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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

Rafael Montero #47, Bryan Abreu #52, Cristian Javier #53, Christian Vázquez #9 and Ryan Pressly #55 of the Houston Astros pose for a photo after their combined no-hitter

A Combined No-Hitter Leaves Everyone Wanting More

Bryce Harper celebrates his home run with Alec Bohm

Bryce And Alec Have A Secret

Albert Burneko

More Like Launch McCullers

The World Series Is Chaos Vs. Control

David Roth

Bryce Harper on the field after the Phillies defeated the Padres in the 2022 National League Championship Series.

Bryce Harper Is Burning Again

A still image from the Citizens For Sanity ads that ran during the MLB Playoffs, this one juxtaposing Bernie Sanders and words accusing him of having a love affair with violent criminals.

Politics

The Disgust Is The Product

Ray Ratto

Bruce Bochy Heard The Call

The Philadelphia Phillies celebrate after dispatching the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS.

Podcasts

Philadelphia Feelies, With Dan McQuade

The Astros Keep Finding These Guys

Ignore The Relief Pitchers Of The ALCS At Your Own Peril

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

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

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.