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Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers points to the sky after pitching a complete game and winning Game Two of the 2025 World Series.

They Can’t All Be Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Former Defector intern, now freelancer.
For professional inquiries or tips please write lucybl00m@protonmail.com or yuck.20 on Signal.
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Lucy Bloom

TORONTO, ONTARIO - OCTOBER 20: Manager Dan Wilson #6 of the Seattle Mariners takes the ball from Bryan Woo #22 during a pitching change in the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game seven of the American League Championship Series at the Rogers Centre on October 20, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario.

How Not To Run A Bullpen

David Roth

Shohei Ohtani rs rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game four of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. The Distraction logo is at upper left.

Podcasts

No That’s Too Good, With Justin Halpern

Kurt Suzuki, left, takes questions after being announced as the new manager of the Los Angeles Angels by General Manager Perry Minasian during a press conference at the stadium in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. He looks kind of freaked out.

Congratulations Kurt Suzuki, You Get To Manage The Opossum House

Keith Paradise is a freelance writer who somehow won a Keystone Press Award during his 
decade spent as a newspaper reporter in Pennsylvania, where he covered sports, education, and 
the murder of a neighborhood turkey. Originally from Pittsburgh, he is a senior writer for 
Billiards Digest magazine and his name has appeared twice in the notable section of The Year’s 
Best Sports Writing anthology—including in 2024 for his Defector article on the rise and fall of 
sports clothing icon Starter.

Keith Paradise

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 4: A general overall interior view of PNC Park in the fourth inning during a game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Los Angeles Dodgers at PNC Park on September 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)

Why Are There Still Pirates Fans?

Lauren Theisen

TORONTO, ONTARIO - OCTOBER 20: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates after game seven of the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners at the Rogers Centre on October 20, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario.

The Sounds Of Autumn

Ray Ratto

George Springer of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates while rounding the bases after hitting a three-run home run to take the lead in the seventh inning during Game Seven of the American League Championship Series. He's like 18 inches off the ground and everyone in the stands is freaking out.

More Of This, Please

Kathryn Xu

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a home run against the Seattle Mariners.

Everything Is No Longer Coming Up Mariners

Tom Ley

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on after hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning during Game Four of the National League Championship Series

Shohei Ohtani Plays The Greatest Baseball Game Of All Time

Max Scherzer of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after striking out Randy Arozarena #56 of the Seattle Mariners in the fifth inning during Game Four of the American League Championship Series. He is making "the Tim Robinson face."

Night Of The Old Guy

Albert Burneko

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a home run during the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners in game three of the American League Championship Series on October 15, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.

Uh-Oh, Somebody Notified Vladimir Guerrero Jr. That The ALCS Was Happening

Manager Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on against the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS. He's been doing a lot of "looking on."

Dave Roberts Can Afford To Take It Easy

New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine and catcher Mike Piazza applaud

The MLB App Won’t Stop Forcing Me To Remember 9/11

Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners prepares to bat in the first inning, in front of the backdrop of the CN Tower.

Everything’s Coming Up Mariners

Kelsey McKinney

Brice Turang’s Body Keeps The Score (2-1, Dodgers)

That’s Why You Pay For All Those Guys

Patrick Dubuque is a writer and editor at Baseball Prospectus.

Patrick Dubuque

Hot Dog Guys or Loonie Dog Kings Jody Matheson (r) and Ryan Ruston ( l) get welcomed back to the park and looking forward to loonie dogs. This was taken on the day of the Toronto Blue Jays' 2025 home opener.

Catch The Game Like Never Before

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 Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

A Seattle Mariners fan covering his face in a game against the Detroit Tigers.

The Season Of The Prayer Face Is Upon Us

nick castellanos is celebrated after hitting a walk off

What I’ll Remember About The Phillies

Jackson Chourio of the Brewers looks bummed.

The Zippy Brewers Appear To Have Misplaced Their Magic

Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate as they run past relief pitcher Orion Kerkering #50 of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Phillies Go Down Swinging And Missing, And Throwing And Missing

The Blue Jays celebrate their Game 4 victory.

The Blue Jays Have The Juice

Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with Randy Arozarena #56 after hitting a two-run home run.

What Mariners Magic Looks Like Now

Barry Petchesky

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 07: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a game-tying three-run home run in the fourth inning of Game Three of the American League Division Series presented by Booking.com between the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

October Is For Big Boys

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos #8 slides into Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts #50 on third base.

MLB