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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

Patrick Redford

A photo of Zalokar oout out by the National Parks Service as they sought information about him.

The Great Outdoors

Champion Marathoner Fred Zalokar Found Dead In Yosemite

Greg Noll, The Surfer Who Became A Myth, Is Dead At 84

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


Chris Thompson

Science

Is Lightning A Fraud? Sadly, Yes [Update]

This photo taken on May 22, 2021 shows rescuers assisting people who were competing in a 100-kilometre cross-country mountain race when extreme weather hit the area, leaving at least 20 dead, near the city of Baiyin in China's northwestern Gansu province. - China OUT (Photo by STR / AFP) / China OUT (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Extreme Weather At Ultramarathon In China Kills 21 Runners

<p>Craig Fehrman last wrote for Defector about <a href="https://defector.com/it-never-ends-like-it-should" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://defector.com/it-never-ends-like-it-should&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1775741247521000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1R6Fh05yMdaM2z1ukPQtbb">the death of Iris</a>, his NBA-loving neighbor. His book <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/This-Vast-Enterprise/Craig-Fehrman/9781982174248"><i>This Vast Enterprise: A New History of Lewis and Clark</i></a> comes out on April 21.</p>


Craig Fehrman

Life Lessons

It Never Ends Like It Should

Marvin Hagler at a fundraising event in 2006.

The Fights

Tommy Hearns Got The Ball Rolling On The Bullshit Anti-Vaxx Conspiracy Theory Of Marvin Hagler’s Death

<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="author-header-shares"></div>


Charles P. Pierce

Marvelous Marvin Hagler Wouldn’t Bend

David Roth

Albert Burneko

Rush Limbaugh, who has since died, celebrates after receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Politics

Point/Counterpoint: Rush Limbaugh

<div id=":g4.ma" class="Mu SP" title="January 26, 2021 at 2:34:42 PM UTC-5" data-tooltip="January 26, 2021 at 2:34:42 PM UTC-5"><span id=":g4.co" class="tL8wMe EMoHub" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/GoStevenGoldman">Steven Goldman</a> is a former BP editor-in-chief and current consulting editor. He is the author of the Casey Stengel biography <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Forging-Genius-Making-Casey-Stengel/dp/1574888749">Forging Genius</a> </i>and host of the long-running <a href="https://www.baseballprospectus.com/show/the-infinite-inning/"><i>Infinite Inning </i>podcast</a>, which sits at the crossroads of baseball, history, politics, and culture. His most recent book, which has an introduction by David Roth, is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Baseballs-Brief-Lives-Inspired-Infinite/dp/B0BBJTPGDF"><i>Baseball&#8217;s Brief Lives: Player-Stories Inspired by the Infinite Inning</i></a>.</span></div>
<div id=":g5.ma" class="Mu SP" data-tooltip="January 26, 2021 at 2:34:45 PM UTC-5"></div>


Steven Goldman

The late Don Sutton holding three baseballs marked to reflect the 324 games he won during his Hall of Fame career.

The Secret Success Of Don Sutton

Lauren Theisen

SOPHIE performs at Mojave Tent during the 2019 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival

Music

SOPHIE Was The Future

Ray Ratto

Hank Aaron, seen here laughing at a Mets/Braves game.

Henry Aaron Did It All, All The Time

7 Jul 1991: Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda yells during a game against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Mandatory Credit:

Tommy Lasorda Was The Showman Who Couldn’t Turn It Off

K.C. Jones Always Owned The Room

Billy Haisley

Rapper MF DOOM performs at a benefit concert for the Rhino Foundation at Central Park's Rumsey Playfield on June 28, 2005 in New York City.

The Infinite Gifts Of MF Doom

Luis Paez-Pumar

Pro Wrestling

Jon Huber Had Just Reached The Pinnacle Of Wrestling

Dave McKenna

Dick Allen, stylish to the last, throws out the first pitch at a Phillies game in 2009.

Dick Allen, Who Didn’t Like Fake Grass Or Being Fucked With, Is Dead

Defector Up All Night

Let’s Remember A Great Tommy Heinsohn Quote


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

Alex Trebek stands in front of a Jeopardy! board

Alex Trebek Was A Part Of Our Lives

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 17: Guitarist Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen performs during the 2015 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 17, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)