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

<p><a href="https://twitter.com/cdgoldstein">Craig Goldstein</a> is the editor-in-chief of <em>Baseball Prospectus</em> and the co-host of <a href="https://www.baseballprospectus.com/show/five-and-dive/">the Five &amp; Dive podcast</a>.</p>


Craig Goldstein

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, seen here in Cooperstown, being weird.

Rob Manfred Has No Feel

Rafi Schwartz

Defector At The Movies

‘Mortal Kombat’ Should Have Had More Gore

<p><a href="https://twitter.com/ericnus">Eric Nusbaum</a> (words) is a writer based in Tacoma, Washington. He is the author of the book <i><a href="https://bookshop.org/books/stealing-home-los-angeles-the-dodgers-and-the-lives-caught-in-between-9781541742222/9781541742215">Stealing Home: Los Angeles, the Dodgers, and the Lives Caught in Between</a></i>. He is also a former editor at VICE.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/adamvillacin">Adam Villacin</a> (pictures) is an illustrator based in Joshua Tree, California. He has written, illustrated, and self-published roughly one hundred zines. He has worked with clients such as Nike, Jordan Brand, Adidas, Dr. Martens, and Fender in addition to editorial work for VICE and The Ringer. He’s also been drawing a musician every day for the last year and a half.</p>


Eric Nusbaum and Adam Villacin

History

A Man Can’t Live On His Own

Paul Blest

The Rise And Fall Of Grand Slam USA

The Greatest Pool Player In History Just Wanted To Hustle

<p>Patrick Dubuque is a writer and editor at Baseball Prospectus.</p>


Patrick Dubuque

Mariners outfield Tim Lopes can't catch a homer, just as Kevin Mather couldn't quite grasp how to shut up.

Kevin Mather Isn’t An Anomaly

Nick Greene

Book Excerpts That Don't Suck

A Couples Therapist Explains Wilt Chamberlain’s Most Impressive Record (No, Not That One)

<p>Ginny Searle is a writer and editor at Baseball Prospectus.</p>


Ginny Searle

Mickey Callaway during his time as manager of the New York Mets

Time To Untune That String

<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

The late Don Sutton holding three baseballs marked to reflect the 324 games he won during his Hall of Fame career.

The Secret Success Of Don Sutton

Lola Falana, who was a celebrity but never actually a part owner of the Mets.

Did Lola Falana Really Win A Cut Of The Mets Playing Baccarat In 1983 Atlantic City?

Chris Davis seen here immediately after making an out.

Chris Davis Is Still Here

<p><a href="https://twitter.com/yayroger">Roger Cormier</a> is a writer at Baseball Prospectus. He has two cats but is a friend to dogs too.</p>


Roger Cormier

Some pictures of Steve Christmas, a real baseball guy!

The Almost Unbelievable True Story Of Steve Christmas

How Baseball Was Solved, And Where It Got Us

<p><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">Marc Normandin currently writes on baseball’s labor issues and more at </span><a style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif" href="http://marcnormandin.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://marcnormandin.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1758998321491000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ZpjG5RUFwdpapWqR1u4bd">marcnormandin.com</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">, which you can read for free but support </span><a style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif" href="https://www.patreon.com/marcnormandin">through his Patreon</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">. His baseball writing has appeared at FOX Sports, SB Nation, Defector, Global Sport Matters, Deadspin, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Sports on Earth, The Guardian, The Nation, FAIR, and TalkPoverty, and you can read his takes on video games at Retro XP and Endless Mode.</span></p>
<div class="gs">
<div class="">
<div class="WhmR8e" data-hash="0"></div>
</div>
</div>


Marc Normandin

A back field at a MLB training facility in Glendale, Arizona.

Senne v. MLB Could Deliver Real Change For Minor Leaguers

Manuel Margot after being tagged out (or not!) attempting to steal home in Game 5 of the World Series

Instant Replay And The Perils Of Baseball At The Atomic Level

Robert Arthur

What Role Has Dave Roberts Played In Crafting Clayton Kershaw’s Playoff Narrative?

<p>Rob Mains is a writer at Baseball Prospectus.</p>


Rob Mains

Joe Morgan with fellow Reds legends Pete Rose, Barry Larkin, and Johnny Bench at the 2019 MLB All-Star Game.