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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

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David Roth

Aaron Judge leaving the field at Yankee Stadium in the ALCS.

Championship Series – Houston Astros v New York Yankees – Game Four

In The Long Run, We Are All Dead

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Ray Ratto

Tampa Bay Rays v Boston Red Sox

Xander Bogaerts Is A Padre Because All That Money Has To Go Somewhere

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Lauren Theisen

Cody Bellinger makes a catch at Wrigley Field

Los Angeles Dodgers v. Chicago Cubs

Cody Bellinger Has A Lot Riding On This

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Barry Petchesky

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 22: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates his solo home run in the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium on April 22, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Cleveland Guardians v New York Yankees

Aaron Judge Wasn’t About To Be Anyone’s Bargain

2022 World Series Game 6: Philadelphia Phillies v. Houston Astros

The Phillies Might As Well Keep Spending

SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 14: Ken Griffey Jr #24 of the Seattle Mariners, Barry Bonds #24 of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Fred McGriff #19 of the San Diego Padres poses together for this portrait during batting practice prior to the 1992 Major League Baseball All-Star game July 14, 1992 at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. The American League beat the National League 13-6. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

1992 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

There’s A Place For Cheaters In The Hall Of Fame


<p>Michael is a writer who has worked with The Atlantic, The New Yorker, WIRED, Vox, The New York Times, and other publications. His first book, <em>The Other Olympians</em>, which uncovers the stories of several European athletes who transitioned gender in the 1930s, is now available for purchase.</p>


Michael Waters

TOLEDO, OH - JULY 01: Columbus Clippers player's ball caps are seen on the dugout bench during a regular season game between the Columbus Clippers and the Toledo Mud Hens on July 1, 2019 at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, Ohio.

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Capital

The Columbus Clippers Made Public Sports Ownership Work. Can Anyone Else?


<p>Colin Deppen is a reporter with Spotlight PA. </p>


Colin Deppen

Barnstormers' Jake Hoover (20) slides into second base after hitting a two run double against the York Revolution during first inning action of the home opener at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster Friday April 29, 2022.

Lancaster Barnstormers home opener vs. York

Why These Teams Got Left Out Of The Minor League Baseball Union

Twitter CEO Elon Musk carries a sink into Twitter headquarters as part of a typically epic jape.

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Everything Is Silicon Valley Now


<p><a href="https://twitter.com/LeanderAlphabet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leander Schaerlaeckens</a> is a sports writer and previously wrote about <a href="https://slate.com/culture/2020/05/donald-trump-baseball-high-school-nyma.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donald Trump’s high school baseball career</a>, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/14/sports/soccer/asbury-park-football-club-soccer.html?mcubz=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a soccer team that doesn’t exist</a>, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/19/sports/raw-talent-and-college-sports-mix-at-culinary-institute-of-america.html?smid=tw-share&amp;_r=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">varsity sports at the Culinary Institute of America</a> and <a href="https://www.theringer.com/soccer/2022/1/27/22891886/american-investors-european-soccer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Americans buying European soccer teams</a>. He is writing a book about the United States men’s national soccer team. He teaches at Marist College.</p>


Leander Schaerlaeckens

The handwritten notes of Dick Cramer, back when he was coming up with a stat that would change baseball forever during his spare time.

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The Forgotten Men Behind The Ideas That Changed Baseball

Barry Bonds speaks during an induction ceremony for the late Giants president and managing general partner Peter Magowan on the team’s Wall of Fame at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif. on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. Magowan joins the 52 retired Giants pl

Hall Of Fame Debates Not Endless Enough For You? There’s A Committee For That


<p>Jay Willis is a writer who covers law and democracy. His work has appeared in GQ, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Slate, and more. He is the editor-in-chief at Balls &amp; Strikes, an outlet for progressive commentary on the legal system.</p>


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Jay Willis

Supreme Court Justice and Philadelphia Phillies fan Samuel Alito seen at the July 2019 swearing-in of Mark Esper as Secretary of Defense.

President Trump Swears In Mark Esper As Secretary Of Defense

Politics

Spare A Thought For Samuel Alito, America’s Worst Phillies Fan

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Laura Wagner

Manager Dusty Baker Jr. of the Houston Astros celebrates after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 to win the 2022 World Series in Game Six of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park on November 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas.

World Series – Philadelphia Phillies v Houston Astros – Game Six

You Can’t Not Be Happy For Dusty Baker

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Yordan Álvarez Hit A Ball So Hard That It Ended The Phillies’ Hopes And Dreams

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Chris Thompson

Jeremy Peña shrugs after socking a dinger.

Jeremy Pena

The Astros Have Seized The Juice

Rafael Montero #47, Bryan Abreu #52, Cristian Javier #53, Christian Vázquez #9 and Ryan Pressly #55 of the Houston Astros pose for a photo after their combined no-hitter

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A Combined No-Hitter Leaves Everyone Wanting More

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Tom Ley

World Series – Houston Astros v Philadelphia Phillies – Game Four

Cristian Javier Played Catch

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


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Dan McQuade

ST LOUIS, MO - JULY 14: Tony LaRussa and US Airways pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger takes part in the MLB All-Star Game Red Carpet Parade on July 14, 2009 in St Louis, Missouri.

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Media Meltdowns

Tony La Russa’s Dream Of Twitter Verification Will Soon Just Be Something You Can Buy

Bryce Harper celebrates his home run with Alec Bohm

World Series – Houston Astros v Philadelphia Phillies – Game Three

Bryce And Alec Have A Secret

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Albert Burneko

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More Like Launch McCullers

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A World Series Rain Delay Just Leaves More Time To Drive Yourself Crazy

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<p class="sc-77igqf-0 bOfvBY">Vince Guerrieri is an award-winning journalist and author in the Cleveland area. He likes Lake Erie perch sandwiches, Jim Traficant and long walks on the field at League Park. His website is <a class="sc-1out364-0 hMndXN sc-145m8ut-0 kGbjEv js_link" href="http://vinceguerrieri.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-ga="[[&quot;Embedded Url&quot;,&quot;External link&quot;,&quot;http://vinceguerrieri.com/&quot;,{&quot;metric25&quot;:1}]]">vinceguerrieri.com</a>, and you can follow him on Twitter <a class="sc-1out364-0 hMndXN sc-145m8ut-0 kGbjEv js_link" href="https://twitter.com/vinceguerrieri" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-ga="[[&quot;Embedded Url&quot;,&quot;External link&quot;,&quot;https://twitter.com/vinceguerrieri&quot;,{&quot;metric25&quot;:1}]]">@vinceguerrieri</a>.</p>
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Vince Guerrieri

26 Jun 2001: John Rocker of the Cleveland Indians prepares for a pitch during the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. The Indians beat the Yankees 5-3. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Ezra Shaw/Allsport

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Book Excerpts That Don't Suck

When Cleveland Was Where Careers Went To End

World Series – Philadelphia Phillies v Houston Astros – Game Two

The Astros Are Not Here For Any More Phillies Shenanigans

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The World Series Is Chaos Vs. Control

Bryce Harper on the field after the Phillies defeated the Padres in the 2022 National League Championship Series.

Championship Series – San Diego Padres v Philadelphia Phillies – Game Five

Bryce Harper Is Burning Again