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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

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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Barry Petchesky

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 30: Arizona Diamondbacks players celebrate in the Chase Field pool after clinching a National League Wild Card playoff spot after the game against the Houston Astros on September 30, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Houston Astros v Arizona Diamondbacks

It Was Clinch Night

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Lauren Theisen

Fans stand and cheer as Miguel Cabrera walks to the dugout

MLB: APR 23 Rockies at Tigers

Miguel Cabrera Was Always Worth It

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Ray Ratto

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts during the fifth inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on September 21, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

New York Mets v Philadelphia Phillies

Angel Hernandez Will Make You Want To Throw A Thing

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: The Grounds crew pull the tarp back on the field at Citi Field on September 28, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Miami Marlins v New York Mets

Fish All Wet

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Patrick Redford

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Curt Schilling Reveals Former Teammate Tim Wakefield’s Cancer Diagnosis Against His Wishes

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Kathryn Xu

Julio Rodríguez reacts after striking out against Héctor Neris.

Houston Astros v Seattle Mariners

Héctor Neris Got Mad, And The Mariners Couldn’t Get Even

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Maitreyi Anantharaman

Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after stealing second base in the tenth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Truist Park on September 27, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. Acuña Jr. is the first player in MLB history to hit 40 home runs and steal 70 bases in a single season.

Chicago Cubs v Atlanta Braves

It’s Starting To Feel Kind Of Cubs

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Tom Scocca is the editor of <a href="http://indignity.net">Indignity</a>, a subscription-supported newsletter of news, essays, and commentary.</div>
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Tom Scocca

BALTIMORE, MD - CIRCA 1970's: Third baseman Brooks Robinson #5 of the Baltimore Orioles in action sets to make a throw during a circa 1970's Major League Baseball game at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Robinson played for the Orioles from 1955-77. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

Baltimore Orioles

Third Base, Heading For Home

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


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Dan McQuade

Alex Rodriguez looks at his teeth, with this hand pulling one of his lips back, and you see him in the mirror and also see the back of his head.

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This Is So Stupid

Breaking: A-Rod Still Has Gum Disease

Justin Verlander tips hit cap after being taken out of the game

Justin Verlander Pulled The Astros Out Of The Quicksand

Nick Castellanos rounds third after hitting a home run

Philadelphia Phillies v Atlanta Braves

Nick Castellanos Is The Phillies’ Himbo Hero

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<div>Zach Buchanan has covered Major League Baseball for more than a decade, for the <em>Arizona Republic</em>, <em>Cincinnati Enquirer,</em> and most recently The Athletic. He also has been published in <em>The New York Times</em>, <em>Washington Post</em>, FanGraphs and <em>Baseball America</em>. He lives in Phoenix, where he prepares for the inevitable water crisis by living off Dr Pepper instead.</div>
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Zach Buchanan

SARASOTA, FLORIDA - MARCH 21, 2023: Jackson Holliday #87 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during a minor league spring training game against the Atlanta Braves at the Buck O’Neil Baseball Complex on March 21, 2023 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jackson Holliday

Atlanta Braves v Baltimore Orioles minor leaguers

MLB Prospects Are Getting Promoted Faster Than Ever. Why?

Kyle Schwarber warms up, wearing what appear to be Oakley wraparounds.

Philadelphia Phillies v. Milwaukee Brewers

An Unsuccessful Attempt To Prove How Weird The Phillies Offense Is

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David Roth

Matt Carpenter of the Padres looking distraught during a road game against the Phillies in July of 2023.

San Diego Padres v Philadelphia Phillies

Podcasts

What Are The Padres Trying To Tell Us, With Justin Halpern

Mordecai Brown Of The Chicago Cubs

An “Old-Fashioned Pitchers’ Duel” Didn’t Always Mean What You Think

<p>Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including <em>Point B</em>. Handsomest man in the world.</p>


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Drew Magary

circa 1885: A couple of men playing a leisurely game of chess. The photo is in black in white. The men are dressed in suits. One of them is also petting a dog.

Chess Game

I Have A Beef With Immaculate Grid, And It Is Exceptionally Petty

General view of Busch Stadium during a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Oakland Athletics on August 14, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri.

A’s vs. Cardinals

Joy Is Where You Find It, Even If That Means In St. Louis

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Kelsey McKinney

Trea Turner rounds the bases after hitting a home run

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I Apologize To My Beautiful Son Trea Turner, Who I Never Should Have Doubted For One Minute

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Chris Thompson

Nationals owner Mark Lerner smiles in sunglasses at a Nationals game.

Mark Lerner Loses His Appetite For Sentiment, Pulls The Plug On Stephen Strasburg’s Retirement Send-Off

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 5: Manager Bruce Bochy #15 of the Texas Rangers watches action against the Houston Astros during the second inning at Globe Life Field on September 5, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

Houston Astros v Texas Rangers

The Rangers Are Going Quietly

Will Benson and Elly De La Cruz celebrate after De La Cruz scores the winning run

Seattle Mariners v Cincinnati Reds

Better Reds Than Dead

José Altuve celebrates after a home run.

José Altuve Has Found The Range

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 04: Cleveland Guardians position player David Fry (12) delivers a pitch to the plate during the sixth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians on September 4, 2023, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

MLB: SEP 04 Twins at Guardians

Let David Fry Cook

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Tom Ley

Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (23) hits a grand slam during the second inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians on September 4, 2023, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

MLB