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Kathryn Xu

Pitching coach Brent Strom meets with Zac Gallen during Game Five of the World Series.

I Hate The Third Time Through The Order!

Lauren Theisen

PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 01: Kevin Ginkel #37 of the Arizona Diamondbacks reacts during Game 5 of the 2023 World Series between the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. Edits by Defector; The Gink is surrounded by various colors.

The Defector World Series MVP Is The Gink

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

The Texas Rangers celebrate on the field after winning the World Series.

The Rangers Are The Big-Spending Heroes Of The 2023 Season

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

Dan McQuade

A Rod reacts in semi-horror as a Cookie Monster drone flies toward him

This Is So Stupid

Former MLB Players Impressed By Stuffed Cookie Monster Taped To A Drone: “Amazing Technology”

Ryne Nelson Was An Excellent Janitor

Ray Ratto

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Josh Jung #6 of the Texas Rangers slides into home plate to score a run on a wild pitch in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during Game Four of the World Series at Chase Field on October 31, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

We Were Spared A Double Bullpen Game But Little Else

Dave McKenna

WASHINGTON, D.C. - CIRCA 1966: First Baseman Frank Howard #9 of the Washington Senators bats during an Major League Baseball game circa 1966 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.. Howard played for the Senators from 1965-71. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Frank Howard

Frank Howard Was The Only Senator Who Mattered

Tom Ley

Jon Gray #22 of the Texas Rangers pitches in the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during Game One of the World Series at Globe Life Field on October 27, 2023 in Arlington, Texas.

Longtime Haters Of The Colorado Rockies Are Real Quiet Right Now

Evan Longoria #3 of the Arizona Diamondbacks attempts a bunt in the third inning against the Texas Rangers during Game Two of the World Series at Globe Life Field on October 28, 2023 in Arlington, Texas.

The Diamondbacks Took The Rangers Back In Time For A Beating

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 26: Max Scherzer #31 of the Texas Rangers looks on during the World Series Workout Day at Globe Life Field on October 26, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Let’s Rub It In Some More: Polling Our Miserable Philadelphians About The World Series

David Roth

Evan Carter of the Texas Rangers celebrates in the clubhouse after beating the Astros in Game 7 of the ALCS.

Podcasts

Giving Home Plate The Business, With Emma Baccellieri

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates in the clubhouse after beating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 in Game Seven of the National League Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park.

When You Avoid Rock Bottom, You Don’t Have As Far To Climb

Corbin Carroll celebrates by smoking a cigar in the clubhouse

Corbin Carroll’s Small Ball Came Up Big

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 24: Kevin Ginkel #37 of the Arizona Diamondbacks reacts after striking out J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies (not pictured) during the eighth inning in Game Seven of the Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 24, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The Diamondbacks Ginked Their Way To The World Series

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 24: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after flying out against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning in Game Seven of the Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 24, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

How Do You Cope?

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 23: Adolis Garcia #53 of the Texas Rangers celebrates after hitting a solo home run against Jose Urquidy #65 of the Houston Astros during the eighth inning in Game Seven of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 23, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Adolis Garcia Is The Engine

It’s On Max Scherzer, Again

Andre Kobayashi Deckrow is Post-Doctoral Associate in the Heritage Studies and Public History program and the Department of History at the University of Minnesota. He is currently working on a book about Japanese state-led migration to São Paulo in the 1920s and &#8217;30s. When not teaching or researching, he can be found rooting for Seattle sports teams or cooking Japanese food.

Andre Kobayashi Deckrow

Pedro Okuda of Team Brazil celebrates a win over Panama in the WBC qualifiers in 2012.

How Baseball Became Brazilian

Jose Leclerc #25 of the Texas Rangers celebrates after striking out Jon Singleton #28 of the Houston Astros to end the eighth inning in Game Six of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 22, 2023 in Houston, Texas.

José Leclerc Stepped Away From The Void

Albert Burneko

Arizona's Zac Gallen and Philadelphia's Bryce Harper watch Harper's sixth-inning home run soar into the night during Philadelphia's 6-1 win in Game 5 of the NLCS.

Never Make Zac Gallen Face Kyle Schwarber And Bryce Harper In The Same Inning Ever Again

Max Scherzer of the Texas Rangers looks unhappy as he watches Jose Altuve's home run fly into the left-field stands.

More Like Min Scherzer

Evan Longoria and Ryne Nelson look disappointed about the ball that dropped

This Is How A Team Pleads For Mercy

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 17: Alec Bohm #28 and Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate a 10-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game Two of the Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 17, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Go D-Backs And Go Astros Because, Well, What Else Is There To Do?

Managing Partner John Fisher of the Oakland Athletics in the stands during the game against the Chicago Cubs at RingCentral Coliseum on April 17, 2023 in Oakland, California. The Cubs defeated the Athletics 10-1.

A’s Reliever Trevor May Retires, Tells Owner To “Take Mommy And Daddy’s Money Somewhere Else”

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 03: Miami Marlins general manager Kim Ng looks on prior to Game 1 of the Wild Card Series between the Miami Marlins and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

MLB