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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.

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Defector

New Defector Merch For Your Baby

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Merch v3

VictorPortraitWClaw

David Roth

Orioles reliever DL Hall leaves the mound while his teammates wait for the reliever who will relieve him during the team's Game 3 loss in the American League Divisional Series.

Division Series – Baltimore Orioles v Texas Rangers – Game Three

Nothing Is Promised, Even For The Orioles

An illustration of the cohosts of The Distraction, in the style of a Nascar fan t-shirt. We're both wearing those fire-suits and appear deeply tan.

Untitled_Artwork

Podcasts

A Tote Bag Full Of Starting Lineups, Live With Rohan Nadkarni

An old lady scampering around on the ceiling of a mental hospital directly above an unaware George C. Scott, in 1990's Exorcist III: Legion.

MrsKleliaOnTheCeiling

Defector At The Movies

All This Bleeding

Geraldo Perdomo of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates by splashing to beers around after Arizona completed their two-game Wild Card sweep of the Brewers in October of 2023.

Wild Card Series – Arizona Diamondbacks v Milwaukee Brewers – Game Two

Wild Cards And Animal Spirits In October

The animals from Paw Patrol, or more accurately people wearing costumes of the animals from Paw Patrol, waving at the Paris premiere of the Paw Patrol movie.

“Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie”: Paris Premiere At UGC Normandie

This Is So Stupid

Caitlin Flanagan’s Wheels Are Spinning A Little Too Fast

Taylor Swift watching the Kansas City Chiefs game on Monday night in a luxury box with Travis Kelce's mother, Donna.

NFL: SEP 24 Bears at Chiefs

Pinning Your Ears Back For Taylor Swift, With Giri Nathan And Samer Kalaf

Neal and Suit talking in what could honestly be any episode of the USA series "White Collar"

WhiteCollar

Arts And Culture

Background Television Isn’t As Easy As It Looks

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders congratulates his son Shadeur during Colorado's win against Colorado State on September 16, 2023.

Colorado State v Colorado

The Coach Prime Discourse Is Decadent And Depraved

Three teens playing butts up, with one hunched over at the wall preparing to have a racquetball get thrown at his butt, per the rules.

buttsup

We Need To Talk About “Chunkus”

Matt Carpenter of the Padres looking distraught during a road game against the Phillies in July of 2023.

San Diego Padres v Philadelphia Phillies

What Are The Padres Trying To Tell Us, With Justin Halpern

Linda Yaccarino (Photo by Isaac Brekken/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images)

Variety Entertainment Summit at CES, Aria Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, USA – 08 Jan 2020

The Machines

Linda Yaccarino Is The Last Funny Twitter Bit Left

A Minnesota Vikings fan with a painted face and a goofy horned helmet looks contemplative/despondent during the team's loss to the New York Giants in the 2023 NFC Wild Card game.

NFC Wild Card Playoffs – New York Giants v Minnesota Vikings

What Kind Of Vikings Fan Should A Person Be?

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Elder Wisdom

My Dumb Little Book

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and his team react incredulously to a call during the 2023 College Football Championship Game.

2023 CFP National Championship – TCU v Georgia

The Kings Of Shrimp Country, With Spencer Hall

Dallas Keuchel on the mound for the Minnesota Twins on August 6, 2023.

Arizona Diamondbacks v Minnesota Twins

Dallas Keuchel Approaches Perfection

Miami Marlins owner Jeffery Loria looks on during a game against the New York Mets at Marlins Park on June 27, 2017.

New York Mets v Miami Marlins

Jeffrey Loria Makes A Good Point

Pete Alonso high-fives his teammates in the Mets dugout after hitting a two-run homer against the Cubs on August 9, 2023.

Chicago Cubs v New York Mets

Pete Alonso Emo Chat, With Lindsey Adler

New York City Mayor Eric Adams sitting at a literal table with some restauranteurs at the Manhattan restaurant Ali Baba. This is not the same as the figurative "table of success" at which his haters are his waiters.

Mayor Eric Adams cuts ribbon for Turkish restaurant in NYC

Politics

A Seat At The Table Of Success

Orioles infielder Ramon Urias slides in under the tag of Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez in an Orioles win on August 4, 2023.

New York Mets v Baltimore Orioles

The Mets Have Unlocked The Basement

Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Guardians is restrained by White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech after landing a heavy right hook to White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson's jaw during a game on August 5.

Chicago White Sox v Cleveland Guardians

José Ramirez And Tim Anderson Had A Real Fight, Not A Baseball Fight

A stock photo of sausages cooking on a barbecue grill.

Sausage barbecue

The Bib Does Nothing!

Justin Verlander of the Mets leaves the mound during his win against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, July 30.

Washington Nationals v New York Mets

You Have To Know How Bad You Actually Are

The Immaculate Grid for July 25, with one square (Tom Candiotti, who played for Cleveland and Milwaukee) filled in.

ImmaculateGrid

Nine Ways To The Immaculate

Sophia Smith lines up a shot in the US Women's National Team's game against the Netherlands in the Women's World Cup on Wednesday night.

USA v Netherlands: Group E – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

How Much Vlatko Is Too Much Vlatko, With Abigail Segel

Shintaro Fujinami, in profile, adjusts his cap during an appearance with the Oakland A's on July 16.