Even with robot umpires, MLB managers will find reasons to argue and get ejected

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Kevin Cash isn't worried that manager ejections will become a relic of baseball's past just becauserobot umpires have arrivedto settle some debates.

ABS-Ejections Baseball

"You only get two challenges, right? That can come up in the first inning," the Tampa Bay Rays manager said.

Manager tantrums at umpires have long delighted fans: the Yankees'Billy Martin kicking and throwing dirton Dale Scott in 1988, Cincinnati's Lou Piniellaheaving first base into right fieldin anger at Dutch Rennert in 1990 and the Orioles'Earl Weaver going face to face with Bill Hallerin 1980, each profanely calling the other a liar.

But Major League Baseball has given managers less to gripe about in the past two decades. Video reviews began for home run calls in August 2008 andwere widely expanded to many decisions for the 2014 season. TheAutomated Ball-Strike System starts this yearto allow challenges to human strike zone calls, dubbed robot umpires.

"Manager ejections have been down for a while now because of the replay system," said Hall of Famer Jim Leyland, a three-time Manager of the Year tossed 73 times over 22 seasons. "I really like the ABS. I think it's going to be great for the game."

Last year, 61.5% of ejections among players, managers and coaches (99 of 161) were related to ball/strike calls, according to MLB, up slightly from 60.3% (114 of 189) in 2024. The figure included what MLB counted as inappropriate comments and conduct, and throwing equipment in protest.

"I'm in favor of anything that allows our technology to play in this game," Cash said. "We have so much of it. Why not use it?"

Each team gets two challenges per game, and a club keeps its challenge if successful. A team out of challenges gets an additional one in each extra inning.

"You're going to take out the argument of balls and strikes initially," Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton said. "I think the challenge is going to be after the challenges go away, how managers are and what they do? But I do think that there is going to be probably less general complaining about balls and strikes in the early going."

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Aaron Boone of the Yankees has led or tied for the most ejections in four straight seasons, and his nine in 2022 were the most since Atlanta's Bobby Cox was tossed 10 times in 2007.

Cox was thrown out a record 162 times, followed by John McGraw (121), Leo Durocher (100), Weaver (96), Tony La Russa (93) and Bruce Bochy (89).

Cincinnati's Terry Francona, starting his 25th season in a big league dugout, leads active managers with 54. Boone, beginning his ninth season, is second with 46.

Boone is less concerned over whether his dugout dissents will dwindle and more focused on keeping his players locked in if a challenge goes against them. If an umpire calls strike three to strand the bases loaded and the pitcher pumps a fist and bounds off the mound, how will the pitcher quickly regain composure if ABS reverses the call and forces a 3-2 offering?

"It's a whole new thing that pitchers have never dealt with. That's an emotional thing you've got to deal with," Boone said. "That's something we've already addressed, same with the hitters to a lesser degree: that reset. How do you clear the mechanism?"

Bobby Valentine, who managed three major league teams over 16 seasons, will be honored by the New York Mets this May with agiveaway promotion commemorating one of his 44 ejections. After he was tossed by Randy Marsh on June 9, 1999, Valentine returned to the dugout with a fake mustache fashioned from eye black and sunglasses.

Valentine thinks players have evolved past the point where a manager could spark his team with a histrionic argument.

"I found that by the end of my career that that was only entertainment," he said. "It didn't fire anyone up except for my wife, who was worried about the fine that I was going to get."

AP MLB:https://apnews.com/MLB

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 24, 2026

Even with robot umpires, MLB managers will find reasons to argue and get ejected

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Kevin Cash isn't worried that manager ejections will become a relic of baseball's past just be...

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Mike McCarthy says Aaron Rodgers reunion 'would be a great story'

The stars may be aligning for anAaron Rodgers-Mike McCarthy reunion in Pittsburgh, but it hasn't happened yet – despite one party expressing enthusiasm at the idea recently.

McCarthy, the new head coach for thePittsburgh Steelers, was a featured speaker at a celebration of life for formerGreen Bay Packerspresident Bob Harlan at Lambeau Field on March 23. At the event, Kevin Harlan, Bob's son and a sports commentator for CBS Sports,asked McCarthyabout a potential reunion with Rodgers in Pittsburgh.

"It would be a great story," McCarthy said. "And I don't know– I would love to tell everybody this breaking news. But it's really cool to see Aaron at 42. To see a young man at 22 and all of what he's been able to accomplish and where he's at in his personal life, and trying to make this decision. He's in a really good place."

NFL NEWS, TAKES, FANTASY ADVICE:USA TODAY Sports has you covered with our NFL vodcast

McCarthy and Rodgers spent 13 years together with the Packers – when McCarthy was still their head coach and Rodgers was still their quarterback. During that 2006-2018 stretch, Rodgers earned seven Pro Bowl nods, won two NFL MVP awards and won Super Bowl MVP as the Packers defeated theSteelersin Super Bowl 45.

The Steelers hired McCarthy to replace Mike Tomlin, whohad resignedfrom Pittsburgh's head coach role in January after 19 straight non-losing seasons. McCarthy is a Pittsburgh native who most recently coached the Dallas Cowboys from 2020-2024. He spent the 2025 season out of football.

Rodgers is a free agentafter spending last year with the Steelers on a one-year deal. Last offseason, Pittsburgh spent several months courting the veteran gunslinger following his release from the New York Jets before officially signing him on June 7.

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This year, the Steelers are the last quarterback-needy team still in the market for a new signal-caller – excluding the Las Vegas Raiders, who are expected to draft quarterback Fernando Mendoza in April.

NFL MOCK DRAFT:Surprises in top 10 of latest first-round projection

3. Arizona Cardinals – David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 4. Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 5. New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 6. Cleveland Browns – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 7. Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 8. New Orleans Saints – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 9. Kansas City Chiefs – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 10. Cincinnati Bengals – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 11. Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 12. Dallas Cowboys – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 16. Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 17. Detroit Lions – Spencer Fano, OT/G, Utah

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 18. Minnesota Vikings – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 19. Carolina Panthers - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kadyn Proctor, OT/G, Alabama

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 22. Los Angeles Chargers – T.J. Parker, DE/OLB, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 23. Philadelphia Eagles – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 24. Cleveland Browns – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 25. Chicago Bears – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 26. Buffalo Bills – Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Los Angeles Rams) – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos) – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 32. Seattle Seahawks – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection

In a March 4 appearance on the Pat McAfee Show,Rodgers discussedhis conversations with the Steelers and whether he planned to return for the 2026 season.

"There's no contract offer or anything, so there's nothing that I'm having to debate between," Rodgers said. "I'm a free agent. I'm enjoying my time with my wife and enjoying this part of the offseason. I think there's conversations to be had down the line, but right now there hasn't been any progressive conversations.

"There hasn't been any deadline set on me, there hasn't been any contract floated in front of me. … Interested in what the conversations will be, but there hasn't been any progression when it comes to that."

Rodgers suggested prior to the 2025 season that it could be his last in the NFL, but he did not double down on that sentiment after the Steelers' wild-card round playoff loss in January.

"I'm not gonna make any emotional decisions,"Rodgers said after the game. "Disappointed, you know, obviously, such a fun year. A lot of adversity, but a lot of fun. Been a great year overall in my life in the last year, and this is a really good part of that, being a part of this team. So it's disappointing to be sitting here."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Aaron Rodgers' potential Steelers return: Mike McCarthy weighs in

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 24, 2026

Mike McCarthy says Aaron Rodgers reunion 'would be a great story'

The stars may be aligning for anAaron Rodgers-Mike McCarthy reunion in Pittsburgh, but it hasn't happened yet – despi...

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Sheriff in Nancy Guthrie Case Says Authorities 'Do Believe Something Occurred' on Specific Date Before Disappearance

Investigators looking into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie are focusing on Jan. 11 after Google could not confirm details about surveillance footage from that date

NEED TO KNOW

• "We do believe that something occurred on Jan. 11 and that's with the FBI's analysis of the equipment and digital stuff they've done," Sheriff Chris Nanos told local Tucson, Ariz., station KOLD

• The investigation remains active with no suspects named despite a $1 million reward offered by the Guthrie family

The sheriff in charge of theNancy Guthrie abduction caseis offering new details about the significance of Jan. 11 in the investigation.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos previously said local authorities and the FBI were seeking surveillance footage from Jan. 11, after Google initially indicated a key image showed a suspect without a backpack. He later clarified that the date of the image could not be confirmed.

In a new interview with local Tucson, Ariz., stationKOLD, Nanos said Jan. 11 was still a date investigators were looking into.

"We do believe that something occurred on Jan. 11 and that's with the FBI's analysis of the equipment and digital stuff they've done," Nanos told KOLD.

He added that the interest in the date remains speculative and would not share any evidence the investigators have which explains the significance of that date.

Nanos also confirmed that the investigation into Nancy's disappearance remains ongoing almost two months afterSavannah Guthrie's 84-year-old mother was taken from her home.

"We have so much in front of us. And we believe we have good evidence in front of us," Nanos said. "Will that dry up? Could I be wrong? Absolutely. Anything is possible, but we're not giving up."

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Nanos' latest comments on the Jan. 11 date come as investigators continue to sort out details he discussed inan interview with NBC News' Liz Kreutzone day prior.

Kreutz explained on theTodayshow on Monday, March 23, that while trying to recover footage from Nancy's Nest camera, investigators reached out to Google, which owns Nest. Google initially indicated that one of the surveillance images was from Jan. 11, but later said the exact date could not be confirmed.

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Most recently, the Guthrie family included the date in theirstatement to the public, asking for renewed interest in the case.

"We hope people search their memories, especially around the key timelines of January 31 and the early morning hours of February 1, as well as the late evening of January 11," the family was quoted as saying during KVOA News 4 Tucson's specialBring Her Home: The Disappearance of Nancy Guthrieon Saturday, March 21.

Nancy was taken from her Arizona home in the early morning hours of Feb. 1. Despite the public attention to the case and the offer of a $1 million reward from the Guthrie family, no suspects or motive have officially been named.

Anyone with information about Nancy's disappearance is asked to please contact 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or the Pima County Sheriff's Department at 520-351-4900.

Read the original article onPeople

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 24, 2026

Sheriff in Nancy Guthrie Case Says Authorities 'Do Believe Something Occurred' on Specific Date Before Disappearance

Investigators looking into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie are focusing on Jan. 11 after Google could not confirm deta...

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Howard Stern talks private friendship with Carolyn Bessette, recalls cover shoot for JFK Jr.'s magazine: 'I looked like Paul Revere in drag'

Howard Stern opened up about his relationship with John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette

Key Points

• The radio personality called JFK, Jr. a "super nice guy" and claims he knew "the real Carolyn."

• He wouldn't divulge how he knew Bessette, however: "I know enough to keep my mouth shut about that."

Howard Sternis one of the many people keeping up with FX'sLove Story: John F. Kennedy & Carolyn Bessette, and he's sharing insight intohis real-life connection to the couple.

Returning toThe Howard Stern Showafter a hiatus, the radio personality opened up about his friendship withCarolyn Bessette, whose romance with John F. Kennedy Jr. is dramatized in the limited series, which wraps up this Thursday.

"I knew the real Carolyn Bessette," he said. "I won't say I knew her well, but we had many, many conversations, more than casual conversations. She was very lovely. She was like a really nice woman."

Stern said he wouldn't elaborate on how exactly he knew Bessette, however. "I know enough to keep my mouth shut about that. Some stuff you do have to keep private … But she was very nice to me, very open and talkative. She didn't give me the nose-up-in-the air kind of thing. I don't have any juicy, gossipy story."

Stern also reminisced about posing for the cover of JFK Jr.'sGeorgemagazine, highlighting Kennedy's attention to detail and involvement with the April/May 1996 issue. "He actually showed up to the shoot," Stern recalled.

"It's one of the worst covers I ever did, and I did a lot of bad ones," Stern said of the photo, which ran alongside the headline "What's so good about virtue?" "They convinced me to be chopping down a cherry tree with a chainsaw dressed up in colonel garb. I guess I was supposed to be George Washington, but George Washington didn't wear this s--- I was wearing. I looked like Paul Revere in drag."

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Despite Stern's doubt, Kennedy and the photographer gave him the supermodel treatment. "They go, 'Gorgeous, you look great. This is the greatest cover,'" he said, adding that the shoot occurred before he knew he could ask to approve a photo before it hit newsstands.

"I guess I kind of look like Captain Hook or something," Stern quipped. The radio personality concluded he was wary of doing magazine covers, but when Kennedy asked, he was happy to oblige. "He was a super nice guy."

Love Storystars Paul Anthony Kelly as Kennedy and Sarah Pidgeon as Bessette. Their costarConstance Zimmertold Deciderthat the final episode will be"very, very difficult for everybody to watch.""I think we all know what's coming," Zimmer said. "It's just how we're telling it."

Kennedy and Bessette married in 1996. Their lives were cut short in July 1999 when they, along with Carolyn's sister Lauren,died in a plane crashoff the coast of Martha's Vineyard. Their bodies were recovered days later and it was determined that they died on impact.

The finale ofLove Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessettewill air on Thursday, March 26 on FX, and be available to stream on Hulu the following day.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 24, 2026

Howard Stern talks private friendship with Carolyn Bessette, recalls cover shoot for JFK Jr.'s magazine: 'I looked like Paul Revere in drag'

Howard Stern opened up about his relationship with John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Key Points The rad...

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Brazil's Bolsonaro to serve 27-year sentence for attempted coup at home due to ill health

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil's formerPresident Jair Bolsonarowas granted permission on Tuesday by a Brazilian justice to serve his 27-year sentence for a coup attempt at home instead of in prison due to failing health. He will be monitored by local police at the upscale gated community where he lives in capital Brasilia.

The decision by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes follows Bolsonaro's hospitalization since March 13 for pneumonia, one of several health problems the former leader has faced since he was stabbed by a man in 2018 before he was elected president.

De Moraes initially gave Bolsonaro 90 days of house imprisonment, which is extendable after another medical report.

"After that deadline, we will analyze once again whether the necessary requirements for keeping the humanitarian house arrest stand, including a medical examination if necessary," the judge said in his ruling.

De Moraes also said Bolsonaro, 71, cannot use cellphones or any other means of communication, including those owned by third parties. He also forbid any visitation to the former president in the next 90 days, except for doctors and family members.

U.S. State Department official Darren Beattie had hisBrazilian visa revokedthe same day Bolsonaro was taken to the private DF Star hospital as he allegedly considered visiting the former president in prison. Brazil's foreign ministry argued the request on behalf of Beattie was an interference in internal affairs.

De Moraes, who oversaw the former president's coup case and is deemed by Bolsonaro's supporters as a foe, also said Bolsonaro will return either to prison or to a hospital if he does not comply with the rules of his house arrest.

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Historically, Brazil's Supreme Court only reverses house arrest if a detainee's health improves dramatically or if there's violation of the established rules, such as not making public statements, posting on social media or giving interviews to the media.

Bolsonaro has been treated in intensive care for a few days because of kidney problems and other issues. On Tuesday, the DF Star hospital said he was in a stable condition and did not offer an estimate on when he will be able to return home.

The family of the far-wing leader had been requesting that the court allow him home since his conviction in November. Bolsonaro wastransferred from the local federal police headquarters to a larger cellin January.

Brazil's Attorney General Paulo Gonet had paved the way on Monday for Bolsonaro to be put under house imprisonment instead ofreturning to prison.

Bolsonaro governed between 2019 and 2022. One of his sons, Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, has saidhe will run for the presidency in October. Polls show he is in a dead heat with incumbentLuiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Bolsonaro was also convicted on charges that include leading an armed criminal organization and attempting the violent abolition of the democratic rule of law. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Follow AP's coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean athttps://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 24, 2026

Brazil's Bolsonaro to serve 27-year sentence for attempted coup at home due to ill health

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil's formerPresident Jair Bolsonarowas granted permission on Tuesday by a Brazilian justice to s...

Read More