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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

Patrick Redford

Defector Reads A Book

The New Trend In Book Covers Is Old-Timey Animals

Israel Daramola

Who’s Trending Up And Trending Down After ‘Industry’ Episodes 2-3

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Food

Consider: Gatorwine

Ray Ratto

Making MLB history as the first player to play for both teams in the same game, Danny Jansen #28 of the Boston Red Sox takes the field for game one of a doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays on August 26, 2024 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.

August Is For Weird Baseball

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Bridget Carleton #6 of the Minnesota Lynx goes up for a basket past Kelsey Plum #10 of the Las Vegas Aces during the first quarter at Michelob ULTRA Arena on August 21, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

WNBA

The Defending Champs Aren’t Defending

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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

Donald Trump wears an ain't-I-a-stinker smirk while Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks onstage at a campaign event at which the latter announced the end of his presidential campaign and endorsement of the former.

Margin Of Error

Stupid And Contagious

DETROIT,MI - APRIL 25: Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. poses for portraits with his father, and former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison after being selected fourth overall in the first round by the Arizona Cardinals during the 2024 NFL draft on April 25, 2024 in Detroit Michigan. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

Fanatics Refiles, Adds New Marvin Harrison To Marvin Harrison Lawsuit

Lauren Theisen

Bryan Danielson, bloody and pointing in the ring

Pro Wrestling

Bryan Danielson Makes Every Last Match Count

<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

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 07: Green Bay Packers fan looks on during the game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on January 07, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

Why Your Team Sucks

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Green Bay Packers

Albert Burneko

The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft launches from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on June 5, 2024. Boeing launched its very first astronauts bound for the International Space Station aboard a Starliner capsule, which joins a select club of spacecraft to carry humans beyond Earth.

Science

Boeing Starliner Astronauts Electively Spending Five More Months In Space To Hitch Ride In Different Vehicle Due To Preference For Not Dying

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


Chris Thompson

Jackson Merrill celebrates after hitting a walk-off home run.

Jackson Merrill Has Already Achieved Dude Status

Corey Seager tags out Jose Ramirez as he attempts to steal second base

Crosswords

The Crossword, Aug. 26: Cut To The Chase (Themeless)

Barry Petchesky

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 25: (L-R) Alex Verdugo #24, Aaron Judge #99 and Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees celebrate after defeating the Colorado Rockies at Yankee Stadium on August 25, 2024 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Rockies 10-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

We Need A Better Phrase For Back-To-Back-To-Back Home Runs

<p>Justin McHenry is an archivist and historian from West Virginia, and the author of <i><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/lemuria-the-true-story-of-a-fake-place/19663689">Lemuria: A True Story of a Fake Place</a> </i>and the upcoming book, <i><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/raising-philadelphia-the-making-of-america-s-first-great-city-1750-1775-justin-mchenry/20390701?ean=9781955041201">Raising Philadelphia: The Making of America&#8217;s First Great City</a>.</i></p>


Justin McHenry

MILL CREEK, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 6: Smoke shrouds Mt. Shasta as the Park Fire burns on August 6, 2024 in Mill Creek, California. (Photo by Ethan Swope/Getty Images)

History

How AI Copyright Law Is Being Guided By Spirits From Atlantis

Dave McKenna

Viewer discretion warning at the start of FBI PSA

Dadfector

Run, Hide, Fight, Die

Shohei Ohtani watches the ball after hitting a home run

There’s Nothing More Beautiful Than A Shohei Ohtani Home Run

INGLEWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones talk on the field during an NFL game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Chargers on September 19, 2021, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire)

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Dallas Cowboys

Rachelle Hampton

Two hands, one holding chopsticks and the other a wide spoon, hover over a bowl of pho.

An Ode To Strip Mall Pho

Ernie Clement slugs a home run on a pitch at forehead height.

No Pitch Is Too High For The Courageous Of Heart

Samer Kalaf

Attendees calling for a ceasefire in Gaza demonstrate as President Joe Biden deliver the keynote speech during the first day of the Democratic National Convention on August 19, 2024,

Politics

Everyone At The DNC Speaks For Palestine, Except For Palestinians

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


Sabrina Imbler

two penguins stand in front of an inflatable rainbow arch in a penguin enclosure

Creaturefector

Sphen The Gay Penguin Broke The Ice

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 07: Former Philadelphia Phillies player Pete Rose acknowledges the crowd prior to the game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on August 7, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 13-1. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

The Last Word On Pete Rose Is Deeply Unpleasant

A view of the The College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy during the 2024 CFP National Championship game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Washington Huskies at NRG Stadium on January 08, 2024 in Houston, Texas. The Michigan Wolverines won 34-13.

College Football

A Guide To CFB’s Power Conference Realignment

Giri Nathan

MASON, OHIO - AUGUST 17: Jannik Sinner of Italy hits a forehand against Andrey Rublev of Russia in the quarter finals of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 17, 2024 in Mason, Ohio. (Photo by Frey/TPN/Getty Images)

Tennis

Jannik Sinner Has The Resources To Take A Doping Violation With Dignity

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 17: Fans look on prior to a game between the Chicago Bears and the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)