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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

Ray Ratto

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 07: Former NBA athlete Isiah Thomas and Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia attend Game Four of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals at Footprint Center on May 07, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Nuggets 129-124. 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.

Isiah Thomas Will Always Find A New Situation To Fuck Up

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Edward Olivares #14 of the Kansas City Royals dives for but misses the ball in the outfield during the 4th inning of the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Kauffman Stadium on June 14, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Royals Are Tiptoeing Around The Basement

<p>Ginny Searle is a writer and editor at Baseball Prospectus.</p>


Ginny Searle

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred speaks to the assembled press before a Brewers home game in May of 2023.

The Wrong Lessons Learned

Lauren Theisen

Joey Votto acknowledges the crowd before his first at bat

The Reds Have Their Heart Back

Patrick Redford

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 18: Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States celebrates scoring during the first half of the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Final against Canada at Allegiant Stadium on June 18, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by John Todd/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

Soccer

Folarin Balogun Is Exactly Who The USMNT Has Been Waiting For

<p>Hamilton Nolan is a journalist based in New York City. Subscribe to his work at <a href="https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1687350200913000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0naFbUVOe-5ZgtPDtIM3gz">HamiltonNolan.com</a>.</p>


Hamilton Nolan

(EXCLUSIVE, Premium Rates Apply) LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 05: **EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE** Actor Gilles Marini attends the FAGE Total Yogurt Bar at The 25th Spirit Awards Official Presenter Lounge held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 5, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/WireImage)

Funbag

You Can Probably Eat More Yogurt Than You Think

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 19: Mike Yastrzemski #5 of the San Francisco Giants hits a walk-off three-run home run in the bottom of the tenth inning to defeat the San Diego Padres at Oracle Park on June 19, 2023 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

The Giants Are Bubbling

Tom Ley

Miami Marlins second baseman Luis Arraez (3) connects to go five for five in the seventh inning during the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Miami Marlins on Monday, June 19, 2023 at LoanDepot Part in Miami, Fla.

Luis Arráez Is On .400 Watch

KANSAS CITY, MO - JUNE 17: Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) follows through as he hits a solo hoe run in the seventh inning of an MLB game between the Los Angeles Angles and Kansas City Royals on June 17, 2023 at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City, MO.

Shohei Ohtani Is Hammering That Damn Baseball

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Chelsea owner Todd Boehly gestures prior to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on April 18, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.

What Should We Make Of Chelsea’s Reported Saudi Bailout?

<div>Adam Charles Hart is an author, curator, and archivist who lives in Pittsburgh. His second book, &#8216;<i>Raising the Dead: The Work of George A. Romero, </i>will be out in early 2024 from Oxford University Press.</div>
<div></div>


Adam Charles Hart

Defector At The Movies

The Most Important Sports Movie Ever Made

Israel Daramola

Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards watches during the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 17, 2023.

Bradley Beal Is A Wizard No More And The Suns Are Going For It

David Roth

Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras makes a pouty face after being retired in a game against the San Francisco Giants.

The Cardinals Are Not The Cardinals

Michael Jordan on the sideline of a Charlotte Hornets game in March of 2023.

Let’s Look Back On The Charlotte Hornets Under Michael Jordan

Bob Huggins on the sideline during West Virginia's NCAA Tournament game against Maryland in March of 2023.

College Basketball

It’s A Wrap On Bob Huggins

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


Sabrina Imbler

A bleeped and blooped photo of a 2,200 year old bird nest

Zillowing Out

A 2,200-Year-Old Poop Donut In Which We Can Raise Our Hatchlings

VILLARS-SUR-OLLON, SWITZERLAND - MAY 01: Gino Mader of Switzerland and Team Bahrain Victorious celebrates the second place on the podium after the 75th Tour De Romandie 2022 - Stage 5 on May 1, 2022 in Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland. (Photo by RvS.Media/Basile Barbey/Getty Images,)

Cycling

Gino Mäder Had Too Much More To Give


<p>Corey Atad is a freelancer writer based in Toronto with an unhealthy Air Bud obsession.</p>


Corey Atad

‘Across The Spider-Verse’ Reclaims Animation’s Pioneering Spirit

SAINT LOUIS, MO - APRIL 11: Naomi Girma #27 of the United States warming up before a game between Ireland and USWNT at CITYPARK on April 11, 2023 in Saint Louis, Missouri. (Photo by John Todd/USSF/Getty Images).

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Naomi Girma

BOULDER, UNITED STATES - APRIL 22: University of Colorado football head coach Deion Sanders secures his headset under his cowboy hat during the Spring football game as part of Black and Gold Day on April 22, 2023. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo for The Washington Post)

College Football

Vegas Doesn’t Stay Down For Long

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


Chris Thompson

Yasir Al-Rumayyan at a Donald Trump-owned golf club.

Golf

Golf’s Emerging Behemoth Might Be Too Big To Exist And Too Rich To Stop

Defector Staff

TORONTO, ON - AUGUST 5: Caedmon Dunbar (red shirt) plays the ball during a game of Spike Ball in High Park. Josh DeGrott (blue shirt) waits to react to the hit as Robbie Dunbar (left) and Naomi DeGrott keep an eye on play. Feature pictures from around Toronto. COVID-19. CORONAPD Toronto Star/Rick Madonik

Announcements

Aspiring Spikeball Pro Laura Wagner Is Leaving Us

In Honor Of Cormac McCarthy, Let’s Reconsider ‘The Counselor’

A bathroom at Mar-a-Lago positively jammed with boxes full of junk.