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Defector

Ray Ratto

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JUNE 09: The New York Islanders celebrate an empty net goal by Cal Clutterbuck #15 of the New York Islanders against the Boston Bruins in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Nassau Coliseum on June 09, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Bruins 6-2 to move on to the Stanley Cup Semifinals against the Tampa Bay Lightning. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Where Weird Shit Is Status Quo

There’s A Problem, And It’s Not Baserunning

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 06: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers dunks the ball against Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of Game Seven of the Western Conference first round series at Staples Center on June 6, 2021 in Los Angeles, 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

The Clippers’ Demons Aren’t Theirs

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 03: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a Phoenix Suns foul in the second quarter during game six of the Western Conference first round series at Staples Center on June 03, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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.

Rome Didn’t Fall In A Day

Life's Rich Pageant

The USFL Is Back, Because No Bad Idea Ever Dies

Apparently It’s Just That Easy To Change A Team Name

Tennis

Will Tennis Blink Before Naomi Osaka Does?

There’s Only One Solution To Bad Refereeing

Oakland Athletics team president Dave Kaval waving his team's flag during the 2020 playoffs.

The Oakland Athletics Take Trolling Back Twenty Years

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - MAY 23: Connor McDavid #97 and Jesse Puljujarvi #13 of the Edmonton Oilers react after the Jets tied up Game Three of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Winnipeg Jets on May 23, 2021 at Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jason Halstead/Getty Images)

New Disappointments, Same Old Oilers

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 19: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers scores the game winning three point basket against Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in the closing minute of an NBA Tournament Play-In game at Staples Center on May 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

What If We Just Did Six More Of That?

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 18: Spencer Turnbull #56 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates with his teammates after a no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on May 18, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. The Tigers beat the Mariners 5-0. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Maybe It’s Time To Stick An Asterisk On No-Hitters Against The Mariners

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 17: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins celebrates his game winning goal in overtime against the Washington Capitals in Game Two of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on May 17, 2021 in Washington, DC.The Boston Bruins defeated the Washington Capitals 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Give Me Multiple Overtimes Or Don’t Even Bother

Astudillo Versus Mercedes Was A Battle Of Brains And Brawn

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts as he drives between LeBron James #23 and Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 115-113 Warriors win on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Staples Center on January 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The NBA Should Beware Of Getting What It Wanted From The Play-In Games

Alex Rodriguez Finds Another Way To One-Up Derek Jeter

Wilson Versus Marchand Is The First Course These Stanley Cup Playoffs Deserve

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 04: A general view of RingCentral Coliseum during the game between the Oakland Athletics and the Houston Astros at RingCentral Coliseum on April 04, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)

The A’s Are Playing The Same Tired Old Dirge

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 02: Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels walks to the dugout after striking out against the Seattle Mariners ninth inning at T-Mobile Park on May 02, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Albert Pujols In Sun And Shade

Senators Week

Clark Griffith Was Too Cheap To Integrate Baseball

Mike Reilly #5 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the Edmonton Oilers at Canadian Tire Centre on April 7, 2021 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

The Ottawa Senators Have Even Failed At Truly Sucking

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 16: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates defeating the Los Angeles Rams 32-18 in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lambeau Field on January 16, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Aaron Rodgers May Not Have A Choice

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 29: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces Gregory Rousseau being selected 30th by the Buffalo Bills during round one of the 2021 NFL Draft at the Great Lakes Science Center on April 29, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Try As It Might, The Draft Is Still A Dog Of An Evening

Baseball’s Stupid New Rules Turned A Potential No-Hitter Into A Maddening Paradox

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 22: Jake McGee #17 and Curt Casali #2 of the San Francisco Giants celebrate beating the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park on April 22, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)