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Kathryn Xu

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 09: The New York Mets celebrate after winning Game 4 of the Division Series presented by Booking.com between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets at Citi Field on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 in New York, New York. The New York Mets won 4-1 and will advance to the NLCS. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

God Appears To Have Given The Mets A Big Sloppy Kiss On The Mouth

Lauren Theisen

San Diego Padres mascot Swinging Friar poses with a "Beat LA" sign

Don’t Underestimate The Power Of Spite

Ray Ratto

Fernando Tatis Jr. of the Padres screams triumphantly in the outfield at the end of his team's Game 3 win in the National League Divisional Series on October 8, 2024.

The Padres Keep Getting Louder

Barry Petchesky

Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell in a scene from the film 'Groundhog Day', directed by Harold Ramis, 1993.

This Is So Stupid

You’re Stuck In A Time Loop. How Are You Helping Your Team Win A Game?

Tarik Skubal Didn’t Need Much Help

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

Long angle shot of Bryce Harper standing there, back 3/4 to the camera, looking at the ball. He's just hit a homer. Behind him in the photo is the Phillies dugout watching, and fans going wild in the stands. It's a long shot, about 25-30 rows of fans.

Bryce Harper Is A Bargain

Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with teammates after the game-winning hit to defeat the New York Mets.

Nick Castellanos Answers The Mets’ Whimsy

Jurickson Profar #10 of the San Diego Padres makes a jumping catch into the crowd to rob a home run during game two of the National League Divisional Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 6, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)

Jurickson Profar Got In Dodgers Fans’ Heads

David Roth

Jose Iglesias of New York Mets holds up a OMG sign after the game against the Houston Astros at Citi Field on June 28, 2024.

Okay, Sure, The Mets

Businessmen stop and watch a televised Phillies Mets game on a Zenith TV on May 08, 1963.

A Phillies/Mets NLDS Preview, In The Classic Shopping Mall Format

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Manager Terry Francona #78 of the Cleveland Guardians watches the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 14, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Terry Francona Just Couldn’t Resist One More Managing Gig

Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after hitting a two run home run against AJ Smith-Shawver #32 of the Atlanta Braves.

Well Well Well, Not So Bad To Have A First-Round Bye Now, Is It

The Detroit Tigers celebrate after beating the Astros

They Let The Cats Get Hot!!

Pete Rose with gray hair, Pete Rose joking with Joe Morgan, Pete Rose singing with Vic Tayback, Pete Rose and his son looking out into the distance

There Was A Time When Everyone Cared How Pete Rose Smelled

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Jorge Soler of the Braves smokes a cigar after his team clinched a playoff berth.

The Shambling, Half-Dead Braves Have Gone Far Enough

Defector Staff

Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after winning the NL West Division against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on September 26, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

Everything We’re Looking Forward To In The 2024 MLB Playoffs

Boston Red Sox 2B Vaughn Grissom slides to home plate past the tag by Tampa Bay Rays C Logan Driscoll in the third inning.

The 81-81 Red Sox Weren’t The Most Mediocre Team Of The Season

Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds dives head first into home plate during a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field during the early 1970s in Chicago

Pete Rose, All-American

Members of the New York Mets celebrate after defeating the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Monday, September 30, 2024.

The Mets And Braves Played All Summer In A Day

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 23: A sign depicting Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf hangs from the upper deck during the ninth inning of a game between the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 23, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Baltimore defeated Chicago 8-6. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

South Side Stand Up: Your Owner’s Open Letter Wasn’t The League’s Worst

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers after hitting a single against the San Diego Padres in the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium.

Shohei Ohtani Ends His Season Dismantling The Entire Concept Of The Decimal System

Matt Thaiss of the Los Angeles Angels strikes out swinging during the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox on September 26,2024. His helmet's all wonky on his head.

Woof, The Angels

<a href="https://twitter.com/johnwilmeswords">John Wilmes</a> is a writer and professor in Chicago. His work has appeared in The Ringer, GQ, Chicago Reader, and The New Republic, among other places. He is the author of the novella Jad&#8217;s Dad Milo.

John Wilmes

Andrew Benintendi gives a kind of grim looking thumbs-up in profile after completing a TV interview following his walk-off hit in the Chicago White Sox's win on September 24.

“We’re Trying To Focus On Losing”: A Night With The White Sox At The Edge Of History

Patrick Redford

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 26: The Oakland Athletics mascot, Stomper, waves to the crowd after the Oakland Athletics beat the Texas Rangers at the Oakland Coliseum on September 26, 2024 in Oakland, California. Today will be the final Athletics game played at the Coliseum. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The A’s Are Oakland’s No More

Wide receiver Plaxico Burress #17 of the New York Giants warms up for the game with the Arizona Cardinals on November 23, 2008. It looks like he's looking at the Distraction logo at upper right of the frame.

MLB