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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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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

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


Chris Thompson

James Wood Is A Special Case

The Hobbled Braves Are Hanging In There

Ray Ratto

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!

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


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

David Roth

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

Octavio Dotel Made A Life In Baseball

Kathryn Xu

Randy Arozarena #56 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his walkoff walk as Julio Rodríguez #44 jumps on home plate.

The Mariners Find Catharsis In A Walk-Off Walk

Barry Petchesky

CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 08: A general view of the Progressive Field scoreboard with Opening Day signage prior to the game between the Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

This Is So Stupid

Are The Cleveland Guardians Creating A Dynamic Brand Experience That Deepens The Connection Between The Team And Its Fans, And Reflects The Team’s History, Its Commitment To Cleveland, And Its Vision For The Future, On And Off The Field?

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 03: Cody Bellinger #35 of the New York Yankees looks on during batting practice before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Yankee Stadium on April 3, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images)

If You’re Going To Get Food Poisoning, At Least Visit Flavortown First

Side-by-side photos of Luis M. Castillo and Luis F. Castillo, both Mariners pitchers.

The Definitive Guide To Mariners Pitchers Named Luis Castillo

Topps baseball cards featuring the Yankees’ Aaron Judge, are seen during the Washington Nationals media preview day at Nationals Park on Friday, March 21, 2025.

That’s Too Many Baseball Cards!

Stumbling Minnesota Twins Struggle With Clocks, Gizmos, Rules, And Authority

Victor Robles Demonstrates What Trying Can Get You

<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

Pittsburgh Pirates owner Bob Nutting speaks during the 2024 Pirates Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony before the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on August 24, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is kind of shrugging and looks like he is wearing a disguise somehow.

Are The Pittsburgh Pirates Really In Dire Straits?

Decorative bunting blows in the wind at Sutter Health Park which is decked out in opening day decorations for the A’s home opener in Sacramento, Calif., on Monday, March 31, 2025.

West Sacramento Has The A’s, Whether They Want Them Or Not

With Two Hits, Rafael Devers Makes Dylan Crews Mayor Of Bozo Town

Jarred Kelenic #24 of the Atlanta Braves is forced out at second base by Tommy Edman #25 of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Braves May Never Win A Game

On a homer to right center by the Rockies’ Hunter Goodman, the Phillies and visiting team bullpens are visible on a TV broadcast. Both teams’ bullpens have doors in front of the benches for relievers to sit on, but most of them are open. There are also ads for Hatfield meats, Temple Health, the Pennsylvania Lottery ("Play to win!"), Independence Blue Cross, and Budweiser visible in the shot.

Philly Fan Hecklers Thwarted By Doors

Willson Contreras On Eating Grip Tape: “It Was Disgusting. It Was A Bad Taste.”

Lauren Theisen

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux (9) disagrees with umpire Andy Fletcher who called him out on strikes in the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium.

Life Isn’t Fair. Why Should The Strike Zone Be?

Austin Wells of the New York Yankees hits a home run with a torpedo bat.

What Is The Deal With The Yankees’ Weird Bats?

Spare A Thought For Baseball’s Poor Flailing Bozos