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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

Barry Petchesky

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: A Boxer dog looks out from its kennel on first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Life Lessons

It Happened To Me: I Thought I Bought People Treats But They Were Dog Treats

Ray Ratto

The College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy is pictured during the Michigan Wolverines football National Championship celebration on January 13, 2024 at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Death To The NCAA

College Football “Super League” Likely To Join Its European Cousin In The Graveyard Of Ideas

Dave McKenna

Mayo , Ireland - 17 March 2024; Mayo players stand for Amhrán na bhFiann before the Allianz Football League Division 1 match between Mayo and Derry at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park in Castlebar, Mayo.

Internationals

The Quest To End A 73-Year-Old Gaelic Football Curse Starts In The Bronx

Jerry West attends a basketball game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Portland Trail Blazersat the Thomas &amp; Mack Center on July 11, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Jerry West Is The Basketball Hall Of Fame’s Three-Headed GOAT

<p>Kevin Koczwara is a writer, reporter and dad in beautiful Worcester, Mass.</p>


Kevin Koczwara

Pianist Vikingur Olafsson performs at a concert in 2018.

Arts And Culture

Víkingur Ólafsson Plays The Familiar And Makes It His Own

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 03: Matt Rempe #73 of the New York Rangers fights Kurtis MacDermid #23 of the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on April 3, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)

Highlight Of Devils’ Season Is Line Brawl

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


Sabrina Imbler

a snakefly on a plant (Dichrostigma flavipes on Corylus avellana)

Creaturefector

It’s Time For God’s Ugliest Little Bugs To Be Represented In The Beautiful Tradition Of Haiku

Giri Nathan

Joel Embiid and his teammates on the court.

Joel Embiid Didn’t Get The Officiating Memo

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Kauffman Stadium is the home of the Kansas City Royals and beyond it is GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium which is the home of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Capital

The Chiefs And Royals Got What They Deserved

Kathryn Xu

Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies salutes the crowd after the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park.

A Homers-Only Diet Suits Bryce Harper Just Fine

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<div>Zach Buchanan has covered Major League Baseball for more than a decade, for the <em>Arizona Republic</em>, <em>Cincinnati Enquirer,</em> and most recently The Athletic. He also has been published in <em>The New York Times</em>, <em>Washington Post</em>, FanGraphs and <em>Baseball America</em>. He lives in Phoenix, where he prepares for the inevitable water crisis by living off Dr Pepper instead.</div>
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Zach Buchanan

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 15: Houston Astros hitting coach Troy Snitker watches infielder Grae Kessinger hit in the cages during workouts for Houston Astros pitchers and catchers at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

How Do Coaches Coach When Players Have Their Own Guys?

A first-quarter moon is seen through a telescope from L'Aquila, Italy, on February 16th, 2024. (Photo by Lorenzo Di Cola/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

What Time Will Football Start On The Moon?

Lauren Theisen

Josh Radnor, Madeline Weinstein, Cherise Boothe, and Michael Khalid Karadsheh in The Ally

What Comes After The Argument?

Two coral snakes in a tug-of-war over a worm lizard called a caecilian

Point/Counterpoint: That’s My Lunch!

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 02: The shadow of a cemetery worker is cast on reclaimed gravestones in London City Cemetery on March 2, 2009 in London, England. The cemetery is piloting a scheme whereby graves over 75 years old become eligible for reclamation. New interments will be placed into the existing graves, the headstones will be turned around and re-used, carving the names of the newly deceased. Once a grave has been earmarked by English heritage the cemetery must wait one year to see if family members claim the existing grave. By conserving as many memorials as possible the City of London hopes to maintain the historic cemetery landscape and sustain buriel provisions for the future. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Elder Wisdom

Defunct Is Still Undefeated

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


Chris Thompson

Science

Fusion Researchers Set New Record For Ignoring My Wish To Be Consumed By The Heat Of Seven Suns

Tom Ley

Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs poses for a portrait during 2023-24 NBA Media Day on October 2, 2023 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.

This Fucking Guy Is Going To Ruin My Life

Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 21: Michael Jordan signed Sports Illustrated cover is on display during a press preview of The Olympic Collection at Sotheby's on July 21, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

Media Meltdowns

Sports Illustrated Owner Sues Former Publisher Over Bungled Leverage Play

Albert Burneko

Houston Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco, mid-pitch, against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 1, 2024.

Wow! Blue Jays–Astros No-Hitter!

<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>


Drew Magary

16 Mar 1974: Police Constable Michael O’Brien uses his helmet to cover up streaker Bruce Perry as he is led away during the Five Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham in London, England. England won the match 16-12. Visions of Sport. (Photo by Tony Duffy/Allsport/Getty Images)

Funbag

The Gift Of Streaking

The Last Supper. The Holy Communion. Christ surrounded by the apostles.

Overexplained Lists

The Apostles, Ranked

Luis Paez-Pumar

Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run against the Miami Marlins during the fourth inning of the game at loanDepot park on April 01, 2024 in Miami, Florida.

Mike Trout Is Still Doing Mike Trout Stuff

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<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>
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Charles P. Pierce

UConn center Donovan Clingan celebrates during the team's Elite Eight win in Boston during the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

College Basketball

UConn Is Exhaustingly, Relentlessly Great

Israel Daramola

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 13: Beyonce leaves the Luar fashion show at 154 Scott in Brooklyn during New York Fashion Week on February 13, 2024 in New York City.

Beyoncé’s New Album Is Just Fine And That’s OK

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates on the court after defeating the LSU Tigers during the Elite Eight round of the 2024 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament held at MVP Arena on April 1, 2024 in Albany, New York.