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Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. slides into second base against the Orioles.

The Orioles Must Help Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Hit For The Triple Crown

Ray Ratto

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. celebrates hitting a homer against the Boston Red Sox.

The Dream Of A Postseason Without The Yankees And Red Sox Is Still Alive

<a href="https://twitter.com/robertfoconnell" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert O’Connell</a> is a writer from Kansas living in New York. His work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, The Atlantic, The New York Times, and elsewhere.

Robert O’Connell

Helmets (and a pair of eclipse glasses) in the dugout of a minor league baseball team in Columbia, SC.

Minor League Baseball Is Optimized To Exploit

Albert Burneko

Derek Jeter, New York Yankees, stretches toward a ground ball

Please Explain To Me What The Hell Aaron Boone Is Trying To Say About Derek Jeter

Wander Franco Is Streaking

Juan Soto gives the thumbs-up are another intentional walk.

More Like Juan Solo

Patrick Redford

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 02: Wilmer Difo #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates commits an error in the 11th inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 02, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs won 6-5 in 11 innings. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Pirates, Comedy Geniuses, Continue To Perfect Art Of Losing

Lauren Theisen

I Appreciate Daniel Vogelbach’s Effort

Samer Kalaf

Javier Baez #23 of the New York Mets slides home with the game winning run in the ninth inning against Alex Jackson #23 of the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on August 31, 2021 in New York City.

Defector Up All Night

The Search For Javy Báez’s Earring Continues

Umpires check the bat of Nick Castellanos after he destroys the St.Louis Cardinals.

Cardinals Manager Mike Shildt Stops Game So Everyone Can Watch Nick Castellanos Embarrass Him

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 31: Fans of the New York Mets cheer as Jacob deGrom #48 bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on May 31, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Life Lessons

Booing Isn’t Bad, But There’s A Better Way

John Smoltz Moves Closer To Escaping His Personal Hell Of Watching Baseball

Robbie Grossman Is Good Enough For Me

Patrick Dubuque is a writer and editor at Baseball Prospectus.

Patrick Dubuque

Asdrubal Cabrera, perennial trade deadline mover, seen here with the Diamondbacks. (He's with the Reds now.)

It’s “Free Couch” Season In Major League Baseball

The Angels Are Done, Shohei Is Hurt, And Yet He’s Still Blasting Monster Dingers

Vlad Jr. socked a pair of huge dingers for the Blue Jays Monday night.

Vlad Jr. Is Smashin’ Baseballs

David Roth

Javier Baez does a double thumbs-down gesture, apparently directed at Mets fans, after hitting a home run on Sunday against the Nationals.

The New York Mets Must Win More Games To Humiliate And Punish Their Faithless Fans

Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99

Diana Moskovitz

Trevor Bauer of the Los Angeles Dodgers winds up to pitch during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on May 26, 2021 in Houston, Texas.

League Anti-Violence Policies Are Just A Smokescreen For Owners

Luis Paez-Pumar

Luis Robert #88 of the Chicago White Sox hits a solo home run in the 1st inning against the Chicago Cubs at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 29, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois.

It’s Sunday, The Perfect Day To Enjoy Some Cool Dingers

Here Is Just One More Reason Why Pedro Martinez Rules

Tom Ley

Chris Sale Is Back Doing That Thing He Does

For One Night, The Orioles Were Better Than Shohei Ohtani

Baseball’s Absurdity Always Finds A Way

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Casey Mize #12 of the Detroit Tigers gestures after he was taken out of the game during the eighth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on May 17, 2021 in Seattle, Washington.

Mighty Casey Did Not Strike Out!

It Sucks That The Padres Are Getting Crushed This Bad