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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

David Roth

Caitlin Clark disputing a call during her first WNBA game, a loss to the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 14, 2024,

Podcasts

When The Planes Become Available, With Maitreyi Anantharaman

Kathryn Xu

Garrett Crochet #45 of the Chicago White Sox throws in the first inning of the Opening Day game against the Detroit Tigers.

Chicago White Sox Make Opening Day History (Derogatory)

Patrick Redford

Yuki Matsui #1 of the San Diego Padres stands during the daily workout at Peoria Sports Complex on February 12, 2024 in Peoria, Arizona.

Nike And Fanatics Have Truly Fucked Up MLB’s New Uniforms

Jason Benetti looks on from the White Sox broadcasting booth.

White Sox Lose The Broadcaster Who Made Their Games Tolerable

Lauren Theisen

Miguel Cabrera fields a ground ball at first for the last time

Miguel Cabrera, First To The Last

Fans stand and cheer as Miguel Cabrera walks to the dugout

Miguel Cabrera Was Always Worth It

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Guardians reacts in the fourth inning during the game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 in Houston, Texas.

AL Central Power Rankings: Post-Deadline Edition

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels looks on from the pitchers mound in the bottom of the 2nd inning of game one of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on July 27, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. The Angels defeated the Tigers 6-0. Ohtani pitched a complete game, one-hit shutout.

Shohei Ohtani Had The Best Day Ever, And So Did I

God Only Knows What This Means For The Angels

Barry Petchesky

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 08: Cleveland Guardians second baseman Andres Gimenez (0) tags out Detroit Tigers left fielder Akil Baddoo (60) attempting to steal second base during the second inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians on May 8, 2023, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Akil Baddoo Caught Stealing With Throw That Ricocheted Off His Jiminy Crickets

Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson looking very sad after making an out against the Royals in July of 2022.

The Detroit Tigers Flipped The Switch And Nothing Happened

At Least One Person Appreciated Kody Clemens’s Grand Slam

Ray Ratto

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 07: Ryan Kreidler #32 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates a home run with Willi Castro #9 against the Los Angeles Angels in the ninth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 07, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Ryan Kreidler Makes All Other Sportswriters’ Kids Look Like Garbage Failures

The AL Central Keeps Finding Ways To Be Grotesque

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 14: Carlos Correa #4 of the Minnesota Twins looks on during the game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on June 14, 2022 in Seattle, Washington.

The AL Central Disgusts Me

DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 4: Al Avila laughs during a news conference at Comerica Park after he was promoted to executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager on August 4, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. Avila replaces Dave Dombrowski who was the Tigers' general manager since 2002. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)

Al Avila Dug His Own Grave

Rays Week

How Seattle Fell In Love With The Worst Hitter On A Doomed Expansion Team

The Reinvention Of Miguel Cabrera

Orlando Cabrera throws the ball to try and turn a double play as Marcus Thames slides

The Lost Takeout Slide Of 2006

The Javy Báez Experience Is Always Full Of Surprises

Eric Haase throws the ball away in Tuesday's Tigers-Twins game

Tigers’ Boo-Boos Give Twins Remarkably Dumb Walk-Off Win

Miguel Cabrera’s 3,000th Hit Almost Snuck Up On Everybody

Spencer Torkelson #20 of the Detroit Tigers hits a home run to left field against the Boston Red Sox during the seventh inning at Comerica Park on April 13, 2022, in Detroit, Michigan.

Congratulations To A Talented Oaf On His First Major League Home Run

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


Dan McQuade

I Fixed The Fake Ty Cobb Statue At The Tigers’ Spring Training Stadium

Pitcher Aaron Ashby #26 of the Milwaukee Brewers tries to stay dry as he leaves the dugout as a thunderstorm moves through the area following the sixth inning of a game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 14, 2021, in Detroit, Michigan.