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

Lauren Theisen

Albert Pujols Is Still Here

David Roth

Seattle Mariners reliever Paul Sewald hushes the crowd in Anaheim down the stretch of his team's failed 2021 playoff run.

How Did The Mariners Even Get This Close?

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees socks a mega dinger off the wall in left, for a single.

This Is So Stupid

Where Were You When Giancarlo Stanton Socked This Epic Out-Of-The-Park Dinger Against The Red Sox?

Ray Ratto

TORONTO, ONTARIO - OCTOBER 3: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts to a Boston Red Sox home run as they play the Washington Nationals on the big screen at the Rogers Centre, after the Blue Jays defeated the Baltimore Orioles in their MLB game, on October 3, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)

There Should Be Baseball Today, Damn It

102 Wins Usually Feels Better Than This

Kalyn Kahler

My White Whale Is The Story Of An MLB Veteran Paying His Teammates To Get Vaccinated

Cedric Mullins hears it from the Baltimore faithful.

Cedric Mullins Is Just Super Cool

God Help Us, The Cardinals Are Good And Blessed And Fun

Ryan Borucki chirps at Kevin Kiermaier after plunking him in the back.

Reports Of Agua Passing Under The Bridge Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

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

Dan McQuade

Bryce Harper looks kinda angry when celebrating, while Andrew Knapp hugs him from behind. They're clearly at home plate, and fans behind them are excited

The Phillies Are Closing An Enthralling, Excruciating Season

Kevin Kiermaier looks at a card after sliding into home

The Blue Jays And Rays Had A Great Beef Going And Then Cruelly Squelched It

Jesús Sánchez Makes It Interesting

Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis exchange words in the dugout

The Padres Have Fallen Apart

The San Quentin Athletics pose for a team photo for the prison newspaper before their game against Club Mexico on April 29, 2017 in San Quentin, California.

Throw These Slow-Playing Bozos In Baseball Jail

Please Do Not Throw Baseballs At Shohei Ohtani

Tom Ley

Ryan Braun’s Legacy Is A Poison Pill

Against My Better Judgment, I’m Into The Expanded Wild Card

Max Scherzer acknowledges the crowd during his historic game.

Max Scherzer Got Here By Being A Maniac

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. slides into second base against the Orioles.

The Orioles Must Help Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Hit For The Triple Crown

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. celebrates hitting a homer against the Boston Red Sox.

The Dream Of A Postseason Without The Yankees And Red Sox Is Still Alive

Wander Franco Is Streaking

Juan Soto gives the thumbs-up are another intentional walk.