CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

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

Jason Benetti looks on from the White Sox broadcasting booth.

White Sox Lose The Broadcaster Who Made Their Games Tolerable

Lauren Theisen

Ryne Nelson Was An Excellent Janitor

<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>


Drew Magary

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 28: Alek Thomas #5, Corbin Carroll #7 and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. #12 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate after the Diamondbacks defeated the Texas Rangers in Game 2 of the 2023 World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Saturday, October 28, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Funbag

Now That I Think About It, The Unwritten Rules Of Baseball Are Actually Cool

David Roth

Evan Carter of the Texas Rangers celebrates in the clubhouse after beating the Astros in Game 7 of the ALCS.

Podcasts

Giving Home Plate The Business, With Emma Baccellieri

Corbin Carroll celebrates by smoking a cigar in the clubhouse

Corbin Carroll’s Small Ball Came Up Big

Evan Longoria and Ryne Nelson look disappointed about the ball that dropped

This Is How A Team Pleads For Mercy

Yordan Alvarez is upset after striking out

Jordan Montgomery Won The First Three Rounds Against Yordan Álvarez

Lance Lynn reacts after giving up a home run to Gabriel Moreno.

The Dodgers Need A 75-Game Series

Rocco Baldelli visits the mound to remove Caleb Thielbar

The Astros Were Not About To Lose A Battle Of Bullpens

Manager Rocco Baldelli of the Minnesota Twins relieves Sonny Gray #54 in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros during Game Three of the Division Series at Target Field on October 10, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The Negating Effects Of First-Half-Inning Run Scoring On Competitive Integrity And Entertainment Fidelity

Bryce Harper walks back to the dugout as the Atlanta Braves celebrate their win

The Phillies Went For The Throat And Missed

Justin Ellis

Jorge Polanco of the Minnesota Twins at home hits a home run as the catcher and umpire observe during the seventh inning against the Houston Astros during Game One of the Division Series at Minute Maid Park on October 07, 2023 in Houston, Texas.

Everything And Nothing Changed For The Twins In Just One Inning

Geraldo Perdomo of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates by splashing to beers around after Arizona completed their two-game Wild Card sweep of the Brewers in October of 2023.

Wild Cards And Animal Spirits In October

Did The Twins Transfer Their Demonic Energy To The Blue Jays?

Royce Lewis celebrates after hitting a home run

The Twins Regained Some Control Over Their Existence

Miguel Cabrera fields a ground ball at first for the last time

Miguel Cabrera, First To The Last

Fans stand and cheer as Miguel Cabrera walks to the dugout

Miguel Cabrera Was Always Worth It

Julio Rodríguez reacts after striking out against Héctor Neris.

Héctor Neris Got Mad, And The Mariners Couldn’t Get Even

Justin Verlander tips hit cap after being taken out of the game

Justin Verlander Pulled The Astros Out Of The Quicksand

Nick Castellanos rounds third after hitting a home run

Nick Castellanos Is The Phillies’ Himbo Hero

<div dir="ltr">
<div>Zach Buchanan has covered Major League Baseball for more than a decade, for the <em>Arizona Republic</em>, <em>Cincinnati Enquirer,</em> and most recently The Athletic. He also has been published in <em>The New York Times</em>, <em>Washington Post</em>, FanGraphs and <em>Baseball America</em>. He lives in Phoenix, where he prepares for the inevitable water crisis by living off Dr Pepper instead.</div>
</div>
<div class="yj6qo ajU"></div>


Zach Buchanan

SARASOTA, FLORIDA - MARCH 21, 2023: Jackson Holliday #87 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during a minor league spring training game against the Atlanta Braves at the Buck O’Neil Baseball Complex on March 21, 2023 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jackson Holliday

MLB Prospects Are Getting Promoted Faster Than Ever. Why?

Matt Carpenter of the Padres looking distraught during a road game against the Phillies in July of 2023.

What Are The Padres Trying To Tell Us, With Justin Halpern

An “Old-Fashioned Pitchers’ Duel” Didn’t Always Mean What You Think

Ray Ratto

General view of Busch Stadium during a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Oakland Athletics on August 14, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri.

Joy Is Where You Find It, Even If That Means In St. Louis

Will Benson and Elly De La Cruz celebrate after De La Cruz scores the winning run