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Defector

Tom Ley

That’s Why You Pay For All Those Guys

Dave McKenna

A photo of Mike Lucido having his jersey retired. He's wearing a letterman's jacket and sporting a huuuuge head of hear with massive sideburns. A man in a sweater and tie is handing him a plaque with his name on it and his now retired number, 44.

High School Sports

When A High School Football Legend Was Dying, His Teammates Made Sure He Went Out Like A Star

<p>Patrick Dubuque is a writer and editor at Baseball Prospectus.</p>


Patrick Dubuque

Hot Dog Guys or Loonie Dog Kings Jody Matheson (r) and Ryan Ruston ( l) get welcomed back to the park and looking forward to loonie dogs. This was taken on the day of the Toronto Blue Jays' 2025 home opener.

Catch The Game Like Never Before

Maitreyi Anantharaman

SEPTEMBER 28: Tommy Fleetwood of Team Europe lines up a putt on the 13th green during the Sunday singles matches of the 2025 Ryder Cup

Crosswords

The Crossword, Oct. 13: Foraging

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<div><a href="https://www.bystefanfatsis.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.bystefanfatsis.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1759235100786000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1mlCW5_XUY56jklGr11a_z">Stefan Fatsis</a> is the author of four books: <a href="https://groveatlantic.com/book/unabridged/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://groveatlantic.com/book/unabridged/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1759235100786000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0jbw5ZscOBp6w-1um3R6yu"><i>Unabridged</i></a>, <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-few-seconds-of-panic-a-sportswriter-plays-in-the-nfl-stefan-fatsis/7891278" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-few-seconds-of-panic-a-sportswriter-plays-in-the-nfl-stefan-fatsis/7891278&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1759235100786000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0MpNNngIOKaj-715hSNVZD"><i>A Few Seconds of Panic</i></a>, <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/word-freak-heartbreak-triumph-genius-and-obsession-in-the-world-of-competitive-scrabblep-layers-stefan-fatsis/11648962" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bookshop.org/p/books/word-freak-heartbreak-triumph-genius-and-obsession-in-the-world-of-competitive-scrabblep-layers-stefan-fatsis/11648962&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1759235100786000&amp;usg=AOvVaw02LL51Wrka0A0lLkwOxYUj"><i>Word Freak</i></a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Outside-Renegade-Baseball-Heartland/dp/0802712975" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Outside-Renegade-Baseball-Heartland/dp/0802712975&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1759235100786000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1YzbrZGW2KCbIttDDLhkPn"><i>Wild and Outside</i></a>. He&#8217;s also a former cohost of “Hang Up and Listen,” commentator on NPR&#8217;s &#8220;All Things Considered,&#8221; and reporter for <i>The Wall Street Journal</i>.</div>
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Stefan Fatsis

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 27: From right to left Kordell Kills Crow, Gerard Montour and Chuntay Her Many Horses sing and play the drums during their protest outside of Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Co on October 27, 2013. The protestors are against what they perceive as the "racist" Washington NFL team, and the name of their mascot the Washington Redskins in Denver, Co on October 27, 2013. (Photo By Helen H. Richardson/ The Denver Post)

The Annotated History Of A Slur

<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

Fountain Valley, CA - November 10: Egg coffee with salted egg yolk at Vietnamese coffee shop Nep Cafe on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Fountain Valley, CA.

Food

I Can’t Stop Thinking About This Salted Vietnamese Coffee

General manager Michael Lombardi talks with head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels prior to the game against the Richmond Spiders at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

College Football

Everybody Hates Mike Lombardi

A Seattle Mariners fan covering his face in a game against the Detroit Tigers.

The Season Of The Prayer Face Is Upon Us

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 10: A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates with Chelsea Gray #12 and Jewell Loyd #24 after winning Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Las Vegas Aces defeat the Phoenix Mercury 97-86 to win the championship. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

WNBA

The Aces Made Their Season From The Muck

Ray Ratto

Linebacker Brian Burns #0 of the New York Giants sacks quarterback Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles on 10/9/25.

Eagles Fans Can Go Ahead And Freak Out Now

Kelsey McKinney

nick castellanos is celebrated after hitting a walk off

What I’ll Remember About The Phillies

Patrick Redford

On September 14, 2025, in Madrid, Spain, the Vuelta a Espana comes to an unprecedented halt as the final stage is canceled with 56 km to go due to large-scale pro-Palestinian protests in the heart of the Spanish capital.

Cycling

The Protests Against Israel–Premier Tech Worked

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


Chris Thompson

Jackson Chourio of the Brewers looks bummed.

The Zippy Brewers Appear To Have Misplaced Their Magic

Albert Burneko

Country singer/songwriter Johnny Cash performs onstage with an acoustic guitar in Sun Records publicity shot in 1957.

Journalismism

Breaking: Some Guy Now Aware Of Most Revered Country Artist Who Ever Lived

Veronica de Souza

Make It Nice

Make It Nice: Windows And Floors

Barry Petchesky

This Is Not Ideal Goalie Positioning

Israel Daramola

A Florida Gator tackles a Texas Longhorn in a college football game.

Things Can Always Get Worse

Kathryn Xu

Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate as they run past relief pitcher Orion Kerkering #50 of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Phillies Go Down Swinging And Missing, And Throwing And Missing

David Roth

People walk past an installation showcasing the Riyadh Comedy Festival at Boulevard City in the Hittin neighborhood of Riyadh on October 6, 2025. The Distraction logo is at upper right.

Podcasts

Maxing Out The Candle Budget, With Eli Yudin

Lauren Theisen

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 05: Bad Bunny attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City.

Politics

Who’s Afraid Of The Big Bad Bunny, And Why?

A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces reacts after her made basket against the Phoenix Mercury with .1 seconds left in the fourth quarter of Game Three of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 08, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Who Can Stop A’ja Wilson?

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is seen on the field prior to the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 5, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The Raised Middle Finger Is Implied

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 06: Gary Oldman and Jonathan Pryce attend the SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations Presents "Slow Horses" event at The Meryl Streep Center for Performing Artists on June 06, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Araya Doheny/Getty Images for SAG-AFTRA Foundation)

Jamboroo

How ‘Slow Horses’ Explains The World

Billy Haisley

Alexia Putellas of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring her team's first goal during the UEFA Women's Champions League 2025/26 league phase match between FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munchen Frauen at Estadi Johan Cruyff on October 07, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.

Soccer

Barcelona Is On The Warpath

Giri Nathan

Jannik Sinner of Italy withdraws due to injury during the match against Tallon Griekspoor of Netherlands in the Men's Singles 3rd round match on day 7 of the 2025 Shanghai Rolex Masters Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 05, 2025 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Hu Chengwei/Getty Images)