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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.

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Defector

NYC: Come To Our WNBA Comedy Show On May 16

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Live Event

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Ray Ratto

Manager Bud Black #10 of the Colorado Rockies looks on before the game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on April 11, 2025 in San Diego.

Colorado Rockies v San Diego Padres

Bud Black Has Either The Best Or The Worst Job In Baseball

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.09

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Chris Thompson

Elly De La Cruz is showered in $100 bills after socking a dinger.

Elly De La Cruz money

O’s, No!

Visual Editor. Runs <a href="http://defectorstore.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">defectorstore.com</a>. Philadelphia-based, if you couldn’t tell.

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Dan McQuade

A bunch of baseball cards behind. In front are two cards. One has this tip: "Never put poison in your mouth. And if you see someone put poison in their mouth, you should get help right away." The other says: "Drug dealers are always trying to tempt ballplayers. They like to hang around celebrities and try to get us to join them at parties. We learn to just say no. We tell them to get lost or we'll call police. Call it what you want, pot, grass, crack, speed, angel dust, or coke — it's dangerous stuff that can hurt you and even kill. If you're approached, just say no and then call your local police or tell your parents."

psa-cards-header

“Don’t Put Poison In Your Mouth,” And Other Great Tips From ’80s And ’90s Trading Cards

Jorge López

A Dangerously Bad Bullpen Is Everyone’s Problem

Santiago Espinal #4 and Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrate after winning the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Saturday, April 12, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Pittsburgh Pirates v. Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds Are Going Nowhere In Particular More Quickly Than Any Team Ever Has

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David Roth

Octavio Dotel pitches for the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Minnesota Twins on August 15, 2012 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Detroit Tigers v Minnesota Twins

Octavio Dotel Made A Life In Baseball

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Kathryn Xu

Randy Arozarena #56 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his walkoff walk as Julio Rodríguez #44 jumps on home plate.

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The Mariners Find Catharsis In A Walk-Off Walk

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Barry Petchesky

CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 08: A general view of the Progressive Field scoreboard with Opening Day signage prior to the game between the Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Chicago White Sox v. Cleveland Guardians

This Is So Stupid

Are The Cleveland Guardians Creating A Dynamic Brand Experience That Deepens The Connection Between The Team And Its Fans, And Reflects The Team’s History, Its Commitment To Cleveland, And Its Vision For The Future, On And Off The Field?

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 03: Cody Bellinger #35 of the New York Yankees looks on during batting practice before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Yankee Stadium on April 3, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images)

Arizona Diamondbacks v New York Yankees

If You’re Going To Get Food Poisoning, At Least Visit Flavortown First

Side-by-side photos of Luis M. Castillo and Luis F. Castillo, both Mariners pitchers.

luis-castillos-mariners

The Definitive Guide To Mariners Pitchers Named Luis Castillo

Topps baseball cards featuring the Yankees’ Aaron Judge, are seen during the Washington Nationals media preview day at Nationals Park on Friday, March 21, 2025.

Nationals Media Day 2025

That’s Too Many Baseball Cards!

Rocco Baldelli, Nic Lentz

Stumbling Minnesota Twins Struggle With Clocks, Gizmos, Rules, And Authority

Victor Robles hurt

Victor Robles Demonstrates What Trying Can Get You

Marc Normandin writes about old video games at <a href="https://retroxp.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://retroxp.substack.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1618674670611000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHfh-tiUJRghT9MV1BNxbtAOlI5Aw">Retro XP</a>, and on baseball’s labor issues at <a href="https://marcnormandin.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://marcnormandin.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1618674670611000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGLkSx4sN271GhHVvriAoLN_UFOKQ">marcnormandin.com</a>, which you can read for free but <a href="https://www.patreon.com/marcnormandin" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.patreon.com/marcnormandin&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1618674670611000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGC_1Zx4sq480759Z-PK-RWn8hF8w">support through his Patreon</a>. He is one of the founding members of <a href="http://pubtbnl.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://pubtbnl.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1618674670611000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGs0Hu7YMHRvAsFNZ2kh6CU-Bmwhw">Publication To Be Named Later,</a> and his writing has appeared at Baseball Prospectus, SB Nation, Deadspin, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Sports on Earth, The Guardian, The Nation, and TalkPoverty.

Marc Normandin

Pittsburgh Pirates owner Bob Nutting speaks during the 2024 Pirates Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony before the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on August 24, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is kind of shrugging and looks like he is wearing a disguise somehow.

Cincinnati Reds v Pittsburgh Pirates

Are The Pittsburgh Pirates Really In Dire Straits?

Decorative bunting blows in the wind at Sutter Health Park which is decked out in opening day decorations for the A’s home opener in Sacramento, Calif., on Monday, March 31, 2025.

Athletics vs Chicago Cubs

West Sacramento Has The A’s, Whether They Want Them Or Not

Rafael Devers smiles

With Two Hits, Rafael Devers Makes Dylan Crews Mayor Of Bozo Town

Jarred Kelenic #24 of the Atlanta Braves is forced out at second base by Tommy Edman #25 of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Atlanta Braves v Los Angeles Dodgers

The Braves May Never Win A Game

On a homer to right center by the Rockies’ Hunter Goodman, the Phillies and visiting team bullpens are visible on a TV broadcast. Both teams’ bullpens have doors in front of the benches for relievers to sit on, but most of them are open. There are also ads for Hatfield meats, Temple Health, the Pennsylvania Lottery ("Play to win!"), Independence Blue Cross, and Budweiser visible in the shot.

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Philly Fan Hecklers Thwarted By Doors

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Willson Contreras On Eating Grip Tape: “It Was Disgusting. It Was A Bad Taste.”

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Lauren Theisen

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux (9) disagrees with umpire Andy Fletcher who called him out on strikes in the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium.

Dodgers Padres at Dodger Stadium.

Life Isn’t Fair. Why Should The Strike Zone Be?

Austin Wells of the New York Yankees hits a home run with a torpedo bat.

Austin Wells torpedo bat

What Is The Deal With The Yankees’ Weird Bats?

Rafael Devers

Spare A Thought For Baseball’s Poor Flailing Bozos

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Kyle Stowers #28 of the Miami Marlins receives a gatorade bath after hitting a walk off single to defeat Pittsburgh Pirates on their Opening Day game at loanDepot park on March 27, 2025 in Miami, Florida.

Pittsburgh Pirates v Miami Marlins

The Marlins Walk It Off, Again And Again And Again

Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees reacts after hitting a an RBI double in the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium on March 27, 2025 in New York City.

MLB