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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

Dave McKenna

MUNICH, GERMANY - JUNE 4: Drummer Charlie Watts Perform at the opening night of the European leg of The Rolling Stones Forty Licks Tour at the Olimpiahalle Spiridon on June 4, 2003 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Getty Images)

Music

Charlie Watts Knew It’s Not The Drummer, It’s The Song

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

Elgin Baylor, The Greatest And Most Important Athlete To Ever Come Out Of Washington, D.C., Is Dead

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<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>
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Charles P. Pierce

The Fights

Marvelous Marvin Hagler Wouldn’t Bend

Tom Ley

Today Is The Day To Watch Marvelous Marvin Hagler’s Greatest Fight

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


Dan McQuade

For One Season, Rheal Cormier Was Lights Out

David Roth

Albert Burneko

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

Politics

Point/Counterpoint: Rush Limbaugh

Ray Ratto

Pedro Gomez, Without Pretense

Lauren Theisen

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

SOPHIE Was The Future

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

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

Soccer

Diego Maradona Was Soccer’s First And Last Deity

Obits