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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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<a href="https://twitter.com/cdgoldstein">Craig Goldstein</a> is the editor-in-chief of Baseball Prospectus and the co-host of <a href="https://www.baseballprospectus.com/show/five-and-dive/">the Five &amp; Dive podcast</a>.

Craig Goldstein

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, seen here in Cooperstown, being weird.

Rob Manfred Has No Feel

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Vlad Jr. waves to fans after his team beat the hell out of the Washington Nationals.

Vlad Jr. Did Some Primo Smashing

Trevor Bauer lies on the mound, tragically un-owned.

Heartbreaking: Most Annoying Person In Baseball Makes Great Point

David Roth

Milwaukee pitcher Corbin Burnes throws a pitch in a game against the Minnesota Twins.

It’s All Happening For Corbin Burnes

Lauren Theisen

Pandemic Baseball Quirks Are Really Starting To Mess With Me

Mets team president Sandy Alderson seen at a 2014 event, presumably discussing cancel culture in a normal way.

Sandy Alderson Is Sick Of These Stories About His Many Creepy Mets Coworkers

Maitreyi Anantharaman

CFDA Fashion Icon Award recipient US singer Jennifer Lopez and fiance former baseball pro Alex Rodriguez arrive for the 2019 CFDA fashion awards at the Brooklyn Museum in New York City on June 3, 2019.

A-Rod Handles Breakup With J.Lo In A Normal And Human Way

Patrick Redford

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 07: Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves watches during warm ups between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on January 07, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Embarrassing: Anthony Edwards Isn’t Familiar With Alex Rodriguez, That Guy On ‘Shark Tank’

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

What 1993 Video Game Tony La Russa Taught Me About Baseball

Defector Up All Night

Willians Astudillo Will Absolutely Die For This Shit

Samer Kalaf

Marcus Stroman of the Mets stands on the mound while it rains.

Today’s Marlins-Mets Game Lasted A Whopping Seven Minutes

Joe Musgrove #44 of the San Diego Padres after pitching a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on April 09, 2021 in Arlington, Texas.

Joe Musgrove Threw His No-Hitter With The Urgency Of A Man Who Really Had To Piss

Kelsey McKinney

Better Hate An Owner

Ken Kendrick Is Just Another Rich Guy

Almost No One Alive Has Seen The Phillies Start 5-0

The Legend Of Akil Baddoo Grows By The Day

Donald Trump yelling something while posing for a photo with some Little League kids, in 2020.

Politics

What Exactly Is Donald Trump Upset About Here?

Albert Burneko

Sports Highlight Of The Day

The Sports Highlight Of The Day Is This Japanese Baseball Team’s Fish Mascot Exploding Into Its New Form

Pitcher James Karinchak #99 of the Cleveland Indians reacts after striking out Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Kansas City Royals to end the top of the ninth inning of the home opener at Progressive Field on April 05, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Cleveland Reliever James Karinchak Has Some Neat Thoughts About Vaccines And Nazis

A stadium worker removes a large inflatable trash can prop from the field.

Fans Remind Astros Of Their Sins With Not One, But Two Trash Cans Thrown Onto Field

A jersey of Eloy Jimenez, with his batting gloves, signed by his teammates and hung in the dugout during Thursday's season-opener.

This Is So Stupid

White Sox Send Eloy Jimenez To The Great Baseball Diamond In The Sky

A Chicago Cubs player seen here exulting in the presence of The Distraction logo.

Podcasts

Talking Epic Owners, Soft-Tissue Injuries, And Other Baseball Hazards, With Meg Rowley

Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers hits a first inning two run home run off of a pitch from Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Indians during Opening Day at Comerica Park on April 01, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Baseball’s Off To A Strong Start

Ray Ratto

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 30: The Opening Day stencil is seen behind home plate during a media availability at Fenway Park on March 30, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)

This Opening Day, Embrace The Suffering

Rockies shortstop Trevor Story discards his bat after striking out.

The Rockies Are The Old, Weird Kind Of Bad

Andrea is a journalist and author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Baseballs-Leading-Lady-Manley-Leagues/dp/1250623723" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Baseballs-Leading-Lady-Manley-Leagues/dp/1250623723&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1616169124789000&amp;usg=AFQjCNENNVrOlqBUsKJ9upT7e4F-Dj_Ycw">Baseball&#8217;s Leading Lady: Effa Manley and the Rise and Fall of the Negro Leagues</a>.

baseball