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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

Israel Daramola

Giri Nathan

Patrick Redford

David Roth

Lauren Theisen

Carrie Brownstein, Janet Weiss and Corin Tucker of Sleater-Kinney perform at Barnsdall Art Park as part of ArthurFest on September 4, 2005.

Defector Music Club

Defector Music Club Gets Lost In Sleater-Kinney’s ‘The Woods’

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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"

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.

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.

We Need To Talk About “Chunkus”

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

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

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

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.

What Kind Of Vikings Fan Should A Person Be?

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.

The Kings Of Shrimp Country, With Spencer Hall

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

A stock photo of sausages cooking on a barbecue grill.

The Bib Does Nothing!

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

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.

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.