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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.

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Defector

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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Kelsey McKinney

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Albert Burneko

A barren Dust Bowl wasteland with a single fencepost standing in the foreground.

dust bowl

Life Lessons

Now Let Us Survey Our Summer’s Gardening Bounty

Donald Trump talks with Bryson DeChambeau of Team United States at the first hole tee box during the Friday afternoon four-ball matches of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on September 26, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.

trump lookin stupid

This Is So Stupid

Donald Trump Posts Fake Video Of Himself Promoting Fake Medical Technology In Fake News Segment

C.J. Kayfus #63 of the Cleveland Guardians is hit by a pitch to force a walk-off to win the game between the Texas Rangers and the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on Saturday, September 27, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio

Texas Rangers v. Cleveland Guardians

I Too Would Hit My Opponent With A Baseball To Eliminate The Astros From The Playoffs

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Giri Nathan

Former NBA player Luke Ridnour, an archetypal Guy to Remember

Milwaukee Bucks v Phoenix Suns

It’s Just “Let’s Remember Some Guys”

<p><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">Marc Normandin currently writes on baseball’s labor issues and more at </span><a style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif" href="http://marcnormandin.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://marcnormandin.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1758998321491000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ZpjG5RUFwdpapWqR1u4bd">marcnormandin.com</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">, which you can read for free but support </span><a style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif" href="https://www.patreon.com/marcnormandin">through his Patreon</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">. His baseball writing has appeared at FOX Sports, SB Nation, Defector, Global Sport Matters, Deadspin, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Sports on Earth, The Guardian, The Nation, FAIR, and TalkPoverty, and you can read his takes on video games at Retro XP and Endless Mode.</span></p>
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Marc Normandin

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred (L) speaks with owner Tom Ricketts of the Chicago Cubs during the 2027 Chicago All-Star Game Announcement before a game between the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Manfred's got shades on.

Baltimore Orioles v Chicago Cubs

Rob Manfred’s Two Jobs

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Soraya Roberts

thesimpsons

Arts And Culture

To Artistic Freedom: The Cause Of, And Solution To, All Of Life’s Problems

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Brandy Jensen

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Defector Reads A Book

Defector Reads A Book Is Deciding If This Is The Funniest Novel Ever Written

Noelvi Marte #16 of the Cincinnati Reds leaps to make a catch in the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates v Cincinnati Reds

It’s A Big Baseball Weekend For Big Baseball Things!

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Zagreus faces off against Meg, the first boss in Hades

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The Backlog

‘Hades’ Made Hell A Real Hoot

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Israel Daramola

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Ray Ratto

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 20 Oregon State at Oregon

College Football

There’s No Getting Around The Money

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Samer Kalaf

sebastian-maniscalco

All Your Favorite Sellouts Will Be At The Riyadh Comedy Festival

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David Roth

Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on September 14, 2025. The Distraction logo is at upper left.

Chicago Bears v Detroit Lions

Podcasts

Analytics, Feel, And The Bathroom Sandwich Scenario, With Andy Behrens And Christopher Harris

<p>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 <em>Point B</em>. Handsomest man in the world.</p>


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Drew Magary

UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1993: Still life: Medicinal pills and tablets. (Photo By DEA / G. CIGOLINI/De Agostini via Getty Images)

Medicinal pills and tablets

Jamboroo

My Life As A Pharmaceutical-American

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


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Chris Thompson

John Schneider argues with umpire Gabe Morales.

Boston Red Sox v Toronto Blue Jays

John Schneider Seeks A Cure For The Blue Jays’ Case Of Loser Brain

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Listening Habits

Jay Electronica And ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ Address The State Of Rap In 2025


<p>Visual Editor. Runs <a href="http://defectorstore.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">defectorstore.com</a>. Philadelphia-based, if you couldn’t tell.</p>


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Dan McQuade

Modell’s Sporting Goods, logo in Queens borough.

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Capital

SEC: This Ponzi Scheme Involved Buying Modell’s Out Of Bankruptcy

Edmundo Sosa stands at the top of the dugout steps, making a heart with his hands above his head, as Phillies fans cheer. He's in his white pinstripe Phillies jersey.

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I Saw The Phillies Hit Eight Homers

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 13: Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners looks on while standing next to Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees at T-Mobile Park on May 13, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

New York Yankees v Seattle Mariners

Dumper And Judge Are Bringing The Thrill In The MVP Race

The cover of the novel Underspin, by E.Y. Zhao

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Interviews

E.Y. Zhao On The Cloistered, Competitive, Slippery-Floored World Of Table Tennis

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Patrick Redford

Defector At The Movies

‘HIM’ Is A Non-Starter

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Cubs Rookie Matt Shaw Is Exactly Charlie Kirk’s Type

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Maitreyi Anantharaman

Sami Whitcomb #33 of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Courtney Williams #10 of the Minnesota Lynx in the fourth quarter during Game Two of the WNBA Semifinals at Target Center on September 23, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Mercury defeated the Lynx 89-83 in overtime.

Phoenix Mercury v Minnesota Lynx – Game Two

WNBA

Sami Whitcomb Stayed Ready, And It Paid Off

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 22: Head coach Sandy Brondello of the New York Liberty gestures during the first quarter of the game against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on June 22, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. 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 Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

New York Liberty v Seattle Storm

New York Liberty Shock WNBA World By Firing Underperforming Coach

Two little Yorkies, one owned by Isabelle Harrison and one owned by Dan Campbell.

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