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Defector

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) watches the Seattle Mariners celebrate as the Toronto Blue Jays fall to the Seattle Mariners 10-9 in game two losing their American League Wild Card series at Rogers Centre in Toronto. October 8, 2022.

The Blue Jays Crashed Right Out Of The Postseason


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Sabrina Imbler

Barry Petchesky

Laura Wagner

Animals

We Saw A Bear

Women's Basketball

Kim Mulkey Has Nothing To Say About Brittney Griner

Media Meltdowns

The Ime Udoka Suspension Tied Stephen A. Smith’s Brain In Knots

The Las Vegas Aces celebrate after Game 4 of the 2022 WNBA Finals on September 18, 2022 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

WNBA

The Aces’ Title Was In The Cards

Alyssa Thomas #25 of the Connecticut Sun is congratulated by teammate Jonquel Jones #35 as she is removed from the game in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Aces during Game Three of the 2022 WNBA Finals at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 15, 2022 in Uncasville, Connecticut

The Sun Survived By Shoving The Aces Out Of The Paint

Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Robert Sarver attends Game Two of the 2021 WNBA Finals at Footprint Center on October 13, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mercury defeated the Sky 91-86 in overtime.

Report: Robert Sarver Is Indeed A Terrible Boss

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 08: Chicago Sky forward Candace Parker (3) looks on during the second half in game 5 of the WNBA Semifinals between the Connecticut Sun and the Chicago Sky on September 8, 2022 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL.

The Sky Fall

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 31: Candace Parker #3 of the Chicago Sky drives to the basket against Alyssa Thomas #25 of the Connecticut Sun during the first half in Game Two of the 2022 WNBA Playoffs semifinals at Wintrust Arena on August 31, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.

Sun-Sky Is The Series That Refuses To End Quietly

Sue Bird #10 of the Seattle Storm reacts after the Las Vegas Aces tied the game at the end of the fourth quarter of Game Three of the 2022 WNBA Playoffs semifinals at Climate Pledge Arena on September 04, 2022 in Seattle, Washington.

The Storm And Aces Played A Game That Was Too Good To End

Giri Nathan

Defector Reads A Book

We Were Bowled Over By ‘Beyond A Boundary’

Stephanie Talbot #7 of the Seattle Storm high-fives Jewell Loyd #24 after she hit a 3-pointer against the Las Vegas Aces in the fourth quarter of Game One of the 2022 WNBA Playoffs semifinals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on August 28, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Storm defeated the Aces 76-73.

Jewell Loyd Knows Exactly When To Show Up

Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions watches as his team plays the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on December 12, 2021 in Denver, Colorado.

Dan Campbell Wants You To Believe That He And His Dogs Consume Three Pints Of Gelato Every Night

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 17: Candace Parker #3 and Azura Stevens #30 of the Chicago Sky talk against the New York Liberty in Game One of the First Round of the 2022 WNBA Playoffs at Wintrust Arena on August 17, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.

It’s Time For Some WNBA Playoff Game Theory

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 12: Elena Delle Donne #11 of the Washington Mystics warms up ahead of a game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena on July 12, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

Elena Delle Donne Made Up For Lost Time

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 17: Marine Johannes #23 of the New York Liberty celebrates a three pointer and a foul with teammates against the Chicago Sky during the first half in Game One of the First Round of the 2022 WNBA Playoffs at Wintrust Arena on August 17, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.

Marine Johannès Threw A Pass So Good It Demanded Victory

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 02: Courtney Vandersloot #22 and Candace Parker #3 of the Chicago Sky celebrate against the Dallas Wings during the second half at Wintrust Arena on August 02, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.

Eight Teams, Eight Killers: A Guide To The Pure Hoopers Of The WNBA Playoffs

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 08: A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces is guarded by Ezi Magbegor #13, Breanna Stewart #30 and Jewell Loyd #24of the Seattle Storm during their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on May 08, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Storm 85-74. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Bring On Some More A’ja-Stewie Battles

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 14: Carlos Correa #4 of the Minnesota Twins looks on during the game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on June 14, 2022 in Seattle, Washington.

The AL Central Disgusts Me

I Brought My Radio To A Baseball Game And It Unleashed My Inner Crank

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 27: Han Xu #21 of the New York Liberty looks on against the Seattle Storm in overtime at Climate Pledge Arena on May 27, 2022 in Seattle, Washington.

You Must Watch The Liberty

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 31: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals tosses his bat after drawing a walk in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park on July 31, 2022 in Washington, DC.

You Can Only Win A Trade For Juan Soto

Schoolchildren in a classroom, holding war saving stamp books, USA, circa 1943.

Here’s Our Defector Reads A Book Selection For August

Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Kansas City Royals reacts after fouling a ball off of his leg during the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium on May 20, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Andrew Benintendi Was Too Dumb To Get Vaccinated, And The Royals Were Too Bad To Make Him Care

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 20: Liz Cambage #1 of the Los Angeles Sparks reacts against the Seattle Storm during the first half at Climate Pledge Arena on May 20, 2022 in Seattle, Washington.