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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

Lauren Theisen

Trea Turner is sprayed with water after his walk-off

The Power Of The Standing Ovation Has Healed Trea Turner

Rob Mains is a writer at Baseball Prospectus.

Rob Mains

Baltimore Orioles co-owner John Angelos seen looking into space at the press conference introducing Mike Elias as the team's GM back in 2018.

John Angelos Speaks, Or Count The Number Of Things Wrong With This Paragraph

Ray Ratto

Jerry Reinsdorf Chairman of the Chicago White Sox on the field before the game between the Chicago White Sox and the Minnesota Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 29, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois.

Jerry Reinsdorf Is Bored And Cranky

Knicks owner James Dolan, seen here leering weirdly at a Knicks/Lakers game in 2019. He has a goatee.

Who Would Steal The Business Secrets Of The New York Knicks?

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

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JULY 27: Head coach Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins stretches with Tua Tagovailoa #1 during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex on July 27, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Why Your Team Sucks

Why Your Team Sucks 2023: Miami Dolphins

Kathryn Xu

Julio Rodríguez during the Chicago White Sox game, notably not geared up to play

Only The Fragility Of The Human Body Can Slow Down Julio Rodríguez

Victor Francos at left and RFEF chief Luis Rubiales, smirking in the center, at a reception following the Spanish women's team's triumph in the 2023 Women's World Cup.

Soccer

Luis Rubiales Can’t Even Be A Pig Right

Golfer Scottie Scheffler, mid-swing, with a Funbag badge at the end of his club.

Funbag

The Ryder Cup Is The Only Good Form Of Team Golf

Israel Daramola

Arts And Culture

20 Years Later, ‘Oldboy’ Still Lives Up To The Hype

Dennis Young is the news editor at Front Office Sports.

Dennis Young

Sha'Carri Richardson celebrates her 100-meter final win at the 2023 track and field world championships.

Track And Field

American Track Now Has Its Most Electric Sprinters In Years

Hesse Deni is a podcaster and screenwriter from Buffalo, New York currently living in Manhattan. Her podcast is called Seeking Derangements and is available on all major platforms.

Hesse Deni

Veteran broadcasters Harry Neale (left) and Rick Jeanneret (right) of the Buffalo Sabres get ready for their game

Rick Jeanneret’s Voice Gave Buffalo Hope

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

Dan McQuade

LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 21: Joey Slye #6 of the Washington Commanders celebrates with teammates after kicking the go-ahead field goal against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of the preseason game at FedExField on August 21, 2023 in Landover, Maryland.

The Stupidest Streak In Sports Ended In A Really Stupid Way

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Davey Martinez emerges from the dugout during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Nationals Finally Managed To Retain Some Guys

Patrick Redford

Christian Pulisic of AC Milan during the Serie A Tim match between Bologna FC and AC Milan at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on August 21, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Defector Up All Night

Christian Pulisic Is So Back

Billy Haisley

Jennifer Hermoso, Alexia Putellas and Irene Paredes of Spain celebrate with the FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy after the team's victory in the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Final match between Spain and England at Stadium Australia on August 20, 2023 in Sydney / Gadigal, Australia.

It’s The Light That Lasts

Head coach Pete Carroll and Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of the preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Lumen Field on August 18, 2022 in Seattle, Washington.

Why Your Team Sucks 2023: Seattle Seahawks

A hand holding a cracked Autostraddle logo reaches out of a pink whirlpool

Capital

Autostraddle To Be Acquired By Queer Wellness Company For Them

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 15: Mason Greenwood of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park on January 15, 2022 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)

Manchester United Changes Its Mind, Won’t Bring Back Mason Greenwood

CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 15: A fan holds a sign in the stands during the Leagues Cup 2023 semifinals match between Inter Miami CF and Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on August 15, 2023 in Chester, Pennsylvania.

Messi Was The Attraction, But The Philadelphia Union Were The Story

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Charles P. Pierce is a writer at Esquire and the author of four books, most recently Idiot America, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.
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Charles P. Pierce

Ukraine's Olha Kharlan (L) refuses to shake hands with Russia's Anna Smirnova, registered as an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN), after she defeated her during the Sabre Women's Senior Individual qualifiers, as part of the FIE Fencing World Championships at the Fair Allianz MI.CO (Milano Convegni) in Milan, on July 27, 2023.

Olympics

Olga Kharlan’s Stand Had History Behind It

Tom Ley

Luis Rubiales, President of the Royal Spanish Federation greets Aitana Bonmati of Spain after the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Final match between Spain and England at Stadium Australia on August 20, 2023 in Sydney, Australia.

Luis Rubiales Put His Disgusting Mark On The World Cup

David Roth

Dallas Keuchel on the mound for the Minnesota Twins on August 6, 2023.

Dallas Keuchel Approaches Perfection

Miami Marlins owner Jeffery Loria looks on during a game against the New York Mets at Marlins Park on June 27, 2017.

Jeffrey Loria Makes A Good Point

Luis Paez-Pumar

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami hoist the trophy with his teammates after defeating the Nashville SC to win the Leagues Cup 2023 final match between Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC at GEODIS Park on August 19, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Lionel Messi Shared The Spotlight

Spain players celebrate at the end during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Final match between Spain and England at Stadium Australia on August 20, 2023 in Sydney, Australia.