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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

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David Roth

Phillie Phanatic, mascot of the Philadelphia Phillies, pumps up the crowd with some of his signature goofy antics during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, August 9-11, 1982, at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania back in 1982. The turf looks crazy. His weird tongue is sticking out.

The Phillie Phanatic in 1982

Podcasts

The Last Mayor Of Philadelphia

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick announces he is leaving the team during a press conference at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on January 11, 2024.

TOPSHOT-AMFOOT-NFL-PATRIOTS-BELICHICK

Heartwarming: Miserable Man Frustrated In Ultimately Insignificant Way

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Tom Ley

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Arts And Culture

We Live In The Bone Temple Now

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (R) and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjirō Koizumi talk between sets during their workout on January 15, 2026 in Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia.

Secretary Of War Hegseth Hosts Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi

Ideologically Opposed To Proper Workout Form, With Patrick Wyman

Kyle Tucker of the Chicago Cubs celebrates a hit in Game Four of the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field on October 9, 2025.

Division Series – Milwaukee Brewers v Chicago Cubs – Game Four

It’s Nice To Have A Process, But It’s Better To Have Money

Masked ICE agents and demonstrators face off as protests broke out following the shooting of a Venezuelan man by a Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 14, 2026.

TOPSHOT-US-IMMIGRATION-ICE-SHOOTING

What It’s Like When ICE Invades Your City, With Arif Hasan

Federal Agents arrest a man during an Immigration Enforcement Operation in Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN, U.S., January 13, 2026.

Immigration Enforcement Operations continue in Minneapolis

Politics

Fascists Are Pathetic

Head coach Pete Carroll of the Las Vegas Raiders speaks with Atonio Mafi #56 prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on January 4. The Raiders actually won this one but fired Carroll shortly after.

Kansas City Chiefs v Las Vegas Raiders – NFL 2025

That Is Way Too Much Raiders, With Kalyn Kahler

People take in a fireworks show on Lake Ontario at midnight from HTO Park in Toronto on January 1 2026.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks

Goodbye To All That

Edwin Diaz reacts with Pete Alonso of the New York Mets during the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field on April 17, 2025. Alonso's kind of whapping Diaz on the butt with his glove.

St. Louis Cardinals v New York Mets

They’re Outta Here

Products line the shelves at a Williams-Sonoma store on April 29, 2024 in Miami, Florida.

Home And Kitchen Products Chain Williams-Sonoma

Espresso Doodad Roulette, With Matt Selman

Victor Wembanyama and his long ass arms grab a rebound over Jaylen Williams of the Thunder during the fourth quarter of a semifinal game of the Emirates NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena on December 13, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

San Antonio Spurs v Oklahoma City Thunder : Emirates NBA Cup – Semifinals

The Spurs Showed How To Beat The Thunder

Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears walks off the field after a loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 7, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Chicago Bears v Green Bay Packers – NFL 2025

All Things Must Pass, With Matthew Coller

A crop of four images of people kind of partying and hanging out from Ken Ohara's "Contacts" show at The Whitney, with the relevant Whitney credit language superimposed at lower right.

Ohara

Make Yourself At Home