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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

Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase (48) celebrates following the Major League Baseball game between the Athletics and Cleveland Guardians on July 18, 2025, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

emmanuel-clase

The Emmanuel Clase Market Is Perhaps Understandably Bearish

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Tom Ley

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Luis Paez-Pumar

brandy-jensen-headshot

Brandy Jensen

Defector Reads A Book: The Art of Fielding

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Defector Reads A Book

The Art Of Reading

Te-Hina Paopao #2 of the Atlanta Dream reacts after a made three-point basket at Target Center on July 27, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Atlanta Dream v Minnesota Lynx

WNBA

At The Very Least, The Atlanta Dream Are Worth Watching

Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears talks with head coach Ben Johnson during Chicago Bears OTA Offseason Workout at Halas Hall on June 04, 2025 in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Chicago Bears OTA Offseason Workout

Crosswords

The Crossword, July 28: When You Win, Say Nothing (Themeless)

Dominique Malonga #14 of the Seattle Storm blocks a shot by Elizabeth Williams #1 of the Chicago Sky during the second half at Wintrust Arena on July 24, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

Seattle Storm v Chicago Sky

Dominique Malonga Gets It Done In Small Doses

Brittney Sykes #15 of the Washington Mystics holds a "Pay the Players" sign following the 2025 AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

WNBA All-Star Game 2025

WNBA Players Want To Share In The League’s “Hypergrowth”

North Carolina Tar Heels football head coach Bill Belichick speaks to the crowd during a basketball game against the La Salle Explorers on December 14, 2024 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 93-67.

La Salle v North Carolina

The Crossword, July 21: One By One

Bill Veeck holds up a sign to the crowd so they can manage the baseball game

bill-veeck

Bills Week

Bill Veeck’s Goofy, Gag-Filled Baseball Book Was Ahead Of Its Time

Jermaine Johnson #52 of the New York Jets blocks a punt from Sam Martin #8 of the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium on December 11, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York.

New York Jets v Buffalo Bills

The Crossword, July 14: Quarterback Scramble

Guard Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever talks to the media during a press conference before the match-up against the Brazil National Team, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on March 4, 2025 in Iowa City, Iowa.

Brazil National Team v Indiana Fever

Christine Brennan’s Caitlin Clark Book Is More About Gripes Than Greatness

Summer McIntosh is interviewed by NBC Sports Nicole Auerbach after winning the Women's 400 Meter Individual Medley Final on Day 3 of the TYR Pro Swim Series Westmont at FMC Natatorium on March 07, 2025 in Westmont, Illinois

The Crossword, July 7: Tennis, Anyone?

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert talks to the crowd before the game between the Washington Mystics and the Minnesota Lynx at Carefirst Arena on June 24, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Minnesota Lynx v Washington Mystics

The WNBA And Its Expansion Fees Are Getting Bigger

Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates as the the Dodgers defeat the New York Yankees 7-6 in game 5 to win the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 30, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City.

World Series – Los Angeles Dodgers v New York Yankees – Game 5

The Crossword, June 30: My Girls (Themeless)

Jackie Young #0 and Jewell Loyd #24 of the Las Vegas Aces talk as they wait for an Indiana Fever player to shoot a free throw in the fourth quarter of their game at T-Mobile Arena on June 22, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Fever 89-81.

Indiana Fever v Las Vegas Aces

Can You Count Out The Aces?

Anthony Davis #3 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers talk to their head coach Darvin Ham during their game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 03, 2024 in New York City.

Los Angeles Lakers v New York Knicks

The Crossword, June 23: Lines Of Business

The grounds crew covers the field with a tarp during a thunderstorm in the bottom of the ninth inning of game two of a doubleheader that is tied at 4-4 between the Detroit Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park on June 19, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.

Pittsburgh Pirates v Detroit Tigers – Game Two

Take Me Out Of The Ballpark

Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase (left) talks with guard Carla Leite (right) during the second quarter of a WNBA game between the Golden State Valkyries and Dallas Wings on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at College Park Center in Arlington, TX.

WNBA: JUN 17 Golden State Valkyries at Dallas Wings

The WNBA Had Too Much Going On Last Night

Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions looks on during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on January 05, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.

Minnesota Vikings v Detroit Lions

The Crossword, June 16: Swing Both Ways

Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with teammates after defeating the New York Yankees in a shutout to sweep the series at Fenway Park on Sunday, June 15, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts.

New York Yankees v. Boston Red Sox

Red Sox Fans Chopped Up And Cooked On The Hot Stove

Isabelle Harrison #21 of the New York Liberty goes to the basket as Michaela Onyenwere #12, Angel Reese #5, and Kamilla Cardoso #10 of the Chicago Sky defend during the second half at Barclays Center on June 10, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Liberty won 85-66.

Chicago Sky v New York Liberty

Yes, The Sky Is Falling For The Sky

Skylar Diggins #4 of the Seattle Storm reacts during the third quarter of a 2025 Commissioner's Cup game against the Las Vegas Aces at Climate Pledge Arena on June 01, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.

Las Vegas Aces v Seattle Storm

The Crossword, June 9: Yes, Chef!

The Dallas Wings bench reacts during the third quarter of the game against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on June 3, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.