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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

Enter Our Raffle To Win A Visit And Home-Cooked Meal From Drew Magary

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tip jar sweepstakes

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Tom Ley

Cincinnati Reds v Milwaukee Brewers

Ryan Braun’s Legacy Is A Poison Pill

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Lauren Theisen

St Louis Cardinals v New York Mets

Against My Better Judgment, I’m Into The Expanded Wild Card

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Chris Thompson

Max Scherzer acknowledges the crowd during his historic game.

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Max Scherzer Got Here By Being A Maniac

Toronto Blue Jays v Baltimore Orioles – Game Two

The Blue Jays And Orioles Will Not Play Normal Baseball

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. slides into second base against the Orioles.

The Orioles Must Help Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Hit For The Triple Crown

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Ray Ratto

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. celebrates hitting a homer against the Boston Red Sox.

Toronto Blue Jays v Boston Red Sox

The Dream Of A Postseason Without The Yankees And Red Sox Is Still Alive

<a href="https://twitter.com/robertfoconnell" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert O’Connell</a> is a writer from Kansas living in New York. His work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, The Atlantic, The New York Times, and elsewhere.

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Robert O’Connell

Helmets (and a pair of eclipse glasses) in the dugout of a minor league baseball team in Columbia, SC.

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Minor League Baseball Is Optimized To Exploit

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Albert Burneko

Derek Jeter, New York Yankees, stretches toward a ground ball

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter grimaces as

Please Explain To Me What The Hell Aaron Boone Is Trying To Say About Derek Jeter

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Wander Franco Is Streaking

Juan Soto gives the thumbs-up are another intentional walk.

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More Like Juan Solo

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Patrick Redford

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 02: Wilmer Difo #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates commits an error in the 11th inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 02, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs won 6-5 in 11 innings. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Pirates v Chicago Cubs

Pittsburgh Pirates, Comedy Geniuses, Continue To Perfect Art Of Losing

I Appreciate Daniel Vogelbach’s Effort

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Samer Kalaf

Javier Baez #23 of the New York Mets slides home with the game winning run in the ninth inning against Alex Jackson #23 of the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on August 31, 2021 in New York City.

Miami Marlins v New York Mets – Game One

Defector Up All Night

The Search For Javy Báez’s Earring Continues

Umpires check the bat of Nick Castellanos after he destroys the St.Louis Cardinals.

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Cardinals Manager Mike Shildt Stops Game So Everyone Can Watch Nick Castellanos Embarrass Him

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 31: Fans of the New York Mets cheer as Jacob deGrom #48 bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on May 31, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

New York Mets v Arizona Diamondbacks

Life Lessons

Booing Isn’t Bad, But There’s A Better Way

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John Smoltz Moves Closer To Escaping His Personal Hell Of Watching Baseball

Detroit Tigers v Toronto Blue Jays

Robbie Grossman Is Good Enough For Me

Patrick Dubuque is a writer and editor at Baseball Prospectus.

Patrick Dubuque

Asdrubal Cabrera, perennial trade deadline mover, seen here with the Diamondbacks. (He's with the Reds now.)

San Diego Padres v Arizona Diamondbacks

It’s “Free Couch” Season In Major League Baseball

San Diego Padres v Los Angeles Angels

The Angels Are Done, Shohei Is Hurt, And Yet He’s Still Blasting Monster Dingers

Vlad Jr. socked a pair of huge dingers for the Blue Jays Monday night.

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Vlad Jr. Is Smashin’ Baseballs

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David Roth

Javier Baez does a double thumbs-down gesture, apparently directed at Mets fans, after hitting a home run on Sunday against the Nationals.

Washington Nationals v New York Mets

The New York Mets Must Win More Games To Humiliate And Punish Their Faithless Fans

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.

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Diana Moskovitz

Trevor Bauer of the Los Angeles Dodgers winds up to pitch during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on May 26, 2021 in Houston, Texas.

Trevor Bauer

League Anti-Violence Policies Are Just A Smokescreen For Owners

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Luis Robert #88 of the Chicago White Sox hits a solo home run in the 1st inning against the Chicago Cubs at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 29, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois.

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