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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

itcher Roki Sasaki puts on his jersey during a Los Angeles Dodgers press conference.

Maybe The Dodgers’ Competitors Could Show Some Self-Respect

Jen Ramos Eisen is a Central California- and Las Vegas-based baseball labor and economics reporter.

Jen Ramos Eisen

of Team Japan pitches during the 2023 World Baseball Classic Semifinal game against Team Mexico in 2023.

All Of MLB Is Chasing Roki Sasaki

San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler and GM A.J. Preller pose for a photo at the home ballpark.

Peter Seidler’s Padres Are A Family Business

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

A much younger Juan Soto celebrates a dinger in the Nationals dugout.

Juan Soto’s Megadeal Ends A Long Goodbye

Patrick Dubuque is a writer and editor at Baseball Prospectus.

Patrick Dubuque

American baseball pitcher Wilbur Wood, of the Chicago White Sox, demonstrates his 'knuckle ball' at the club's Comiskey Park stadium in Chicago, Illinois, 30th July 1973.

The Last Pitcher

Lauren Theisen

A Delta Air Lines banner ad for Pride Night is seen behind Casey Mize #12 of the Detroit Tigers as he pitches

End MLB Pride Nights

Shohei Ohtani Reverse Tungsten-Arms His Way Into A World Series Ring

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 30: Tommy Edman #25 of the Los Angeles Dodgers scores the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly by Mookie Betts #50 during the eighth inning of Game Five of the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on October 30, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Humble Sac Fly Wins Championships

Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers tags out Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees at home plate.

If This World Series Ends In A Sweep, I Will Launch The Yankees Into The Sun

Ray Ratto

CHIMCHIME, ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES - 2024/10/13: (EDITORS NOTE: Image taken with drone) In this aerial view, the domed roof at Tropicana Field, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays, is seen ripped to shreds from Hurricane Miltonís powerful winds in St. Petersburg. The storm passed through the area on October 10, 2024, making landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in Siesta Key, Florida. (Photo by Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Where Should The Rays Play?

Max Muncy of the Los Angeles Dodgers watches his home run sail out to right field in Game 3 of the NLCS in New York.

The Dodgers Are More Than Advertised

Mark Vientos rounds first base after hitting a grand slam

Mark Vientos Blew The Dodgers Away

A screenshot of Thursday's game on TNT, showing the action pushed over to the left side of the screen.

MLB’s Television Product Is Getting Shittier In Exciting New Ways

Francisco Lindor Has Been Waiting Years For This

San Diego Padres mascot Swinging Friar poses with a "Beat LA" sign

Don’t Underestimate The Power Of Spite

Fernando Tatis Jr. of the Padres screams triumphantly in the outfield at the end of his team's Game 3 win in the National League Divisional Series on October 8, 2024.

The Padres Keep Getting Louder

Tarik Skubal Didn’t Need Much Help

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

Dan McQuade

David Roth

Businessmen stop and watch a televised Phillies Mets game on a Zenith TV on May 08, 1963.

A Phillies/Mets NLDS Preview, In The Classic Shopping Mall Format

Dave McKenna

An illustration of a little league baseball player trying to swing an oversized gavel as parents look on

Life's Rich Pageant

A Very Ugly Year In The Life Of A D.C. Little League

Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after hitting a two run home run against AJ Smith-Shawver #32 of the Atlanta Braves.

Well Well Well, Not So Bad To Have A First-Round Bye Now, Is It

The Detroit Tigers celebrate after beating the Astros

They Let The Cats Get Hot!!

Jorge Soler of the Braves smokes a cigar after his team clinched a playoff berth.

The Shambling, Half-Dead Braves Have Gone Far Enough

Boston Red Sox 2B Vaughn Grissom slides to home plate past the tag by Tampa Bay Rays C Logan Driscoll in the third inning.

The 81-81 Red Sox Weren’t The Most Mediocre Team Of The Season

Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds dives head first into home plate during a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field during the early 1970s in Chicago

Pete Rose, All-American

Members of the New York Mets celebrate after defeating the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Monday, September 30, 2024.

baseball