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

David Roth

Kurt Suzuki, left, takes questions after being announced as the new manager of the Los Angeles Angels by General Manager Perry Minasian during a press conference at the stadium in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. He looks kind of freaked out.

Congratulations Kurt Suzuki, You Get To Manage The Opossum House

Ray Ratto

George Springer of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates while rounding the bases after hitting a three-run home run to take the lead in the seventh inning during Game Seven of the American League Championship Series. He's like 18 inches off the ground and everyone in the stands is freaking out.

More Of This, Please

Manager Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on against the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS. He's been doing a lot of "looking on."

Dave Roberts Can Afford To Take It Easy

Lauren Theisen

New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine and catcher Mike Piazza applaud

The MLB App Won’t Stop Forcing Me To Remember 9/11

Kathryn Xu

Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners prepares to bat in the first inning, in front of the backdrop of the CN Tower.

Everything’s Coming Up Mariners

<p>Patrick Dubuque is a writer and editor at Baseball Prospectus.</p>


Patrick Dubuque

Hot Dog Guys or Loonie Dog Kings Jody Matheson (r) and Ryan Ruston ( l) get welcomed back to the park and looking forward to loonie dogs. This was taken on the day of the Toronto Blue Jays' 2025 home opener.

Catch The Game Like Never Before

Kelsey McKinney

nick castellanos is celebrated after hitting a walk off

What I’ll Remember About The Phillies

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Jackson Chourio of the Brewers looks bummed.

The Zippy Brewers Appear To Have Misplaced Their Magic

Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate as they run past relief pitcher Orion Kerkering #50 of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Phillies Go Down Swinging And Missing, And Throwing And Missing

The Blue Jays celebrate their Game 4 victory.

The Blue Jays Have The Juice

Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with Randy Arozarena #56 after hitting a two-run home run.

What Mariners Magic Looks Like Now

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays tosses his bat after hitting a grand slam.

The Blue Jays Are Trying To Mercy Rule The Yankees

<p>Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including <em>Point B</em>. Handsomest man in the world.</p>


Drew Magary

Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers reacts during Game One of the American League Wild Card Series between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Guardians.

Podcasts

Hunting For The Wettest Guys Of The MLB Playoffs, With Lauren Theisen

Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees rounds third base to score a go-ahead run

Jazz Chisholm Flew

Bruce Bochy, manager of the Texas Rangers looks on before the game against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Field on September 7, 2025 in Arlington, Texas.

Bruce Bochy May Or May Not Be The Future Of The San Francisco Giants

Defector Staff

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates with teammates in the locker room after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-0 to clinch the National League West title.

Everything We’re Looking Forward To In The 2025 MLB Playoffs

Elly De La Cruz attempts to drink from an empty champagne bottle.

The Sneaky Little Reds Avoid Being Squished By The Boot Of Elimination

<p><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">Marc Normandin currently writes on baseball’s labor issues and more at </span><a style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif" href="http://marcnormandin.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://marcnormandin.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1758998321491000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ZpjG5RUFwdpapWqR1u4bd">marcnormandin.com</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">, which you can read for free but support </span><a style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif" href="https://www.patreon.com/marcnormandin">through his Patreon</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">. His baseball writing has appeared at FOX Sports, SB Nation, Defector, Global Sport Matters, Deadspin, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Sports on Earth, The Guardian, The Nation, FAIR, and TalkPoverty, and you can read his takes on video games at Retro XP and Endless Mode.</span></p>
<div class="gs">
<div class="">
<div class="WhmR8e" data-hash="0"></div>
</div>
</div>


Marc Normandin

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred (L) speaks with owner Tom Ricketts of the Chicago Cubs during the 2027 Chicago All-Star Game Announcement before a game between the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Manfred's got shades on.

Rob Manfred’s Two Jobs

Noelvi Marte #16 of the Cincinnati Reds leaps to make a catch in the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates

It’s A Big Baseball Weekend For Big Baseball Things!

John Schneider argues with umpire Gabe Morales.

John Schneider Seeks A Cure For The Blue Jays’ Case Of Loser Brain

Cubs Rookie Matt Shaw Is Exactly Charlie Kirk’s Type

Jacob Young Kicked The Mets While They’re Down

HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 20: Victor Robles #10 of the Seattle Mariners makes a diving catch to end the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on September 20, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)

Victor Robles To The Rescue!

Sean Kuhn

An Immaculate Grid filled in with the most-remembered people from the Defector/Immaculate Grid collaboration week.