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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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Lauren Theisen

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

Cleveland Guardians v Detroit Tigers

Miguel Cabrera, First To The Last

Fans stand and cheer as Miguel Cabrera walks to the dugout

MLB: APR 23 Rockies at Tigers

Miguel Cabrera Was Always Worth It

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Kathryn Xu

Julio Rodríguez reacts after striking out against Héctor Neris.

Houston Astros v Seattle Mariners

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

Philadelphia Phillies v Atlanta Braves

Nick Castellanos Is The Phillies’ Himbo Hero

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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

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

Atlanta Braves v Baltimore Orioles minor leaguers

MLB Prospects Are Getting Promoted Faster Than Ever. Why?

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David Roth

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

San Diego Padres v Philadelphia Phillies

Podcasts

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

Mordecai Brown Of The Chicago Cubs

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

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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.

A’s vs. Cardinals

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

Seattle Mariners v Cincinnati Reds

Better Reds Than Dead

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Chris Thompson

Fernando Tatis looks exhausted after grounding into a double play Thursday.

The Padres Are Ready For The Fork

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Tom Ley

Wander Franco #5 of the Tampa Bay Rays looks on during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Tropicana Field on August 12, 2023 in St Petersburg, Florida.

Cleveland Guardians v Tampa Bay Rays

Report: Prosecutors Now Investigating Two Official Complaints Against Wander Franco

Oakland Athletics v Seattle Mariners

Late Summer Is For Spoilers

Tim Anderson scores the game winning run on a throwing error by the Seattle Mariners.

Seattle Mariners v Chicago White Sox

New Era Of White Sox Baseball Begins With Helmet-Bonk Walk-Off

Trea Turner is sprayed with water after his walk-off

San Francisco Giants v Philadelphia Phillies

The Power Of The Standing Ovation Has Healed Trea Turner

<p>Rob Mains is a writer at Baseball Prospectus.</p>


Rob Mains

Baltimore Orioles co-owner John Angelos seen looking into space at the press conference introducing Mike Elias as the team's GM back in 2018.

Baltimore Orioles Introduce Mike Elias – News Conference

John Angelos Speaks, Or Count The Number Of Things Wrong With This Paragraph

Julio Rodríguez during the Chicago White Sox game, notably not geared up to play

Only The Fragility Of The Human Body Can Slow Down Julio Rodríguez

Davey Martinez emerges from the dugout during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Nationals Finally Managed To Retain Some Guys

Dallas Keuchel on the mound for the Minnesota Twins on August 6, 2023.

Arizona Diamondbacks v Minnesota Twins

Dallas Keuchel Approaches Perfection

Miami Marlins owner Jeffery Loria looks on during a game against the New York Mets at Marlins Park on June 27, 2017.

New York Mets v Miami Marlins

Jeffrey Loria Makes A Good Point

Luke Raley rounds third to score his inside-the-park home run

Tampa Bay Rays v San Francisco Giants

Now This Is A Real Inside-The-Park Home Run

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A Mistake Is An Error

Pete Alonso high-fives his teammates in the Mets dugout after hitting a two-run homer against the Cubs on August 9, 2023.

Chicago Cubs v New York Mets

Pete Alonso Emo Chat, With Lindsey Adler

A photo of Michael Lorenzen pointing to the sky after he pitched a no hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies.

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