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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

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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Laura Wagner

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Media Meltdowns

Newspaper Owner Slaps Union Organizer With Burger Bag At Ohio Rest Stop Amid Labor Strike

Starbucks workers on strike in Austin, Texas.

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Capital

The Starbucks Strike Is Working

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Patrick Redford

Hundreds of graduate students gather in Sproul Plaza

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Politics

48,000 UC Workers Are On Strike Because You Can’t Eat Prestige

<p><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">Marc Normandin currently writes on baseball’s labor issues and more at </span><a style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif" href="http://marcnormandin.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://marcnormandin.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1758998321491000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ZpjG5RUFwdpapWqR1u4bd">marcnormandin.com</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">, which you can read for free but support </span><a style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif" href="https://www.patreon.com/marcnormandin">through his Patreon</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">. His baseball writing has appeared at FOX Sports, SB Nation, Defector, Global Sport Matters, Deadspin, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Sports on Earth, The Guardian, The Nation, FAIR, and TalkPoverty, and you can read his takes on video games at Retro XP and Endless Mode.</span></p>
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Marc Normandin

Amarillo Sod Poodles infielder Jordan Lawlar seen outlined against a bright blue sky in a game against the Frisco RoughRiders in September of 2022.

Arkansas Travelers v Amarillo Sod Poodles

Major League Baseball’s Hubris Helped Lead To Minor League Baseball’s Union

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David Roth

Amarillo Sod Poodles infielder Jordan Lawlar is congratulated by his coach after scoring a run in minor league game in 2022.

Frisco RoughRiders v Amarillo Sod Poodles

Podcasts

How The Minor Leagues Got Organized, With Emma Baccellieri

Nate Diaz flexes during his fight against Tony Ferguson at UFC 279.

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Nate Diaz Leaves The UFC On His Own Terms


<p><a href="https://twitter.com/jaseidler" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jarrett Seidler</a> is the senior prospect writer and evaluation coordinator at Baseball Prospectus. He is a proud Jersey Shore local.</p>


Jarrett Seidler


<p><a href="https://twitter.com/jeffpaternostro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jeffrey Paternostro</a> is the Lead Prospect Writer at Baseball Prospectus and has spent over a decade waiting for the Mets to develop one fourth-round ACC infielder.</p>


Jeffrey Paternostro

The minor league Tampa Tarpons, under manager Rachel Balkovec, stand for the national anthem in an April 2022 game.

Dunedin Blue Jays v Tampa Tarpons

To Form A More Perfect Union

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, seen here wearing reflective sunglasses at the 2022 All-Star Game.

2022 Gatorade All-Star Workout Day

Rob Manfred Doesn’t Even Have To Try

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 07: President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Dana White attends UFC 274 at Footprint Center on May 07, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

UFC 274: Oliveira v Gaethje

The Fights

The UFC’s Labor Problem Is Only Getting Worse


<p>Amy Pedulla is a writer and audio producer. She can be reached at pedullaa@gmail.com.</p>


Amy Pedulla

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The Uphill Battle To Unionize Tennessee Whiskey

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 10: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Miami Heat during the first half in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at FTX Arena on May 10, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Philadelphia 76ers v Miami Heat – Game Five

Joel Embiid Is Right About Awards Voting

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 17: (L-R) Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), Mark Emmert, president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) hold a brief press availability on Capitol Hill December 17, 2019 in Washington, DC. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) met with NCAA President Mark Emmert to discuss the issue of compensation for collegiate athletes. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Senators Chris Murphy And Mitt Romney Speak To The Media On Student Athlete Compensation

Death To The NCAA

What Did These Morons Think Was Going To Happen?

Wander Franco receives congratulations in the dugout after scoring against the Orioles.

Baltimore Orioles v Tampa Bay Rays

The International Draft Solves A Problem Of MLB’s Own Making

Union organizer Christian Smalls (R) celebrates following the April 1, 2022, vote for the unionization of the Amazon Staten Island warehouse in New York. - Amazon workers in New York voted Friday to establish the first US union at the e-commerce giant, a milestone for a company that has steadfastly opposed organized labor in its massive workforce. Employees at the Staten Island JFK8 warehouse voted 2,654 to 2,131 in support of the unionizing drive, according to a tally of ballots from the National Labor Relations Board. (Photo by Andrea RENAULT / AFP)

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Heartwarming: Amazon Eats Shit

Dwight Howard grimacing Dwight Howardishly next to the Distraction logo.

Philadelphia 76ers v Los Angeles Lakers

The Art Of Aging Gracelessly, With Ray Ratto

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 19: Los Angeles Dodgers fans cheer during Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium on October 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.

Championship Series – Atlanta Braves v Los Angeles Dodgers – Game Three

What Would An Effective Sports Fan Union Actually Look Like?

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Lauren Theisen

Detroit Tigers v Los Angeles Angels

I’m Stuck With Baseball

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred leaving the MLB owners meetings with that look on his face.

MLB Owners Meetings

MLB’s Owners Want To Make Their Favorite Loopholes Into Law

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - MARCH 26: The closed box office is shown at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on March 26, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees Opening Day game scheduled for today, along with the entire MLB season, has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

MLB Opening Day Postponed Due To Coronavirus

An MLB Network Freelancer Talks Life In Lockout Limbo

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Albert Burneko

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The Wirecutter Union Won

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred talks to Astros GM James Click during the 2021 World Series.

World Series – Atlanta Braves v Houston Astros – Game One

MLB Owners Have Forgotten That They Always Lose Lockouts

New York Times Seeks Buyouts Before Imposing Layoffs

Wirecutter Union Files Labor Grievance After “Vindictive” New York Times Withheld Holiday Pay

Mets owner Steve Cohen and Mets mascot Mr. Met, seen at the opening of a mass vaccination site at CitiField in February of 2021.

Mass Vaccination Site Opens At Citi Field In New York City

Lockout Mindset And Dog Talk, With Lindsey Adler

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Barry Petchesky

DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 12: Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred Jr. speaks during a press conference announcing a partnership with the Players Alliance during the Gatorade All-Star Workout Day at Coors Field on July 12, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

2021 Gatorade All-Star Workout Day

Let’s Be Very Clear About What’s Going On Here

Corey Seager, seen here sitting on his butt tossing a baseball up in the air back when he was with the Dodgers, and before he joined the Rangers.

Championship Series – Los Angeles Dodgers v Atlanta Braves – Game Two

Here’s To The Texas Rangers And What They’re Trying To Do

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