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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

Enter Our Raffle To Win A Visit And Home-Cooked Meal From Drew Magary

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tip jar sweepstakes

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Lauren Theisen

Shohei Ohtani watches the ball after hitting a home run

Tampa Bay Rays v Los Angeles Dodgers

There’s Nothing More Beautiful Than A Shohei Ohtani Home Run

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Chris Thompson

Ernie Clement slugs a home run on a pitch at forehead height.

Ernie Clement dinger

No Pitch Is Too High For The Courageous Of Heart

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Ray Ratto

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 07: Former Philadelphia Phillies player Pete Rose acknowledges the crowd prior to the game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on August 7, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 13-1. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Washington Nationals v Philadelphia Phillies

The Last Word On Pete Rose Is Deeply Unpleasant

CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 24: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds acknowledges the crowd before his first at-bat during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park on September 24, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Pittsburgh Pirates v Cincinnati Reds

Joey Votto Just Got It

Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets dives for a ball

Oakland Athletics v New York Mets

The Mets Make It Hurt

Oakland Athletics shortstop Max Schuemann (12) tags out San Francisco Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski (5) during an MLB game between the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics on August 18, 2024, at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, CA.

MLB: AUG 18 Giants at Athletics

Bay Area Rivalry Nobody Cared About Reaches Suitable End

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Kelsey McKinney

Alec Bohm #28 of the Philadelphia Phillies catches a foul ball as he falls back into the stands in the ninth inning

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My Terrible Son Alec Bohm Is All Grown Up

<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

Fans look on during the eighth inning between the Chicago White Sox and the Minnesota Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field in 2022.

Minnesota Twins v Chicago White Sox

At Home With The Worst Team In Baseball

Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals takes the field in the second inning during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on Monday, August 12, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Kansas City Royals v. Minnesota Twins

An Only Moderately Disgusted Overview Of MLB’s Wild Card Races

Victor Robles blows a bubble gum bubble while swinging a bat.

Victor Robles blows a bubble

The Mariners Found A Keeper In Washington’s Refuse

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Kathryn Xu

Jarren Duran #16 of the Boston Red Sox catches a fly ball during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies.

Boston Red Sox v Colorado Rockies

Nobody’s Waiting Around For Jarren Duran

2019-01-01 00:15:14.989

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Carlos Correa #4 of the Minnesota Twins and Andrés Giménez #0 of the Cleveland Guardians talk as they wait for a play review during the sixth inning at Progressive Field on May 17, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Minnesota Twins v Cleveland Guardians

The Twins And Guardians Are Finally Taking Their Fight To The Field

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The Sagging Dodgers Suddenly Have A Lot Of Company

Manager Pedro Grifol of the Chicago White Sox walks back to the dugout after a pitching change during the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians on July 4, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Chicago White Sox v Cleveland Guardians

Pedro Grifol Paid The Price For Winning That One Game

Andrew Vaughn and Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox exchange a fist-bump during the team's win on August 6, 2024. It was the White Sox's second win since July 10.

Chicago White Sox v Oakland Athletics

Why This Team Sucks: The August 7 Chicago White Sox

Nicky Lopez of the White Sox looks exhausted and sad during a loss to the Minnesota Twins on August 4, 2024.

Chicago White Sox v Minnesota Twins

Why This Team Sucks: The August 6 Chicago White Sox

Andrew Vaughn #25 of the Chicago White Sox looks on against the Minnesota Twins in the ninth inning at Target Field on August 04, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the White Sox 13-7.

20 Straight Losses Is Where The Real Blight Sox Begin

Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman argues with umpire Laz Diaz from the dugout, while manager John Schneider stands in front of him.

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Please Rise And Remove Your Caps For Kevin Gausman’s Argument With The Umpire

Chicago White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet throws a pitch against the Twins.

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The White Sox Continue To Mock The Law Of Averages

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JULY 28: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels looks on in the dugout during the regular season game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 28, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images)

Oakland Athletics v Los Angeles Angels

Troutless Again

Jazz Chisholm Jr. #2 and Luis Arraez #3 of the Miami Marlins celebrate during eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at loanDepot park on April 18, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

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There Are Not Plenty Of Fish Left In Miami

Mike Baumann #53 of the Seattle Mariners looks on during the game against the Chicago White Sox at T-Mobile Park on June 12, 2024 in Seattle.

Chicago White Sox v Seattle Mariners

Mike Baumann Is The MLB Trade Deadline’s Holy Vagabond

CHICAGO, IL - JULY 28: Victor Robles #10 of the Seattle Mariners scores during the fourth inning against the Chicago White Sox on July 28, 2024 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois.

MLB: JUL 28 Mariners at White Sox

Why Are The White Sox Like This?

Colorado Rockies pitcher Cal Quantrill (47) and Boston Red Sox catcher Reese McGuire (3) exchange words as Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (11) and Colorado Rockies catcher Jacob Stallings (25) try to separate them, during a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, CO on July 24, 2024.

MLB: JUL 24 Red Sox at Rockies

Cal Quantrill Starts Benches-Clearing Brawl With Extremely Specific And Informed Trash Talk

A 3D model of Jake Cave among his teammates is contorted beyond human bounds.

MLB