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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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Better Hate An Owner

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David Roth

SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 11: Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto watches batting practice before a game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 11, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. The Rangers won the game 2-1 in eleven innings. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

Jerry Dipoto Has Touched The Ultimate

Tom Ley

Things Somehow Got Worse For The Yankees

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

Guardians of Traffic photo in 1932, mixed with Cleveland Guardians logo now

Cleveland Guardians Is A Fine Name And The Backstory Is Even Better

Barry Petchesky

BOSTON, MA - JULY 22: Hunter Renfroe #10 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated by Matt Barnes #32 after his game-winning sacrifice fly in the 10th inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on July 22, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

If George Were Alive, This Would’ve Killed Him Again

Lauren Theisen

The NL West Is Deeply Unfair, And It’s Kind Of Cool

Ray Ratto

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JULY 25: A general view of the Oakland Athletics playing against the Los Angeles Angels in an empty stadium at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on July 25, 2020 in Oakland, California. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The A’s Get No Respect In Oakland, And Deserve None Either

Apologies To Shohei Ohtani, But This Is Funny

Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo celebrate

I Swear To God, Whoever’s Out There That Still Expects The Mets To Be Completely Normal, You Need To Stop Right Now

Samer Kalaf

Reds pitcher Sonny Gray rubs his butt against the mound during Sunday's game.

Sonny Gray Self-Reports Gunk On His Pants, Rubs His Butt On Pitcher’s Mound

Eric Haase avoids a high and inside pitch

HBPs Are Out Of Control

Do Not Ever Expect The Mets To Be Completely Normal

Kelsey McKinney

A photo of police tape and police cars in front of Nationals Park

Stop Acting Surprised By Gun Violence

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

As A Serial Mangler Of Over-Easy Eggs, I Deeply Relate To This Cussing Pitcher

Nolan Arenado’s Return To Colorado Meant Something

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Has Perfect Timing

Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani high-five at the MLB All-Star Game's Home Run Derby

ESPN Has Found The Absolute Worst Way To Talk About The Absolute Coolest Stuff

SUN VALLEY, IDAHO - JULY 08: Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred walks to a session at the Allen &amp; Company Sun Valley Conference on July 08, 2021 in Sun Valley, Idaho. After a year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world’s most wealthy and powerful businesspeople from the media, finance, and technology worlds will converge at the Sun Valley Resort for the exclusive week-long conference. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Rob Manfred Throws Fans Some Crumbs From The Table

The Home Run Derby Had Such Good Vibes

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 11: Josh Rojas #10 of the Arizona Diamondbacks reacts to second base umpire Brian O'Nora #7 after he was called out trying to steal second base against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on July 11, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

The Diamondbacks Might Be Bad Enough To Deserve Your Awe

So What’s The Deal With Kumar Rocker?

The Yankees And Astros Have Engaged In A Shirt-Based Beef

Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers is held back by Quintin Berry #23 of the Milwaukee Brewers after being ejected from the game by umpire John Libka #84 during the sixth inning at American Family Field on July 10, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Christian Yelich Was Furious, But John Libka’s Call Was Justified

Luis Paez-Pumar

Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on July 10, 2021 in Houston, Texas.

Gerrit Cole Cussed A Bunch Then Went The Distance

A collage of Babe Ruth headlines from newspapers at the time

History

101 Years Ago, Babe Ruth’s Career Could Have Ended In A Car Crash In Wawa, Pennsylvania

Daniel Camarena Hit The Dumbest, Funniest, Best Home Run Of The Season