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Lauren Theisen

Javier Báez #28 of the Detroit Tigers is showered with ice water after hitting a three-run walk-off home run

Javy Báez Comes Back For Seconds

Ray Ratto

Group shot of the 1919 White Sox. They would after this year be known as the "Black Sox Scandal" team, due to the allegation that eight members of the team accepted bribes to lose the 1919 World Series to the Cincinnati Reds.

Baseball Frees Its Gambling Ghosts

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Javier Báez #28 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the ninth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 02, 2025 in Anaheim, California.

Javier Báez Can’t Do It All, But He Sure Will Try

Colorado Rockies owner Dick Monfort, left, during batting practice before the opening day game against the Athletics at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado on Friday, April 4, 2025.

The Colorado Rockies Can’t Even Lose Right

The Savannah Bananas players and Party Animals players get up after making a group photo after a game

The Savannah Bananas Make Baseball Boring

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Rafeal Devers wears a green Wally mask in the dugout.

Red Sox Now Chasing Rafael Devers Across The Country, Waving Lineup Card

A passer-by looks on as worker hangs papal bunting over the entrance to the Holy Name Cathedral after Cardinal Robert Prevost, who was born in Chicago, had been named as first American leader of the Catholic Church. She's wearing a White Sox hat.

Which Accursed Chicago Baseball Fan Base Will Get To Claim Pope Leo XIV?

Tom Ley

A fan sits alone in the purple row of seats that are exactly on mile above sea level during a game between the Houston Astros and Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 23, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Houston Astros 8-6.

Which Towering Dinger In Denver Is Jerry Dipoto Actually Talking About?

Kathryn Xu

José Azocar #28, Tyrone Taylor #15, and Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets celebrate after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field.

It’s All Coming Up Mets

Bradley Blalock of the Rockies tries to throw a baseball while sliding on his butt.

The Rockies Are Bad At Every Part Of Baseball

David Roth

Griffin Canning of the New York Mets pitches against the Athletics in the bottom of the first inning at Sutter Health Park on April 11, 2025 in Sacramento, California.

The Mets Are Doing The Hard Stuff Now

Samer Kalaf

The Nationals Know What Goes Great Together: Dogs And Fireworks

Heliot Ramos of the San Francisco Giants scores the game-winning run.

Horrible Rangers Loss Also Really Funny

Eugenio Suarez celebrates after hitting his fourth homer of Saturday's game against the Braves.

Eugenio Suárez Picked A Bad Day To Hit Four Homers

Starling Marte #6 of the New York Mets celebrates with his team after driving in the winning run.

Mets Invincible, Phillies On Bullet-Train To Hell

Ian Happ #8 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates a walk-off hit in the bottom of the tenth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field on April 22, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

The Cubs Love To Get Crooked 

Luis Paez-Pumar

Agustin Ramirez #50 of the Miami Marlins in the game against the Cincinnati Reds at loanDepot park on April 21, 2025 in Miami, Florida.

Enjoy The Agustín Ramírez Show For As Long As It Lasts

James Wood Is A Special Case

The Hobbled Braves Are Hanging In There

Manager Bud Black #10 of the Colorado Rockies looks on before the game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on April 11, 2025 in San Diego.

Bud Black Has Either The Best Or The Worst Job In Baseball

Elly De La Cruz is showered in $100 bills after socking a dinger.

O’s, No!

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

Dan McQuade

A bunch of baseball cards behind. In front are two cards. One has this tip: "Never put poison in your mouth. And if you see someone put poison in their mouth, you should get help right away." The other says: "Drug dealers are always trying to tempt ballplayers. They like to hang around celebrities and try to get us to join them at parties. We learn to just say no. We tell them to get lost or we'll call police. Call it what you want, pot, grass, crack, speed, angel dust, or coke — it's dangerous stuff that can hurt you and even kill. If you're approached, just say no and then call your local police or tell your parents."

“Don’t Put Poison In Your Mouth,” And Other Great Tips From ’80s And ’90s Trading Cards

A Dangerously Bad Bullpen Is Everyone’s Problem

Santiago Espinal #4 and Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrate after winning the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Saturday, April 12, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Cincinnati Reds Are Going Nowhere In Particular More Quickly Than Any Team Ever Has

Octavio Dotel pitches for the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Minnesota Twins on August 15, 2012 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota.