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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

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

Dan McQuade

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 24: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after flying out against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning in Game Seven of the Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 24, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

How Do You Cope?

Albert Burneko

Arizona's Zac Gallen and Philadelphia's Bryce Harper watch Harper's sixth-inning home run soar into the night during Philadelphia's 6-1 win in Game 5 of the NLCS.

Never Make Zac Gallen Face Kyle Schwarber And Bryce Harper In The Same Inning Ever Again

Lauren Theisen

Evan Longoria and Ryne Nelson look disappointed about the ball that dropped

This Is How A Team Pleads For Mercy

Ray Ratto

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?

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Ronald Acuña Jr. throws the ball back into the infield during Game 4 of the NLDS.

Atlanta’s Cool Guys Forgot How To Be Cool

Bryce Harper walks back to the dugout as the Atlanta Braves celebrate their win

The Phillies Went For The Throat And Missed

Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in Game Two of the Wild Card Series at American Family Field on October 04, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The NL’s Underdogs Can Make A Big Mess Of These Playoffs

Kelsey McKinney

Luis Paez-Pumar

Bryson Stott, wearing the white pin-striped Phillies uniform, crosses home plate with an elated look. The Marlins catcher looks miserably at him.

Point/Counterpoint: Was The Phillies-Marlins Wild Card Series Good?

Members Miami Marlins celebrate after a 7-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates to clinch an National Leauge Wildcard berth at PNC Park on September 30, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

These No-Good, Historically Bad Marlins Have Won Me Back

Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies in a Phillies jersey, grey, with the top buttons unbuttoned

Is The Phillies’ Good Luck Charm A Dedication To Himbo Culture And Showing Clavicle? [Update]

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts during the fifth inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on September 21, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Angel Hernandez Will Make You Want To Throw A Thing

Nick Castellanos rounds third after hitting a home run

Nick Castellanos Is The Phillies’ Himbo Hero

Kathryn Xu

Kyle Schwarber warms up, wearing what appear to be Oakley wraparounds.

An Unsuccessful Attempt To Prove How Weird The Phillies Offense Is

Trea Turner is sprayed with water after his walk-off

The Power Of The Standing Ovation Has Healed Trea Turner

A photo of Michael Lorenzen pointing to the sky after he pitched a no hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Michael Lorenzen Is The Best Kind Of Welcome-To-Philly Story

Bryce Harper makes a forceout at first base

Bryce Harper Knows His Way Around First Base

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

The Phillies Are On The Frontier Of Pitch-Clock Weirdness

The Phillies Finally Had Some Fun

ARLINGTON, TX - MAY 17: Spencer Strider #99 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2023 in Arlington, Texas.

Spencer Strider Is Closing Games As Soon As They Start

Patrick Redford

Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies runs on the field as the benches clear in the seventh inning of a game at Coors Field on May 14, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Bryce Harper Has Had It With The Entire Concept Of The Colorado Rockies

Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies smiles during his postgame interview, wearing both a headset and giant sunglasses

Please Pay Attention To Nick Castellanos

John Middleton Spoke The Forbidden Words Of Sports Ownership

The Phillies Might As Well Keep Spending

Jay Willis is a writer who covers law and democracy. His work has appeared in GQ, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Slate, and more. He is the editor-in-chief at Balls &amp; Strikes, an outlet for progressive commentary on the legal system.

Jay Willis

Supreme Court Justice and Philadelphia Phillies fan Samuel Alito seen at the July 2019 swearing-in of Mark Esper as Secretary of Defense.

Philadelphia Phillies