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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

Randy Arozarena #56 of the Mexico in action during the 2026 World Baseball Classic game between Mexico and the United States.

Even At The World Baseball Classic, The Mariners Cannot Escape Themselves

Barry Petchesky

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - MARCH 07: Luis Vázquez #8 of Team Puerto Rico celebrates after his team's 4-3 victory against Team Panama at Hiram Bithorn Stadium on March 07, 2026 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The World Baseball Classic Is Already Producing Some Classic World Baseball

Shohei Ohtani #16 of team Japan warms up during the 2026 World Baseball Classic exhibition game.

World Baseball Classic, Or Assic?

Patrick Dubuque is a writer and editor at Baseball Prospectus.

Patrick Dubuque

Phillippe Aumont of Team Canada pitches during Game 3 of Pool C between Team Great Britain and Team Canada at Chase Field on Sunday, March 12, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona.

A Season For Hope

Francisco Lindor #12 of Team Puerto Rico celebrates with teammates after scoring in the fifth inning of Game 10 of Pool D between Team Puerto Rico and Team Dominican Republic at loanDepot Park on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

The World Baseball Classic Has An Insurance Problem

Richard Staff is a <a href="https://twitter.com/RichardStaff" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weapons-grade Twitter goblin</a> and hostage of the Mets. That is his real name.

Richard Staff

Michael Hermosillo of the Angels makes a catch in foul territory during the 2020 MLB season, while a bunch of creepy stuffed teddy bears look on.

“I Almost Wished There Was Someone There To Curse At Me”: Isolation And Triumph In MLB’s Plague Season

Tom Ley

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan pitches in the top of the 9th inning during World Baseball Classic Championship between United States and Japan at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

Pitches Shohei Ohtani Threw To Mike Trout, Ranked

Ray Ratto

Shohei Ohtani exultantly celebrating after getting the final out in Japan's victory over Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

The World Baseball Classic Showed The Sport Where To Find Its Joy

David Roth

A Mark Rothko painting, featuring his signature planes of color, on display in Munich's Kunsthalle in 2008.

Arts And Culture

Bob Nightengale Is Capturing The World Baseball Classic As Only He Can

MIAMI, FL - MARCH 20: Kensuke Kondoh #8 and Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan celebrate after scoring on a three-run home run hit by Masataka Yoshida #34 in the seventh inning during the 2023 World Baseball Classic Semifinal game between Team Mexico and Team Japan at loanDepot Park on Monday, March 20, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

Internationals

Big-Time Games Call For Big-Time Players

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Trea Turner socks a huge freaking dinger.

Trea Turner Is Now Also A God Of Dingers

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]

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Mitch Bratt #28 of Team Canada looks on in the dugout during Game 6 of Pool C between Team Canada and Team USA at Chase Field on Monday, March 13, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona.

It’s Hard To Be A Youth At The World Baseball Classic

Ian Gibault with a broken T on his uniform

His Is So Supid

Oh No! A Picher Had A Uniform Acciden

Luis Paez-Pumar

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 12: Salvador Perez #13 of Venezuela celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run in the second inning against Puerto Rico at loanDepot park on March 12, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

World Baseball Classic