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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

NYC: Come To Our WNBA Comedy Show On May 16

10-minute-quarters-3-2-fix (1)

Live Event

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Ray Ratto

A passer-by looks on as worker hangs papal bunting over the entrance to the Holy Name Cathedral after Cardinal Robert Prevost, who was born in Chicago, had been named as first American leader of the Catholic Church. She's wearing a White Sox hat.

The U.S. Reacts To First American Pope In History

Which Accursed Chicago Baseball Fan Base Will Get To Claim Pope Leo XIV?

Cardinal Robert Prevost, newly elected as Pope Leo XIV is seen on the Saint Peter's Basilica balcony, at Saint Peter's Square in Vatican on April 8, 2025.

Cardinal Robert Prevost Elected As Pope Leo XIV

Life's Rich Pageant

Well, They Made A Cubs Fan The Pope [UPDATE]

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David Roth

Elon Musk speaks during a cabinet meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, DC, on February 26, 2025. He's backlit and is doing his Thinking Hands and is wearing a stupid hat. The Distraction logo is at upper right.

US-POLITICS-TRUMP

Podcasts

Beavises In The Code Base, With Tim Marchman

<div id=":g4.ma" class="Mu SP" title="January 26, 2021 at 2:34:42 PM UTC-5" data-tooltip="January 26, 2021 at 2:34:42 PM UTC-5"><span id=":g4.co" class="tL8wMe EMoHub" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/GoStevenGoldman">Steven Goldman</a> is a former BP editor-in-chief and current consulting editor. He is the author of the Casey Stengel biography <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Forging-Genius-Making-Casey-Stengel/dp/1574888749">Forging Genius</a> </i>and host of the long-running <a href="https://www.baseballprospectus.com/show/the-infinite-inning/"><i>Infinite Inning </i>podcast</a>, which sits at the crossroads of baseball, history, politics, and culture. His most recent book, which has an introduction by David Roth, is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Baseballs-Brief-Lives-Inspired-Infinite/dp/B0BBJTPGDF"><i>Baseball&#8217;s Brief Lives: Player-Stories Inspired by the Infinite Inning</i></a>.</span></div>
<div id=":g5.ma" class="Mu SP" data-tooltip="January 26, 2021 at 2:34:45 PM UTC-5"></div>


Steven Goldman

Bill Rariden of the Cincinnati Reds tags Buck Weaver of the Chicago White Sox out at home plate in the second game of the 1919 World Series at Crosley Field.

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Cruelty, Hype, And The American Way In Harry Stein’s Baseball Novel ‘Hoopla’

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Barry Petchesky

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 23: A sign depicting Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf hangs from the upper deck during the ninth inning of a game between the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 23, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Baltimore defeated Chicago 8-6. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Baltimore Orioles v Chicago White Sox

South Side Stand Up: Your Owner’s Open Letter Wasn’t The League’s Worst

<p><a href="https://twitter.com/johnwilmeswords">John Wilmes</a> is a writer and professor in Chicago. His work has appeared in The Ringer, <em>GQ</em>, <em>Chicago Reader</em>, and <em>The New Republic</em>, among other places. He is the author of the novella <i>Jad&#8217;s Dad Milo</i>.</p>


John Wilmes

Andrew Benintendi gives a kind of grim looking thumbs-up in profile after completing a TV interview following his walk-off hit in the Chicago White Sox's win on September 24.

Los Angeles Angels v. Chicago White Sox

“We’re Trying To Focus On Losing”: A Night With The White Sox At The Edge Of History

SAN DIEGO, CA - Chicago White Sox playes look out from the dugout during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres, September 22, 2024 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)