CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

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.

Defector

Ray Ratto

BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 09: Jorge Lopez #48 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates a win after a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 9, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

The Best All-Stars Are The “We Had To Pick A Guy” All-Stars

Vince Naimoli, owner of the "Tampa Bay Devil Rays"

Rays Week

The Devil Had To Die Before The Rays Could Thrive

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 23: The USC Trojans run onto the field prior to a game against the UCLA Bruins at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

College Football

There’s Only So Much Room In The Lifeboat

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 18: (l-r) Mike Grier, Rick Kowalsky and John Hynes of the New Jersey Devils work the game against the Colorado Avalanche at the Prudential Center on October 18, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. The Avalanche defeated the Devils 5-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Mike Grier Has His Work Cut Out For Him

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 19: Fans crowd onto the field for fireworks after a game between the Oakland Athletics and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at O.co Coliseum on June 19, 2015 in Oakland, California. The Angels won 12-7. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

Fans Successfully Distracted From Team

Cristiano Ronaldo looking pensive in a Manchester United game, in May of 2022.

Soccer

Cristiano Ronaldo And Kevin Durant Can Choose To Leave, But Not What Comes Next

The NHL Season Doesn’t End Until The Lightning Tell Everyone How Banged Up They Were

The Senate Is Once Again Waving Its Cane At MLB

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 26: The Seattle Mariners and the Los Angeles Angels clear the benches after Jesse Winker #27 of the Seattle Mariners charged the Angels dugout after being hit by a pitch in the second inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 26, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Everybody And Their Interpreter Got Suspended For Mariners-Angels Brawl

Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees rounds the bases after hitting a seventh inning home run against Jose Urquidy #65 of the Houston Astros during their game at Yankee Stadium on June 26, 2022 in New York City.

The Yankees Killed Baseball For About An Hour

Wales' striker Gareth Bale celebrates after winning the FIFA World Cup 2022 play-off final qualifier football match between Wales and Ukraine at the Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales, on June 5, 2022.

Gareth Bale To LAFC Is Just Another Business Arrangement 

Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns takes off his helmet as he warms up during the Cleveland Browns mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 14, 2022 in Berea, Ohio.

Nobody Wins In The Deshaun Watson-NFL Hearings

Fine, Let’s Talk About Kevin Durant All Summer

Who Can Actually Get Rid Of Dan Snyder?

Worse Umpiring Requires More Creative Paths To Ejection

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 04: A general view during the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Now The Browns Want A Billion Dollars

Assistant coach Kenny Atkinson reacts to a play in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 10, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Seven Totally Baseless Guesses Why Warriors Assistant Kenny Atkinson Snubbed The Hornets

DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 04: John Tortorella, head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third period at American Airlines Center on March 04, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

John Tortorella Is What The Flyers Want To Be, For Better Or Worse

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award after defeating the Boston Celtics 103-90 in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Elsa/Getty Images)

The Warriors Answered Every Question

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 15: Aaron Judge #99 and Clay Holmes #35 of the New York Yankees celebrates after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 at Yankee Stadium on June 15, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

My Homer Editor Assigned Me This Blog On How Good The Yankees Are

What Sort Of Mind Chooses Royals-Giants?

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - MAY 15: Manager Joe Maddon #70 of the Los Angeles Angels signals the bullpen to make a pitching change against the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the seventh inning at RingCentral Coliseum on May 15, 2022 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Joe Maddon Rally Mohawk, Never Unveiled

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 09: Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning makes the save on Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on June 09, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Lightning Will Bow Out When They’re Good And Ready

Animals

Local Dog Update

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JUNE 07: Joan Adon #60 of the Washington Nationals throws a pitch during the second inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on June 07, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)