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

Kelsey McKinney

nick castellanos is celebrated after hitting a walk off

What I’ll Remember About The Phillies

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


Chris Thompson

Jackson Chourio of the Brewers looks bummed.

The Zippy Brewers Appear To Have Misplaced Their Magic

Kathryn Xu

Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate as they run past relief pitcher Orion Kerkering #50 of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Phillies Go Down Swinging And Missing, And Throwing And Missing

The Blue Jays celebrate their Game 4 victory.

The Blue Jays Have The Juice

Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with Randy Arozarena #56 after hitting a two-run home run.

What Mariners Magic Looks Like Now

Barry Petchesky

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 07: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a game-tying three-run home run in the fourth inning of Game Three of the American League Division Series presented by Booking.com between the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

October Is For Big Boys

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos #8 slides into Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts #50 on third base.

Never Bunt

Ray Ratto

Jorge Polanco of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Detroit Tigers during the fourth inning in game two of the Division Series at T-Mobile Park on October 5, 2025 in Seattle.

The Mariners Are Not Going To Give Up On October Without A Fight

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays tosses his bat after hitting a grand slam.

The Blue Jays Are Trying To Mercy Rule The Yankees

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 02: Cam Schlittler #31 of the New York Yankees celebrates during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox in game three of the American League Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium on October 02, 2025 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)

Now You Know About Cam Schlittler

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 01: Steven Kwan #38, Petey Halpin #0, and Daniel Schneemann #10 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrate after beating the Detroit Tigers 6-1 in game two of the American League Wild Card Series at Progressive Field on October 01, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Let’s Play Three

Lauren Theisen

Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees rounds third base to score a go-ahead run

Jazz Chisholm Flew

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 01: Freddy Fermin #54 and Mason Miller #22 of the San Diego Padres interact during Game Two of the National League Wild Card Series between the San Diego Padres and the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

This Is As Close To Unhittable As A Pitch Gets

Samer Kalaf

Trent Grisham strikes out to end the game as the Yankees lose, 3-1

I Am Writing This Red Sox Blog Of My Own Free Will

A camera that has been absolutely obliterated by a baseball from the first game of the Tigers/Guardians series in the 2025 MLB Playoffs.

Camera Absolutely Wrecked By Baseball

Defector Staff

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates with teammates in the locker room after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-0 to clinch the National League West title.

Everything We’re Looking Forward To In The 2025 MLB Playoffs

Elly De La Cruz attempts to drink from an empty champagne bottle.

The Sneaky Little Reds Avoid Being Squished By The Boot Of Elimination

Noelvi Marte #16 of the Cincinnati Reds leaps to make a catch in the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates

It’s A Big Baseball Weekend For Big Baseball Things!

Does Hatred Of The Astros Spring Eternal?

Tom Ley

Eddie Rosario And The Braves Are A Perfect Match

The Braves Have Nothing To Lose And A Lot To Steal

The Giants And Dodgers Are Looking In The Mirror

Dodgers-Giants Is More Than An Old-Timey Newsreel

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 07: Randy Arozarena #56 of the Tampa Bay Rays steals home against Christian Vazquez #7 of the Boston Red Sox in the seventh inning during Game 1 of the American League Division Series at Tropicana Field on October 07, 2021 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)