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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

Tom Ley

Defector Up All Night

And Now, A Great Moment In Umpiring

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Baseball Is Better For Having Just A Little More Chaos

Lauren Theisen

Jeff Luhnow introduces Mark Appel to the media

Mark Appel Waited Longer Than Anyone For This

Ray Ratto

Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees rounds the bases after hitting a seventh inning home run against Jose Urquidy #65 of the Houston Astros during their game at Yankee Stadium on June 26, 2022 in New York City.

The Yankees Killed Baseball For About An Hour

Kathryn Xu

Luis Garcia And Phil Maton Accomplished An Actually Unique Baseball Feat

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 17: Starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi #17 of the Boston Red Sox reacts during the second inning of the game against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park on May 17, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)

Like Fort Sumter Or A Peanut, Nathan Eovaldi Got Shelled

Luis Paez-Pumar

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels on Opening Day at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 07, 2022 in Anaheim, California.

The Angels Have To Make It Happen

Kelsey McKinney

Carlos Beltrán: The Cheating Was Working! Did You Truly Expect Us To Just Stop?

Has Jorge Soler’s Home Run Hit The Ground Yet?

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 31: Manager Brian Snitker #43 of the Atlanta Braves makes a pitching change during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros in Game Five of the World Series at Truist Park on October 31, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Too Many Pitching Changes, Not Enough Scapegoats

Barry Petchesky

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 31: Zack Greinke #21 of the Houston Astros reacts after a pinch-hit single against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning in Game Five of the World Series at Truist Park on October 31, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

A Fond Farewell And Good Riddance To Pitchers Hitting. You Were Abominable. I’ll Miss You.

The World Series You Want Is Rarely The One You Get

Jose Altuve stands without his hat in the field, looking unhappy

I Would Like To Forgive The Astros One Day

Kyle Schwarber #18 of the Boston Red Sox hits a grand slam home run against the Houston Astros in the second inning of Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park on October 18, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Astros Need To Get Something, Anything, From Their Rotation

Jake Odorizzi Took His Sweet Time Giving Up A Grand Slam

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

Dan McQuade

Tony La Russa describes his plan for a runner on second: "THE RUNNER ON SECOND BASE SHOULD HAVE TO FACE THE OUTFIELD BEFORE EVERY PITCH SO HE CAN’T STEAL SIGNS."

Tony La Russa’s Bold Idea Rudely Ignored

Michael Brantley watches as a bat girl removes an inflatable trash can

I Guess Dodgers Fans Are Still Mad

The Yankees And Astros Have Engaged In A Shirt-Based Beef

Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on July 10, 2021 in Houston, Texas.

Gerrit Cole Cussed A Bunch Then Went The Distance

Albert Burneko

Chas McCormick thrown out at home in the bottom of the 10th by Joey Gallo

I Want To See The Dang Throw!

A stadium worker removes a large inflatable trash can prop from the field.

Fans Remind Astros Of Their Sins With Not One, But Two Trash Cans Thrown Onto Field

Writer and podcaster Ben Reiter talks about the Astros.

Journalismism

Guy Who Was Completely Blind To Astros Cheating Scandal Now Has Podcast About All This Cheating Business

Samer Kalaf

Houston Astros players sit in the dugout during Game 7 of the ALCS.

The Houston Astros Are Now Free To Fuck Off

Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros can't catch Jose Altuve's throw

The Rays Made The Plays That Jose Altuve No Longer Can

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 06: Manager Dusty Baker Jr. look son against the Oakland Athletics during the ninth inning in Game Two of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 06, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)