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

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Lord Of The Long Ball Kyle Schwarber rounds the bases after another big fly.

What’s With This Damn Kyle Schwarber And All The Dingers!

Shohei Ohtani chuckles good-naturedly through a search for sticky stuff.

GunkWatch: Shohei Ohtani Laughs At Mere Mortals Who Need Sticky Stuff

Max Scherzer grimaces his way through a third goop check.

Joe Girardi’s Corncobbing Highlighted A Delightful Night For Sticky-Stuff Enforcement

<a href="https://twitter.com/Dwayne_Media" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dwayne</a> is a baseball fan from Atlanta, Georgia.

Dwayne

An illustration of Braves owner John Malone.

Better Hate An Owner

John Malone Hasn’t Really Thought About It

Lauren Theisen

Jacob deGrom Will Strike Out 20 If His Body Lets Him

David Roth

Gerrit Cole of the Yankees rubs up a baseball, with what we can presume is nothing at all, just a normal thing you do with your hands.

No League Cleans Up Its Own Mess Worse Than Baseball

Paul O’Neill Forgets A Guy

Gerrit Cole, seen here looking uncomfortable on the mound, if notably less uncomfortable than he seemed when asked whether he cheats.

Podcasts

Napoleonic Wars, Baseball Cheating, And Pandemic Television, With Michael Schur

Jake Fraley leaps to rob a walk-off home run.

10 Uninterrupted Minutes Of FRAYHAYLAYYYYY, Sure

This Is So Stupid

Is Today Aaron Harang’s Birthday? An Investigation

Patrick Dubuque is a writer and editor at Baseball Prospectus.

Patrick Dubuque

Giovanny Gallegos, seen here not being bothered about whatever sticky stuff he does or doesn't have on his glove.

The Dirty Little Secret About Breaking The Rules

Ronald Acuña Jr. crushes a ball to the moon.

Dinger Beauty Is A Joy Forever

A shell-shocked Carlos Martinez hands the ball to manager Mike Shildt after registering just two outs.

Cardinals Pitcher Carlos Martinez Takes An All-Time Ass-Whupping

<a href="https://twitter.com/cdgoldstein">Craig Goldstein</a> is the editor-in-chief of Baseball Prospectus and the co-host of <a href="https://www.baseballprospectus.com/show/five-and-dive/">the Five &amp; Dive podcast</a>.



Patrick Dubuque is a writer and editor at Baseball Prospectus.

Craig Goldstein and Patrick Dubuque

Dave Roberts removes Scott Alexander from a Dodgers game in May.

We Need A Restrictor Plate For Pitchers

Stephen Strasburg looks bummed as he leaves the field following another injury.

More Like Stephen Hamburger

Albert Burneko

Walter Johnson grips what looks like a cut fastball in 1925.

What Is Dealing, And What Is Not

White Sox Seating Area, Dedicated To Beloved Longtime Employee, Rededicated To Disliked Short-Term Employee

Matt Wieters, seen here catching for the Cardinals in a 2019 game.

Olympics

Team USA’s Preliminary Roster Is A Damn Symphony Of Baseball Guys

Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa, seen here trudging towards the pitcher's mound.

Tony La Russa Should Just Stay In His Office

Chas McCormick thrown out at home in the bottom of the 10th by Joey Gallo

I Want To See The Dang Throw!

Jarred Walsh of the Angels seen here getting frustrated after striking out, or remembering he's on the Angels.

What Are They Doing To The Baseballs, With Will Leitch

I Wonder If The Rockies Regret Dealing Nolan Arenado Yet

Mookie Betts an instant before something bad happens to him.

Mookie Betts Tagged Outrageously In Dick And Balls

Dave McKenna

President Nixon holds "a frank exchange of views" with a young basefall fan at the Washington Senators' Opening Day game versus the New York Yankees at RFK Stadium