones, and How to Get Back Into Gaming | Button Mash

The Ringer-Verse · Episode

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Matt James @matt-james.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

New Button Mash! I played the upcoming Wolverine game! I share my impressions plus interviews with Liam McIntyre (who plays Logan), Grant Hollis (Art Director), and Brian Wyser (Senior Animation Director). Then @benlindbergh.bsky.social tells us about his hands-on time with Star Wars Zero Company!

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'Marvel's Wolverine' and 'Star Wars Zero Company' Hands-On Previews | Button Mash

The Ringer-Verse · Episode

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

New Button Mash, with @matt-james.bsky.social & @steveahlman.bsky.social: •A PS5 Pro confession •Big Walk rocks •Are we too washed for Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls? •Koo is a good boy, but what about the rest of Beast of Reincarnation? •All-time top 5 gaming glow-ups open.spotify.com/episode/0HxV...

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'Big Walk,' 'Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls,' and 'Beast of Reincarnation' Reactions. Plus, the Greatest Gaming Glow-Ups. | Button Mash

The Ringer-Verse · Episode

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Similar arc, but yes, less extreme, so he didn't quite fit the criteria for such an exclusive club. Spent more seasons with his original team before the trade, and didn't amass as much WAR.

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Nah, worth keeping that kind of conductor for this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSQ0...

Ringo in Shining Time Station Compilation

YouTube video by Eleanor!!

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

In fairness to us, or them (not sure which), we did two episodes that would be almost the same length when combined

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Seems like a bidet chat is more in order: www.theringer.com/2020/03/23/p...

Social Distancing Diaries: Cut the Crap and Embrace the Bidet

The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a countrywide toilet-paper-buying frenzy. But there’s a better way to clean up that’s good for your butt, your wallet, and the environment.

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Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

It turns out that the guy who got slapped for sitting during the National Anthem at the Cubs game last week is an EW listener, so we spoke to him about what that viral video didn't show. Also: We bantered about Caballero's battle with MLB, and I talked to Kenny Lofton about his Hall of Fame case.

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

It turns out that the guy who got slapped for sitting during the National Anthem at the Cubs game last week is an EW listener, so we spoke to him about what that viral video didn't show. Also: We bantered about Caballero's battle with MLB, and I talked to Kenny Lofton about his Hall of Fame case.

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Probably the biggest sports story of the day www.theringer.com/2026/07/24/m...

Does the Hall of Fame Need a Steroid-Era Redo?

The Baseball Hall of Fame is about to welcome three new members, but some strong steroid-era candidates (like Kenny Lofton) are still excluded. Should players who got jobbed by backlogged ballots at t...

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Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

New Button Mash with @marioprime.bsky.social and @oliwelsh.bsky.social on first-half highlights and second-half hopes/hype: •Games industry is bad; games are good •Our top 10 games of the year so far •Wide-open GOTY race •Our big questions about the rest of the year open.spotify.com/episode/4HE9...

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Gaming's First-Half Highlights and Second-Half Hype | Button Mash

The Ringer-Verse · Episode

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Giovanni Colantonio @marioprime.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Always a pleasure to pop by Button Mash and do some big yappin’.

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

New Button Mash with @marioprime.bsky.social and @oliwelsh.bsky.social on first-half highlights and second-half hopes/hype: •Games industry is bad; games are good •Our top 10 games of the year so far •Wide-open GOTY race •Our big questions about the rest of the year open.spotify.com/episode/4HE9...

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Gaming's First-Half Highlights and Second-Half Hype | Button Mash

The Ringer-Verse · Episode

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Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Noted gamer @seanfennessey.bsky.social makes his Button Mash debut to compare/contrast/lament the state of physical media in movies vs. video games. Then @matt-james.bsky.social and I talk Xbox layoffs, AC Black Flag Resynced, and our all-time top 5 pirate games. open.spotify.com/episode/7gng...

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The Death of Disc-Based Gaming and 'Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced' Reactions, With Sean Fennessey | Button Mash

The Ringer-Verse · Episode

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Noted gamer @seanfennessey.bsky.social makes his Button Mash debut to compare/contrast/lament the state of physical media in movies vs. video games. Then @matt-james.bsky.social and I talk Xbox layoffs, AC Black Flag Resynced, and our all-time top 5 pirate games. open.spotify.com/episode/7gng...

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The Death of Disc-Based Gaming and 'Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced' Reactions, With Sean Fennessey | Button Mash

The Ringer-Verse · Episode

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Meg Rowley @megrowler.fangraphs.com · 04/07/2026

We really enjoy making the show, and we hope you like listening. If you want to help us make another 2,500 episodes, consider supporting us on Patreon: patreon.com/effectivelywild

Get more from Effectively Wild on Patreon

Get more from Effectively Wild on Patreon. Become a member for just $10/month. We're Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley, the hosts of Effectively Wild, the…

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Meg Rowley @megrowler.fangraphs.com · 04/07/2026

We’re joined by @sammillerbb.bsky.social and @grantbrisbee.bsky.social as we mark 2,500 episodes of @ewpod.bsky.social with another draft of things we like about baseball.

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Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Asked MLB about the recent variability in the drag and carry of the baseball. Here's the league's response:

In early February, Rawlings notified MLB of an aesthetic issue with the baseballs that shipped for 2026 Spring Training and the Regular Season. In approximately 50% of the baseballs, some excess oil from the yarn inside the baseball filtered through the leather cover of the ball, creating some yellow discoloration. Both Rawlings and MLB’s independent laboratory at UMass-Lowell completed testing on these baseballs, and the baseballs were within specifications and performed consistent with prior years. We notified the Clubs and the MLBPA of the issue in February, and consistent with baseball chain of custody procedures, MLB’s gameday compliance monitors remove any baseballs that show cosmetic imperfections after the pregame mudding process. Rawlings has resolved the issue with the yarn supplier, but due to the necessary lead times associated with baseball production, the balls without the staining will not be shipped to Clubs until late in the 2026 season or early 2027.

MLB makes drag data available to the public on Baseball Savant and we are aware of the recent reduction in drag. To be clear, there has been no change in the materials or manufacturing process of the baseball. Because the baseball is hand-sewn and is made with natural materials, we expect variation in performance both throughout the season and between seasons. Rawlings and our scientists do not see any evidence to date that the yellow staining is related to this change in drag. We will continue to monitor the performance of the baseball as the season progresses.

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Asked MLB about the recent variability in the drag and carry of the baseball. Here's the league's response:

In early February, Rawlings notified MLB of an aesthetic issue with the baseballs that shipped for 2026 Spring Training and the Regular Season. In approximately 50% of the baseballs, some excess oil from the yarn inside the baseball filtered through the leather cover of the ball, creating some yellow discoloration. Both Rawlings and MLB’s independent laboratory at UMass-Lowell completed testing on these baseballs, and the baseballs were within specifications and performed consistent with prior years. We notified the Clubs and the MLBPA of the issue in February, and consistent with baseball chain of custody procedures, MLB’s gameday compliance monitors remove any baseballs that show cosmetic imperfections after the pregame mudding process. Rawlings has resolved the issue with the yarn supplier, but due to the necessary lead times associated with baseball production, the balls without the staining will not be shipped to Clubs until late in the 2026 season or early 2027.

MLB makes drag data available to the public on Baseball Savant and we are aware of the recent reduction in drag. To be clear, there has been no change in the materials or manufacturing process of the baseball. Because the baseball is hand-sewn and is made with natural materials, we expect variation in performance both throughout the season and between seasons. Rawlings and our scientists do not see any evidence to date that the yellow staining is related to this change in drag. We will continue to monitor the performance of the baseball as the season progresses.

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Matt James @matt-james.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Very fun new episode of Button Mash! Some news, Starfox, The Adventures of Elliott, and then... A 30th anniversary Nintendo64 games draft! With @benlindbergh.bsky.social, @steveahlman.bsky.social, and @robmahoney.bsky.social open.spotify.com/episode/5Yrw...

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Pricing Puzzles, 'Star Fox,' and the N64 30th-Anniversary Draft | Button Mash

The Ringer-Verse · Episode

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Matt Trueblood @matrueblood.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Great work from @benlindbergh.bsky.social on #BrewersDevilMagic with runners in scoring position. www.theringer.com/2026/06/15/m...

Have the Brew Crew Cracked the Clutchness Code?

The 2020s Milwaukee Brewers have been the clutchest-hitting team of all time. Even they may not know why.

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Curt Hogg @cyrthogg.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

For a couple years now I have tossed around the idea in my head of writing something that tries to explain why the Brewers defy logic with men on base year after year. I still haven't made sense of it, so I am quite glad @benlindbergh.bsky.social did it! www.theringer.com/2026/06/15/m...

Have the Brew Crew Cracked the Clutchness Code?

The 2020s Milwaukee Brewers have been the clutchest-hitting team of all time. Even they may not know why.

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Meg Rowley @megrowler.fangraphs.com · 10/06/2026

Extremely fun episode! Guardian columnist Adrian Chiles joins us to explain how he fell in love with baseball and what still mystifies him as a fan, and then @backlinenurse.bsky.social details her journey from exploring baseball history and strangeness on instagram to Yankee Stadium.

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

It makes a list, within the larger list!

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Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Did a big Beatles ranking. I've got blisters on my fingers. www.theringer.com/2026/06/08/m...

A Complete Ranking of Post-Breakup Beatles Collabs

All the times multiple Beatles teamed up in the studio, after the Beatles broke up

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/3c...

(This sort of thing is my bag, baby)...

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) clip with quote (This sort of thing is my bag, baby)... Yarn is the best search for video clips by quote. Find the exact moment in a TV show,...

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Did a big Beatles ranking. I've got blisters on my fingers. www.theringer.com/2026/06/08/m...

A Complete Ranking of Post-Breakup Beatles Collabs

All the times multiple Beatles teamed up in the studio, after the Beatles broke up

Reposted by Ben Lindbergh

Matt James @matt-james.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

New Button Mash covering tons of game announcements and some hands-on impressions from Sony’s State of Play, Summer Game Fest, the XBOX showcase and more! So much to be excited about. Call in sick for the entire month of September! With @benlindbergh.bsky.social and @steveahlman.bsky.social

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Summer Gaming Showcase Reactions! | Button Mash

The Ringer-Verse · Episode

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Except for the graphs :(

Ben Lindbergh @benlindbergh.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Maybe my favorite ABS subplot: the accidental challenge www.theringer.com/2026/05/08/m...

A Complete Taxonomy of MLB’s ABS Accidents

The challenge system’s robot rulings may be nearly flawless, but in the human element, error abounds

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Meg Rowley @megrowler.fangraphs.com · 25/04/2026

Ben and I talked to Brad Lidge about his post-playing career life as an archeologist (with a little baseball mixed in too). Really fun and illuminating conversation!