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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

Enter Our Raffle To Win A Visit And Home-Cooked Meal From Drew Magary

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tip jar sweepstakes

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Ray Ratto

FLUSHING, NY - AUGUST 08: Chicago Cubs First Baseman Jeimer Cajndelario (9) and Chicago Cubs Center Fielder Cody Bellinger (24) hi five to celebrate the victory after the Major League Baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and the New York Mets on August 8, 2023, at Citi Field in Flushing, NY. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)

MLB: AUG 08 Cubs at Mets

The Cubs Have Been Good All Along

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 25: Erik Karlsson of the San Jose Sharks speaks with the media at the 2023 NHL Awards player availability at the Bridgestone Arena on June 25, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

2023 NHL Awards – Player Availability

Erik Karlsson Had To Go

A football and helmet set up outside the Pac-12's media days in Las Vegas, which were held just a few weeks before the conference ceased to exist.

2023 Pac-12 Football Media Day

Death To The NCAA

The Market Made A Meal Out Of The Pac-12

Custom painted Pac-12 University of Colorado Buffaloes football on display at Zouk Nightclub at Resorts World Las Vegas on July 21, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

College Football

In Realignment, It’s Survival Of The Fattest

(Original Caption) 8/27/1951-St. Louis, MO-: Bill Veeck, new owner of the St. Louis Browns, who believes that a zany atmosphere in baseball is good "box office," carried his idea to a new high when he staged a "grandstand managers" night when the Brownies played the Philadelphia Athletics. Fans who always know what the managers of the opposing teams "shouldda done" were given the opportunity to vote on decisions. Here, Jay Edson, of the Browns publicity staff, is asking the Board of Managers to decide on a pitcher.

Man Holding Sign near Grandstand Audience

History

The Best Team Is One That Can’t Hurt You Anymore

New York Mets general manager Billy Eppler during a spring training workout on Feb. 18, 2023 in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

New York Mets General Manager Billy Eppler

The Mets Threw Some More Money At Their Problems

Aaron Civale #43 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates during inter-league play at PNC Park on July 19, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Cleveland Guardians v Pittsburgh Pirates

The Guardians Picked A Direction

Max Scherzer #21 of the New York Mets looks on during the fifth inning of a spring training game against the Houston Astros at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 18, 2023 in West Palm Beach, Florida.

New York Mets v Houston Astros

Bereft Of Blockbuster Trades, Max Scherzer Will Have To Suffice

Manuela Vanegas of Colombia celebrates after scoring her team's second goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Group H match between Germany and Colombia at Sydney Football Stadium on July 30, 2023 in Sydney, Australia.

Germany v Colombia: Group H – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

Soccer

Colombia Made The Ground Shake And Stunned Germany

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JULY 01:The sky lights up as the Kansas City Royals take on the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning at Kauffman Stadium on July 01, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images) ***Local Caption***

Los Angeles Dodgers v Kansas City Royals

The Royals Have No Good Argument For A New Stadium

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JULY 23: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts in the dugout during the first inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 23, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Pirates v Los Angeles Angels

Let’s Get Weird. Let’s Send Shohei Ohtani To The A’s

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Defector At The Movies

Barbenheimer: The Ratto Review

FLUSHING, NY - JULY 18: New York Mets Catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) reacts as he rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run during the sixth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and New York Mets on July 18, 2023, at Citi Field in Flushing, NY. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

MLB: JUL 18 White Sox at Mets

The Fellas Were Raking

DeAndre Hopkins holds his helmet during a game between the Patriots and Cardinals.

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DeAndre Hopkins Willingly Agrees To Catch The Rare Titans Pass

Sabrina Ionescu shoots a three-pointer during the contest

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WNBA

Sabrina Ionescu Broke The Three-Point Contest

Carolin Simon of Germany, Klara Buehl of Germany and Alexandra Popp of Germany look on during the Women's international friendly between Germany and Zambia at Sportpark Ronhof Thomas Sommer on July 7, 2023 in Fuerth, Germany.

Germany v Zambia – Women’s International Friendly

It’s All Set Up For Germany To Reclaim World Cup Glory

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 02: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visits "The Faulkner Focus"at Fox News Channel Studios on June 02, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Visits “The Faulkner Focus”

Politics

Things Got Ugly At RFK Jr.’s Fart Dinner

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 08: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds is congratulated by Elly De La Cruz #44 and Jake Fraley #27 after a three-run home run in the fourth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on July 08, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

Cincinnati Reds v Milwaukee Brewers

The Reds Are Dirty Boys

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 10: Former NFL head coach John Gruden is seen in attendance during the UFC 282 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 10, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

UFC 282: Saaiman v Koslow

Jon Gruden Was The Mark

Liv Golf Commissioner Greg Norman rects after the 2023 Liv Golf tournament in Adelaide on April 23, 2023. (Photo by Brenton Edwards /

GOLF-AUS-LIV

Golf

The PGA Tour-LIV Golf Merger Floated Up From A Sea Of Desperate Ideas

LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 2: Head coach Pat Fitzgerald of the Northwestern Wildcats watches the team warm up before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 2, 2021 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)

Northwestern v Nebraska

Northwestern Has Bigger Problems Than Pat Fitzgerald

&lt;&gt; on December 7, 2009 in New York, New York.

New York Times Seeks Buyouts Before Imposing Layoffs

Journalismism

The Slow Hemorrhage Of The American Sports Desk

French women's football captain Wendie Renard (C) runs with her teammates during the team's first training session in Melbourne on July 10, 2023, ahead of their international friendly against Australia. Teams are arriving in Australia and New Zealand to prepare for the upcoming Women's World Cup 2023 football tournament. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

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France Is Riding The High Of Defeating A Shitty Boss

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 05: Umpire Quinn Wolcott #81 hands the bat of Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds back to him as manager David Bell #25 looks on in the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 05, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Cincinnati Reds v Washington Nationals

Elly De La Cruz Is The Guy

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 24: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers watches from the bench during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at Moda Center on March 24, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)