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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.

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Defector

New Defector Merch For Your Baby

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Merch v3


<p>charismatic megafauna (they/them)</p>


Typing

Sabrina Imbler

two penguins stand in front of an inflatable rainbow arch in a penguin enclosure

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Creaturefector

Sphen The Gay Penguin Broke The Ice

A round stingray (Urolophus halleri) I photographed in shallow water at Bolsa Chica wetlands (Southern California). The clouds of sand around the eyes and and body were formed as the stingray flapped and positioned deeper in the sand, expelling water. You can see the spiracles behind the eyes.

Urobatis_halleri_bolsa_chica_2

Charlotte, The Stingray At The Heart Of Scandal, Has Died

<p>Owen Lewis is a former Defector intern and co-founded the website <a href="http://popcorntennis.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://popcorntennis.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726234676777000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0PFWw6PL-FUqaCMME5TLqP">popcorntennis.com</a>. He wrote 63,000 words about the Novak Djokovic-Rafael Nadal rivalry that can be accessed for free at <a href="https://thegoldenrivalry.substack.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thegoldenrivalry.substack.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726234676777000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2OjAHpo4PVIhkx8Xd21lRJ">thegoldenrivalry.substack.com</a>.</p>


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Owen Lewis

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Journalismism

The ‘Longform’ Podcast Told The Story Of An Industry

Alex Belth

Journalist Grant Wahl (right) works in the FIFA Media Center before a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between Wales and USMNT at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on November 21, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. He had been detained earlier by stadium security for wearing a rainbow-colored t-shirt before later being allowed to enter the stadium.

Grant Wahl – USA v Wales: Group B – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Soccer

Remembering Grant Wahl, America’s Greatest Soccer Writer

<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>
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Charles P. Pierce

Portland Trail Blazers' Bill Walton, who received many accolades for his performance on the court, is depicted here. Walton would later go on to pursue a career off the court as a sports broadcaster and an actor in feature films.

Portrait of Bill Walton

Bill Walton Let His Joy Flourish

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Tom Scocca is the editor of <a href="http://indignity.net">Indignity</a>, a subscription-supported newsletter of news, essays, and commentary.</div>
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Tom Scocca

Attorney Peter Angelos talks about his law practice and his hopes about buying the Orioles.

Peter-Angelos

Peter Angelos Was The Ultimate Team Owner

<p>Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including <em>Point B</em>. Handsomest man in the world.</p>


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Drew Magary

TUNIS, TUNISIA - JULY 26 : A man reads a newspaper with the death of Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi (92) on the headline in the country in Tunis, Tunisia on July 26, 2019. (Photo by Yassine Gaidi/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi dies at 92

Funbag

I Have To Know Why You Died!

Dave McKenna

COLLEGE PARK, MD - FEBRUARY 6: Former Maryland head coach Lefty Driesell waves to the crowd during a timeout against Purdue on February 6, 2016 in College Park, MD.

NCAA Basketball: Purdue at Maryland

College Basketball

Lefty Driesell, Who Brought Winning To D.C. Sports, Has Died

<p>Sean T. Collins has written for The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Vulture, Decider, Pitchfork, and many others. He lives with his family on Long Island.</p>


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Sean T. Collins

TOM WILKINSON as Arthur Edens in Michael Clayton

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Defector At The Movies

Tom Wilkinson And His Baguettes Are Eternal

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Tom Ley

Henry Kissinger looking like a little goblin while watching a Yankees fan

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Yankees Honor Least Evil Fan

Texas Tech Red Raiders v Boston College Eagles

The Life Of That Unhappy Bobby Knight Is Brought To An End

WASHINGTON, D.C. - CIRCA 1966: First Baseman Frank Howard #9 of the Washington Senators bats during an Major League Baseball game circa 1966 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.. Howard played for the Senators from 1965-71. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Frank Howard

Washington Senators

Frank Howard Was The Only Senator Who Mattered

obituaries