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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

Maitreyi Anantharaman

A detail shot of the scoreboard as a call is overturned in an ABS challenge review in the first inning during the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Friday, March 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

For Now, ABS Makes Good Theater

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Elly De La Cruz attempts to drink from an empty champagne bottle.

The Sneaky Little Reds Avoid Being Squished By The Boot Of Elimination

Barry Petchesky

MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 28: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets reacts after striking out during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on September 28, 2025 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Tomas Diniz Santos/Getty Images)

The Mets Went Out Like Chumps

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

Dan McQuade

A general view of Bristol Motor Speedway during the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic presented by BulidSubmarines.com between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, August 3, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee.

MLB’s Speedway Classic Featured Only A Mild Amount Of Mayhem! Mayhem! Mayhem!

Elly De La Cruz is showered in $100 bills after socking a dinger.

O’s, No!

Ray Ratto

Santiago Espinal #4 and Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrate after winning the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Saturday, April 12, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Cincinnati Reds Are Going Nowhere In Particular More Quickly Than Any Team Ever Has

Manager Terry Francona #78 of the Cleveland Guardians watches the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 14, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Terry Francona Just Couldn’t Resist One More Managing Gig

Pete Rose with gray hair, Pete Rose joking with Joe Morgan, Pete Rose singing with Vic Tayback, Pete Rose and his son looking out into the distance

There Was A Time When Everyone Cared How Pete Rose Smelled

Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds dives head first into home plate during a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field during the early 1970s in Chicago

Pete Rose, All-American

CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 24: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds acknowledges the crowd before his first at-bat during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park on September 24, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Joey Votto Just Got It

Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals takes the field in the second inning during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on Monday, August 12, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

An Only Moderately Disgusted Overview Of MLB’s Wild Card Races

Tom Ley

Media Meltdowns

Thom Brennaman Pitied Himself Back Into The Broadcast Booth

These Dang Reds Have Found Another Cool Guy To Squander

Lauren Theisen

Jeimer Candelario celebrates after hitting a home run

Jeimer Candelario Silenced The Hater

Will Benson and Elly De La Cruz celebrate after De La Cruz scores the winning run

Better Reds Than Dead

FLUSHING, NY - AUGUST 08: Chicago Cubs First Baseman Jeimer Cajndelario (9) and Chicago Cubs Center Fielder Cody Bellinger (24) hi five to celebrate the victory after the Major League Baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and the New York Mets on August 8, 2023, at Citi Field in Flushing, NY. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)

The Cubs Have Been Good All Along

Elly De La Cruz Is Not Like Other Baseball Players

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 08: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds is congratulated by Elly De La Cruz #44 and Jake Fraley #27 after a three-run home run in the fourth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on July 08, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

The Reds Are Dirty Boys

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 05: Umpire Quinn Wolcott #81 hands the bat of Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds back to him as manager David Bell #25 looks on in the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 05, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Elly De La Cruz Is The Guy

Joey Votto acknowledges the crowd before his first at bat

The Reds Have Their Heart Back

Those Were Two Great Days To Root For The Reds

Rob Mains is a writer at Baseball Prospectus.

Rob Mains

Cincinnati Reds CEO Bob Castellini and disgraced Reds legend Pete Rose yuk it up at an event honoring Rose's hit record, in 2010.

What The 2023 Forbes Data Tell Us About The Business Of Baseball

CINCINNATI, OHIO - JULY 04: Mark Canha #19 of the New York Mets is hit by a pitch in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 04, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)