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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.

Defector

Kathryn Xu

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers after hitting a single against the San Diego Padres in the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium.

Shohei Ohtani Ends His Season Dismantling The Entire Concept Of The Decimal System

Ray Ratto

Matt Thaiss of the Los Angeles Angels strikes out swinging during the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox on September 26,2024. His helmet's all wonky on his head.

Woof, The Angels

<a href="https://twitter.com/johnwilmeswords">John Wilmes</a> is a writer and professor in Chicago. His work has appeared in The Ringer, GQ, Chicago Reader, and The New Republic, among other places. He is the author of the novella Jad&#8217;s Dad Milo.

John Wilmes

Andrew Benintendi gives a kind of grim looking thumbs-up in profile after completing a TV interview following his walk-off hit in the Chicago White Sox's win on September 24.

“We’re Trying To Focus On Losing”: A Night With The White Sox At The Edge Of History

A general view of the Oakland Athletics playing against the Texas Rangers at the Oakland Coliseum on September 24, 2024 in Oakland, California.

Never Forget What Killed The Oakland A’s

Jake Cronenworth #9 of the San Diego Padres watches after throwing the ball to first base as part of a triple play as Enrique Hernández #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers ducks.

The Padres Found The Coolest Way To Clinch

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Go Ahead And Assume The Worst About The Pittsburgh Pirates

Randy Arozarena celebrates with teammates after hitting a three-run home run during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at T-Mobile Park on August 26, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.

The Chaos Option Is Alive In MLB’s Wild Card Races

Julio Rodriguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners reacts in the dugout after striking out during the fifth inning of a game against the New York Yankees.

Do Not Believe In The Seattle Mariners

Lauren Theisen

What’s A Playoff Chase Supposed To Feel Like?

Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies gives a thumbs up after hitting his third home run of the game in the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Kyle Schwarber Jacks Taters

Jacob deGrom #48 of the Texas Rangers greets teammates on the field prior to the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Texas Rangers.

The Cavalry Arrives Too Late To Save The Rangers

Dodgers Announcers Enjoy “Tipsy”

Michael Rosen is a transportation planner and author of the <a href="https://pitchplots.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://pitchplots.substack.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1725119706246000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3LfT9S-qtmoiPwAXtsicWT">&#8220;Pitch Plots&#8221;</a> Substack. He lives in Los Angeles.

Michael Rosen

An umpire mediates between two people networking

Looking For Friends Among Baseball’s Most Passionate Nerds

Samer Kalaf

White Sox interim manager Grady Sizemore argues with umpire and gets ejected from the game

The White Sox Can Always Find A Way To Get Lower

Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting a three run home run in the tenth inning against the Los Angeles Angels.

The Angels Walked Shohei Ohtani To Face Mookie Betts. What Happened Next Will Shock You.

A Troubleshooting Paul Skenes Is Somehow Even More Frightening

James Wood Sounds Like A Happy Future

Shohei Ohtani holds Decoy in his arms while Decoy licks at his face.

Life's Rich Pageant

Just A Bunch Of High-Resolution Photos Of Shohei Ohtani And His Dog

David Roth

Manhattan sky is seen after the rain storm in New York City.

Podcasts

Some Kind Of Summer Vibes

Julio Rodriguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners gestures after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays.

I Believe In The Seattle Mariners

Richard Staff is a <a href="https://twitter.com/RichardStaff" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weapons-grade Twitter goblin</a> and hostage of the Mets. That is his real name.

Richard Staff

An illustration of several baseball mitts trying to catch the same ball

The Minor League Shrink And The Growing Gap Between Triple-A And The Bigs

Making MLB history as the first player to play for both teams in the same game, Danny Jansen #28 of the Boston Red Sox takes the field for game one of a doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays on August 26, 2024 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.

August Is For Weird Baseball

Shohei Ohtani watches the ball after hitting a home run

There’s Nothing More Beautiful Than A Shohei Ohtani Home Run

Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets dives for a ball

The Mets Make It Hurt

Kelsey McKinney

Alec Bohm #28 of the Philadelphia Phillies catches a foul ball as he falls back into the stands in the ninth inning

baseball