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Defector

David Roth

Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres makes a kind of frowny face during the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Petco Park on July 12, 2026 in San Diego, California.

Podcasts

A Rob Deer Mystery, With Justin Halpern

Visitors inspect the exhibitions at the Great American State Fair on June 26, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Freedom 250-backed Great American State Fair celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Politics

Dead Country Fair

Melanie and Corey "explore a new connection" in the 6/23/26 episode of Love Island. It's two hot people sitting on a couch.

Folkways Of The Contemporary Sex Idiot, With Kelsey McKinney And Alex Sujong Laughlin

Vozinha of Cabo Verde gives a thumbs up during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Cabo Verde.

Feeling Those Good Sports Feelings, With Ray Ratto

National Park Service workers push algae towards an aeration area in the center of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool following the completion of recent renovations in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2026. It looks all fucked up.

Life's Rich Pageant

Promises Made, Promises Kept: The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Absolutely Looks Like Shit Now

OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks reacts during the second quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 08, 2026 in New York City.

Guttural Fan Noises And Exceptional Risottos, With Giri Nathan

Senegal Men's Soccer Team centre-forward Nicolas Jackson (11) defends as United States Men's National Soccer Team defender Tyler Adams (4) works the ball during a FIFA soccer match between Senegal and the USA on May 31, 2026.

The Dutch Style Of Pickup Soccer And A Dog Named Jeff, With Leander Schaerlaeckens

The New York Knicks celebrate with the Bob Cousy Trophy after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 in Game Four of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Rocket Arena on May 25, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Lost City Of Bing Bong, With David Grann

Jets owner Woody Johnson and Wyc Grousbeck are seen at Met Life Stadium on September 7, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The New York Jets Will Now Try Being “AI-First”

John O'Brien of Troy works on a puzzle as the Times Union hosts the inaugural Upstate Crossword Championship tournament Saturday Sept. 22, 2018 in Colonie, NY.

Song Of The Puzzlesmith, With Ian Livengood

US former football player Tom Brady walks the runway during the Gucci Cruise 2027 collection fashion show at Times Square in New York on May 16, 2026.

Arts And Culture

Tom Brady: The Leather Years

Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Five of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs on May 12, 2026.

The “Too Large” Gesture, With Patrick Redford

Mark Vientos of the New York Mets attempts to force out Zach McKinstry #39 of the Detroit Tigers after a fielding error during the sixth inning at Citi Field on May 13, 2026.

Mark Vientos Just Kind Of Falling Down Tells The Story Of The Mets’ Season

A photo of a bunch of old-timey green barstools with the cover of the NYRB Classics edition of Robert Coover's Universal Baseball Association in the middle and the Defector Reads A Book logo at left.

Defector Reads A Book

You Are Hereby Invited To Join The Universal Baseball Association

Gritty the mascot of the Philadelphia Flyers skates onto the ice prior to an NHL game against the Dallas Stars at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 29, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Gritty Is Beside Himself, With Lauren Theisen

Ildemaro Vargas #6 of the Arizona Diamondbacks reacts into third base during the eighth inning of the MLB Mexico City Series game between San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú on April 26, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico.

It’s Ildemaro Vargas Time In Major League Baseball

Miami Heat guard Tim Hardaway (L) watches New York Knicks' center Charles Oakley (C) and Miami Heat center PJ Brown (R) go for a rebound in second period action of their game 12 April at the Miami Arena.

Getting Kicked In The Back By P.J. Brown

Jon Rahm of Legion XIII celebrates with the trophy after winning the final round of LIV Golf Mexico City at Club de Golf Chapultepec on April 19, 2026 in Mexico City.

Golf

Saudi Arabia Decides LIV Golf Is Ready To Be Supported By Its Passionate Fan Base, Unbeatable Product

Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers prepares to take the snap of the ball at the line of scrimmage during the Indiana Hoosiers versus the Miami Hurricanes College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

Making Noises At Jim Nantz, With Aaron Schatz

Sid Rosenberg on the set of "Gravesend" filming by Michael's on April 25, 2022 in Brooklyn, New York.

Media Meltdowns

Jarringly Red New York Radio Yutz Continues His Anti-Mets Tantrum In Yankees President’s Suite

Mark Vientos of the New York Mets reacts after flying out against the Athletics during the sixth inning at Citi Field on April 12, 2026 in New York City.

A New Space In Which To Be Stupid, With Michael Schur

WABC radio host Sid Rosenberg speaks during a protest against a tent shelter for migrants at Floyd Bennett Field in the Brooklyn borough of New York City on August 22, 2023. They're rallying against immigrants being housed there so everyone in the picture looks like someone who'd do that.

New York Radio Yutz Has Had It With Mr. Met’s Antisemitism

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaks during the BlackRock Infrastructure Summit on March 11, 2026 in Washington, DC.

A Feast Of Sludge, With Ed Zitron

of the Los Angeles Angels catches a fly ball hit by Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of the baseball game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 4, 2026.

Jo Adell Stole Three Homers And A Win From The Mariners

Elliot Cadeau #3 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after a play during the first half of a NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four game against the Arizona Wildcats on April 4, 2026.