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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

Kelsey McKinney

Zillowing Out

A $32 Million Home Where We Can Befriend Some Rays

Tom Ley

Rays Week

It’s No Longer Rays Week

David Roth

Mets shortstop Rey Ordonez leaps over a sliding Damon Berryhill in a 1997 MLB game.

There Isn’t Going To Be Another Rey Ordóñez

Dave McKenna

The Night Ray Fosse Got Hit By A Train

Patrick Redford

Father and son going on a fishing trip circa 1940's. (Photo by FPG/Getty Images)

I Am Not Ray Ratto’s Son

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

The stingray Potamotrygon jabuti, collected from the Tapajós river.

Where Did All These Freshwater Stingrays Come From?

Ray Ratto

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JULY 14: Christian Bethancourt #14 of the Tampa Bay Rays is congratulated after scoring a run in the seventh inning during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field on July 14, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Rays Go Undefeated In Rays Week

Amy Schneider is a software engineer, cat owner, and Jeopardy champion who posts about her experiences on Twitter @Jeopardamy. She used to have a podcast, and odds are she will again some day.

Amy Schneider

Where Are You Jimmy Ray?

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 17: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns reacts in the first half of game five of the NBA Finals at Footprint Center on July 17, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Suns And Deandre Ayton Are Stuck With Each Other A Little While Longer

Samer Kalaf

A Review Of Three Eateries Across The Ray’s Spectrum

Podcasts

In Search Of The Impossible Trade, With Kazeem Famuyide

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

The animated Ray Jay Johnson as he appeared in a season 13 episode of The Simpsons.

Ray Jay Johnson And Other People I Know Only From ‘The Simpsons’

Lauren Theisen

In Shock Move, Johnny Gaudreau Signs To Play In Former Home Of Editorial Cartoonist Ray Evans

Barry Petchesky

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

The Read Planet: Let’s Discuss ‘The Martian Chronicles’

And Now, The Raybag

A manta ray perches at a cleaning station, where tiny fish clean its skin. The Ray Week logo is also here in the bottom left corner, featuring easter egg remoras.

The Ocean’s Hottest Club Is A Manta Ray

Julio Rodriguez of the Mariners exulting after a win, near the Rays Week badge.

When The Joy Of Suck Fades

‘Ray Of Light’ Turned Madonna From Star To Legend

Kathryn Xu

The Best Time To Watch The Rays Is After Midnight

Here Is Your “Game Of The Century” Open Thread

Rey Mysterio Was The Absolute Shit In The ’90s

A picture of US photographer and artist Man Ray and his wife US dancer and model Juliet Man Ray sits on their vandalized grave.

What Makes Autobiographical Writing Good?

Justin Ellis

How To Be A Good Friend: Do Not Expose Your Pals To Cosmic Rays

Corey Atad is a freelancer writer based in Toronto with an unhealthy Air Bud obsession.

Corey Atad

Premiere Of HBO's "All The Way" - Arrivals

Ray Wise Has Always Been More Than “That Guy”

Ray Bourque Was The Quintessential Old Guy Who Chased Down A Cup

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks during the 2022 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2022 in New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Adam Silver Is Full Of Bad Ideas Nobody Wants

Ray Kroc Once Got On The PA And Called His San Diego Padres Stupid In Front Of Everyone

Ray Ferraro’s Been Enjoying His Need-To-Know Marriage

Luis Paez-Pumar

Red Sox Defeated By Rays Week Magic

Billy Haisley

Rey Manaj of Spezia Calcio celebrates after scoring the 1-1 goal during the Serie A match between US Salernitana and Spezia Calcio at Stadio Arechi on February 07, 2022 in Salerno, Italy.

Relegated Watford Pretends That Everybody Loves Rey Manaj

Rey Enigma taking on legendary chess player Garry Kasparov