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

Tom Ley

The Angels And Mariners Had A Big, Salty Brawl

Shohei Ohtani Is Doing All Kinds Of Crazy Shit Out There

Mike Trout’s All Better Now

Ray Ratto

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - MAY 15: Manager Joe Maddon #70 of the Los Angeles Angels signals the bullpen to make a pitching change against the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the seventh inning at RingCentral Coliseum on May 15, 2022 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Joe Maddon Rally Mohawk, Never Unveiled

Lauren Theisen

The Angels Have Tried Everything And They’re Still Losing

Defector Up All Night

The Angels Stink And Joe Maddon Has Paid The Price

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


Dan McQuade

Mike Trout signs autographs for Phillies fans

One Day, Maybe Mike Trout Will Finally Show Off For His Hometown Fans

David Roth

Disgraced former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich putting a mask on after getting pardoned for his many obvious crimes.

Podcasts

Blowout Season, Graft Culture, And Magnanimous Husband Mode


<p>Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


Diana Moskovitz

An exterior view of Angel Stadium of Anaheim before a game between the Oakland Athletics and the Los Angeles Angels on May 22, 2022 in Anaheim, California.

The Anaheim Corruption Scandal Confirms All Your Suspicions About How Stadium Deals Really Get Done

Shohei Ohtani Is Just Getting Started

Luis Paez-Pumar

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels on Opening Day at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 07, 2022 in Anaheim, California.

The Angels Have To Make It Happen

Shohei Ohtani Finally Let Loose

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


Chris Thompson

Please Do Not Throw Baseballs At Shohei Ohtani

The Angels Are Done, Shohei Is Hurt, And Yet He’s Still Blasting Monster Dingers

For One Night, The Orioles Were Better Than Shohei Ohtani

We Got Ohtani

Apologies To Shohei Ohtani, But This Is Funny

Kelsey McKinney

Some Guys Made Some Sick Catches Last Night

The Yankees Game Was Frickin’ Miserable

<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

Who Gets To Decide When A Contract Is Bad?

Shohei Ohtani Is In The Void

Mookie Betts an instant before something bad happens to him.

Mookie Betts Tagged Outrageously In Dick And Balls

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 02: Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels walks to the dugout after striking out against the Seattle Mariners ninth inning at T-Mobile Park on May 02, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Albert Pujols In Sun And Shade

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a double against the Texas Rangers in the second inning at Globe Life Field on April 26, 2021 in Arlington, Texas.