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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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<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
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Charles P. Pierce

Tim Wakefield of the Boston Red Sox throws a knuckleball, in profile

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Tim Wakefield Was A Wizard For The Working Day

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Patrick Redford

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Curt Schilling Reveals Former Teammate Tim Wakefield’s Cancer Diagnosis Against His Wishes

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Samer Kalaf

Boston Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom walks past a photo of the 2007 Red Sox after they won the World Series.

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At A Crossroads, The Red Sox Just Stood There

Enrique Hernandez #5 of the Boston Red Sox makes an error as he throws to second base during the second inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 3, 2023 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.

Tampa Bay Rays v Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox Have Never Felt Smaller


<p>Defector visual editor. Runs <a href="http://defectorstore.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">defectorstore.com</a>. Philadelphia-based, if you couldn’t tell. dhm@defector.com</p>


Dan McQuade in front of a march madness basketball court

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Dan McQuade

A bunch of shirtless Red Sox fans in the stands at Fenway Park, with one Angels fan (not shirtless) texting in the middle of it all

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Red Sox Fans Are In A Patriots’ Daze

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Barry Petchesky

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 01: Ryan McKenna #26 of the Baltimore Orioles drops what would have been the game ending out during the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on April 01, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Nick Grace/Getty Images)

Baltimore Orioles v Boston Red Sox

Well, That Has To Be The Most Painful Way To Lose A Baseball Game

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Tom Ley

Boston Red Sox End Of Season Media Availability

The Mookie Betts Trade Just Keeps Getting Worse

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Ray Ratto

Xander Bogaerts Is A Padre Because All That Money Has To Go Somewhere

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Lauren Theisen

New York Yankees v Boston Red Sox

It Should Be Illegal For Bad Teams To Walk Aaron Judge

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran fails to catch a ball.

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The Red Sox Have Become A Bad Joke

Boston Red Sox