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Defector

David Roth

Phillie Phanatic, mascot of the Philadelphia Phillies, pumps up the crowd with some of his signature goofy antics during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, August 9-11, 1982, at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania back in 1982. The turf looks crazy. His weird tongue is sticking out.

Podcasts

The Last Mayor Of Philadelphia

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (R) and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjirō Koizumi talk between sets during their workout on January 15, 2026 in Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia.

Ideologically Opposed To Proper Workout Form, With Patrick Wyman

Masked ICE agents and demonstrators face off as protests broke out following the shooting of a Venezuelan man by a Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 14, 2026.

What It’s Like When ICE Invades Your City, With Arif Hasan

Head coach Pete Carroll of the Las Vegas Raiders speaks with Atonio Mafi #56 prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on January 4. The Raiders actually won this one but fired Carroll shortly after.

That Is Way Too Much Raiders, With Kalyn Kahler

People take in a fireworks show on Lake Ontario at midnight from HTO Park in Toronto on January 1 2026.

Goodbye To All That

Products line the shelves at a Williams-Sonoma store on April 29, 2024 in Miami, Florida.

Espresso Doodad Roulette, With Matt Selman

Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears walks off the field after a loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 7, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

All Things Must Pass, With Matthew Coller

Exhaust fumes adding to the air pollution in Santiago, Chile, in 1962.

Another Side Of Carbon Dioxide, With Peter Brannen

A barn near Litchfield, Connecticut. It is painted in a faded red, and there's an American flag painted on the front of it. The Distraction logo is at upper right.

A Long Weekend In “Magary Country”

Red-legged Pademelon in the rainforest, Daintree, Queensland, Australia.

A Big World Full Of Friendly Little Guys, With Nathan Thornburgh

This December 16, 2016 photo illustration taken in Washington, DC. shows the definition for the word "Surreal" in a copy of the Webster's Desktop Dictionary.

The Man Who Defined “Sheeple,” With Stefan Fatsis

A screenshot of Matt Damon getting bad news from Paddy Considine in The Bourne Supremacy. The Distraction logo is at lower left.

Pretending To Be Someone Else In An Uber, With Rohan Nadkarni

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the first inning during Game Five of the 2025 World Series. The Distraction logo is at upper left and the light above the stadium is lovely.

I Like To Get A Solid 12 Hours

Shohei Ohtani rs rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game four of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. The Distraction logo is at upper left.

No That’s Too Good, With Justin Halpern

Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on October 13, 2025 in Landover, Maryland.

The Most Difficult Job In The World, With Seth Wickersham

People walk past an installation showcasing the Riyadh Comedy Festival at Boulevard City in the Hittin neighborhood of Riyadh on October 6, 2025. The Distraction logo is at upper right.

Maxing Out The Candle Budget, With Eli Yudin

<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>


Drew Magary

Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers reacts during Game One of the American League Wild Card Series between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Guardians.

Hunting For The Wettest Guys Of The MLB Playoffs, With Lauren Theisen

Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on September 14, 2025. The Distraction logo is at upper left.

Analytics, Feel, And The Bathroom Sandwich Scenario, With Andy Behrens And Christopher Harris

Jalen Hurts looking thoughtful after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in the game at Arrowhead Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Kansas City. The Distraction logo is at upper left.

Teaching Jalen Hurts How To Complain, With Dan McQuade

General manager Ryan Poles of the Chicago Bears looks on prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on November 17, 2024. He is scowling under a hoodie.

Management Secrets Of Assholes, And Five Years Of Defector

Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens participates in warmups prior to the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Fun Kind Of Bad Vs. The Boring Kind Of Good, With Mina Kimes

Justin Jefferson wearing sunglasses and looking up and to the left, smiling widely. He's not in uniform. I put the little Defector logo up there so it looks like he's smiling at it.

Jerry Jones Promises He’ll Be Normal, With Kalyn Kahler

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates a point against Jannik Sinner of Italy during the Men’s Singles Final match on Day Fifteen of the 2025 French Open at Roland Garros on June 08, 2025 in Paris, France.

A Forehand That Sounds Like Construction Equipment, With Giri Nathan

Soda packaging are seen at the grocery store in Las Vegas, United States on November 17, 2023.

A Very Fine Cheerwine, With Emma Baccellieri

Isabelle Harrison and Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty making some fantastic What Can You Do faces on the bench during a July 25 game against the Phoenix Mercury.

The Distraction