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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.

Defector

Lauren Theisen

Get To Know The Relief Pitchers Of The NLCS Before It’s Too Late

David Roth

Brandon Marsh exults wetly after doubling in the Phillies' NLDS win against the Braves.

It Is Not Going To Make Sense

<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

Amarillo Sod Poodles infielder Jordan Lawlar seen outlined against a bright blue sky in a game against the Frisco RoughRiders in September of 2022.

Major League Baseball’s Hubris Helped Lead To Minor League Baseball’s Union

<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

Funbag

Recency Bias Is Boring

Maitreyi Anantharaman

the Phillies celebrate in their locker room

Point/Counterpoint: Is Three Games A Playoff Series?

That’s It


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

A Phillies employee pours beer over Bryce Harper's head

The Phillies Didn’t Unravel

Tom Ley

Defector Up All Night

Here’s A Wild Card Weekend Open Thread

Ray Ratto

There’s Nothing Left For The MLB Season To Do But End

At Least One Person Appreciated Kody Clemens’s Grand Slam

Tie Goes To The Smoker

Dansby Swanson celebrates after hitting a home run

The Braves Are Annoying And Unstoppable

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


Chris Thompson

September Is Once Again Destroying The Phillies

Amarillo Sod Poodles infielder Jordan Lawlar is congratulated by his coach after scoring a run in minor league game in 2022.

Podcasts

How The Minor Leagues Got Organized, With Emma Baccellieri

Luis Paez-Pumar

UNITED STATES - CIRCA 1950s: Two boys playing baseball.

Underexplained Lists

The Coolness Of Baseball Positions, Ranked

It’s Time For The Marlins And Nats To Be Their Most Diabolical

Marlins reliever Richard Bleier looking incredulous after being called for the last of three straight balks in a game against the Mets on September 27, 2022.

Richard Bleier Balked Himself Into Red-Ass History

Aaron Judge Is Smiling Through The Walks

Aaron Judge looks out at the seats after hitting his 59th home run of the season on September 20, 2022.

This Is So Stupid

Darren Rovell: Congratulations On Catching Aaron Judge’s Home Run Ball, But You Are In Great Danger

Clayton Kershaw, either smiling or grimacing after throwing a pitch against the Diamondbacks in a Dodgers win in September of 2022.

You Cannot Just “Be The Dodgers”

<p>Ginny Searle is a writer and editor at Baseball Prospectus.</p>


Ginny Searle

Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy congratulate each other after another Dodgers win against the Giants, this one on September 17, 2022.