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Better Hate An Owner

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Death To The NCAA

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Sports

Ray Ratto

Steve Garvey, in the foreground, at his induction into the Legends of Dodgers Baseball inaugural class back in September of 2018. He's got sunglasses on and is clapping.

Politics

Nobody Wants Senator Steve Garvey

Kathryn Xu

Manager Rocco Baldelli of the Minnesota Twins relieves Sonny Gray #54 in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros during Game Three of the Division Series at Target Field on October 10, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The Negating Effects Of First-Half-Inning Run Scoring On Competitive Integrity And Entertainment Fidelity

Lauren Theisen

Bryce Harper walks back to the dugout as the Atlanta Braves celebrate their win

The Phillies Went For The Throat And Missed

Tom Ley

Carlos Correa #4 of the Minnesota Twins reacts after hitting a double in the seventh inning during Game 2 of the Division Series between the Minnesota Twins and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Sunday, October 8, 2023 in Houston, Texas.

The Twins Unleashed Their Dudes

Justin Ellis

Jorge Polanco of the Minnesota Twins at home hits a home run as the catcher and umpire observe during the seventh inning against the Houston Astros during Game One of the Division Series at Minute Maid Park on October 07, 2023 in Houston, Texas.

Everything And Nothing Changed For The Twins In Just One Inning

Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 20: General manager Billy Eppler of the New York Mets talks during a press conference to introduce pitcher Justin Verlander at Citi Field on December 20, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Billy Eppler’s Resignation Was Strange And Sudden

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

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?

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>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="author-header-shares"></div>


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)