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Defector

Patrick Redford

Accredited media motorcycles and race direction vehicles precede the pack of riders (peloton) as they cycle during the 14th stage of the 112th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 182.6 km between Pau and Luchon-Superbagneres, in the Pyrenees mountains of southwestern France, on July 19, 2025.

Media Meltdowns

An Anatomy Of The Doping Story That Has The Tour de France Press Room Buzzing


<p class="wp-block-paragraph">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.</p>


Richard Staff

Marcus Walden of the Boston Red Sox throws during a summer camp workout before the start of the 2020 Major League Baseball season on July 15, 2020 at Boston College in Boston, Massachusetts. The season was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Secret Brotherhood Of The Phantom Ballplayers

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Braves Coach In Hot Water Over Battle Of Gestures

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Tom Scocca is the editor of <a href="http://indignity.net">Indignity</a>, a subscription-supported newsletter of news, essays, and commentary.</div>
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Tom Scocca

From left, American real estate developer Donald Trump and his girlfriend (and future wife), former model Melania Knauss, financier (and future convicted sex offender) Jeffrey Epstein, and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell pose together at the Mar-a-Lago club, Palm Beach, Florida, February 12, 2000.

Margin Of Error

Collective Amnesia

Maitreyi Anantharaman

North Carolina Tar Heels football head coach Bill Belichick speaks to the crowd during a basketball game against the La Salle Explorers on December 14, 2024 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 93-67.

Crosswords

The Crossword, July 21: One By One

Julian Alaphilippe of France and Team Tudor Pro Cycling (celebrating wrongly) and Wout Van Aert of Belgium and Team Visma.

Cycling

Julian Alaphilippe Loses, Celebrates, And Learns To Smile About It

Ray Ratto

NFLPA President JC Tretter speaks at a press conference prior to Super Bowl LVI at the NFL Media Building on the SoFi Stadium campus in Inglewood, California.

The NFL Players Association Is Falling Apart When It Needs Solidarity The Most

Rachelle Hampton

An orange cat sits in front of two framed Henri Rousseau prints.

Arts And Culture

Finding Henri Rousseau

David Roth

Sitting in the dugout and watching the game, (L to R), are Tim Teufel, Howard Johnson, Bob Ojeda and Ron Darling, as they balance baseballs on their caps to try and change the Mets luck. The image is in black and white; and from 1986.

39 Years Ago, Four Mets Fought The Cops At A Houston Bar Named Cooter’s

Markus Hoelgaard of Norway and Team Uno-X Mobility competes during the 112th Tour de France 2025, Stage 14 a 182.6km stage from Pau to Luchon-Superbagneres.

A Day Inside The Tour de France From The Neutral Service Car

Tom Ley

A big duck with Bills Week coming out if its bill

Bills Week

It’s No Longer Bills Week

Director Bill Paxton behind the set of the Lions Gate Films movie "Frailty", circa 2001. The Bills Week logo is on there.

In Bill Paxton’s ‘Frailty,’ Certainty Is The Scariest Thing There Is

<p>Former Defector intern, now freelancer.</p>
<p>For professional inquiries or tips please write lucybl00m@protonmail.com or yuck.20 on Signal.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


Lucy Bloom

Billie Marten’s Music Makes Loneliness A Thrill

Brandy Jensen

William F. Buckley’s Bill Never Came Due

Dave McKenna

Liam Gallagher of Oasis performs on stage during the opening night of their Live 25' Tour at Principality Stadium on July 04, 2025 in Cardiff, Wales.

It’s Liams Week In Ireland


<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Staff Writer</p>


Israel Daramola

NFLPA Executive Director Lloyd Howell discusses the state of the union and its direction for the upcoming year before fielding questions from the media on February 05, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Bills Players Among Many In Need Of New Union Head

Just What You Wanted: A Bill Belichick TV Show

Bill Veeck holds up a sign to the crowd so they can manage the baseball game

Bill Veeck’s Goofy, Gag-Filled Baseball Book Was Ahead Of Its Time

Luis Paez-Pumar

Jennifer Falk #12 of Sweden missed a decisive 11m goal against goalkeeper Hannah Hampton #1 of England in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA Womens EURO 2025 Quarter-Final match between Sweden and England at Stadion Letzigrund on July 17, 2025 in Zurich, Switzerland.

Soccer

Atrocious England-Sweden Penalty Shootout Has Wild Bill Hickok Turning Over In His Grave

Kathryn Xu

An illustration of Wild Bill Hickock shooting a guy with the last name Williams in the Old West.

Life's Rich Pageant

Will A Will Ever Become A Bill?

Bill Nye Isn’t Fun Anymore

Fans throng a rider on the way up the Hautacam during Stage 12 of the 2025 Tour de France.

Feral Belgians, Superfan Gendarmes, And Tattered Cyclists At The Tour de France’s First Summit Finish

of the Milwaukee Brewers slides into second base against the New York Mets on April 17, 2009.

Bill Hall Put It Together

What Are The Epstein Files, And How Much Should You Care About Them?

Giri Nathan

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 11: Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the second half of the NBA game at PHX Arena on April 11, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)