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Defector

Barry Petchesky

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 05: Atlanta Braves pitching coach Rick Kranitz (r) talks to Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (99) and Atlanta Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud (16) at the pitching mound during the Atlanta Braves 2024 season Home Opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 5, 2024 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Elbows Are Exploding

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Paige Bueckers #5 of the Connecticut Huskies and JuJu Watkins #12 of the USC Trojans looks on during the second half in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on April 01, 2024 in Portland, Oregon.

College Basketball

See The Subject Beyond The Frame

Patrick Redford

Korbin Albert of the United States arrives at the field

Soccer

USWNT Stars Past And Present Condemn Rising Star Korbin Albert’s Noxious Internet Habits

Defector Staff

A panicked crowd on Broad Street, New York City, after the closing of the stock exchange doors during the Panic of 1873, 20th September 1873. The stock exchange stayed closed for ten days. (Photo by Kean Collection/Archive Photos/Getty Images)

This Is So Stupid

Defector Status Report: East Coast Earthquake

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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

College Basketball: NCAA Final Four, North Carolina State David Thompson (44) victorious with net after winning game vs UCLA, Greensboro, NC 3/24/1974

50 Years Later, My First Final Four Is Still The Best

<p>Annie Howard is a journalist and historian based in Chicago. She is currently at work on her debut manuscript, <em>The City Made Me Trans</em><i>.</i></p>


Annie Howard

an aerial view of an empty Guaranteed Rate Field

How To Fix Chicago’s White Sox–Shaped Black Hole

Israel Daramola

Arts And Culture

The Defector Guide To Making A Celebrity Sports Documentary

Ray Ratto

Fans hold up a "SELL" flag as the Boston Red Sox play the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Coliseum on April 02, 2024 in Oakland, California.

The A’s And Sacramento Will Pretend Not To Know Each Other

David Roth

Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco strikes a prayerful gesture after getting the last out of his no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 1, 2024.

The More Random The Pitcher, The Better The No-Hitter

Shohei Ohtani strikes out in an uncharacteristically undistinguished and unflattering way against the San Francisco Giants. The Distraction logo is at upper right.

Podcasts

Subtraction By Subtraction, With Ray Ratto

Jerrod Carmichael accepts Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special for "Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel" onstage during the 74th Primetime Emmys at Microsoft Theater on September 12, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

The Surreal Life Of ‘Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show’

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 7: Mat Ishbia speaks during a press conference announcing Phoenix as the host of the NBA All-Star 2027 on March 7, 2024 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

Mat Ishbia Revealed To Be Familiar Kind Of Asshole

Giri Nathan

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 03: Malachi Flynn #18 of the Detroit Pistons reacts during a timeout against the Atlanta Hawks inthe second quarter at State Farm Arena on April 03, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Sure, Yeah, Malachi Flynn Scored 50

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


Chris Thompson

The Wandering Athletics Right-Size Their Operation To A Rinky-Dink Minor-League Park In Sacramento

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Tom Scocca is the editor of <a href="http://indignity.net">Indignity</a>, a subscription-supported newsletter of news, essays, and commentary.</div>
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Tom Scocca

A Palestinian checks a damaged vehicle after Israeli strikes in central Gaza Strip city of Deir el-Balah, on April 2, 2024.

Margin Of Error

Voting For Gaza

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

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.

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

Joel Embiid and his teammates on the court.

Joel Embiid Didn’t Get The Officiating Memo

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.