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Ray Ratto

Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in Game Two of the Wild Card Series at American Family Field on October 04, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The NL’s Underdogs Can Make A Big Mess Of These Playoffs

Kelsey McKinney

Luis Paez-Pumar

Bryson Stott, wearing the white pin-striped Phillies uniform, crosses home plate with an elated look. The Marlins catcher looks miserably at him.

Point/Counterpoint: Was The Phillies-Marlins Wild Card Series Good?

David Roth

Geraldo Perdomo of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates by splashing to beers around after Arizona completed their two-game Wild Card sweep of the Brewers in October of 2023.

Podcasts

Wild Cards And Animal Spirits In October

Tom Ley

John Schneider #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on prior to Game One of the Wild Card Series against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on October 03, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

What Was John Schneider Thinking?

Lauren Theisen

Did The Twins Transfer Their Demonic Energy To The Blue Jays?

<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
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Charles P. Pierce

Tim Wakefield of the Boston Red Sox throws a knuckleball, in profile

Tim Wakefield Was A Wizard For The Working Day

A general view of Tropicana Field during Game 1 of the Wild Card Series between the Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 in Tampa, Florida.

The Rays Are Masters Of Being Forgotten

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Jerry DiPoto makes a face while answering questions.

Jerry Dipoto Wants Gratitude For Kicking The Can Down The Road

Royce Lewis celebrates after hitting a home run

The Twins Regained Some Control Over Their Existence

Marcus Semien of the Rangers pops champagne.

Texas Rangers GM: Don’t Anyone Dare Say My Players Partied!

Members Miami Marlins celebrate after a 7-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates to clinch an National Leauge Wildcard berth at PNC Park on September 30, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

These No-Good, Historically Bad Marlins Have Won Me Back

Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies in a Phillies jersey, grey, with the top buttons unbuttoned

Is The Phillies’ Good Luck Charm A Dedication To Himbo Culture And Showing Clavicle? [Update]

Miguel Cabrera fields a ground ball at first for the last time

Miguel Cabrera, First To The Last

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 19: Manager Gabe Kapler #19 of the San Francisco Giants watches from the dugout during the first inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 19, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Giants’ Organizational Mediocrity Runs Deeper Than Gabe Kapler

Barry Petchesky

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 30: Arizona Diamondbacks players celebrate in the Chase Field pool after clinching a National League Wild Card playoff spot after the game against the Houston Astros on September 30, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

It Was Clinch Night

Fans stand and cheer as Miguel Cabrera walks to the dugout

Miguel Cabrera Was Always Worth It

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts during the fifth inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on September 21, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Angel Hernandez Will Make You Want To Throw A Thing

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: The Grounds crew pull the tarp back on the field at Citi Field on September 28, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Fish All Wet

Patrick Redford

Curt Schilling Reveals Former Teammate Tim Wakefield’s Cancer Diagnosis Against His Wishes

Kathryn Xu

Julio Rodríguez reacts after striking out against Héctor Neris.

Héctor Neris Got Mad, And The Mariners Couldn’t Get Even

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after stealing second base in the tenth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Truist Park on September 27, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. Acuña Jr. is the first player in MLB history to hit 40 home runs and steal 70 bases in a single season.

It’s Starting To Feel Kind Of Cubs

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Tom Scocca is the editor of <a href="http://indignity.net">Indignity</a>, a subscription-supported newsletter of news, essays, and commentary.</div>
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Tom Scocca

BALTIMORE, MD - CIRCA 1970's: Third baseman Brooks Robinson #5 of the Baltimore Orioles in action sets to make a throw during a circa 1970's Major League Baseball game at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Robinson played for the Orioles from 1955-77. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

Third Base, Heading For Home


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

Alex Rodriguez looks at his teeth, with this hand pulling one of his lips back, and you see him in the mirror and also see the back of his head.