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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

Albert Burneko

The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft launches from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on June 5, 2024. Boeing launched its very first astronauts bound for the International Space Station aboard a Starliner capsule, which joins a select club of spacecraft to carry humans beyond Earth.

Science

Boeing Starliner Astronauts Electively Spending Five More Months In Space To Hitch Ride In Different Vehicle Due To Preference For Not Dying

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Jackson Merrill celebrates after hitting a walk-off home run.

Jackson Merrill Has Already Achieved Dude Status

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Corey Seager tags out Jose Ramirez as he attempts to steal second base

Crosswords

The Crossword, Aug. 26: Cut To The Chase (Themeless)

Barry Petchesky

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 25: (L-R) Alex Verdugo #24, Aaron Judge #99 and Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees celebrate after defeating the Colorado Rockies at Yankee Stadium on August 25, 2024 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Rockies 10-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

We Need A Better Phrase For Back-To-Back-To-Back Home Runs

Justin McHenry is an archivist and historian from West Virginia, and the author of <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/lemuria-the-true-story-of-a-fake-place/19663689">Lemuria: A True Story of a Fake Place</a> and the upcoming book, <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/raising-philadelphia-the-making-of-america-s-first-great-city-1750-1775-justin-mchenry/20390701?ean=9781955041201">Raising Philadelphia: The Making of America&#8217;s First Great City</a>.

Justin McHenry

MILL CREEK, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 6: Smoke shrouds Mt. Shasta as the Park Fire burns on August 6, 2024 in Mill Creek, California. (Photo by Ethan Swope/Getty Images)

History

How AI Copyright Law Is Being Guided By Spirits From Atlantis

Dave McKenna

Viewer discretion warning at the start of FBI PSA

Dadfector

Run, Hide, Fight, Die

Lauren Theisen

Shohei Ohtani watches the ball after hitting a home run

There’s Nothing More Beautiful Than A Shohei Ohtani Home Run

Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

INGLEWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones talk on the field during an NFL game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Chargers on September 19, 2021, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire)

Why Your Team Sucks

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Dallas Cowboys

Rachelle Hampton

Two hands, one holding chopsticks and the other a wide spoon, hover over a bowl of pho.

Food

An Ode To Strip Mall Pho

Ernie Clement slugs a home run on a pitch at forehead height.

No Pitch Is Too High For The Courageous Of Heart

Samer Kalaf

Attendees calling for a ceasefire in Gaza demonstrate as President Joe Biden deliver the keynote speech during the first day of the Democratic National Convention on August 19, 2024,

Politics

Everyone At The DNC Speaks For Palestine, Except For Palestinians

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

two penguins stand in front of an inflatable rainbow arch in a penguin enclosure

Creaturefector

Sphen The Gay Penguin Broke The Ice

Ray Ratto

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 07: Former Philadelphia Phillies player Pete Rose acknowledges the crowd prior to the game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on August 7, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 13-1. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

The Last Word On Pete Rose Is Deeply Unpleasant

Israel Daramola

A view of the The College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy during the 2024 CFP National Championship game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Washington Huskies at NRG Stadium on January 08, 2024 in Houston, Texas. The Michigan Wolverines won 34-13.

College Football

A Guide To CFB’s Power Conference Realignment

Giri Nathan

MASON, OHIO - AUGUST 17: Jannik Sinner of Italy hits a forehand against Andrey Rublev of Russia in the quarter finals of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 17, 2024 in Mason, Ohio. (Photo by Frey/TPN/Getty Images)

Tennis

Jannik Sinner Has The Resources To Take A Doping Violation With Dignity

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 17: Fans look on prior to a game between the Chicago Bears and the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Cleveland Browns

Podcasts

An Airplane Seating Brain Teaser, With Rohan Nadkarni

Arts And Culture

‘Megalopolis’ Wants It To Be Francis Ford Coppola Vs. Everybody

Hamilton Nolan is a journalist based in New York City. Subscribe to his work at <a href="https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1687350200913000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0naFbUVOe-5ZgtPDtIM3gz">HamiltonNolan.com</a>.

Hamilton Nolan

Patriot Games

Luis Paez-Pumar

The official NWSL game ball sits on top of a pedestal with the NWSL Logo on it with the stadium behind the ball at the start of the National Women's Soccer League match between NJ/NY Gotham FC and North Carolina Courage at Red Bull Arena on May 4, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey.

Soccer

NWSL Throws The Draft In The Trash Where It Belongs

CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 24: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds acknowledges the crowd before his first at-bat during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park on September 24, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Joey Votto Just Got It

Stonehenge, Wiltshire, circa 2015. General view at dusk with the Moon above the stones. (Photo by English Heritage/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

Extremely Heavy And Incredibly Far; Or, The Saga Of The Strangest Rock At Stonehenge

Alex Shultz is a journalist based in Brooklyn. He&#8217;s a writer for <a href="https://www.hardresetmedia.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.hardresetmedia.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763581679564000&amp;usg=AOvVaw07bi0TNndgTXDN2QH72s3J">Hard Reset,</a> a newsletter about tech, labor, and power.

Alex Shultz

The lobby of the Javits Center during Fanatics Fest

Capital

Three Days At Fanatics Fest, Michael Rubin’s Hollow Monument To Sports And Culture

Gabby Williams #15 of Team France waves to the crowd after her team's victory against Team Belgium during a women's semifinal match between Team France and Team Belgium on day fourteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 09, 2024 in Paris, France.