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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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Kathryn Xu

Lance Lynn reacts after giving up a home run to Gabriel Moreno.

Division Series – Los Angeles Dodgers v Arizona Diamondbacks – Game Three

The Dodgers Need A 75-Game Series

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Lauren Theisen

Rocco Baldelli visits the mound to remove Caleb Thielbar

Division Series – Houston Astros v Minnesota Twins – Game Four

The Astros Were Not About To Lose A Battle Of Bullpens

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Tom Ley

Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies rounds second base ant stares down Orlando Arcia #11 of the Atlanta Braves during Game 3 of the NLDS on October 11, 2023 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

MLB: OCT 11 NLDS – Braves at Phillies

The Braves Are Being Babies About Bryce Harper’s Mean Little Stare

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Ray Ratto

Steve Garvey, in the foreground, at his induction into the Legends of Dodgers Baseball inaugural class back in September of 2018. He's got sunglasses on and is clapping.

San Diego Padres v Los Angeles Dodgers

Politics

Nobody Wants Senator Steve Garvey

Manager Rocco Baldelli of the Minnesota Twins relieves Sonny Gray #54 in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros during Game Three of the Division Series at Target Field on October 10, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Division Series – Houston Astros v Minnesota Twins – Game Three

The Negating Effects Of First-Half-Inning Run Scoring On Competitive Integrity And Entertainment Fidelity

Bryce Harper walks back to the dugout as the Atlanta Braves celebrate their win

Division Series – Philadelphia Phillies v. Atlanta Braves – Game Two

The Phillies Went For The Throat And Missed

Carlos Correa #4 of the Minnesota Twins reacts after hitting a double in the seventh inning during Game 2 of the Division Series between the Minnesota Twins and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Sunday, October 8, 2023 in Houston, Texas.

Division Series – Minnesota Twins v. Houston Astros – Game Two

The Twins Unleashed Their Dudes

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Justin Ellis

Jorge Polanco of the Minnesota Twins at home hits a home run as the catcher and umpire observe during the seventh inning against the Houston Astros during Game One of the Division Series at Minute Maid Park on October 07, 2023 in Houston, Texas.

Division Series – Minnesota Twins v Houston Astros – Game One

Everything And Nothing Changed For The Twins In Just One Inning

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Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 20: General manager Billy Eppler of the New York Mets talks during a press conference to introduce pitcher Justin Verlander at Citi Field on December 20, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

New York Mets Introduce Justin Verlander

Billy Eppler’s Resignation Was Strange And Sudden

Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in Game Two of the Wild Card Series at American Family Field on October 04, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Wild Card Series – Arizona Diamondbacks v Milwaukee Brewers – Game Two

The NL’s Underdogs Can Make A Big Mess Of These Playoffs

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Kelsey McKinney

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Bryson Stott, wearing the white pin-striped Phillies uniform, crosses home plate with an elated look. The Marlins catcher looks miserably at him.

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Point/Counterpoint: Was The Phillies-Marlins Wild Card Series Good?

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David Roth

Geraldo Perdomo of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates by splashing to beers around after Arizona completed their two-game Wild Card sweep of the Brewers in October of 2023.

Podcasts

Wild Cards And Animal Spirits In October

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?

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

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

<div class="author-header-content">
<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>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="author-header-shares"></div>


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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

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!

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

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)

MLB