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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

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winter 2023 gift (eyebrow)

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

<a href="https://twitter.com/PeteCroatto" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/PeteCroatto&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1664986664225000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1IOCSnf8b8k47CXUQY8Wml">Pete Croatto </a>is the author of <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/From-Hang-Time-to-Prime-Time/Pete-Croatto/9781982103958" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/From-Hang-Time-to-Prime-Time/Pete-Croatto/9781982103958&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1664986664225000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0qtPVCYdWjoWnj-HRERk_r">From Hang Time to Prime Time: Business, Entertainment, and the Birth of the Modern-day NBA</a>. His sportswriting has appeared in many outlets, including The New York Times, The Athletic, The Toronto Star, Andscape, Shondaland, and SLAM.

Pete Croatto

<a href="https://twitter.com/DaveCroatto" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dave Croatto</a> has written for The Onion, The New Yorker’s Daily Shouts, MAD Magazine and Random House’s Little Golden Books. Once, in a diner, he saw a woman take a spoonful of complimentary mints from a bowl by the cash register, put the spoon directly into her mouth, and then place the spoon back in the bowl. The experience haunts him to this day.

Dave Croatto

An illustration of a hand holding a straight flush of Donruss Diamond Kings.

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The Brief, Memorable Reign Of The Diamond King, Baseball Cards’ Most Iconic Subset

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Ray Ratto

Toronto Blue Jays v Baltimore Orioles

There’s Nothing Left For The MLB Season To Do But End

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Lauren Theisen

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At Least One Person Appreciated Kody Clemens’s Grand Slam

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Barry Petchesky

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 04: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees runs the bases after hitting his 62nd home run in the first inning breaking the American League home run record during the game between the New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

New York Yankees v. Texas Rangers

Who Cares If 62 Isn’t A Real Record?

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

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Dan McQuade

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 03: The Philadelphia Phillies celebrate after clinching the Wild Card, their first playoff berth since 2011 with a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on October 03, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)

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This Phillies Postseason, I Have No Fear

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Tie Goes To The Smoker

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 17: Aaron Nola #27 of the Philadelphia Phillies walks back to the clubhouse before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on September 17, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Casey Sykes/Getty Images)

Philadelphia Phillies v Atlanta Braves

Jinxes Are Fake But Phillies Fans Are All Too Real

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 26: Tony La Russa #22 of the Chicago White Sox walk on the field in the sixth inning during a game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 26, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/Getty Images)

Arizona Diamondbacks v Chicago White Sox

Tony La Russa Was A Genius Until He Wasn’t

Dansby Swanson celebrates after hitting a home run

New York Mets v Atlanta Braves

The Braves Are Annoying And Unstoppable

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Tom Ley

Oakland Athletics v Los Angeles Angels

Shohei Ohtani Marches On

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Chris Thompson

September Is Once Again Destroying The Phillies

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David Roth

Amarillo Sod Poodles infielder Jordan Lawlar is congratulated by his coach after scoring a run in minor league game in 2022.

Frisco RoughRiders v Amarillo Sod Poodles

Podcasts

How The Minor Leagues Got Organized, With Emma Baccellieri

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Luis Paez-Pumar

UNITED STATES - CIRCA 1950s: Two boys playing baseball.

Two boys playing baseball

Underexplained Lists

The Coolness Of Baseball Positions, Ranked

Miami Marlins v New York Mets

It’s Time For The Marlins And Nats To Be Their Most Diabolical

TORONTO, - SEPTEMBER 28: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a home run in the seventh inning and tying Roger Maris AL record for most home runs in a single season during the game between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Thomas Skrlj/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

New York Yankees v. Toronto Blue Jays

Aaron Judge Is The Good Part Of The Yankees

Marlins reliever Richard Bleier looking incredulous after being called for the last of three straight balks in a game against the Mets on September 27, 2022.

Richard Bleier Balked Himself Into Red-Ass History

Toronto Blue Jays fall to the New York Yankees 5-2 to clinch the AL East

Aaron Judge Is Smiling Through The Walks

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Journalismism

Energetic Verlander Sibling Has Deep Thoughts In Japan

Aaron Judge looks out at the seats after hitting his 59th home run of the season on September 20, 2022.

Pittsburgh Pirates v New York Yankees

This Is So Stupid

Darren Rovell: Congratulations On Catching Aaron Judge’s Home Run Ball, But You Are In Great Danger

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 22: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees reacts after flying out to center during the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on September 22, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees won 5-4. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Boston Red Sox v New York Yankees

We All Got Owned By The Camera Guy

Clayton Kershaw, either smiling or grimacing after throwing a pitch against the Diamondbacks in a Dodgers win in September of 2022.

Dodgers vs Diamondbacks

You Cannot Just “Be The Dodgers”

CINCINNATI, OHIO - JULY 04: Mark Canha #19 of the New York Mets is hit by a pitch in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 04, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

New York Mets v Cincinnati Reds

Let The Reds Plunk The Mets Until The Sun Swallows Us All

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 20: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees looks on during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 in New York, New York. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Pirates v. New York Yankees

Aaron Judge Has Something For Everyone

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 20: A general view as Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees bats in the sixth inning during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 in New York, New York. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The Chase Is The Thing

Ginny Searle is a writer and editor at Baseball Prospectus.

Ginny Searle

Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy congratulate each other after another Dodgers win against the Giants, this one on September 17, 2022.

Los Angeles Dodgers v San Francisco Giants

The Dodgers Have Broken The Scale