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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

Protect The Head That Reads Defector

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Merch v3

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Samer Kalaf

Fernando Tatis Jr. hits a homer in Sunday's minor league baseball game

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Triple-A Pitchers Must Be Thrilled That Fernando Tatis Jr. Is Leaving

Jen Ramos Eisen is a freelance Central California-based minor league baseball writer.

Jen Ramos Eisen

An image of the baseball field at Stockton Ballpark in Stockton, California. There's a baseball field, and rows of plastic chairs for fans to sit in.

The Stockton Ballpark

Minor League Baseball’s New CBA Still Won’t Solve All Its Transportation Woes

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Laura Wagner

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Minor Leaguers And MLB Are On The Verge Of A Historic CBA

Michael is a writer who has worked with The Atlantic, The New Yorker, WIRED, Vox, The New York Times, and other publications. He is currently working on his first book, The Other Olympians, which uncovers the stories of several European athletes who transitioned gender in the 1930s.

Michael Waters

TOLEDO, OH - JULY 01: Columbus Clippers player's ball caps are seen on the dugout bench during a regular season game between the Columbus Clippers and the Toledo Mud Hens on July 1, 2019 at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, Ohio.

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Capital

The Columbus Clippers Made Public Sports Ownership Work. Can Anyone Else?

Colin Deppen is a reporter with Spotlight PA.

Colin Deppen

Barnstormers' Jake Hoover (20) slides into second base after hitting a two run double against the York Revolution during first inning action of the home opener at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster Friday April 29, 2022.

Lancaster Barnstormers home opener vs. York

Why These Teams Got Left Out Of The Minor League Baseball Union

Marc Normandin currently writes on baseball’s labor issues and more at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marcnormandin.com/">marcnormandin.com</a>, which you can read for free but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.patreon.com/marcnormandin">support through his Patreon</a>. His baseball writing has appeared at SB Nation, Deadspin, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Sports on Earth, The Guardian, The Nation, and TalkPoverty.

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

<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.

Jarrett Seidler

<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.

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

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Tom Ley

The MLBPA Wants To Unionize Minor League Baseball

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

Minor League Baseball