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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

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

<div id=":g4.ma" class="Mu SP" title="January 26, 2021 at 2:34:42 PM UTC-5" data-tooltip="January 26, 2021 at 2:34:42 PM UTC-5"><span id=":g4.co" class="tL8wMe EMoHub" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/GoStevenGoldman">Steven Goldman</a> is a former BP editor-in-chief and current consulting editor. He is the author of the Casey Stengel biography <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Forging-Genius-Making-Casey-Stengel/dp/1574888749">Forging Genius</a> </i>and host of the long-running <a href="https://www.baseballprospectus.com/show/the-infinite-inning/"><i>Infinite Inning </i>podcast</a>, which sits at the crossroads of baseball, history, politics, and culture. His most recent book, which has an introduction by David Roth, is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Baseballs-Brief-Lives-Inspired-Infinite/dp/B0BBJTPGDF"><i>Baseball&#8217;s Brief Lives: Player-Stories Inspired by the Infinite Inning</i></a>.</span></div>
<div id=":g5.ma" class="Mu SP" data-tooltip="January 26, 2021 at 2:34:45 PM UTC-5"></div>


Steven Goldman

A general view of the DraftKings Bet Live Now signage during the Major League Baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals on July 7, 2022.

MLB: JUL 07 Nationals at Phillies

Gambling For Life

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Kathryn Xu

Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches to Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers at PNC Park on June 5, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Los Angeles Dodgers v Pittsburgh Pirates

Shohei Ohtani And Paul Skenes Had A Splendid Introduction

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Lauren Theisen

Television video and still camera lenses are seen in centerfield as the sun sets behind home plate

Detroit Tigers v New York Yankees – Game Two

Which Broadcast Has The Best View In Baseball?

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Chris Thompson

MLB Makes A Convenient Example Of Several Gambling Bozos


<p>Investigations Editor. You can reach her at diana@defector.com or, if you prefer protonmail, dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. If security is a concern, download the Signal app and send her a text at 929-251-8187.</p>


DFM New Headshot

Diana Moskovitz

A photo of the baseball field and the scoreboard at Meji Jingu Baseball Stadium stadium in Tokyo. The night sky is a dark blue and, despite the rain, the outfield seats still hold a good number of fans. There's also a runner on second base.

Japan Baseball Photo

The Key To Having Fun At A Baseball Game Is Flying To The Other Side Of The World

Tommy Pham is angry.

The White Sox Are Ready To Kick Someone’s Ass, Just Not At Baseball

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Ray Ratto

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 28: Jeff McNeil #1 of the New York Mets reacts after popping out with the bases loaded during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game one of a doubleheader at Citi Field on May 28, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Dodgers v New York Mets – Game One

Meet The Mess

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Barry Petchesky

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 19: Umpire Angel Hernandez looks on during the MLB game between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 19, 2024 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

MLB: APR 19 Mets at Dodgers

End Of An Error As Ángel Hernández Calls It Quits

Julio Rodríguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners looks on against the New York Yankees during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium on May 22, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City.

Seattle Mariners v New York Yankees

The Mariners Should Be Better Than Good

Willi Castro #50 of the Minnesota Twins catches a home run sausage after hitting a two run home run during the seventh inning against the Washington Nationals.

Minnesota Twins v Washington Nationals

The Twins’ Summer Sausage Has Not Yet Expired

New York Mets v Cleveland Guardians

The Mets Are Worse Than Bad. They’re Tedious

Shota Imanaga #18 of the Chicago Cubs looks on from the dugout prior to the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs.

shotaImanagaAppreciationHours3

Now Let Us Praise Shota Imanaga

Absolute Skenes

New York Mets v Philadelphia Phillies

Toward A Better Or At Least Different Way Of Determining “Record Vs. Winning Teams”

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David Roth

Carson Fulmer of the Angels looks faintly dyspeptic on the mound during an April 16 game at Tampa Bay.

Los Angeles Angels v Tampa Bay Rays

It Has Seldom Been More Los Angeles Angels Than It Is Right Now

Ronel Blanco #56 is walked off the field by Joe Espada #19 of the Houston Astros after being ejected in the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics.

ronel-blanco-ejection

The Gunk Inspectors Have Nabbed Ronel Blanco And Seized His Glove

The Sucky Cardinals Are Headed Into Unfamiliar But Well-Charted Waters

MLB: MAY 11 Cubs at Pirates

Maybe Paul Skenes Can Pitch In Relief Too?

James Wood rounds the bases after hitting a spring training home run.

James-Wood

Please Give Us James Wood Now, Before Joey Gallo’s Shoulder Un-Kerplodes

Willson Contreras of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts/screams after getting hit with a J.D. Martinez swing in a game on May 7, 2024.

New York Mets v St. Louis Cardinals

Willson Contreras Broke His Arm In The Small Margins

Dave McKenna

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 27: RFK Stadium is seen from East Capitol Street in Washington, DC on September 27, 2023. (Photo by Craig Hudson for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 27: RFK Stadium is seen from East Ca

Elder Wisdom

RIP RFK Stadium, Where A Dirtball Came Of Age

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates a two-run home run against the Miami Marlins.

Miami Marlins v Los Angeles Dodgers

Oh No! Shohei Ohtani Now Gets To Hit With Runners On Base!

Paul Skenes

Please Give Us Paul Skenes Now, Before His Elbow Kerplodes

Luis Arraez #4 of the San Diego Padres reacts after hitting an RBI single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning at Chase Field on May 04, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona.

San Diego Padres v Arizona Diamondbacks

The Marlins Surrendered In Record Time

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - MAY 04: Brent Rooker #25 of the Oakland Athletics is congratulated by Abraham Toro #31 and Tyler Nevin #26 after Rooker hit a three-run home run against the Miami Marlins in the bottom of the third inning on May 4, 2024 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. The home run was Rooker's second home run of the inning. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Miami Marlins v Oakland Athletics

Let’s All Say Nice Things About The Oakland A’s