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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

New Defector Merch For Your Baby

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Merch v3

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Tom Ley

John Schneider #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on prior to Game One of the Wild Card Series against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on October 03, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Wild Card Series – Toronto Blue Jays v Minnesota Twins – Game One

What Was John Schneider Thinking?

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Lauren Theisen

Wild Card Series – Toronto Blue Jays v Minnesota Twins – Game Two

Did The Twins Transfer Their Demonic Energy To The Blue Jays?

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<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
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Charles P. Pierce

Tim Wakefield of the Boston Red Sox throws a knuckleball, in profile

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Tim Wakefield Was A Wizard For The Working Day

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Ray Ratto

A general view of Tropicana Field during Game 1 of the Wild Card Series between the Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 in Tampa, Florida.

Wild Card Series – Texas Rangers v. Tampa Bay Rays – Game One

The Rays Are Masters Of Being Forgotten

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Chris Thompson

Jerry DiPoto makes a face while answering questions.

Jerry Dipoto Wants Gratitude For Kicking The Can Down The Road

Royce Lewis celebrates after hitting a home run

The Twins Regained Some Control Over Their Existence

Marcus Semien of the Rangers pops champagne.

Texas Rangers GM: Don’t Anyone Dare Say My Players Partied!

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Members Miami Marlins celebrate after a 7-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates to clinch an National Leauge Wildcard berth at PNC Park on September 30, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Miami Marlins v Pittsburgh Pirates

These No-Good, Historically Bad Marlins Have Won Me Back

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Kelsey McKinney

Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies in a Phillies jersey, grey, with the top buttons unbuttoned

Philadelphia Phillies v Milwaukee Brewers

Is The Phillies’ Good Luck Charm A Dedication To Himbo Culture And Showing Clavicle? [Update]

Miguel Cabrera fields a ground ball at first for the last time

Cleveland Guardians v Detroit Tigers

Miguel Cabrera, First To The Last

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 19: Manager Gabe Kapler #19 of the San Francisco Giants watches from the dugout during the first inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 19, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

San Francisco Giants v Arizona Diamondbacks

The Giants’ Organizational Mediocrity Runs Deeper Than Gabe Kapler

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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

Fans stand and cheer as Miguel Cabrera walks to the dugout

MLB: APR 23 Rockies at Tigers

Miguel Cabrera Was Always Worth It

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