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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

<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

ob Nutting of the Pittsburgh Pirates talks with Adam Frazier #26 before the game against the New York Yankees during the home opener at PNC Park on April 4, 2025. He's got weird little sunglasses on. He looks like he's in a disguise somehow.

New York Yankees v Pittsburgh Pirates

Why MLB’s Cheapest Teams Are At Least Trying To Seem Like They’re Trying

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Kathryn Xu

New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo (9) sprinting to first base on a walk.

brandonNimmoSprintingToFirstOnAWalk

Brandon Nimmo Will Now Do His Sprinting To First Base In Texas

Tarik Skubal warming up during the ALDS against the Seattle Mariners; in the background, out-of-focus camera flashes resemble a field of twinkling stars.

tarik skubal camera flashes

Now Is The Time To Fantasize About Your Loser Club Trading For Tarik Skubal

osh Naylor #12 of the Seattle Mariners reacts after grounding out to end the first inning.

joshNaylorMariners!

The Mariners Are Acting Like A Team That Wants To Win A World Series

Emmanuel Clase #48 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates the team's 8-6 win over the Athletics.

claseIndictment

What’s One Rigged Pitch?

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Ray Ratto

Chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta of the Cleveland Browns stands on the field prior to a game on December 17, 2017 against the Baltimore Ravens.

Baltimore Ravens v Cleveland Browns

November Is When The Colorado Rockies Do Their Best Work

<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>


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Drew Magary

A man is seen using the OpenAI ChatGPT artificial intelligence chat website in this illustration photo on 18 July, 2023.

AI Chat Illustration Photos

Funbag

Am I A Shitty Person For Using AI At Work?

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Lauren Theisen

Max Scherzer #31 of the Toronto Blue Jays acknowledges the fans as he exits the game during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game seven of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Center on November 01, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (

World Series – Los Angeles Dodgers v Toronto Blue Jays – Game Seven

Living And Dying With Max Scherzer

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on during Game Five of the 2025 World Series. The background of the fans in the seats is indistinct, but Ohtani is in focus.

World Series – Toronto Blue Jays v Los Angeles Dodgers – Game 5

Game 3 Is The Legend, But The Blue Jays Are For Real

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


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Chris Thompson

Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-1 to win Game 5 of the 2025 World Series.

The Blue Jays Make The Dodgers Look Fake And Silly

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after the final out of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game four of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California

World Series – Toronto Blue Jays v Los Angeles Dodgers – Game Four

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Is A Canadian Hero

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting an RBI double

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The Blue Jays Won’t Let Shohei Ohtani Do That Again

Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers rounds the bases after hitting a walk-off home run in the 18th inning during Game Three of the 2025 World Series presented by Capital One between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Monday, October 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

Game Three Freeman

If You Went To Sleep, Sorry But You Are Not Forgiven

Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers points to the sky after pitching a complete game and winning Game Two of the 2025 World Series.

Yamamoto

They Can’t All Be Yoshinobu Yamamoto

<p>Former Defector intern, now freelancer.</p>
<p>For professional inquiries or tips please write lucybl00m@protonmail.com or yuck.20 on Signal.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


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Lucy Bloom

TORONTO, ONTARIO - OCTOBER 20: Manager Dan Wilson #6 of the Seattle Mariners takes the ball from Bryan Woo #22 during a pitching change in the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game seven of the American League Championship Series at the Rogers Centre on October 20, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario.

American League Championship Series – Seattle Mariners v Toronto Blue Jays – Game Seven

How Not To Run A Bullpen

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David Roth

Kurt Suzuki, left, takes questions after being announced as the new manager of the Los Angeles Angels by General Manager Perry Minasian during a press conference at the stadium in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. He looks kind of freaked out.

Kurt Suzuki named manager of LA Angels

Congratulations Kurt Suzuki, You Get To Manage The Opossum House

George Springer of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates while rounding the bases after hitting a three-run home run to take the lead in the seventh inning during Game Seven of the American League Championship Series. He's like 18 inches off the ground and everyone in the stands is freaking out.

Championship Series – Seattle Mariners v Toronto Blue Jays – Game 7

More Of This, Please

Manager Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on against the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS. He's been doing a lot of "looking on."

Division Series – Philadelphia Phillies v Los Angeles Dodgers – Game Three

Dave Roberts Can Afford To Take It Easy

New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine and catcher Mike Piazza applaud

Braves v Mets X Valentine

The MLB App Won’t Stop Forcing Me To Remember 9/11

Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners prepares to bat in the first inning, in front of the backdrop of the CN Tower.

Championship Series – Seattle Mariners v Toronto Blue Jays – Game 2

Everything’s Coming Up Mariners

<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.

Blue jays season opener

Catch The Game Like Never Before

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Kelsey McKinney

nick castellanos is celebrated after hitting a walk off

Minnesota Twins v Philadelphia Phillies

What I’ll Remember About The Phillies

Jackson Chourio of the Brewers looks bummed.

Division Series – Milwaukee Brewers v Chicago Cubs – Game Four

The Zippy Brewers Appear To Have Misplaced Their Magic

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

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