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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

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David Roth

Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, two good players the Padres already have.

The Padres Are Doing What Every Other Team Could

<a href="https://twitter.com/yayroger">Roger Cormier</a> is a writer at Baseball Prospectus. He has two cats but is a friend to dogs too.

Roger Cormier

Some pictures of Steve Christmas, a real baseball guy!

stevechristmas

The Almost Unbelievable True Story Of Steve Christmas

<a class="sc-1out364-0 hMndXN sc-145m8ut-0 kGbjEv js_link" href="http://demause.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-ga="[[&quot;Embedded Url&quot;,&quot;External link&quot;,&quot;http://demause.net/&quot;,{&quot;metric25&quot;:1}]]">Neil deMause</a> has covered sports economics for more publications than even he can shake a stick at. He’s co-author of the book <a class="sc-1out364-0 hMndXN sc-145m8ut-0 kGbjEv js_link" href="https://www.amazon.com/Field-Schemes-Stadium-Swindle-Private/dp/1567511384?ascsubtag=c9dca64cfbbd6c35085d286f4423ee39b8350b2f&amp;rawdata=%5Br%7Chttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F%5Bks%7Cgoogle%5Bt%7Clink%5Bp%7C1800657108%5Ba%7C1567511384%5Bau%7C5722120546910826704%5Bb%7Cdeadspinascsubtag%3D4eba2da0f6cc83fe1f221e8d8ca5894cd93bf2a7ascsubtag%3D33f4f2a16c1eda72859c34ee8aa577410b04a0d8&amp;tag=deadspinamzn-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-ga="[[&quot;Commerce&quot;,&quot;deadspin - Baseball Doesn't Need Collusion To Turn Off The Hot Stove&quot;,&quot;1567511384&quot;]]" data-amazonasin="1567511384" data-amazontag="deadspinamzn-20" data-amazonsubtag="[r|https://www.google.com/[ks|google[t|link[p|1831644811[a|1567511384[au|5722120546910826704[b|deadspin[lt|text" data-commerceready="true">Field of Schemes: How the Great Stadium Swindle Turns Public Money Into Private Profit</a>, and runs <a class="sc-1out364-0 hMndXN sc-145m8ut-0 kGbjEv js_link" href="http://fieldofschemes.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-ga="[[&quot;Embedded Url&quot;,&quot;External link&quot;,&quot;http://fieldofschemes.com/&quot;,{&quot;metric25&quot;:1}]]">the website of the same name</a>.

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Neil deMause

CAROLINA, PUERTO RICO - NOVEMBER 13: A remaining batting helmet sits on the field at the Roberto Clemente Municipal Stadium on November 13, 2018 in Carolina, Puerto Rico. The ballpark was once used for minor league AA baseball. The stadium is set to be demolished due to the extended damage it sustained from Hurricane Maria. The effort continues in Puerto Rico to remain and rebuild more than one year after the Hurricane Maria hit and devastated the island on September 20, 2017. The official number of deaths from the disaster is 2,975. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images for Lumix)

The Spirit of Sport After Hurricane Maria In Puerto Rico

Why MLB Declared War On The Minor Leagues

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Ray Ratto

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 29: A view of cut-outs of African-American players from the Negro Leagues are displayed in left field during a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on August 29, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson this weekend. The day honoring Jackie Robinson, traditionally held on April 15, was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Phillies won 4-1. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

Atlanta Braves v Philadelphia Phillies

MLB Attempts To Fix The Baseball History It Fractured

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Chris Thompson

Fans hold up a Chief Wahoo sign at a Cleveland baseball game.

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The Cleveland Baseball Team Is Already Making A Big Mess Of Their Own Name Change

It's Dany Ramirez, the last player picked in the 2020 Rule 5 Draft.

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Let Us Now Praise The Garbage Feast At The Heart Of The MLB Winter Meetings

Dave McKenna

Dick Allen, stylish to the last, throws out the first pitch at a Phillies game in 2009.

Dick Allen, Who Didn’t Like Fake Grass Or Being Fucked With, Is Dead

Visual Editor. Runs <a href="http://defectorstore.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">defectorstore.com</a>. Philadelphia-based, if you couldn’t tell.

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Dan McQuade

Zach Wheeler pitches in a grey Phillies uniform (red cap) in the 2020 season

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The Phillies Are Reportedly Looking To Get Worse

This is a photo of Frank Menechino, and NOT Frank Catalanotto

White Sox Manager Tony La Russa: Let’s Remember Some Damn Guys

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Albert Burneko

NC Dinos (KBO) lift giant sword trophy after winning Korean Series

KBO sword celebration

This Is So Stupid

Make Sports Trophies Cooler

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Lauren Theisen

Blake Snell #4 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts as he is being taken out of the game

World Series – Tampa Bay Rays v Los Angeles Dodgers  – Game Six

The Rays, Who Had The 28th-Highest Payroll Last Year, Are Reportedly Looking To Dump Salary

Robinson Cano #24 of the New York Mets spits

New York Mets v Philadelphia Phillies

Robinson Canó Will Lose $24 Million After Testing Positive For Archaic Steroids

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Tom Ley

Chicago Cubs v Pittsburgh Pirates

Theo Epstein’s Departure Is Another Bad Omen For The Cubs

A human cadaver positioned as if throwing a baseball at "Bodies...The Exhibition".

Interviews

An Astrophysicist Explains The Challenges Of De-Juicing The Baseball

Alex Cora makes a stupid face as manager of the Boston Red Sox, back before he was fired for being a cheater.

Red Sox Rehire Alex Cora, HEY LOOK OVER THERE

Marc Normandin currently writes on baseball’s labor issues and more at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marcnormandin.com/">marcnormandin.com</a>, which you can read for free but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.patreon.com/marcnormandin">support through his Patreon</a>. His baseball writing has appeared at SB Nation, Deadspin, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Sports on Earth, The Guardian, The Nation, and TalkPoverty.

Marc Normandin

A back field at a MLB training facility in Glendale, Arizona.

Senne v. MLB Could Deliver Real Change For Minor Leaguers

Brad Hand walks off after getting the last out of an exhibition game in Pittsburgh, in July.

Brad Hand Is A Bad Omen

Justin Turner grimaces after nearly hitting a home run in Game 6 of the World Series, while aware he'd tested positive for Covid-19.

Podcasts

Very Good Baseball And Exceedingly Bad Times, With Justin Ellis

Baseball Should Kill The Baseball

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 07: Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred attends Game Two of the National League Division Series between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Globe Life Field on October 07, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Division Series – San Diego Padres v Los Angeles Dodgers – Game Two

Is Rob Manfred Bad For Baseball?

Blake Snell #4 of the Tampa Bay Rays is congratulated by pitching coach Kyle Snyder and third base coach Rodney Linares after being taken out of the game

Blake Snell Made Everybody Look Foolish, Especially His Manager

Investigations Editor. You can reach her at diana@defector.com or, if you prefer protonmail, dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. If security is a concern, download the Signal app and send her a text at 929-251-8187.

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Diana Moskovitz

Justin Turner of the Dodgers sits for team photo after testing positive for coronavirus midgame

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Justin Turner Tests Positive For COVID-19, Gets Pulled Midgame, Rejoins And Hugs Dodgers After World Series Win

Patrick Dubuque is a writer and editor at Baseball Prospectus.

Patrick Dubuque

Manuel Margot after being tagged out (or not!) attempting to steal home in Game 5 of the World Series

Instant Replay And The Perils Of Baseball At The Atomic Level

Mike Zunino congratulates Peter Fairbanks, one of the Rays' 23 excellent relievers.

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