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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.

Defector

Kathryn Xu

14: Mason Miller #22 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the ninth inning.

Mason Miller Is Blowing Everyone Away

The NJ Transit logo is seen on a train at New York City Penn Station.

Transit

World Cup Transit Is Broken Before It Has Begun

A racegoer holds an umbrella which is inside out on Grand National Day of the Randox Grand National Festival 2026 at Aintree Racecourse.

Life's Rich Pageant

Please Enjoy These Photos Of Damp And Drunk People At An English Horse Race

A 0.2" inch ABS challenge where a ball was turned into a strike, made by Eugenio Suarez against umpire CB Bucknor.

What Is A Strike

Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels walks off the field with a trainer after being hit by a pitch.

Mike Trout Starts Hitting, Is Rewarded With Fastballs Directed At His Chin

Konnor Griffin #75 of the Pittsburgh Pirates warms up prior to a spring training game.

Is Konnor Griffin Actually 19 Years Old? Let’s Discuss

The damage to the Haas VF-26 of Oliver Bearman of Great Britain and Haas F1 Team following his crash during the F1 Grand Prix of Japan.

Racing

Formula 1’s Engine Troubles Come To A Head In Japan

A screenshot of the Netflix broadcast of the Opening Night match between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants.

Netflix Baseball Looks Like Shit

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur ahead of the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Spring Is Truly Here: Formula 1 Teams Are Slapfighting Over Regulations Compliance

Jonathan Wheatley, Team Principal of Audi F1 Team looks on during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of China.

Not Satisfied By Fernando Alonso’s Limbs, Aston Martin’s Accursed Car Also Consumes Team Principal

A poster of the American animated movie "GOAT" displayed in a cinema in Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China.

This Is So Stupid

A Series Of Facts About ‘Goat,’ The Steph Curry Goat Movie

Race winner Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team and Third placed Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Scuderia Ferrari talk in parc ferme.

The Chinese GP Proves Mercedes Domination Might Still Be Fun

Vinnie Pasquantino #9 of Team Italy is showered with ice water by Jakob Marsee.

Nobody’s Having More Fun Than The Italians

Randy Arozarena #56 of the Mexico in action during the 2026 World Baseball Classic game between Mexico and the United States.

Even At The World Baseball Classic, The Mariners Cannot Escape Themselves

Luis Paez-Pumar

The 2026 Formula 1 drivers pose for a photo during the F1 Photocall at Bahrain International Circuit on February 11, 2026 in Bahrain, Bahrain.

An Exquisite 2026 Formula 1 Preview For True Sophisticates

Aston Martin team principal Adrian Newey during day two of F1 Testing at Bahrain

Aston Martin: Driving Our Car Will Maim You

Shohei Ohtani #16 of team Japan warms up during the 2026 World Baseball Classic exhibition game.

World Baseball Classic, Or Assic?

Alysa Liu of Team United States competes during the women's short program.

Olympics

How Is A Figure Skater Like A Tree?

Austin Florian of Team United States wears a Venom helmet.

A Tour Of The Sick-Ass Helmets Of Skeleton

Ilia Malinin of Team United States reacts after competing in the Men Single Skating on day seven of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Ice Skating Arena on February 13, 2026 in Milan, Italy.

Even Ilia Malinin Is Mortal

Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych, with his helmet, which features pictures of people killed in the war with Russia.

Ukrainian Skeleton Slider Banned From Competition Over Helmet Honoring Athletes Killed By Russia

Ilia Malinin (United States of America) competes during the Figure Skating Men Single Skating Short Programme Final Figure Skating competition.

Ilia Malinin Brings Figure Skating To The Crossroads

A Boston Terrier is examined in the judging area during day one of the 150th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City on February 2, 2026.

Interviews

A Westminster Dog Show Judge Tells Us What They’re Looking For

Amanda Anisimova in action against Xinyu Wang.

Tennis

Amanda Anisimova Defeats Wang Xinyu, Narrowly Escapes Amanda Anisimova

A screenshot from 'Hades II': Melinoë, Princess of the Underworld, wonders whether she will have chances to correct her earlier mistakes.