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Defector

Tom Ley

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan pitches in the top of the 9th inning during World Baseball Classic Championship between United States and Japan at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

Pitches Shohei Ohtani Threw To Mike Trout, Ranked

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


Chris Thompson

Trea Turner socks a huge freaking dinger.

Trea Turner Is Now Also A God Of Dingers

Patrick Redford

IOWA CITY, IOWA- FEBRUARY 26: Guard Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates with forward Monika Czinano #25 after their match-up against the Indiana Hoosiers at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, on February 26, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Caitlin Clark;Monika Czinano

College Basketball

Caitlin Clark, Real Hooper, Fears Nothing

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the Carabao Cup Final match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on February 26, 2023 in London, England.

Soccer

Manchester United Can Stand On Marcus Rashford’s Shoulders

PORTLAND, OR - FEBRUARY 26: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers scores career-high 71 points during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 26, 2023 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE

Damian Lillard Put Up The Purest 71 Points Ever Scored

Giri Nathan

Lauri Markkanen Is A Dude Now

Joel Embiid blocks Ja Morant's shot attempt.

When Joel Embiid Decides To Be A Monster, Look Out!

Defector Up All Night

The Sports Highlight Of The Day Is—LUSK CALLS THE SNOW DAY. BREAKING NEWS: LUSK CALLS THE SNOW DAY

<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

Justin Jefferson makes a one-handed catch

Great Hands Are Forever

Cam Thomas Is Vindication For Bucket Enthusiasts, If Not For The Nets

Caitlin Clark Knows When To Start The Show

Luis Paez-Pumar

Harold Castro of Leones del Caracas reacts after hitting a home run against Tiburones de la Guaira during the Game Six of the Venezuelan Baseball League Championship Series at the Universitario stadium in Caracas, on January 30, 2023.

Sports Don’t Get Much Better Than The Venezuelan Baseball Final

Getting To The Bottom Of Jaren Jackson Jr.’s So-Called “Blocks”

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Angel Reese Can Do It All Herself, Footwear Be Damned

Ja Morant Resumes Violence On Jakob Poeltl

Zion Williamson flexes during the pregame

Zion Williamson Left The Timberwolves Bruised And Salty

Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after making the game tying basket against the New York Knicks with one second left in regulation to send the game to overtime at American Airlines Center on December 27, 2022 in Dallas, Texas.

Luka Doncic Did A Funny Little Dance And Scored A 60-Point Triple-Double

Aaron Gordon Got Up

Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and OG Anunoby exchange high-fives.

The Raptors Deserve To Be Good

Deni Avdija of the Washington Wizards celebrates in the first quarter against the Charlotte Hornets

A Suggestion For How To Watch Your Puke Team Without Puking

Jimmy Butler Goes With The Flow

Ray Ratto

COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 07: Tage Thompson #72 of the Buffalo Sabres beats Elvis Merzlikins #90 of the Columbus Blue Jackets for his first of four goals in the first period of the game at Nationwide Arena on December 7, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

Let Tage Thompson Go For Seven, You Cowards

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


Dan McQuade

A.J. Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles catches a touchdown reception over Tre Avery #30 of the Tennessee Titans during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 04, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

A.J. Brown Wrecked His Old Team

Kylian Mbappé holds up two fingers to signify two goals scored.

Kylian Mbappé Scores Two Lovely Goals As France Puts Away Poland

Volleyball player dives into table. Blue court, table is press row but empty. South Dakota 1 point vs Houston 5 points Houston leads 1-2 (Best of 5)