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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

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

This Is So Stupid

This Will Not Be Finished Until Mike Trout Is Allowed To Pitch To Shohei Ohtani

Lauren Theisen

Arts And Culture

‘How To Defend Yourself’ Knows That You Will Fail To Solve Rape Culture

Ray Ratto

Willis Reed in action against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1970 NBA Finals.

Willis Reed Met The Moment

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

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

Laura Wagner

Carson Briere Charged For Pushing Wheelchair Down A Flight Of Stairs

David Roth

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

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

Patrick Redford

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - MARCH 18: Dillon Brooks #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts during the game against the Golden State Warriors at FedExForum on March 18, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images)

Everyone Hates Dillon Brooks

Israel Daramola

Dominique Fishback in 'Swarm'/ Amazon Prime

The Star Of ‘Swarm’ Stings, Even When The Show Doesn’t

Music

Save The Music You Like

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Destiny Harden #3 of the Miami Hurricanes reacts after making the game winning shot against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second round of the 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament held at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on March 20, 2023 in Bloomington, Indiana.

College Basketball

Fraudiana!

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

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 20: Cherry blossoms near peak bloom around the Tidal Basin on March 20, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Funbag

A Half-Assed But Useful Guide To Visiting Washington, D.C.

Ottawa Senators goalie Dylan Ferguson celebrates after a win against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Dylan Ferguson Took The Long Way

Albert Burneko

Politics

Bring Forth The Arrest

Roger Goodell speaks to the assembled media with kind of a dippy grin on his face before the Super Bowl in February of 2023.

Roger Goodell Got A Big New Contract To Do The Same Old Thing

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

PALO ALTO, CA - MARCH 19: Madison Scott #24 of the Ole Miss Rebels shoots the ball against Haley Jones #30 of the Stanford Cardinal during the second round of the 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament held at the Stanford Maples Pavilion on March 19, 2023 in Palo Alto, California.

Stanfraud!

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring Arsenal's 4th goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on March 19, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Soccer

Bukayo Saka Is Arsenal’s Beating Heart

Barcelona players celebrate Franck Kessié's stoppage-time winner against Real Madrid, Mar. 19 2023

La Liga

Things Are Looking Up For Barcelona, So Long As You Don’t Look Up

Trea Turner socks a huge freaking dinger.

Trea Turner Is Now Also A God Of Dingers

Kathryn Xu

Racing

Welcome Back To Formula 1.5

Markquis Nowell Doesn’t Get Discouraged

Nicholas Russell is a writer from Las Vegas.

Nicholas Russell

Hey It's That Guy

Djimon Hounsou’s Been Stuck In Big-Budget Purgatory For Too Long

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 19: Johnell Davis #1 of the Florida Atlantic Owls dunks the ball against the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights during the second half in the second round game of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 19, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio.

FDU Was Trying To Make History. Johnell Davis Did It Instead

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - MARCH 18: Dillon Brooks #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks at Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half of the game at FedExForum on March 18, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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.