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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

2019-01-01 00:15:14.989

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Kathryn Westbeld #24 (L) of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates with Alyssa Thomas #25 after defeating the Chicago Sky 94-89 in the WNBA game at PHX Arena on May 27, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Chicago Sky v Phoenix Mercury

WNBA

The Mercury Are Getting Plenty Of Help From Their Intriguing Randos

Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers reacts to a play against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 27, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Indiana Pacers v Washington Wizards

Crosswords

The Crossword, May 26: Ball Don’t Lie (Themeless)

New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud (9) drives past Indiana Fever forward DeWanna Bonner (25) and goes in for two during a WNBA game between the New York Liberty and the Indiana Fever on May 24, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN.

WNBA: MAY 24 New York Liberty at Indiana Fever

Natasha Cloud Is A Kid In New York’s Candy Store

Pitcher Walker Buehler #0 of the Boston Red Sox shouts at home plate umpire Mike Estabrook after a pitch he thought was a strike was called a ball, as Carlos Narváez #75 holds him back during the second inning against the New York Mets at Fenway Park on May 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. Buehler was thrown out of the game by Estabrook.

New York Mets v Boston Red Sox

Walker Buehler Gets Tossed Early, Posts Through It Late

Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes seen in action during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Ohio Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio

Tennessee v Ohio State – Playoff First Round

The Crossword, May 19: Squared Away

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve and Napheesa Collier #24 talk with referee Tim Greene after a foul call in the fourth quarter against the New York Liberty during Game Five of the WNBA Finals at Barclays Center on October 20, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The New York Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in overtime to win the championship.

2024 WNBA Finals – Game Five

An Old Grudge, A New Team, A Swole Caitlin: The 2025 WNBA Season Preview

Javier Báez #28 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the ninth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 02, 2025 in Anaheim, California.

Detroit Tigers v Los Angeles Angels

Javier Báez Can’t Do It All, But He Sure Will Try

Seth Meyers (R) speaks on stage with Susan Morrison at the premiere screening: Seth Meyers' Comedy Special "Dad Man Walking" during The 2024 New Yorker Festival at SVA Theater on October 25, 2024 in New York City.

The 2024 New Yorker Festival – Premiere Screening: Seth Meyers’ Comedy Special

The Crossword, May 12: Balls Out

An Indianapolis Colts fan reacts after the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 06, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Houston Texans v Indianapolis Colts

The Crossword, May 5: Ice Queens

King Charles III and Queen Camilla cut a cake made by 2020 Great British Bake Off winner, Peter Sawkins as they attend a celebration at Edinburgh Castle to mark the 900th Anniversary of the City of Edinburgh, on July 3, 2024 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The British Royal Family Visit Scotland For Royal Week – Day 2

The Crossword, April 28: You Dropped This, King (Themeless)

Boston Fleet forward Hilary Knight (21) during the Boston Fleet versus the Montreal Victoire game on March 01, 2025, at Centre Bell in Montréal, QC

HOCKEY: MAR 01 PWHL Boston Fleet at Montreal Victoire

PWHL

Hilary Knight’s Not Rested, But She Is Ready

Ian Happ #8 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates a walk-off hit in the bottom of the tenth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field on April 22, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

Los Angeles Dodgers v Chicago Cubs

The Cubs Love To Get Crooked 

Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 16, 2025 in New York City.

Kansas City Royals v New York Yankees

The Crossword, April 21: Happy Arbor Day

French player Dominique Malonga speaks to the press during the 2025 WNBA Draft at the Shed in New York City on April 14, 2025.

BASKET-US-DRAFT

Dominique Malonga Is Ready To Light Up The WNBA

Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies breaks his helmet after slamming it to the ground after striking out against the San Francisco Giants during the sixth inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on May 5, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

San Francisco Giants v Philadelphia Phillies

The Crossword, April 14: Statlines

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) slides after scrambling up field during a NFL game between the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts on December 22, 2024 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN.

NFL: DEC 22 Titans at Colts

The Crossword, April 7: Block By Block

Azzi Fudd #35 of the UConn Huskies celebrates during the trophy ceremony after beating the South Carolina Gamecocks 82-59 to win the National Championship of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Amalie Arena on April 06, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.

Uconn v South Carolina

College Basketball

Azzi Fudd And The Huskies Finally Got Their Crowning Moment

Sarah Strong #21 and Paige Bueckers #5 of the UConn Huskies react on the bench against the UCLA Bruins during the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game at Amalie Arena on April 4, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.

NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament – Final Four

Sarah Strong Doesn’t Act Her Age

Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda #32 of the Texas Longhorns reacts in front of Hailey Van Lith #10 of the TCU Horned Frogs during the second half in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Legacy Arena at the BJCC on March 31, 2025 in Birmingham, Alabama.

TCU v Texas

Texas Cut TCU To Pieces

Bree Hall #23 of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Legacy Arena at the BJCC on March 30, 2025 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Duke v South Carolina

Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks Are Escape Artists

Jordan Mailata #68 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with fans during the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Championship Parade on February 14, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Championship Parade

The Crossword, March 31: Rules Lawyer (Themeless)

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Ray Ratto

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Tom Ley

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.09</p>


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Chris Thompson

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Kelsey McKinney

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Kathryn Xu

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Luis Paez-Pumar

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David Roth

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Lauren Theisen

Studio portrait of members of the Syracuse Star baseball team, Syracuse, New York , 1877 .

Portrait Of The Syracuse Star Baseball Team

An MLB Preview Containing All The Information One Could Possibly Hope To Ascertain About The 2025 Season

JuJu Watkins #12 of the USC Trojans is attended to by team staff after being injured against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the Second Round of the 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament held at Galen Center on March 24, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament – Second Round – Los Angeles USC

JuJu Watkins’s Season Ends With A Torn ACL

Kirsten Simms #27 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates after scoring a goal off a penalty shot during the third period of the Division I Women's Ice Hockey Championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes held at Ridder Arena on March 23, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

2025 NCAA Women’s Ice Hockey Championship – Finals

College Hockey

Kirsten Simms Put Her Hand Up And Led Wisconsin To A Title

Allyson Felix of the United States competes in the Women's 400m final on Day 10 of the 2016 Olympic Games.

Athletics – Olympics: Day 10

The Crossword, March 24: Skipping Town