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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

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 25: Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara of the Los Angeles Angels looks on against the New York Mets at Citi Field on August 25, 2023 in New York City. The Angels defeated the Mets 3-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The Wildest Stuff Alleged In The Criminal Complaint Against Ippei Mizuhara

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers, pictured with his translator, Ippei Mizuhara, prepares for a game against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch.

Not Even An Ippei Mizuhara Guilty Plea Will Take MLB Off The Hook

Lauren Theisen

MLB’s Radio Streams Still Suck

<p>Annie Howard is a journalist and historian based in Chicago. She is currently at work on her debut manuscript, <em>The City Made Me Trans</em><i>.</i></p>


Annie Howard

an aerial view of an empty Guaranteed Rate Field

How To Fix Chicago’s White Sox–Shaped Black Hole

David Roth

Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco strikes a prayerful gesture after getting the last out of his no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 1, 2024.

The More Random The Pitcher, The Better The No-Hitter

Shohei Ohtani strikes out in an uncharacteristically undistinguished and unflattering way against the San Francisco Giants. The Distraction logo is at upper right.

Podcasts

Subtraction By Subtraction, With Ray Ratto

Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies salutes the crowd after the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park.

A Homers-Only Diet Suits Bryce Harper Just Fine

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<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>
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Zach Buchanan

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 15: Houston Astros hitting coach Troy Snitker watches infielder Grae Kessinger hit in the cages during workouts for Houston Astros pitchers and catchers at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

How Do Coaches Coach When Players Have Their Own Guys?

A screenshot of an ESPN broadcast, featuring a live win probability graphic displaying a 35-percent Dodgers win probability, and Chris Taylor making a beaver face.

ESPN’s Win Probability Graphic Wants To Give You Gambling Brain

Garrett Crochet #45 of the Chicago White Sox throws in the first inning of the Opening Day game against the Detroit Tigers.

Chicago White Sox Make Opening Day History (Derogatory)

Ray Ratto

Nico Hoerner of the Chicago Cubs looks kind of wistful during the Opening Day game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on March 28, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.

A Fan’s Guide To Opening Day Cope

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


Chris Thompson

Baseball!

Shohei Ohtani #17 and Will Ireton of the Los Angeles Dodgers are seen in the dugout during the 2024 Seoul Series game between San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Shohei Ohtani’s Presser Reveals The Gaps In Translation

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers talks to his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara in the dugout during the 2024 Seoul Series game between Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres.

Shohei Ohtani’s Interpreter Gives Two Different Stories

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 21: Dylan Cease #84 of the Chicago White Sox looks on during a spring training workout at Camelback Ranch on February 21, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Dylan Ceases Toiling For The White Sox

J.D. Davis #7 of the San Francisco Giants singles in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies.

The Giants Used A Loophole To Screw Over J.D. Davis

Albert Burneko

(Original Caption) New York, NY: Converging arrows show the spot where a prodigious home run blasted by Mickey Mantle landed, during the first game of the Yanks-Senators twin-bill at Yankee Stadium on May 30. The towering shot, traveling 370 feet, struck the facade of the right field roof, just a few feet from going out of the stadium. No one has ever hit a fair ball out of this ball park. Mantle's monumental clout, which hit the stands 118 feet above the ground, came with two men on base and sparked the Yanks to a 4-3 win over Washington.

A Scholarly Discourse On Which Types Of Dingers Are Best

TEMPE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 21: Matt Moore #55 of the Los Angeles Angels poses for a portrait during photo day at Tempe Diablo Stadium on February 21, 2024 in Tempe, Arizona.

How To Watch Spring Training Baseball

Christy Mathewson head and shoulders portrait photo

How To Throw A Baseball And Live Forever

Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after hitting a home run

Enjoy Shohei Ohtani’s Dodger Highlights While They’re Still Harmless

Kelsey McKinney

CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 07: Eugenio Suarez #7 of the Cincinnati Reds throws the ball against the Cleveland Indians in the third inning at Great American Ball Park on July 7, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Answer To MLB’s Pants Problem Is Vests

Blake Snell #4 of the San Diego Padres pitches in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies on September 19, 2023 at Petco Park in San Diego, California.

Nobody’s Buying Blake Snell

The Padres Squandered The Greatest Gift

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, seen doing a kind of triumphant here-I-am gesture at the opening of The Sphere in September of 2023.