CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

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

<p>Nicholas Russell is a writer from Las Vegas.</p>


Nicholas Russell

Hey It's That Guy

Lois Smith Is Too Cool To Be Hollywood’s Grandma

<div dir="ltr">
<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>
</div>
<div class="yj6qo ajU"></div>


Zach Buchanan

SARASOTA, FLORIDA - MARCH 21, 2023: Jackson Holliday #87 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during a minor league spring training game against the Atlanta Braves at the Buck O’Neil Baseball Complex on March 21, 2023 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jackson Holliday

MLB Prospects Are Getting Promoted Faster Than Ever. Why?

Tom Ley

Spain's midfielder Patri Guijarro (L) and Spain's defender Mapi Leon talk to the press after announcing they are leaving the national selection, in front of their hotel in Oliva near Valencia, on September 20, 2023 ahead of the UEFA Nations League football matches against Sweden and Switzerland. New Spain coach Montse Tome named a surprise 23-woman squad for upcoming Nations League qualifiers including 20 players officially on strike. Players demand structural changes in the Spanish football federation (RFEF) after the President forcibly kissed a player on the lips after Spain won the World Cup in Sydney on August 20, provoking worldwide outrage.

Soccer

Spain Fills Women’s National Team Roster By Promising A Festival Of Beheadings

Lauren Theisen

WNBA

Natasha Cloud Nearly Tore The Script To Shreds

Israel Daramola

Death To The NCAA

Jim Harbaugh Is Free!


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

Devin the Dugong superimposed over the SMU mascot laying in a pool of confetti

This Is So Stupid

Devin The Defector Dugong Is A Roaring Success In Earned Media

Kathryn Xu

Sergio Perez prepares to drive at the Grand Prix of Singapore.

Racing

After A Shitty Weekend In Singapore, Red Bull Is Most Certainly Not In Shambles

<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

DW Griffith, Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks signing contract establishing United Artists motion picture studio. (Photo by: Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Funbag

A Unified Theory Of The Death Of The Movie Star

Alex Highsmith #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is congratulated by Nick Herbig #51 after scoring a touchdown after an interception against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium on September 18, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Steelers in black jerseys with yellow trim, black helmets. Fans behind them. Also behind them: There is a cameraman in the center who has his tongue out and is making kind of a funny face. Ok, a very funny face.

The Steelers Win, But They Still Stink!

Barry Petchesky

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 18: Nick Chubb #24 of the Cleveland Browns is carted off of the field after hurting his knee during the second quarter of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on September 18, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)

NFL Accuses Running Backs Of Faking Injuries

Olga Carmona is seen during the first call of the Spain Women Team leaving the Alameda Barajas Hotel for the Valencia concentration on September 19, 2023, in Barajas, Madrid, Spain.

Spain’s Soccer Federation Has Once Again Barfed Into Its Own Pants

Two Olimpia players stay down after being tackled.

Defector Up All Night

The Sports Highlight Of The Day Is This Flying Double-Tackle


<p>Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


Diana Moskovitz

Head coach Mel Tucker of the Michigan State Spartans looks on in the fourth quarter of a game agains the Richmond Spiders at Spartan Stadium on September 09, 2023 in East Lansing, Michigan.

College Football

Michigan State Has Begun The Process Of Firing Mel Tucker

Patrick Redford

GUADARRAMA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 16: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Alternate crop) (L-R) Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark, Sepp Kuss of The United States - Red Leader Jersey final overall winner and Primoz Roglic of Slovenia and Team Jumbo-Visma cross the finish line during the 78th Tour of Spain 2023, Stage 20 a 207.8km stage from Manzanares El Real to Guadarrama / #UCIWT / on September 16, 2023 in Guadarrama, Spain. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Cycling

It Doesn’t Get More Satisfying Than Sepp Kuss’s Shocking, Absurd Vuelta Win

Kyle Schwarber warms up, wearing what appear to be Oakley wraparounds.

An Unsuccessful Attempt To Prove How Weird The Phillies Offense Is

Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes walks on the field as players warm up before a game against the Colorado State Rams at Folsom Field on September 16, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado.

College Football Belongs To Deion Sanders For Now

Luis Paez-Pumar

Race winner Carlos Sainz of Spain and Ferrari celebrates with Second placed Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 17, 2023 in Singapore, Singapore.

Carlos Sainz’s Best Teammate In Singapore Wasn’t Even On His Team

Jason Sanders has his field goal attempt blocked by Brenden Schooler

At Least The Patriots Had A Neat Blocked Field Goal

Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after recovering a fumble against the New York Jets during the second half at AT&amp;T Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Arlington, Texas.

Nobody’s Playing Better Football Than Micah Parsons

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx and DeWanna Bonner #24 of the Connecticut Sun looks on during the game on September 17, 2023 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The Lynx Tank Has Gone Off The Rails

MONACO - FEBRUARY 14: Fernando Botero in Monaco on February 14, 2001 (Photo by Alain BENAINOUS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Arts And Culture

Fernando Botero Was Larger Than Life

Kelsey McKinney

Jordan Love Loses To Not The Bears And It Remains Unclear If He Is Good

COLUMBUS, OHIO - JULY 01: Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach Mike Babcock addresses member of the media during a press conference at Nationwide Arena on July 01, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

Mike Babcock Had To Go After All

I Will Not Be Calling This Man “Steezy Trev”

Defensive back Henry Blackburn #11 of the Colorado State Rams celebrates after a first quarter interception against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on September 16, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado.