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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

Lauren Theisen

The Mets Are Worse Than Bad. They’re Tedious

Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 20: General manager Billy Eppler of the New York Mets talks during a press conference to introduce pitcher Justin Verlander at Citi Field on December 20, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Billy Eppler’s Resignation Was Strange And Sudden

Ray Ratto

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: The Grounds crew pull the tarp back on the field at Citi Field on September 28, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Fish All Wet

David Roth

Matt Carpenter of the Padres looking distraught during a road game against the Phillies in July of 2023.

Podcasts

What Are The Padres Trying To Tell Us, With Justin Halpern

Orioles infielder Ramon Urias slides in under the tag of Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez in an Orioles win on August 4, 2023.

The Mets Have Unlocked The Basement

New York Mets general manager Billy Eppler during a spring training workout on Feb. 18, 2023 in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

The Mets Threw Some More Money At Their Problems

Justin Verlander of the Mets leaves the mound during his win against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, July 30.

You Have To Know How Bad You Actually Are

Max Scherzer #21 of the New York Mets looks on during the fifth inning of a spring training game against the Houston Astros at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 18, 2023 in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Bereft Of Blockbuster Trades, Max Scherzer Will Have To Suffice

Tommy Pham waits for the mound visit to end

Tommy Pham As Intense As Ever, But In A More Productive Way

Reliever Jeff Brigham leaves the mound after hitting two straight batters to plate the winning run in a Mets loss against the Phillies.

Good Teams Make Their Players Better

Tom Ley

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 25: Buck Showalter #11 of the New York Mets and umpire Erich Bacchus #12 speak during the ninth inning of a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on June 25, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Maybe The Mets Are Just Bad

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 25: Noah Syndergaard #43 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on from the dugout in the fifth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 25, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Twilight Of The Thunder God

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


Dan McQuade

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 18: Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks at the Republican Jewish Coalition annual leadership meeting on November 19, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The meeting comes on the heels of former President Donald Trump becoming the first candidate to declare his intention to seek the GOP nomination in the 2024 presidential race.

Reports: Mets Owner To Do Something Stupid

Samer Kalaf

A view of the Mets game from the concourse. Pete Alonso is about to hit a walk-off home run.

Life's Rich Pageant

There’s Something I’ve Never Seen Before

<div dir="ltr">
<div>Noah Gittell is a Connecticut-based writer on film and baseball. His work can be found in <em>The New York Times</em>, The Ringer, <em>The Guardian</em>, <em>Washington City Paper</em>, and the <em>LA Review of Books</em>. His book on baseball cinema is due in 2024.</div>
</div>


Noah Gittell

George exults while wearing a Yankees cap after being hired as the assistant to the traveling secretary for the New York Yankees in an episode of "Seinfeld."

When ‘Seinfeld’ Abandoned The Mets For The Yankees

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 10: Yu Darvish #11 of the San Diego Padres looks out at the field in the third inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on April 10, 2023 in New York City.

Small Ball Returned To Torture Yu Darvish

New York Mayor Eric Adams throws out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium in May of 2022.

Politics

Local Politicians Enthused By Return Of Base Ball

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 15: Edwin Diaz #39 of Puerto Rico is helped off the field after being injured during the on-field celebration after defeating the Dominican Republic during the World Baseball Classic Pool D at loanDepot park on March 15, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

This Sucks So Bad For Edwin Díaz [Update]

Jacob deGrom at his introductory press conference after signing a five-year, $185 million contract with the Texas Rangers.

The Jacob deGrom Experience Is A Worrying Thing

Carlos Correa congratulated by his former, and now future, Minnesota Twins teammates after a September 2022 home run.

I’d Rather Have Carlos Correa

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 08: Carlos Correa #4 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates after hitting a home run against the New York Yankees on September 8, 2022 at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)

So Uh What’s Going On With Carlos Correa?

Steve Cohen Got All The Babies Crying

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


Chris Thompson

Lunatic Sports Radio Caller Detects Bidenesque “Fraudulent Corruption” In Carlos Correa Deal

Albert Burneko

Mr. Met stands on the dugout at a Mets game

End-Stage Loser Brain Is Ditching Your Favorite Team Because It Wants To Be Good Now

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 05: Carlos Correa #4 of the Minnesota Twins looks on against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on October 05, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

New York Mets