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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Australian Football

Better Hate An Owner

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Climbing

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Death To The NCAA

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Sports Highlight Of The Day

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Why Your Team Sucks

Wings Week

Sports


<p>Leander Schaerlaeckens is a long-time soccer writer, currently contributing to <i>The Guardian </i>and elsewhere. He is the author of <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/722130/the-long-game-by-leander-schaerlaeckens/"><i>The Long Game: U.S. Men&#8217;s Soccer and its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts</i></a>. He teaches journalism and sports communication at Marist University. He will cover his fourth World Cup in 2026.</p>


A photo of the author Leander Schaerlaeckens taken by Asha Fuller.

Leander Schaerlaeckens

The handwritten notes of Dick Cramer, back when he was coming up with a stat that would change baseball forever during his spare time.

The Forgotten Men Behind The Ideas That Changed Baseball

Ray Ratto

Hall Of Fame Debates Not Endless Enough For You? There’s A Committee For That


<p>Jay Willis is a writer who covers law and democracy. His work has appeared in GQ, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Slate, and more. He is the editor-in-chief at Balls &amp; Strikes, an outlet for progressive commentary on the legal system.</p>


Jay Willis

Supreme Court Justice and Philadelphia Phillies fan Samuel Alito seen at the July 2019 swearing-in of Mark Esper as Secretary of Defense.

Politics

Spare A Thought For Samuel Alito, America’s Worst Phillies Fan

Laura Wagner

Manager Dusty Baker Jr. of the Houston Astros celebrates after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 to win the 2022 World Series in Game Six of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park on November 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas.

You Can’t Not Be Happy For Dusty Baker

Lauren Theisen

Yordan Álvarez Hit A Ball So Hard That It Ended The Phillies’ Hopes And Dreams

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


Chris Thompson

Jeremy Peña shrugs after socking a dinger.

The Astros Have Seized The Juice

Rafael Montero #47, Bryan Abreu #52, Cristian Javier #53, Christian Vázquez #9 and Ryan Pressly #55 of the Houston Astros pose for a photo after their combined no-hitter

A Combined No-Hitter Leaves Everyone Wanting More

Tom Ley

Cristian Javier Played Catch

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


Dan McQuade

ST LOUIS, MO - JULY 14: Tony LaRussa and US Airways pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger takes part in the MLB All-Star Game Red Carpet Parade on July 14, 2009 in St Louis, Missouri.

Media Meltdowns

Tony La Russa’s Dream Of Twitter Verification Will Soon Just Be Something You Can Buy

Bryce Harper celebrates his home run with Alec Bohm

Bryce And Alec Have A Secret

Albert Burneko

More Like Launch McCullers

A World Series Rain Delay Just Leaves More Time To Drive Yourself Crazy

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<p class="sc-77igqf-0 bOfvBY">Vince Guerrieri is an award-winning journalist and author in the Cleveland area. He likes Lake Erie perch sandwiches, Jim Traficant and long walks on the field at League Park. His website is <a class="sc-1out364-0 hMndXN sc-145m8ut-0 kGbjEv js_link" href="http://vinceguerrieri.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-ga="[[&quot;Embedded Url&quot;,&quot;External link&quot;,&quot;http://vinceguerrieri.com/&quot;,{&quot;metric25&quot;:1}]]">vinceguerrieri.com</a>, and you can follow him on Twitter <a class="sc-1out364-0 hMndXN sc-145m8ut-0 kGbjEv js_link" href="https://twitter.com/vinceguerrieri" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-ga="[[&quot;Embedded Url&quot;,&quot;External link&quot;,&quot;https://twitter.com/vinceguerrieri&quot;,{&quot;metric25&quot;:1}]]">@vinceguerrieri</a>.</p>
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Vince Guerrieri

26 Jun 2001: John Rocker of the Cleveland Indians prepares for a pitch during the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. The Indians beat the Yankees 5-3. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Ezra Shaw/Allsport

Book Excerpts That Don't Suck

When Cleveland Was Where Careers Went To End

The Astros Are Not Here For Any More Phillies Shenanigans

The World Series Is Chaos Vs. Control

David Roth

Bryce Harper on the field after the Phillies defeated the Padres in the 2022 National League Championship Series.

Bryce Harper Is Burning Again

Kelsey McKinney

Adopt A Terrible Son Who You Love Very Much This World Series Season

A still image from the Citizens For Sanity ads that ran during the MLB Playoffs, this one juxtaposing Bernie Sanders and words accusing him of having a love affair with violent criminals.

The Disgust Is The Product

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 23: The Houston Astros celebrate after defeating the New York Yankees in game four to win the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 23, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

You Do Not Have To Root For The Phillies

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 23: A general view of Citizens Bank Park after the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the San Diego Padres in game five to win the National League Championship Series on October 23, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

What A Gift These Phillies Have Been

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 23: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies is congratulated by teammates following a two run home run against the San Diego Padres during the eighth inning in game five of the National League Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 23, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

You’re Gonna Have To Root For The Phillies In The World Series

For The Philadelphia Phillies, It All Happened So Fast

Bruce Bochy Heard The Call

Does Hatred Of The Astros Spring Eternal?

The Philadelphia Phillies celebrate after dispatching the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS.

Podcasts

Philadelphia Feelies, With Dan McQuade