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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

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

<p>Former Defector intern, now freelancer.</p>
<p>For professional inquiries or tips please write lucybl00m@protonmail.com or yuck.20 on Signal.</p>
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Lucy Bloom

TORONTO, ONTARIO - OCTOBER 20: Manager Dan Wilson #6 of the Seattle Mariners takes the ball from Bryan Woo #22 during a pitching change in the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game seven of the American League Championship Series at the Rogers Centre on October 20, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario.

American League Championship Series – Seattle Mariners v Toronto Blue Jays – Game Seven

How Not To Run A Bullpen

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David Roth

Kurt Suzuki, left, takes questions after being announced as the new manager of the Los Angeles Angels by General Manager Perry Minasian during a press conference at the stadium in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. He looks kind of freaked out.

Kurt Suzuki named manager of LA Angels

Congratulations Kurt Suzuki, You Get To Manage The Opossum House

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Ray Ratto

George Springer of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates while rounding the bases after hitting a three-run home run to take the lead in the seventh inning during Game Seven of the American League Championship Series. He's like 18 inches off the ground and everyone in the stands is freaking out.

Championship Series – Seattle Mariners v Toronto Blue Jays – Game 7

More Of This, Please

Manager Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on against the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS. He's been doing a lot of "looking on."

Division Series – Philadelphia Phillies v Los Angeles Dodgers – Game Three

Dave Roberts Can Afford To Take It Easy

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Lauren Theisen

New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine and catcher Mike Piazza applaud

Braves v Mets X Valentine

The MLB App Won’t Stop Forcing Me To Remember 9/11

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Kathryn Xu

Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners prepares to bat in the first inning, in front of the backdrop of the CN Tower.

Championship Series – Seattle Mariners v Toronto Blue Jays – Game 2

Everything’s Coming Up Mariners

<p>Patrick Dubuque is a writer and editor at Baseball Prospectus.</p>


Patrick Dubuque

Hot Dog Guys or Loonie Dog Kings Jody Matheson (r) and Ryan Ruston ( l) get welcomed back to the park and looking forward to loonie dogs. This was taken on the day of the Toronto Blue Jays' 2025 home opener.

Blue jays season opener

Catch The Game Like Never Before

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Kelsey McKinney

nick castellanos is celebrated after hitting a walk off

Minnesota Twins v Philadelphia Phillies

What I’ll Remember About The Phillies

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


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Chris Thompson

Jackson Chourio of the Brewers looks bummed.

Division Series – Milwaukee Brewers v Chicago Cubs – Game Four

The Zippy Brewers Appear To Have Misplaced Their Magic

Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate as they run past relief pitcher Orion Kerkering #50 of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 in 11 innings to win game 3 and the NLDS.

Phillies Go Down Swinging And Missing, And Throwing And Missing

The Blue Jays celebrate their Game 4 victory.

Division Series – Toronto Blue Jays v New York Yankees – Game 4

The Blue Jays Have The Juice

Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with Randy Arozarena #56 after hitting a two-run home run.

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What Mariners Magic Looks Like Now

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays tosses his bat after hitting a grand slam.

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The Blue Jays Are Trying To Mercy Rule The Yankees

<p>Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including <em>Point B</em>. Handsomest man in the world.</p>


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Drew Magary

Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers reacts during Game One of the American League Wild Card Series between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Guardians.

Wild Card Series – Detroit Tigers v Cleveland Guardians – Game 1

Podcasts

Hunting For The Wettest Guys Of The MLB Playoffs, With Lauren Theisen

Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees rounds third base to score a go-ahead run

Wild Card Series – Boston Red Sox v New York Yankees – Game Two

Jazz Chisholm Flew

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.

Houston Astros v Texas Rangers

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

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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.

Los Angeles Dodgers v Arizona Diamondbacks

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

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

Cincinnati Reds v Milwaukee Brewers

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

<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.

Baltimore Orioles v Chicago Cubs

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

Pittsburgh Pirates v Cincinnati Reds

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

John Schneider argues with umpire Gabe Morales.

Boston Red Sox v Toronto Blue Jays

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

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Cubs Rookie Matt Shaw Is Exactly Charlie Kirk’s Type

Miami Marlins v New York Mets

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)

Seattle Mariners v Houston Astros

Victor Robles To The Rescue!

Sean Kuhn

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

defector-summary

Let's Remember Some Guys

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

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