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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

Kathryn Xu

Julio Rodriguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners gestures after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays.

I Believe In The Seattle Mariners

Samer Kalaf

Boar's Head deli meats Recall notice at Deli counter in grocery store, Queens, New York.

Life's Rich Pageant

“Heavy Meat Buildup,” And More Alarming Phrases From A USDA Inspection Of A Boar’s Head Plant

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<div>Victoria Zeller is a trans writer born and raised in Buffalo, New York, where she still proudly resides. Her debut novel, <i><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/one-of-the-boys-victoria-zeller/21775251" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bookshop.org/p/books/one-of-the-boys-victoria-zeller/21775251&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1735306610555000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0sXpgNMmxpIwmIZOFd-Pnw">One of the Boys</a></i>, is out now. Her personal website can be found <a href="http://victoria.monster/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://victoria.monster&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1735306610555000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0PrZ7PkO1IykxAodWoMLI_">here</a>.</div>
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Victoria Zeller

Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills warms up prior to a preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Highmark Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. The Bears won 33-6.

Why Your Team Sucks

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Buffalo Bills

Giri Nathan

Fans cool off in misters during Day Three of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 28, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

Tennis

A Sweltering U.S. Open Inspires Many Ways To Stay Cool, Most Of Them Useless

Lauren Theisen

Travis Jankowski celebrates after the Rangers win

White Sox Almost Win

<p>John Loeppky is a freelance writer and theatre artist currently based in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. His work has appeared for outlets such as FiveThirtyEight, CBC, and <em>Maclean’s</em>.</p>


John Loeppky

Paris , France - 26 August 2024; A general view of the Agito logo on the Arc de Triomphe in advance of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, France. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Parasports

Why Aren’t Paralympic Broadcasters Better?

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Podcaster Alex Cooper poses before a game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on June 26, 2024

Journalismism

For Wondery And SiriusXM, Spending Big Isn’t The Same As Thinking Big

<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

HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 24: Cal McNair of the Houston Texans walks off the field during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at NRG Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Houston Texans

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


Chris Thompson

DraftKings Sued By NFL Players Association Over Reignmakers Rug-Pull

Ray Ratto

Bocce is played near the ferry building, Wednesday, April 8, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

A Bocce Loser’s Guide To Losing At Bocce

Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 27: Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts to defeating Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia in the first round on Day 2 of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 27, 2024 in New York City (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)

Naomi Osaka Found The Joy

<p>Alex Prewitt is a writer in Brooklyn. He shoots free throws the normal way.</p>


Alex Prewitt

Timber Cleghorn stands shirtless in front of his shelter on the show 'Alone.'

Interviews

Anxiety, Injury, And Constipation: An Executive Producer Discusses The Toll On ‘Alone’ Contestants

Dave McKenna

US author and journalist Diana Nyad arrives for Elle's 2023 Women in Hollywood celebration, at Nya Studios in Los Angeles, California, on December 5, 2023.

Swimming

Lawsuit: Open Water Swimming Expert Rewrote Swimming History To Glorify Diana Nyad


<p>Richard Staff is a <a href="https://twitter.com/RichardStaff" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weapons-grade Twitter goblin</a> and hostage of the Mets. That is his real name.</p>


Richard Staff

An illustration of several baseball mitts trying to catch the same ball

The Minor League Shrink And The Growing Gap Between Triple-A And The Bigs

Tom Ley

Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to pass in the first half during a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2024 in Tampa, Florida.

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Brandy Jensen

September 1958: An employee of the 'Housewives Help Service' hoovering the living room of a businesswoman while she relaxes. (Photo by Frank Martin/BIPs/Getty Images)

Funbag

Which Chore Gets Forgotten The Most Often?

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

Food

Consider: Gatorwine

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

Bryan Danielson, bloody and pointing in the ring

Pro Wrestling

Bryan Danielson Makes Every Last Match Count

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)