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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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<p>Patrick Dubuque is a writer and editor at Baseball Prospectus.</p>


Patrick Dubuque

Hot Dog Guys or Loonie Dog Kings Jody Matheson (r) and Ryan Ruston ( l) get welcomed back to the park and looking forward to loonie dogs. This was taken on the day of the Toronto Blue Jays' 2025 home opener.

Catch The Game Like Never Before

Kelsey McKinney

nick castellanos is celebrated after hitting a walk off

What I’ll Remember About The Phillies

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


Chris Thompson

Jackson Chourio of the Brewers looks bummed.

The Zippy Brewers Appear To Have Misplaced Their Magic

Kathryn Xu

Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate as they run past relief pitcher Orion Kerkering #50 of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Phillies Go Down Swinging And Missing, And Throwing And Missing

The Blue Jays celebrate their Game 4 victory.

The Blue Jays Have The Juice

Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with Randy Arozarena #56 after hitting a two-run home run.

What Mariners Magic Looks Like Now

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays tosses his bat after hitting a grand slam.

The Blue Jays Are Trying To Mercy Rule The Yankees

<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

Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers reacts during Game One of the American League Wild Card Series between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Guardians.

Podcasts

Hunting For The Wettest Guys Of The MLB Playoffs, With Lauren Theisen

Lauren Theisen

Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees rounds third base to score a go-ahead run

Jazz Chisholm Flew

Ray Ratto

Bruce Bochy, manager of the Texas Rangers looks on before the game against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Field on September 7, 2025 in Arlington, Texas.

Bruce Bochy May Or May Not Be The Future Of The San Francisco Giants

Defector Staff

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates with teammates in the locker room after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-0 to clinch the National League West title.

Everything We’re Looking Forward To In The 2025 MLB Playoffs

Elly De La Cruz attempts to drink from an empty champagne bottle.

The Sneaky Little Reds Avoid Being Squished By The Boot Of Elimination

<p><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">Marc Normandin currently writes on baseball’s labor issues and more at </span><a style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif" href="http://marcnormandin.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://marcnormandin.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1758998321491000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ZpjG5RUFwdpapWqR1u4bd">marcnormandin.com</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">, which you can read for free but support </span><a style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif" href="https://www.patreon.com/marcnormandin">through his Patreon</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">. His baseball writing has appeared at FOX Sports, SB Nation, Defector, Global Sport Matters, Deadspin, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Sports on Earth, The Guardian, The Nation, FAIR, and TalkPoverty, and you can read his takes on video games at Retro XP and Endless Mode.</span></p>
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Marc Normandin

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred (L) speaks with owner Tom Ricketts of the Chicago Cubs during the 2027 Chicago All-Star Game Announcement before a game between the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Manfred's got shades on.

Rob Manfred’s Two Jobs

Noelvi Marte #16 of the Cincinnati Reds leaps to make a catch in the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates

It’s A Big Baseball Weekend For Big Baseball Things!

John Schneider argues with umpire Gabe Morales.

John Schneider Seeks A Cure For The Blue Jays’ Case Of Loser Brain

Cubs Rookie Matt Shaw Is Exactly Charlie Kirk’s Type

Jacob Young Kicked The Mets While They’re Down

HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 20: Victor Robles #10 of the Seattle Mariners makes a diving catch to end the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on September 20, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)

Victor Robles To The Rescue!

Sean Kuhn

An Immaculate Grid filled in with the most-remembered people from the Defector/Immaculate Grid collaboration week.

Let's Remember Some Guys

Who Gets Remembered? Crunching The Numbers From 36,000 Immaculate Grids

Never Try To Catch A Baseball


<p>Robert Weintraub is the author of four books, including <em>The Divine Miss Marble</em>, now <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Divine-Miss-Marble-Tennis-Mystery/dp/1524745367/ref=asc_df_1524745367/?tag=hyprod-20&amp;linkCode=df0&amp;hvadid=459515946640&amp;hvpos=&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvrand=6202131795131082661&amp;hvpone=&amp;hvptwo=&amp;hvqmt=&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvdvcmdl=&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvlocphy=9010752&amp;hvtargid=pla-926582175995&amp;psc=1">out in paperback</a>. He has also written for the <em>New York Times</em>, ESPN/Grantland, Slate, Columbia Journalism Review, the <em>Guardian</em>, Football Outsiders, and many other outlets. Follow on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/robwein" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@robwein</a>.</p>


Robert Weintraub

Bubblegum card (from the Bowman Gum Company) features baseball player Hank Thompson, of the New York Giants, 1955.

Hank Thompson Lived A Wild, Tragic, Forgotten Life In Baseball

Seattle Mariners (L-R) Leo Rivas #76, Eugenio Suarez #28, Josh Naylor #12 and Harry Ford #5 at T-Mobile Park on September 14, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.

The Seattle Mariners Are In Their Etsy Witch Era

Jesse Cole, owner of the Savannah Bananas, in his trademark yellow suit and top-hat.

Life's Rich Pageant

The Official Charity Of The Savannah Bananas Has A Hard Time Explaining How Its Money Is Spent

Fernando Tatis Jr. extends up over the right field wall to steal a home run.

The Robbin’ Padres Are On A Crime Spree!

Emmanuel Rivera #26 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with teammates after walking off the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 06, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland

baseball