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Defector

Kelsey McKinney

alimber santos smiles big over the shoulder of the catcher he is hugging.

New Bumpus Jones Just Dropped

Kathryn Xu

Jose Altuve takes a swing at a pitch over two feet off the plate.

José Altuve Takes Mighty Rip At Pitch That Would Have Knocked A Lefty Batter’s Shoes Off

C.J. Kayfus #63 of the Cleveland Guardians is hit by a pitch to force a walk-off to win the game between the Texas Rangers and the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on Saturday, September 27, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio

I Too Would Hit My Opponent With A Baseball To Eliminate The Astros From The Playoffs

Tom Ley

The New York Yankees against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on September 2, 2025 in Houston, TX.

Catching A Pissed-Off Framber Valdez Should Come With Hazard Pay

David Roth

Sitting in the dugout and watching the game, (L to R), are Tim Teufel, Howard Johnson, Bob Ojeda and Ron Darling, as they balance baseballs on their caps to try and change the Mets luck. The image is in black and white; and from 1986.

39 Years Ago, Four Mets Fought The Cops At A Houston Bar Named Cooter’s

Randy Arozarena #56 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his walkoff walk as Julio Rodríguez #44 jumps on home plate.

The Mariners Find Catharsis In A Walk-Off Walk

Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after hitting a two run home run against AJ Smith-Shawver #32 of the Atlanta Braves.

Well Well Well, Not So Bad To Have A First-Round Bye Now, Is It

Lauren Theisen

The Detroit Tigers celebrate after beating the Astros

They Let The Cats Get Hot!!

Patrick Redford

SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros points to his foot after grounding out during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on September 17, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

Jose Altuve Ejected For Showing Feet

Ronel Blanco #56 is walked off the field by Joe Espada #19 of the Houston Astros after being ejected in the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics.

The Gunk Inspectors Have Nabbed Ronel Blanco And Seized His Glove

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Hold Off On Judging The Floundering Astros, Or Judge Away!

Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco strikes a prayerful gesture after getting the last out of his no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 1, 2024.

The More Random The Pitcher, The Better The No-Hitter

Albert Burneko

Houston Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco, mid-pitch, against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 1, 2024.

Wow! Blue Jays–Astros No-Hitter!

Evan Carter of the Texas Rangers celebrates in the clubhouse after beating the Astros in Game 7 of the ALCS.

Podcasts

Giving Home Plate The Business, With Emma Baccellieri

Ray Ratto

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 23: Adolis Garcia #53 of the Texas Rangers celebrates after hitting a solo home run against Jose Urquidy #65 of the Houston Astros during the eighth inning in Game Seven of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 23, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Adolis Garcia Is The Engine

It’s On Max Scherzer, Again

Jose Leclerc #25 of the Texas Rangers celebrates after striking out Jon Singleton #28 of the Houston Astros to end the eighth inning in Game Six of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 22, 2023 in Houston, Texas.

José Leclerc Stepped Away From The Void

Max Scherzer of the Texas Rangers looks unhappy as he watches Jose Altuve's home run fly into the left-field stands.

More Like Min Scherzer

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 17: Alec Bohm #28 and Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate a 10-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game Two of the Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 17, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Go D-Backs And Go Astros Because, Well, What Else Is There To Do?

Yordan Alvarez is upset after striking out

Jordan Montgomery Won The First Three Rounds Against Yordan Álvarez

Lance Lynn reacts after giving up a home run to Gabriel Moreno.

The Dodgers Need A 75-Game Series

Rocco Baldelli visits the mound to remove Caleb Thielbar

The Astros Were Not About To Lose A Battle Of Bullpens

Manager Rocco Baldelli of the Minnesota Twins relieves Sonny Gray #54 in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros during Game Three of the Division Series at Target Field on October 10, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The Negating Effects Of First-Half-Inning Run Scoring On Competitive Integrity And Entertainment Fidelity

Carlos Correa #4 of the Minnesota Twins reacts after hitting a double in the seventh inning during Game 2 of the Division Series between the Minnesota Twins and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Sunday, October 8, 2023 in Houston, Texas.

The Twins Unleashed Their Dudes

Justin Ellis

Jorge Polanco of the Minnesota Twins at home hits a home run as the catcher and umpire observe during the seventh inning against the Houston Astros during Game One of the Division Series at Minute Maid Park on October 07, 2023 in Houston, Texas.