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

Tom Ley

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 10: Yu Darvish #11 of the San Diego Padres looks out at the field in the third inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on April 10, 2023 in New York City.

Small Ball Returned To Torture Yu Darvish

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - FEBRUARY 18: Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans speaks during media availability as part of 2023 NBA All Star Weekend on February 18, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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.

Another Zion Williamson Season Ends In The Toilet

Defector Up All Night

He Needs Some Milk

TEMPE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 16: Owner Michael Bidwill of the Arizona Cardinals answers a question from the media during a press conference introducing new head coach Jonathan Gannon at Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center on February 16, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona.

The Arizona Cardinals Have A Nasty Workplace Scandal Of Their Own

LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 04: Luis Sinisterra of Leeds United scores the team's second goal whilst under pressure from Neco Williams of Nottingham Forest during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Nottingham Forest at Elland Road on April 04, 2023 in Leeds, England.

Soccer

The Premier League’s Relegation War Has Gone Nuclear

DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 02: Jasmine Carson #2 of the LSU Lady Tigers reacts after a three-point basket during the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament championship game at American Airlines Center on April 02, 2023 in Dallas, Texas.

College Basketball

Jasmine Carson Lived A Shooter’s Dream

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 30: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles reacts during the fourth inning against the Boston Red Sox on Opening Day at Fenway Park on March 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Adley Rutschman Has The Power

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 15: Tage Thompson #72 of the Buffalo Sabres attempts a wrap around goal against the Washington Capitals during the first period of the game at Capital One Arena on March 15, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Tage Thompson Missed His True Calling

An umpire ejects JT Realmuto for no reason

The Sports Lowlight Of The Day Is This Umpire Losing His Mind

EDMONTON, CANADA - MARCH 22: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers scores a goal in overtime against the Arizona Coyotes at Rogers Place on March 22, 2023 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The goal is his 60th of the season.

This Is A Pretty Cool Way To Score Your 60th Goal

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan pitches in the top of the 9th inning during World Baseball Classic Championship between United States and Japan at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

Pitches Shohei Ohtani Threw To Mike Trout, Ranked

MIAMI, FL - MARCH 20: Kensuke Kondoh #8 and Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan celebrate after scoring on a three-run home run hit by Masataka Yoshida #34 in the seventh inning during the 2023 World Baseball Classic Semifinal game between Team Mexico and Team Japan at loanDepot Park on Monday, March 20, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

Internationals

Big-Time Games Call For Big-Time Players

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - MARCH 18: Dillon Brooks #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks at Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half of the game at FedExForum on March 18, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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.

The Warriors Just Can’t Get Right On The Road

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Antonio Conte, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 11, 2023 in London, England.

Nobody Has Ever Wanted To Be Fired As Badly As Antonio Conte

DAYTON, OHIO - MARCH 15: Ansley Almonor #5 and Jo'el Emanuel #13 of the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights celebrate after defeating the Texas Southern Tigers in the First Four game of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at University of Dayton Arena on March 15, 2023 in Dayton, Ohio.

The NCAA Men’s Tournament Just Keeps Getting Weirder

ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 15: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Minnesota Wild attempts to get physical with Jordan Binnington #50 of the St. Louis Blues but is stopped by linesman Dan Kelly #98 at the Enterprise Center on March 15, 2023 in St. Louis, Missouri.

They Should Have Let Marc-Andre Fleury Beat Up Jordan Binnington

DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 15: A general view of Wells Fargo Arena during open practice ahead of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament First Round on March 15, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. (

It’s March Freakin’ Madness. Here’s Your Open Thread

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 15: Edwin Diaz #39 of Puerto Rico is helped off the field after being injured during the on-field celebration after defeating the Dominican Republic during the World Baseball Classic Pool D at loanDepot park on March 15, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

This Sucks So Bad For Edwin Díaz [Update]

DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 3: United States head coach Gregg Berhalter salutes the fans after a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Netherlands and USMNT at Khalifa International Stadium on December 3, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

Investigation Reveals Details Of Berhalter-Reyna Family Feud

Now Coming Onto The Pitch For West Ham: Wife

Mark Adams Has Some Top-Notch Excuses For Saying Racist Stuff And Spitting On One Of His Players

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the Carabao Cup Final match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on February 26, 2023 in London, England.

Manchester United Can Stand On Marcus Rashford’s Shoulders

PORTLAND, OR - FEBRUARY 26: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers scores career-high 71 points during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 26, 2023 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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 2023 NBAE

Damian Lillard Put Up The Purest 71 Points Ever Scored

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 25: Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos looks on before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 25, 2022 in Inglewood, California.