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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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Take Defector's 2025 Reader Survey

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Ray Ratto

Oneil Cruz #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with teammates after scoring during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on May 22, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Milwaukee Brewers v Pittsburgh Pirates

Pirates Avoid Historic Humiliation, Suffer Regular Kind Instead

Tyler Seguin #91 of the Dallas Stars is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period in Game One of the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 21, 2025.

Edmonton Oilers v Dallas Stars – Game One

Three Goals, Six Minutes, No Response

Rich Hill #44 of the Boston Red Sox reacts during the seventh inning of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on August 29, 2024 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.

Toronto Blue Jays v Boston Red Sox

It’s Time To Start The “Rich Hill Is BACK” Countdown

Brad Marchand #63 of the Florida Panthers fights with Shayne Gostisbehere #4 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period in Game One of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 20, 2025.

Florida Panthers v Carolina Hurricanes – Game One

For The Panthers And Thunder, The Worse The Better

TORONTO, ON - May 18: The Toronto Maple Leafs skate off the ice after game 7 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs on May 18, 2025, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Mathew Tsang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

NHL: MAY 18 Stanley Cup Playoffs¬†2nd Round Panthers at Maple Leafs

Seven Is The Leafs’ Unlucky Number


<p>charismatic megafauna (they/them)</p>


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Sabrina Imbler

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Kelsey McKinney


<p>Visual Editor. Runs <a href="http://defectorstore.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">defectorstore.com</a>. Philadelphia-based, if you couldn’t tell.</p>


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Dan McQuade

The two Eurovision hosts are surrounded by dancers holding giant fondue sticks.

eurovision-roundtable

Music

Can You Do Racism Against Italians? A Eurovision Roundtable

Group shot of the 1919 White Sox. They would after this year be known as the "Black Sox Scandal" team, due to the allegation that eight members of the team accepted bribes to lose the 1919 World Series to the Cincinnati Reds.

Group Shot of 1919 White Sox

Baseball Frees Its Gambling Ghosts

Tyrese Haliburton greets fans after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-105 in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs.

Indiana Pacers v Cleveland Cavaliers – Game Five

No One Ever Sees The Pacers Coming

Colorado Rockies owner Dick Monfort, left, during batting practice before the opening day game against the Athletics at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado on Friday, April 4, 2025.

Colorado Rockies vs The Athletics

The Colorado Rockies Can’t Even Lose Right

A passer-by looks on as worker hangs papal bunting over the entrance to the Holy Name Cathedral after Cardinal Robert Prevost, who was born in Chicago, had been named as first American leader of the Catholic Church. She's wearing a White Sox hat.

The U.S. Reacts To First American Pope In History

Which Accursed Chicago Baseball Fan Base Will Get To Claim Pope Leo XIV?

Cardinal Robert Prevost, newly elected as Pope Leo XIV is seen on the Saint Peter's Basilica balcony, at Saint Peter's Square in Vatican on April 8, 2025.

Cardinal Robert Prevost Elected As Pope Leo XIV

Life's Rich Pageant

Well, They Made A Cubs Fan The Pope [UPDATE]

Mikal Bridges celebrates after making a three-point basket against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter in Game One of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs.

New York Knicks v Boston Celtics – Game One

The Knicks And Maple Leafs Are Refusing To Stick To The Script

Head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs looks on in the third quarter against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on October 21, 2017.

San Antonio Spurs v Chicago Bulls

Gregg Popovich Was Too Far Ahead To Be Patient

Buddy Hield of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the Houston Rockets after making a three-point basket during the fourth quarter in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs.

Golden State Warriors v Houston Rockets – Game Seven

Sometimes It’s The Buddy Hield Game

WINNIPEG, CANADA - MAY 4: Winnipeg Jets players salute the fans following a 4-3 double overtime victory over the St. Louis Blues in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Canada Life Centre on May 4, 2025 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)

St. Louis Blues v Winnipeg Jets – Game Seven

They’ll Talk About That One In Winnipeg Forever

ST PAUL, MINNESOTA - MAY 01: in the third period of Game Six of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center on May 01, 2025 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images)

Vegas Golden Knights v Minnesota Wild – Game Six

Wild Fans, This Is Just Your Life Now

Journalism, who is a horse, is washed during the morning training for the 151th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 30, 2025.

151th Kentucky Derby – Previews

Horse Racing

Are You Sure You Want To Bet On Journalism?

ST. LOUIS, MO - APRIL 24: Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets gives up a goal to the St. Louis Blues in the first period of Game Three of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 24, 2025 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Scott Rovak/NHLI via Getty Images)

Winnipeg Jets v St Louis Blues – Game Three

The Jets Have A Connor Hellebuyck Problem, And The Only Solution Is More Connor Hellebuyck

Josh Hart reacts after the Knicks beat the Pistons in Game 4.

josh-hart-knicks-pistons-playoffs

The Knicks Got Away With That One

Liverpool players celebrate the Premier League title

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Soccer

Tottenham Was A Polite Guest For Liverpool’s Title Party

Eugenio Suarez celebrates after hitting his fourth homer of Saturday's game against the Braves.

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Eugenio Suárez Picked A Bad Day To Hit Four Homers

of the Memphis Grizzlies walks off the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of Game Three of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2025.

Oklahoma City Thunder v Memphis Grizzlies – Game Three

For 20 Minutes, The Memphis Grizzlies Were Actually In It

OTTAWA, CANADA - APRIL 24: Ridly Greig #71 of the Ottawa Senators battles for puck possession during a faceoff against Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second period of Game Three of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre on April 24, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by André Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)

Toronto Maple Leafs v Ottawa Senators – Game Three

The Leafs Are In Uncharted Territory

General manager of the Dallas Mavericks Nico Harrison looks on before the game of the Play-In Tournament against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 18, 2025.

Dallas Mavericks v Memphis Grizzlies – Play-In Tournament

The Mavericks Just Keep On Sending Nico Harrison Out There

Manager Bud Black #10 of the Colorado Rockies looks on before the game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on April 11, 2025 in San Diego.