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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

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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Ray Ratto

attends the 2016 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater on July 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.

The 2016 ESPYS – Red Carpet

There’s One Way To Fix The All-Star Game

SAN JOSE, CA - NOVEMBER 2: An overhead view as Luke Kunin #11 of the San Jose Sharks fights against Phillip Di Giuseppe #34 of the Vancouver Canucks at SAP Center on November 2, 2023 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Kavin Mistry/NHLI via Getty Images)

Vancouver Canucks v San Jose Sharks

How Bad Can The Sharks Get?

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 01: Owner and managing general partner Mark Davis (L) of the Las Vegas Raiders talks with head coach Josh McDaniels on the Raiders' sideline before the team's game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

San Francisco 49ers v Las Vegas Raiders

Same As It Ever Was In Raiderland

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Josh Jung #6 of the Texas Rangers slides into home plate to score a run on a wild pitch in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during Game Four of the World Series at Chase Field on October 31, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

World Series – Texas Rangers v Arizona Diamondbacks – Game Four

We Were Spared A Double Bullpen Game But Little Else

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 26: Max Scherzer #31 of the Texas Rangers looks on during the World Series Workout Day at Globe Life Field on October 26, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

World Series Workout Day

Let’s Rub It In Some More: Polling Our Miserable Philadelphians About The World Series

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 24: Kevin Ginkel #37 of the Arizona Diamondbacks reacts after striking out J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies (not pictured) during the eighth inning in Game Seven of the Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 24, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Championship Series – Philadelphia Phillies v Arizona Diamondbacks – Game Seven

The Diamondbacks Ginked Their Way To The World Series

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Albert Burneko

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Chris Thompson

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David Roth

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Giri Nathan

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Justin Ellis

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Luis Paez-Pumar

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Maitreyi Anantharaman

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Patrick Redford

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Tom Ley

A bunch of old-timey celebrities, including Pat Boone, sign autographs in Lakers uniforms during a charity game in Ye Olden Tymes.

buncha old guys

All Anyone Could Ever Hope To Know Or Learn About The 2023–24 NBA Season, Or Indeed About Anything, And Well In Advance Too

A little girl in a witch outfit and a jack-o-lantern are in a spooky window

Enfant

Funbag

Should Halloween Always Be The Last Saturday In October?

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 20: Toronto Maple Leafs center David Kampf (64) and Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (21) await the puck drop on the face off during the second period of game two in the Eastern Conference First Round between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 20, 2023, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Gavin Napier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

NHL: APR 20 Eastern Conference First Round – Lightning at Maple Leafs

It’s Time For Hockey Until Your Eyes Bleed

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 23: Adolis Garcia #53 of the Texas Rangers celebrates after hitting a solo home run against Jose Urquidy #65 of the Houston Astros during the eighth inning in Game Seven of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 23, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Championship Series – Texas Rangers v Houston Astros – Game Seven

Adolis Garcia Is The Engine

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 17: Alec Bohm #28 and Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate a 10-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game Two of the Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 17, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Championship Series – Arizona Diamondbacks v Philadelphia Phillies – Game Two

Go D-Backs And Go Astros Because, Well, What Else Is There To Do?

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 16: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts on the bench in the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium on October 16, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Dallas Cowboys v Los Angeles Chargers

Nobody Does It Like The Chargers

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 03: Miami Marlins general manager Kim Ng looks on prior to Game 1 of the Wild Card Series between the Miami Marlins and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Wild Card Series – Miami Marlins v. Philadelphia Phillies – Game One

That’s More Like The Marlins We All Know And Ignore

A Danger sign in front of trees in Yellowstone National Park warns visitors to not approach wildlife.

Into The Woods

Do Not Fuck Around With The Woods

Shedeur Sanders #2 of the Colorado Buffaloes throws a pass against the Stanford Cardinal during the third quarter at Folsom Field on October 13, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado.

Stanford v Colorado

College Football

The Pac-12’s Death Throes Make For The Most Entertaining Football In The Country

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 11: Lourdes Gurriel Jr. #12 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates after winning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game 3 of the Division Series at Chase Field on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Arizona Diamondbacks won 4-2. (Photo by Chris Coduto/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Division Series – Los Angeles Dodgers v. Arizona Diamondbacks – Game Three

100 Wins Doesn’t Buy What It Used To

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Anthony Davis #3 sits on the bench next to LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on October 07, 2023 in San Francisco, California. 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. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers v Golden State Warriors

Get A Load Of Management’s New Claim About Load Management

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 7: Players from the Tampa Bay Lightning skate during warmups with special hockey tape for Pride Night against the Philadelphia Flyers at Amalie Arena on March 7, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/NHLI via Getty Images)

Philadelphia Flyers v Tampa Bay Lightning

The NHL Skates Backward

Steve Garvey, in the foreground, at his induction into the Legends of Dodgers Baseball inaugural class back in September of 2018. He's got sunglasses on and is clapping.

San Diego Padres v Los Angeles Dodgers

Politics

Nobody Wants Senator Steve Garvey

Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a touchdown by Christian McCaffrey #23 during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Santa Clara, California.

Dallas Cowboys v San Francisco 49ers

Brock Purdy Is Good Enough To Make His Teammates Annoying

Sportscaster Jim Gray, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and Las Vegas Raiders owner and managing general partner and Las Vegas Aces owner Mark Davis watch players warm up during halftime of a game between the Connecticut Sun and the Aces

Connecticut Sky v Las Vegas Aces

Tom Brady’s Minority Ownership Deal Could Use Some Competition

Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in Game Two of the Wild Card Series at American Family Field on October 04, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Wild Card Series – Arizona Diamondbacks v Milwaukee Brewers – Game Two

The NL’s Underdogs Can Make A Big Mess Of These Playoffs

Evan Neal #73 of the New York Giants looks on following an NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Giants at State Farm Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona.

New York Giants v Arizona Cardinals

Lion Cowed By Sheep

A general view of Tropicana Field during Game 1 of the Wild Card Series between the Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 in Tampa, Florida.

Wild Card Series – Texas Rangers v. Tampa Bay Rays – Game One

The Rays Are Masters Of Being Forgotten

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 19: Manager Gabe Kapler #19 of the San Francisco Giants watches from the dugout during the first inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 19, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

San Francisco Giants v Arizona Diamondbacks

The Giants’ Organizational Mediocrity Runs Deeper Than Gabe Kapler