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Barry Petchesky

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 01: Freddy Fermin #54 and Mason Miller #22 of the San Diego Padres interact during Game Two of the National League Wild Card Series between the San Diego Padres and the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

This Is As Close To Unhittable As A Pitch Gets

Samer Kalaf

Trent Grisham strikes out to end the game as the Yankees lose, 3-1

I Am Writing This Red Sox Blog Of My Own Free Will

Ray Ratto

Bruce Bochy, manager of the Texas Rangers looks on before the game against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Field on September 7, 2025 in Arlington, Texas.

Bruce Bochy May Or May Not Be The Future Of The San Francisco Giants

Kelsey McKinney

A camera that has been absolutely obliterated by a baseball from the first game of the Tigers/Guardians series in the 2025 MLB Playoffs.

Camera Absolutely Wrecked By Baseball

Defector Staff

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates with teammates in the locker room after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-0 to clinch the National League West title.

Everything We’re Looking Forward To In The 2025 MLB Playoffs

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Elly De La Cruz attempts to drink from an empty champagne bottle.

The Sneaky Little Reds Avoid Being Squished By The Boot Of Elimination

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<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
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Charles P. Pierce

Worcester, MA - May 11: Opening Day at the new Polar Park for the Worcester Red Sox in Worcester on May 11, 2021. Spectators watch from above home plate as Syracuse Mets and the WooSox line the field. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

A Million Lives Lead Back To Worcester

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Tom Scocca is the editor of <a href="http://indignity.net">Indignity</a>, a subscription-supported newsletter of news, essays, and commentary.</div>
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Tom Scocca

Margin Of Error

What Makes A Loser

MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 28: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets reacts after striking out during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on September 28, 2025 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Tomas Diniz Santos/Getty Images)

The Mets Went Out Like Chumps

C.J. Kayfus #63 of the Cleveland Guardians is hit by a pitch to force a walk-off to win the game between the Texas Rangers and the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on Saturday, September 27, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio

I Too Would Hit My Opponent With A Baseball To Eliminate The Astros From The Playoffs

<p><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">Marc Normandin currently writes on baseball’s labor issues and more at </span><a style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif" href="http://marcnormandin.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://marcnormandin.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1758998321491000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ZpjG5RUFwdpapWqR1u4bd">marcnormandin.com</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">, which you can read for free but support </span><a style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif" href="https://www.patreon.com/marcnormandin">through his Patreon</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">. His baseball writing has appeared at FOX Sports, SB Nation, Defector, Global Sport Matters, Deadspin, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Sports on Earth, The Guardian, The Nation, FAIR, and TalkPoverty, and you can read his takes on video games at Retro XP and Endless Mode.</span></p>
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Marc Normandin

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred (L) speaks with owner Tom Ricketts of the Chicago Cubs during the 2027 Chicago All-Star Game Announcement before a game between the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Manfred's got shades on.

Rob Manfred’s Two Jobs

Noelvi Marte #16 of the Cincinnati Reds leaps to make a catch in the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates

It’s A Big Baseball Weekend For Big Baseball Things!

John Schneider argues with umpire Gabe Morales.

John Schneider Seeks A Cure For The Blue Jays’ Case Of Loser Brain


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

Edmundo Sosa stands at the top of the dugout steps, making a heart with his hands above his head, as Phillies fans cheer. He's in his white pinstripe Phillies jersey.

I Saw The Phillies Hit Eight Homers

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 13: Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners looks on while standing next to Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees at T-Mobile Park on May 13, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Dumper And Judge Are Bringing The Thrill In The MVP Race

Cubs Rookie Matt Shaw Is Exactly Charlie Kirk’s Type

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 23: Steven Kwan #38, Daniel Schneemann #10 and Petey Halpin #0 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrate the team's 5-2 win over the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on September 23, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Maybe The Guardians Can Keep Getting Away With This

Lauren Theisen

Jacob Young Kicked The Mets While They’re Down

HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 20: Victor Robles #10 of the Seattle Mariners makes a diving catch to end the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on September 20, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)

Victor Robles To The Rescue!

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 20: George Valera #35 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Minnesota Twins in the second inning of game one of a doubleheader at Target Field on September 20, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

What In The Hell Is Going On In The AL Central?

Sean Kuhn

An Immaculate Grid filled in with the most-remembered people from the Defector/Immaculate Grid collaboration week.

Let's Remember Some Guys

Who Gets Remembered? Crunching The Numbers From 36,000 Immaculate Grids

Kathryn Xu

Never Try To Catch A Baseball


<p>Robert Weintraub is the author of four books, including <em>The Divine Miss Marble</em>, now <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Divine-Miss-Marble-Tennis-Mystery/dp/1524745367/ref=asc_df_1524745367/?tag=hyprod-20&amp;linkCode=df0&amp;hvadid=459515946640&amp;hvpos=&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvrand=6202131795131082661&amp;hvpone=&amp;hvptwo=&amp;hvqmt=&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvdvcmdl=&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvlocphy=9010752&amp;hvtargid=pla-926582175995&amp;psc=1">out in paperback</a>. He has also written for the <em>New York Times</em>, ESPN/Grantland, Slate, Columbia Journalism Review, the <em>Guardian</em>, Football Outsiders, and many other outlets. Follow on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/robwein" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@robwein</a>.</p>


Robert Weintraub

Bubblegum card (from the Bowman Gum Company) features baseball player Hank Thompson, of the New York Giants, 1955.

Hank Thompson Lived A Wild, Tragic, Forgotten Life In Baseball

David Roth

of the New York Mets heads to home plate to celebrate with teammates after hitting a home run for a walk off win in the bottom of the 10th against the Texas Rangers at Citi Field on September 14, 2025.

How To Go To A Mets Game

Seattle Mariners (L-R) Leo Rivas #76, Eugenio Suarez #28, Josh Naylor #12 and Harry Ford #5 at T-Mobile Park on September 14, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.

MLB