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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

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


Chris Thompson

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a campaign event at the Los Angeles Harbor Grain Terminal on September 29, 2023 in Long Beach, California. DeSantis is scheduled to speak at the California Republican Party Fall Convention in Anaheim, California later today.

Politics

Is Ron DeSantis Wearing Hidden Platform Heels Inside His Stupid Ugly Boots? An Investigation


<p>Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


Diana Moskovitz

A photo of former Michigan State coach Mel Tucker on the left and former Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald on the right.

College Football

The Football Coach Always Gets Paid


<p>charismatic megafauna (they/them)</p>


Sabrina Imbler

A still of a swimming colony of worms that resembles a jellyfish moving around a glass beaker

Creaturefector

Mysterious Jellyfish Actually 1,020 Worms Who Want To Be Poop

Maitreyi Anantharaman

DeMarcus Walker #95 of the Chicago Bears sacks Sam Howell #14 of the Washington Commanders during the fourth quarter at FedExField on October 05, 2023 in Landover, Maryland.

Sam Howell Gets Hit Different

Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 20: General manager Billy Eppler of the New York Mets talks during a press conference to introduce pitcher Justin Verlander at Citi Field on December 20, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Billy Eppler’s Resignation Was Strange And Sudden

Ray Ratto

Sportscaster Jim Gray, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and Las Vegas Raiders owner and managing general partner and Las Vegas Aces owner Mark Davis watch players warm up during halftime of a game between the Connecticut Sun and the Aces

Tom Brady’s Minority Ownership Deal Could Use Some Competition

Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in Game Two of the Wild Card Series at American Family Field on October 04, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The NL’s Underdogs Can Make A Big Mess Of These Playoffs

Kelsey McKinney

Luis Paez-Pumar

Bryson Stott, wearing the white pin-striped Phillies uniform, crosses home plate with an elated look. The Marlins catcher looks miserably at him.

Point/Counterpoint: Was The Phillies-Marlins Wild Card Series Good?

David Roth

Geraldo Perdomo of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates by splashing to beers around after Arizona completed their two-game Wild Card sweep of the Brewers in October of 2023.

Podcasts

Wild Cards And Animal Spirits In October

Israel Daramola

NYFF programmer Rachel Rosen moderates a press conference with director Todd Haynes, writer/executive producer Samy Burch, producers Christine Vachon, Pamela Koffler, Jessica Elbaum and for "May December" during the 61st New York Film Festival at Walter Reade Theater on September 29, 2023 in New York City.

Arts And Culture

Four Days At The Flooded New York Film Festival

Albert Burneko

(KO) LATEWEATHER_KSO_1_20_09031 - East High School women soccer players take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather to kick the ball around in a pre-season practice on the school field in Dever. Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver Post

Jamboroo

High School Sports Are Out Of Frickin’ Control

Evan Neal #73 of the New York Giants looks on following an NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Giants at State Farm Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona.

Lion Cowed By Sheep

Defector Staff

A photo of THE CATCH with Dwight Clark colorized and Ray Ratto colorized as well (he's in the background). On the other side it says "WIN DINNER WITH RAY RATTO - ENTER TODAY!"

Announcements

We Will Further Secure Our Financial Independence By Subjecting Ray Ratto To Your Presence

Tom Ley

John Schneider #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on prior to Game One of the Wild Card Series against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on October 03, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

What Was John Schneider Thinking?

Lauren Theisen

Did The Twins Transfer Their Demonic Energy To The Blue Jays?

<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="author-header-shares"></div>


Charles P. Pierce

Tim Wakefield of the Boston Red Sox throws a knuckleball, in profile

Tim Wakefield Was A Wizard For The Working Day

A general view of Tropicana Field during Game 1 of the Wild Card Series between the Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 in Tampa, Florida.

The Rays Are Masters Of Being Forgotten

Miguel Almiron of Newcastle United celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Newcastle United FC and Paris Saint-Germain at St. James Park on October 4, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.

Soccer

Newcastle Roared To Champions League Life

Giri Nathan

Jannik Sinner poses with the China Open trophy

Tennis

Jannik Sinner Beats The Best At The China Open

Betnijah Laney #44 of the New York Liberty looks on against the Connecticut Sun on September 29, 2023 in Uncasville, CT at Mohegan Sun Arena.

WNBA

It’s Betnijah Laney’s Turn To Be The Playoff Hero

Jerry DiPoto makes a face while answering questions.

Jerry Dipoto Wants Gratitude For Kicking The Can Down The Road

Dave McKenna

US swimmer Diana Nyad is seen in the water during her departure from the Ernest Hemingway Nautical Club in Havana on August 18, 2012 . Veteran US endurance swimmer Diana Nyad announced that she will try to swim the treacherous waters from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage.

Swimming

Diana Nyad’s Swimming Brought Her Glory, Fame, And An Adversary Dedicated To Exposing Her Lies

Chicago Fire fans celebrate from the stands at SeatGeek Stadium on June 6, 2023 in Bridgeview, Illinois.

Chicago Fire Tries Bribing Fans To Attend Game Messi Might Not Play In

Royce Lewis celebrates after hitting a home run

The Twins Regained Some Control Over Their Existence

Soraya Roberts

Joanna Arnow in a scene from her movie, The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed