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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

Kathryn Xu

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

Lauren Theisen

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

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

The Phillies Are On The Frontier Of Pitch-Clock Weirdness

Kelsey McKinney

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

Ray Ratto

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.

Politics

Spare A Thought For Samuel Alito, America’s Worst Phillies Fan

Yordan Álvarez Hit A Ball So Hard That It Ended The Phillies’ Hopes And Dreams

Jeremy Peña shrugs after socking a dinger.

The Astros Have Seized The Juice

Cristian Javier Played Catch

Bryce Harper celebrates his home run with Alec Bohm

Bryce And Alec Have A Secret

A World Series Rain Delay Just Leaves More Time To Drive Yourself Crazy

The Astros Are Not Here For Any More Phillies Shenanigans

The World Series Is Chaos Vs. Control

David Roth

Bryce Harper on the field after the Phillies defeated the Padres in the 2022 National League Championship Series.

Bryce Harper Is Burning Again

Adopt A Terrible Son Who You Love Very Much This World Series Season

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 23: The Houston Astros celebrate after defeating the New York Yankees in game four to win the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 23, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

You Do Not Have To Root For The Phillies

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

Dan McQuade

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 23: A general view of Citizens Bank Park after the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the San Diego Padres in game five to win the National League Championship Series on October 23, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

What A Gift These Phillies Have Been

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 23: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies is congratulated by teammates following a two run home run against the San Diego Padres during the eighth inning in game five of the National League Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 23, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

You’re Gonna Have To Root For The Phillies In The World Series

For The Philadelphia Phillies, It All Happened So Fast

The Philadelphia Phillies celebrate after dispatching the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS.

Philadelphia Phillies