FIFA 2026 World Cup – Celebrate with New LEGO Sets

 

I went to the mall this past weekend, and like I always do, I checked out the LEGO store to see what is new, and what to my wondering eyes did appear – brand new LEGO sets celebrating the FIFA 2026 World Cup competition!

While I was delightfully surprised to find the sets, I have to say that I was a little disappointed that I did not have advanced notice about these sets. Being a loyal LEGO VIP card holder for many years, I thought that I should have been sent an email announcing these sets weeks ago.

Thanks to my forgiving nature and love of LEGO, I put these feelings aside and decided to enjoy the moment and get some of the great sets that are currently available – there are 11 sets in all, but I am just including my personal favorites here. You can look at all the sets that are available at LEGO.com.

My Favorite LEGO 2026 World Cup Sets

LEGO Editions FIFA 2026 World Cup Official Trophy (43020) $199.00

Official Trophy with hidden figure

The size of this 2,842-piece set says it all – it's huge like the competition itself. Standing 14.5 inches tall and consisting of special molded golden bricks, it has the size and heft befitting the real thing. Oh, and there is special feature – a hidden 2026 World Cup mini-figure holding a small World Cup

I'd say this one is my favorite, and it is the essential one for your collection. Think about how great it will look on display surrounded by the other sets!

FYI - this set is only available for backorder now. 

Official Emblem Wall Art

LEGO Editions FIFA 2026 World Cup Official Emblem (43032) $24.99

If you want the cup for a lesser price, this 298-piece set is a good option for you. It will display nicely on the wall above the other World Cup sets that you are displaying.

Lego Editions Soccer Ball (43019) $129.99

Soccer Ball with micro stadium

This 1,498-piece set is a collector's dream. It's based on size 5 soccer ball used in official games. Inside there is a micro stadium scene!

I'm definitely starting my 2026 World Cup display with this ball and the trophy in the middle of the table!

Lego Editions U.S. Soccer Team Jersey (43033) $24.99

The U.S. jersey set

For those of you who are rooting for the home team – I'm definitely watching all the U.S. Team matches – this is the set for you. Reasonably priced too!

This 167-piece set features the team jersey and two players. You can customize your design with any numbers – 0-99 – to make the set your own. Great for display on your wall next to your World Cup Emblem set!

Player Sets

LEGO Editions Lionel Messi - Celebration (43018) $199.99

This set has 1,427 pieces and becomes a 3D colorful wall art showing Messi in his signature move of pointing to the sky – after he scores a goal it's a way to honor his late grandmother – and he is seen against a colorful jersey background. 

Messi Legend set

LEGO Editions Lionel Messi - Soccer Legend (43015)  $79.99

This 958-piece set gives you two building options – Messi pointing to the sky or dribbling the ball across the pitch. 

Lego Editions Cristiano Ronaldo - Soccer Legend (43016) $79.99

You get 854 pieces for this set that also allows you to pose Ronaldo in two positions – his famous "Siuuu" celebration or making a mid-air kick. 

The Verdict

All the sets are exciting, colorful, and bring your favorite players to you. These and other sets that are available allow you to enjoy the World Cup experience while participating in some fun builds along the way. 

These are my favorite LEGO Editions 2026 World Cup sets. There are more to choose from. Get your favorite ones today!

*Please check out this video which includes all the LEGO Editions 2026 World Cup sets but also shows you how long it takes to build each one. Enjoy!

FIFA World Cup – Argentina's Lionel Messi Makes History with Record Breaking Goals

 

I have been trying to keep up with so many matches in FIFA's World Cup broadcasts, but I have to admit to focusing on two aspects of the tournament – watching the USA team matches and the Argentina team matches. 

In the first case I'm watching because I'm rooting for my country's team. Up to this point, the USA team has done better than I think many people suspected. The team has won two matches in the group stage and has never been in this position before. They are heading to the knockout rounds, and I'm very happy about that.

As for the Argentina team, I'm watching because I want to see Lionel Messi play. Argentina has also won two matches in the group stage and is heading for the knockout rounds. Messi leads his team with talent and style, and watching him play is a lesson of infinite grace. He is just a joy to watch.

How Lionel Messi Made History

Messi after scoring his record goals

During the first half of Argentina's match against Austria in Dallas, Texas, Messi kicked his 17th World Cup goal to give his team a 1-0 lead. This makes Messi the all-time men's FIFA World Cup goalscorer, breaking the Miroslav Klose's long held record of 16 World Cup goals. 

In the second half, Messi scored another goal giving him 18 goals in World Cup matches. This certainly proves the Messi is the GOAT in the sport of soccer/football. At 38 years old, he seems certainly still at the top of his game and is making each match he plays an exciting experience.

Lionel Messi's Humble Beginning

Lionel Andres Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, raised by his working-class parents Jorge and Celia who were from Spanish and Italian families. He grew up in a football loving atmosphere, and Lionel developed a love of the sport early in his life. 

At the age of four he joined a local boys' team that was coached by his father. His maternal grandmother (also named Celia) would always go to watch him training and his matches. She died when he was 11, and Lionel was affected by her loss. Until this day, when Lionel scores a goal he looks up and points to the sky as a tribute to his grandmother. 

A Health Challenge

A young Messi loved soccer

At the age of 10, Lionel was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency, threatening his future as a professional player. He began growth hormone therapy when he was 11 years old. His father's health plan only covered the regimen for two years, and after that they struggled to find ways to pay for it because it was expensive.

One of Lionel's coaches at the time, Adrain Coria, said of him, "He's a dwarf; he's too fragile." But the man recognized his talent overcame any deficiency in height. Coria realized that size meant nothing compared to Lionel's abilities and drive for success. 

The Napkin Contract

Messi usually kicks with his left foot

The Messi family had relatives in Spain, so they brought Lionel there to Catalonia when he was 13 for a trial with Barcelona. First team director Carles Rexach wanted to sign him immediately, but he got pushback from the board of directors because it was unusual to sign a foreign player at such a young age.

On December 14, 2000, the Messi family pushed for Rexach to make a commitment or they would move on to look for other opportunities for Lionel. Rexach wanted to seal the deal, but had no paper with him at the time, so he wrote a contract on a paper napkin. In February 2001, the Messi family relocated to Barcelona. The rest, as it is often said, is history – Lionel Messi again and again proving Rexach right for believing in him. 

Barcelona

Messi makes an impression on the pitch!

Messi made his debut on Barcelona's first team on October 16, 2004, at 17 years old. He scored his first goal May 1, 2005, making him the youngest scorer for the team at that time. He was the youngest player to represent Barcelona, and the club won the league title that season. 

When Messi turned 18, he signed his first senior league contract. As he continued to impress on the pitch, his contract was extended to 2010. A few months later, as Messi consistently amazed fans and team officials, his contract was extended to 2014 and his salary was doubled. Messi was on his way to fame and fortune. 

Becoming a Legend

Messi celebrates his fourth Ballon d'Or

During the 2012-2013 season, Messi became Barcelona's all-time top scorer, and he surpassed Gerd Muller for most goals scored in a calendar year. Messi won the FIFA Ballon d'Or for the fourth time, becoming the first player to achieve this accomplishment. 

Messi signed a new contract that kept him with Barcelona until 2018, and he wore the captain's armband for the first time. He was the top scorer in Spain and Europe for the second straight year, and he also became the first player to win the European Golden Shoe for the third time. 

Paris-St. Germain

After making his farewells in Barcelona, Messi joined Ligue 1 Paris-St. Germain for a two-year contract 2021-2023. He chose the number 30 for his uniform – which was the number he first wore with Barcelona. Although the team won the league title, Messi had disappointing season that saw him score just 6 goals.

Ronaldo and Messi with awards

Messi had a much better 2022-2023 season, and during a match against Nice scored his 702nd goal. He surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo as the all-time highest goalscorer in European club football. At the end of the season he had 21 goals and highest number of assists with 16, which helped PSG clinch its second straight Ligue 1 title. At the end of the season Messi decided not to renew his contract. 

Inter Miami CF

On July 15, 2023, Major League Soccer (MLS) team Miami CF announced that Messi had signed a contract with them. Messi's pay set an MLS record at $50 million. Messi's arrival in the United States raised the popularity of the sport in the country, and also brought awareness of the MLS abroad. 

Messimania in Miami

Messi's presence on the Miami team immediately brought results – the club's games were being sold out. Messi's number 10 jersey was the best-selling jersey in the league and very popular around the world. The excitement and attention on him began being called Messimania! Of course, Messi was named team captain, and he led the team to their first trophy in the Leagues Cup final, but disappointingly they missed the MLS playoffs. 

By March 2026, Messi was reportedly earning $70 million to $80 million based upon his salary and other compensation. On March 18, 2026, Messi scored his 900th career goal, making him only the second player to achieve this after Cristiano Ronaldo. 

What a Career!

Messi the Great!

Now, as we enjoy watching him in the World Cup matches, we can understand how Messi's legend continues to grow. Though he is short in stature, it has never impeded his playing ability. He overcame illness and height concerns to become one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.

I hope you continue to enjoy watching Lionel Messi in the World Cup matches, as well as all the other contests that are being broadcast by FOX here in the United States. 

  

Please check out this video of Messi kicking his history making goal.

Amazon's 'Spider-Noir' Series – A Darkly Funny Comic Delight

 

In case you didn't know it, the Nicolas Cage led series Spider-Noir on Amazon Prime is just what you need – that is if your a fan of Cage's work (which I most definitely am) and of the era of the 1940s-1950s world of film noir classics like White Heat and The Lady from Shanghai. Both of these films get referenced in scenes in the series, which I appreciate because it shows an awareness of their influence on culture and film overall.

Spider-Noir is based on the comic book series Spider-Man Noir (2008-2018) created by David Hine and Fabrice Sapolsky, giving the story a 1930s Great Depression setting. In this universe Peter Parker works for newspaper reporter Ben Urich, and he gets his powers by being bitten by an ancient spider god. 

Spider-Noir was developed by Oren Uziel for Prime, making The Spider an aging superhero named Ben Reilly. Uziel and fellow showrunner Steve Lightfoot were able to secure screen legend Nicolas Cage as the lead actor, and this is the first time Cage has played a lead role in a television series.  

World Weary Anti-Hero

Cage plays Ben Reilly – a down and almost out private detective that would have found himself right at home in Humphrey Bogart's films. Reilly is more like a mixture of Sam Spade and Groucho Marx – his comic timing is awesome and yet Cage adds dramatic gravitas that gives substance to the proceedings. 

Ben is always supported by Janet 

Ben is truly a mess, but he is eeking out a living. Supported by his loyal and loving secretary Janet Ruiz (played by a terrific Karen Rodriguez), Ben tries to do the right thing even though the dangerous world of this alternate New York 1930s universe is making that very difficult. 

Robbie helps Ben with his cases

Ben once was The Spider – New York City's only superhero – who kept crime down and cops honest. Since Ben put away the costume, the gangs and crime have gotten out of control, and many of the cops – including Police Chief McNamara (Randy Olgesby) – are in the pocket of the local gang kingpin. His reporter friend Robbie Robertson (a hilarious Lamorne Morris) keeps encouraging him to get back to web slinging, but Ben is reluctant after he lost the love of his life Ruby (Amanda Schull) for which he blames his Spider persona. 

Ben Gets Some Work 

An older chubby man named Carmedy (Brian Howe) hires Ben because he suspects his younger wife of infidelity. Ben sees her picture and questions why the beautiful young woman would be married to the man. He is also hired by a secretive man named Winston (Lukas Haas) to find a man named Jimmy Addison (Jack Mikesell) who is a known criminal. Ben takes the cases because he hasn't had one in a while, and Janet hasn't been paid and has a hungry husband back home. 

Addison displays his powers

At the Redcliff Hotel, Ben spies on the wife who seems to be having an affair with the city's Mayor Morris (Michael Kostroff), but he gets entangled with another P.I. named Donegal (Cameron Britton) who is also looking for Addison. As they both chase the target, Addison displays an ability to set himself on fire, but Donegal shoots and kills him before he can inflict any damage. 

The Femme Fatale 

Femme fatale Cat Hardy

As Bogey would know intimately what to do, Ben seems oblivious to the fact that a beautiful woman wanting to pay him for a job usually means trouble. Into Ben's office walks a gorgeous woman named Cat Hardy (Li Jun Li). Cat wants Ben to find her missing boyfriend Flint Marko (Jack Huston).  Ben recognizes her as the "wife" that he was following at the Redcliff who had been in the room with the mayor the night before. 

Kingpin gangster Silvermane

Ben takes the case because she gives him a large retainer, but he is leery of her and then learns that she is a nightclub singer at the Alcove, a place run by the city's biggest gangster Silverman (enthusiastically played by the always excellent Brendan Gleeson). 

How He Became The Spider

In a flashback we see Ben as an officer in World War I leading a group of soldiers to liberate a POW camp. After an intense battle, Ben and others find a ward where German scientists were conducting experiments on the American prisoners.

Ben and the other soldiers are shocked by the horrors of what they discover in the ward. Ben tries to help one patient who he realizes is mutating into a spider. Before he can do anything, the creature bites Ben in the arm. This is how he gains his spider powers, but unlike others like Marko (who becomes Sandman), he is not adversely affected in other ways. 

Other Victims of German Experiments

Sandman and Tombstone 

Ben learns that Addison, Marko, Lonnie Lincoln (Abraham Popoola) who becomes the super strong Tombstone, and Dirk Leyden (Andrew Lewis Caldwell) who can generate electricity as Megawatt, were all victims in the German experiments and liberated from the camp. 

All of them were treated at a clinic by a Dr. Faber (Amy Aquino), and he decides to get into her office to investigate her files. He believes she is somehow connected to the mutations because only the vets who visited her have been adversely affected. 

The rest of the way is spoiler territory, but I will say that Ben does put on The Spider costume again to try to battle the gangsters and the mutated veterans who are now working for them.

Overall Experience

Great credit has to be given to Uziel and Lightfoot for crafting a visually beautiful look at 1930s New York. The number of period automobiles and other vehicles, the rainswept streets, the gritty alleys, and the old subway cars help create the essence of the time and place. 

Megawatt battles The Spider

Though the story is about our superhero and supervillains that he fights, gang kingpin Silverman and his crew of dirty rotten mobsters are also a factor. All of the characters are wonderfully realized, and there is an atmosphere of the slick, dark, and tenuous world that rings true.

In this world, cigarette smoke is clouding the rooms, and no matter where anyone goes someone is pouring whiskey into a glass. Sunlight creeps through Venetian blinds and shadows darken corners where danger lurks. Seduction, betrayal, and moral ambiguity abound, and the idea of love seems something that is in short supply.

Ben

Ben drowning his sorrows

Of course, all of this would not work if not for Cage's amazing performance as Ben/The Spider. He has enough ticks to populate a rose garden, and he is always grabbing a whiskey bottle and lighting up a smoke. He plays Ben like the classic film noir hero – cynical, tired, and almost about to give up – yet he keeps finding a reason to go on and make a difference in this bleak world because no else can. 

The Verdict

Spider-Noir is an excellent experience – for eight incredible episodes you will feel like you've been submerged in the film noir world. When I watched the last few minutes of the last episode, I was sorry that the show was over, but look for a subtle hint that there seems like that there is more Reilly and Ruiz to come.

I give Spider-Noir 4.5 stars out of 5 stars!

Fun Fact: Amazon gives you a choice to watch the series in either Authentic Black and White or True-Hue Full Color. After watching the first episode in color, I switched to black and white, and it did feel more authentic – like I was watching the old great film noir movies like Double Indemnity or The Maltese Falcon. I highly suggest that you do the same. 

Please check out the trailer for Spider-Noir. 

FIFA World Cup – Why Do Americans Call the Game Soccer?

Having traveled rather extensively when I was younger, I was always asked many questions about home (New York City/the United States), and invariably one question that always came up is this – why do Americans call football soccer when most of the world calls it football? 

Of course, at the time I would just say that we had the game of American football, so that it made sense that we wouldn't call another game "football" because that would be confusing. I did believe at the time that was the reason, but it is much more complex than that.

The Word "Soccer" Comes from Great Britain

The word "soccer" has British origins.

In the 1800s in Great Britain, there were two games of football that were very popular. There was Rugby Football (played with a ball that looks remarkably similar to the one that is used in American football today) and Association Football (played with what looks like a soccer ball today). 

To make a distinction between the two sports, elite university students started calling Association Football "assoccer." This was eventually shortened to the word "soccer." I know it seems unbelievable, but Americans did not come up with the word. The British did!

American Games

A typical NFL game

Across the pond during this time, Americans were developing their own games of baseball and football. Their football game became a combination of British rugby and soccer. This would evolve into the game we know as American Football.    

Since this game wasn't rugby or soccer, it was called football. While soccer players use their feet to move the ball – making the name football make sense –- American football involves minimal use of the foot. 

Use of Feet in American Football

Player kicking a field goal

While the majority of the time in the National Football League (NFL) a football is thrown by a quarterback or passed to a receiver, the feet are used in several ways. One team kicks off to another team to start the game and second half. If a team is not going for a touchdown (6 points), it can kick for a field goal (3 points). The team can kick for an extra point after a touchdown. Teams also punt the ball if they are on the fourth down to get the ball to the other team. 

Most of the time the ball is transferred by hands, and the receiver holds the football and runs with it to gain yards toward what will hopefully be touchdown. It is understandable why people in other countries don't know why we call the sport football, but feet are used in some important aspects of the game. 

The FIFA World Cup

It's called football for most of the world

The FIFA World Cup of Football (Soccer) has increasingly drawn interest in the United States over the years. This year there is a good deal more attention being paid since a number of the matches are taking place in the United States. 

Whether you call it football or soccer, the game is the most popular sport on Earth. There are approximately 3.5 to 4 billion soccer fans in the world. The FIFA World Cup is the most watched sporting event in the world. 

Soccer in the United States

When I was a kid, I had no exposure to soccer at all. None of my friends had a soccer ball. We always tried out for baseball, basketball, or football teams. Some kids went in for swimming, and a few went for tennis lessons. 

Probably the biggest reason we were not interested in soccer was the lack of it being on broadcast TV. I was told by someone who worked for a network that soccer was a hard sell because of two long halves with minimal breaks. Since television networks make money on advertising, there were not enough opportunities for commercial breaks the way there are with other American sports where there are innings, time outs, and quarters. 

Kids Love Soccer

In the USA little kids like soccer

The truth is I only got into soccer when my kids started playing. I enjoyed going to their practices and matches. It does seem like many kids like mine play soccer when they're younger, but they are more likely to go in for the popular American sports by the time they get to high school.  

Rating Show Things Will Change

With the exposure to soccer coming from the World Cup having some matches played in the United States, there is a chance that soccer will increase in its popularity here. I plan to watch the matches that interest me most, and many Americans are doing the same thing. 

For the United States vs. Paraguay (US won 4-1) match on FOX – the English-speaking World Cup television rightsholder in the United States – had 16 million viewers tuned in (on average) over the night, with viewership peaking at around 19 million late in the second half.

The Spanish-language U.S. broadcast on Telemundo and Peacock added another 9 million viewers, bringing the total figure for the match to around 25 million domestically.

Hopefully, these matches will increase the exposure of the sport and awareness of its world wide popularity. So, sit back, and enjoy some matches. Whether you call it soccer or football, it is an exciting game to watch on TV or in person.  

Please check out this video that explains why we call football "soccer" in a fun way.

John Lennon's Drawings for The Beatles' "I Feel Fine" – The First Music Video!

 

Imagine meeting one of the Beatles and ending up becoming a collaborator with him. That is what happened to Stephen Verona. "I met John Lennon in London while directing a commercial," Verona recalled in an interview. 

He went on to say, "We started doodling drawings on a table, and I suggested making a film from them." These doodlings would go on to be featured in the Beatles' first animated music video for the song "I Feel Fine."

First Music Video

"Basically, 'I Feel Fine' was Rock 'n Roll's first music video," Roag Best – founder of  the Liverpool Beatles Museum – told Local TV Liverpool. It's not surprising considering the Beatles were innovators when it came to creating their music and then promoting it.     

O'Donnell with the drawings

A Lucky Collector

Recently, collector Joseph O'Donnell acquired ten of the Verona and Lennon's original drawings at an auction where there was no one making a big deal about them. "I'm a big Beatles fan," O'Donnell said in an interview, and he was happy to loan them to the Liverpool Beatles Museum for a summer showcase. 

Why did O' Donnell make the purchase? He said, "It's nice to have something that is artwork, that you put on the wall." Of course not many people can say they have original drawings from a Beatle hanging in their home. 

Verona's Career

As for Verona, the film for "I Feel Fine" was screened at international film festivals, and he went on to make a career in Hollywood working with other musicians like Barbara Streisand, Roberta Flack, and the band Chicago. He also wrote scripts for movies and continued working as a painter and photographer. Verona held onto his copies of the original drawings until 2000, when he sold them through Christie's Auction House for $59,000. 

Visitors at Liverpool Beatles Museum

Plan to Sell Drawings 

O'Donnell also plans to sell his drawings after they are displayed in the museum over the summer. I would expect they will go for a lot more money than what Verona got for his drawings in the year 2000.

As an avid Beatles fan myself, I am always in awe of anything that is still out there and discovered anew. I cannot imagine no one making a big deal about old drawings connected to the Beatles. It makes me wonder what else can be out there that hasn't been discovered yet.

Can there be something in your attic or garage? A friend of mine found old 8mm movies of the Beatles at Shea Stadium in the basement when he moved into a new house. So, don't be afraid to explore all the places in your home, especially basements, attics, and garages. You never know what may turn up.

The Beatles Legacy

This story proves that the Beatles' legacy is everlasting. Besides the band's impact on culture and fashion, the thing I value most is their music. Fans of all ages have that to appreciate forevermore. 

Please check out the music video for "I Feel Fine" (original title "She Said So") below.

MLB's Automatic Ball-Strike System – The Rise of the Machines?

If you're a Major League Baseball (MLB) fan, you must have formed an opinion by now about the implementation of the Automatic Ball-Strike system (ABS) this season. My feelings about it were initially mixed – if a call went my team's (NY Mets) way, I was happy with it, but when it went against my team I hated it. Now that we've reached June, I've decided that I dislike it altogether no matter how the call goes.  

What is ABS?

What the ABS looks like on TV

ABS stands for Automatic Ball-Strike system. It allows players to challenge the home plate umpire's call of balls and strikes. The system uses Hawk-eye cameras and T-Mobile's 5G technology. This allows for precise tracking of the pitched ball to determine whether it is a ball or strike. The goal of using the system is to provide an opportunity to question a human umpire's decision if it seems that it is incorrect. 

How It Works?

Each team starts the game with two challenges. If the challenge shows a call is incorrect – say the human umpire's call of a strike is determined to be a ball – the call is overturned and the team retains the right to challenge another call. If the human umpire's call is found to be correct, the call stands and that team loses the ability to challenge during the rest of the game.

If the game goes into extra innings, each team is awarded an additional challenge. The idea behind this is that most players are using the challenge based on the notion that the game is nine innings long. Players cannot be expected to hold onto a challenge for extra innings when there is a reasonable assumption that the game will only go nine innings.

Who Challenges the Call?

Player tapping his helmet signal

The pitcher, catcher, and batter are the only players who can challenge a ball or strike call for an ABS system check. The players involved must tap the top of their hat or helmet within two seconds of the pitch being thrown. This is a signal to the umpire that they want the system to check the accuracy of the call. 

This is an important aspect of the use of the system because it is immediate in nature. A player has little or no time to check with the manager in the dugout, so it is on the player to make a split second decision about making a challenge that perhaps can change the outcome of the game.

Juan Soto of the NY Mets

There is a consideration of a discussion before a game between the manager and players about who can make a call. For an example using my Mets, manager Carlos Mendoza might want a star player like Juan Soto to be the one to challenge a call over rookies Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing. There's a distinct possibility that this happens. 

Immediate Visual Availability

Umpire checking ABS challenge

Once the challenge is made, the challenged pitch appears (which includes a strike zone box and the ball) on stadium video screen and on the television broadcast of the game. The system shows exactly where the pitch crossed through the strike zone – allowing people in the stadium and watching at home to see whether the ball is inside or outside of the box. 

The ABS Strike Zone

While the human umpire's strike zone can vary every time a pitch is thrown, the ABS calculates the strike zone with accuracy for each individual hitter. Each player is measured during spring training with a player standing up straight without wearing shoes. 

The top of the zone is set by using the player's height as is the bottom of the zone. This makes the system player specific, and there's nothing arbitrary about it. It will be the same unique zone every time for each player, so this makes it seem like it is the perfect technology solution to the varying human umpire's strike zone liabilities.

The Red Flags

A home plate umpire

My number one red flag is the umpires of the game. Umpires – and all their human fragility – have been a part of the game since baseball began in 1876. Now, even though I've seen some umpires make bad calls, the majority are hard working people who want to get their calls right. 

ABS has umpires worried about the future. As I mention in the title of this article using a Terminator movie title, the rise of the machines is scary in baseball too. The ABS can make an umpire look bad, and in some cases – with an extremely wrong umpire call – it can humiliate them. Imagine having a job performance review available in seconds in front of 50,000 fans in the stadium and millions of fans on TV. That does not seem appropropriate.

Player arguing a call with human ump

There are also those baseball enthusiasts who enjoy when a bad call results in an argument between a player and umpire or the manager and umpire. This is all about human nature, and there is something about seeing a player or manager letting off steam that is cathartic because they are expressing what the fans are feeling. The ABS unrelentingly steals these memorable moments from us. 

Fear of Expansion

The embarrassment of umpires is bad enough, but the talk of inevitable expansion – and I've heard about this on talk radio, read about it online, and have had discussions in person – is that MLB will eventually expand ABS to cover every pitch of every game. In this NY Times article, you can get an idea about how players and managers feel about going full ABS – meaning many of them are not happy about every pitch being electronically tracked. 

If we have no umpire behind the plate at some point in time, what will happen to the other umpires on the field? Will the ABS ever be crew chief for a game – the crew chief is the most senior umpire on the field for a game. Over time it could happen that the ABS would be more senior than new umpires, so how would that work exactly?

Are there Robo-umpires in our future?

If they can replace the home plate umpire, will the other umpires be next on the list? Will we face a time when we have a full robotic umpire crew – meaning robots at first, second, and third base too. How does a manager or player argue with a robot? Wouldn't the robots always be right?

Moving Forward

As mentioned previously in this article, I was initially okay with ABS in its limited capacity in MLB as it is now; however, my opinion has changed. The human factor has always been important in the game of baseball, and ABS diminishes that more that it should be doing. 

A lot has changed in MLB over the years – for example, I still hate the designated hitter – but at least a DH is a human being. I don't think we want baseball to ever become a game where the rules are enforced by robots. If that happens, will robotic players be the next step forward? That will ruin the game beyond repair because robots don't go on injury lists and don't need to be paid, and they would break every record because they could play for an infinite amount of seasons.

I wouldn't watch that kind of game. Would you? I'm worried about your answers more than you can know.

Please check out this video for a very concise explanation of the ABS system.