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

Ray Ratto

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 05: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox watches his two run home run against the New York Yankees during the first inning of the American League Wild Card game at Fenway Park on October 05, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

It Got Late Early Out There For The Yankees

Samer Kalaf

Jose Iglesias #12, Xander Bogaerts #2, Rafael Devers #11 and Kyle Schwarber #18 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate after a 7-5 victory against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on October 03, 2021 in Washington, DC.

AL Wild-Card Race Ends With Absolutely No Chaos

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


Dan McQuade

A dugout scene, overhead from 3/4 perspective. An umpire is falling over the dugout railing and into the dugout

Gio Urshela Makes Catch Then Tumbles Into Dugout, Followed By Angel Hernandez

Patrick Redford

during a game at Marlins Park on July 27, 2017 in Miami, Florida.

Joe West, Protagonist Of Baseball, Celebrates Looming Retirement By Ruining Game

Tom Ley

Umpire Claims He Was Protecting Grounds Crew When He Shooed Them Away Like Unwanted Varmints

Albert Burneko

Derek Jeter, New York Yankees, stretches toward a ground ball

Please Explain To Me What The Hell Aaron Boone Is Trying To Say About Derek Jeter

Don’t Let These Damn Yankees Sneak Up On You

Barry Petchesky

DYERSVILLE, IOWA - AUGUST 12: Members of the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees take the field prior to a game at the Field of Dreams on August 12, 2021 in Dyersville, Iowa. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

MLB Likes What It Sees When It Looks Backward

Lauren Theisen

The Weird Baseball Is Upon Us

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 03: Anthony Rizzo #48 of the New York Yankees celebrates in the dugout with his teammates after scoring a run during the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on August 03, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Anthony Rizzo Is The Latest Yankee With COVID

Things Somehow Got Worse For The Yankees

BOSTON, MA - JULY 22: Hunter Renfroe #10 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated by Matt Barnes #32 after his game-winning sacrifice fly in the 10th inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on July 22, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

If George Were Alive, This Would’ve Killed Him Again

The Yankees And Astros Have Engaged In A Shirt-Based Beef

Luis Paez-Pumar

Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on July 10, 2021 in Houston, Texas.

Gerrit Cole Cussed A Bunch Then Went The Distance

The Yankees Game Was Frickin’ Miserable

Paul O’Neill Forgets A Guy

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 3: Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees reacts against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium on June 3, 2021 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)

Defector Up All Night

Gerrit Cole, Asked Simple, Straightforward Yes/No Question: [5 Seconds Of Silence] [5 More Seconds Of Stammering] “I Don’t Quite Know How To Answer That”

<p>Paul Kix is an author, entrepreneur, and occasional podcaster. His writing has appeared in places like The New Yorker, GQ, ESPN, and The Wall Street Journal.</p>


Paul Kix

Parenting Lessons From An Ill-Advised Trip Into The Yankee Stadium Bleachers

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 07: Adam Ottavino #0 of the New York Yankees is pulled after walking Nelson Cruz #23 of the Minnesota Twins in game three of the American League Division Series at Target Field on October 07, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

MLB Has A Salary Cap

Dave McKenna

A Girl Named Lou: How A Fan’s Plan To Honor A Yankee Legend Went Awry

Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees hits a grand slam

Sorry, But The Yankees Are The Good Guys

Interim manager Sandy Alomar Jr. #15 removes starting pitcher Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Indians from the game during the fifth inning after giving up a two run homer

Aaron Judge Shattered Shane Bieber’s Aura Of Invincibility

Luke Voit #59 of the New York Yankees hits a three-run home run during the second inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium