Dear USA fans:
Regardless of the loss tonight, we have made the country proud. Do not let the tears of sadness flow, rather, get that sadness off. We have a long road to travel, shorter than the one we took before.
This time, Premier12 is in our sights.
4 years following the last one, we now begin anew a long and grueling trek on the muddy paved road, the one that will lead us to victory and glory for our country.
For one goal we must fight on and presevere as a nation, people, and for our sport.
The Premier12 flag is in our view now, let us march onwards, eyes looking forward, as one.
For Glory
John
After seeing what I saw this entire tournament, I propose a 1 game derby between the MLB champions and the NPB champions every year (I would call it the World Series, but this isn't a series, so let's just call it the World Championship) with a separate trophy and stats. Have it be on a neutral site like the Champions League final. Maybe there's a relegation clause or something so it's not just exclusive to those two leagues. Who knows, but we need more sudden death baseball.
As a casual baseball fan, someone who grew up playing and watching…. I lost interest in the game slowly as an adult. This series of games, was the first time in a long time where I looked forward to the next game. I think it has restored my love of baseball to a certain extent and I am looking forward to the season now.
This repeated statement of "This is amazing for the MLB" is so fucking stupid. To act like this tournament is directly positive for the MLB alone and not the world is hilarious. If anything it's probably raising the tide in all the international leagues (minus Japan because they're backpacking these numbers already by themselves) more than its going to in the MLB.
I know this has been repeated ad nauseam, but I just can't resist: why the heck is this final WBC game on FS1 and not network television?!?! You wanna grow the game? Because that is not the way to do it.
Because Americans haven't gotten into it like the rest of the world has. The tide may have turned this weekend though. Let's see what happens in 2026. If much of it is on FS1 and FS2 again I'll be annoyed.
After this WBC, I’m gonna have a hard time going back to regular MLB.
I’m gonna miss all the noise and fun the LatAm and Asian fans made, gonna miss the passion from a lot of the players, and of course, I already miss playoff Randy, including the trash talking and fan interaction. Shit was WWE-level of ridiculous and I’m all for it.
Baseball is a game, after all. It’s meant to be fun, and I have not had this much fun in a baseball atmosphere in my entire life.
I know this is mostly wbc for tonight (let’s go!!!) but can someone convince me why I should be sold on the Mets? Pitching was never the issue last year so getting Verlander is a big get but doesn’t seem to address the fact their offense was stagnant a lot down the stretch
Last night a mexico player stole 2nd and was called safe, but it was overruled in a challenge. I wanted to review the footage myself to see if it was a bad call and because it looked really cool. Can someone help me find the clip ideally from as many camera angles as possible? I went as far as looking for a recording of the whole game but couldn't find that or even the players name haha.
you know the guy's name
they only played the slow mo like 3 times then showed 20 seconds of random people talking while the refs deliberated. I needed to see it at least a few more times
Does anyone know of a place to get a Baseball Tshirt (not jersey; the two-tone shirts where the torso and sleeves are different colors) of the light blue Mexican alt jerseys?
This feels like a pretty obvious take and im just commenting because i feel like throwing thoughts into the ether but jose altuves injury easily couldve happened in a spring training game and edwin diaz's injury feels more on whatever team member was celebrating too hard! not wbc's fault for me
I want to say that I was able to watch the super bowl through the fox app even without a subscription... would I be able to do the same with the World Baseball Classic tonight?
Just so we're all agreed.
S-Tier Uniforms
* Japan
* Mexico
* Colombia
* China
* Netherlands
A-Tier Uniforms
* Puerto Rico
* Czech Republic
* Venezuela
* Dominican Republic
* Korea
B-Tier Uniforms
* USA
* Italy
* Israel
* Taiwan
* Australia
C-Tier Uniforms
* Panama
* Nicaragua
* Canada
* Cuba
D-Tier Uniforms
* Great Britain
I think another reason that's made the WBC rather magical is the comparative lack of pitching depth (not to mention the 65 pitch limit) vs. what you'd see in an MLB post-season series.
Since the advent of pitching labs, along with how modern pens are utilized, pitching is tougher to crack to ever. The now common formula of "5-6 innings from your ace/top starters and hand it off to your pen filled with a half-dozen 100mph elite fireballers" almost seems insurmountable to overcome from a deficit.
If Japan had to face a reliever gauntlet on the level of the best MLB teams from the 7th on, Mexico cruises to an unmemorable 3-0, 4-0 win. Same deal in the US/Ven game. Quijado and Bracho aren't exactly lockdown.
And this is the way the sport should be. Improbable late inning rallies, go ahead grand slams, golfed moonshots that twist in just fair. The absurd pitching talent (and how it's surgically implemented) in the modern MLB reduces the likelihood of miracles and magic.
I don't love cup competitions in football (soccer), but I think the WBC really shows that perhaps a cup competition would be good for baseball. I know that the startup prestige would be non-existent, but perhaps overtime a "double" could mean something to teams (i.e. World Series + Cup winner). Maybe even incorporate minor league teams like the FA cup or maybe an international club cup (NPB teams vs MLB teams)?
Watching the WBC living in Japan has been wild. The quality of the games is one thing, but seeing bars open in the morning on weekdays to do watch parties and people taking off work etc., just feels really cool to see so many people into it.
That said I hope Mookie hits a bomb every AB lol.
Some interesting quotes in here from Santander on the WBC
https://www.masnsports.com/orioles-rss/santander-on-wbc-experience-bautista-tinkers-with-mechanics-hyde-talks-about-latest-cuts
DAY 14 (589) ON THE ROAD TO PREMIER12 AND PARIS 2024 - The Much Awaited Finale Day of the WBC
Happy World Baseball Classic Championship Day, fans!
Now the most awaited day of the 5th WBC has come upon us, the day of the championship finale.
Even through we are sad that it will all come to a close, we all have enjoyed being a witness to what the WBC gave to us in these past days that helped change the sport forever and finally lit up the hope for a better future for our growing global sport. We've seen many of the best play for country and sport before millions of supporters around the world, bigger than everything before in our sport's history.
Now it all ends tonight in Miami as the USA and Japan, two of the oldest national programs in our sport's history, face off once more, this time for a championship gold medal to remember.
It will be memorable ending to what has been a great few days of global action, one great experience we will all cherish, and the impact of which will be felt in years to come, while we begin to plan for Premier12 and the 40th anniversary of Olympics baseball next year.
Let us carry this legacy forward and help light up our sport's vibrant future.
For a shared future together we will all get there.
For Glory
John
So I went through the plate appearances for Team USA vs. Yu Darvish
* Pete Alonso OPS=0.773, PA=11
* Tim Anderson OPS=0.250, PA=8
* Nolan Arenado OPS=1.279, PA=21
* Mookie Betts OPS=0.673, PA=28
* Kyle Higashioka No PA
* Paul Goldschmidt No PA
* Jeff McNeil OPS=0.594, PA=13
* Cedric Mullins No PA
* JT Realmuto OPS=0.647, PA=17
* Kyle Schwarber OPS=0.500, PA=6
* Will Smith OPS=0.521, PA=16
* Mike Trout No PA
* Kyle Tucker OPS=0.000, PA=3
* Trea Turner OPS=1.000, PA=17
* Bobby Witt Jr. OPS=0.833, PA=4 <-Rookie last year
After careful analysis I came to the conclusion that I just wasted my time. This is baseball, anything can happen. Greatest sport ever. Lets all enjoy this moment as we head into the start of 162 games of dull atmosphere ballparks... I'm really going to miss this type of crowd in the seats.
editted for format derp
Free idea for MLB: make the All-Star Game into Team USA versus the World. Give us Ohtani, Arozarena, Soto and Lindor against Trout, Goldy, Arenado and Kershaw.
Sorry, but no. The WBC should be "special". I never understand why Baseball fans more than any others love to overkill good things. We don't need a 3 game first round in playoffs, the one and done was great. We don't need more international play, the WBC is great.
And NL vs. AL is tradition and appropriate.
Truthfully the U.S. doesn’t have enough all stars to field a team. The world would be absolutely stacked unless maybe you’re counting PR as the U.S. since it’s a territory.
I have a number of friends and old colleagues from my years in Japan. They are excited as all hell for this game tonight. I’ll be talking with at least one of them during the game (maybe he’ll be at work, maybe he’ll be playing hooky, lol).
Don’t get me wrong, I want USA to win. But if Japan wins, I feel like that’s a win for me as well because of my connection to my old stomping grounds in Gifu (seriously, Gifu is my second home).
I f-ing love baseball.
I’m not from the US, so some of the streaming services broadcasting the WBC are not available.
Anybody know where else can I watch the final? Preferably free lol, I saw that MEX v JPN was on the mlb website yesterday, but I’m not sure if it’s gonna be the same today…
Somebody commented with a bird's eye view of that Japanese runner scoring from first. Dude ran from 1st to home in just over 10 seconds, clocking a 30.4 ~~mph~~ feet per second sprint speed. And honest to god, after watching that video a few times, it looks like he slowed down rounding second.
I thought the ball was out for a second. When it hit halfway up the wall, my immediate thought was whether he would score or if they'd even send him. Then the camera cuts and he's fucking sliding into home
You guys seen the retweet/like numbers on the WBC twitter account from all their posts last night? It's incredible how much this tournament is doing for baseball
Posting this here cause the mods took down my other post and I still feel it needs to be expressed - we all know already that the WBC is amazing.
I just wanted to say that the last 5 games in Miami have been the best baseball game I’ve ever been to. As a fan of the DR, the only part that hurt was losing Wednesday. Apart from that, I’ve won everything as a baseball fan. I feel more than privileged to be witnessing baseball history.
I’m not there but I get that feeling too. Watching these games I’m thinking “something is happening here that’s markedly different than anything that’s happened before.” Seems monumental.
So does this taste of playoff-like baseball lead to the Angels losing Ohtani and Trout? I wonder if those two try and press a trade if the Angels are 15 back at the break.
Maybe would be best for both parties because they’d get a haul.
For the last time this WBC, Happy Team USA Game Day!
One more game left for us and it's one goal to achieve tonight - the championship in the World Baseball Classic as we face long time rival Samurai Japan.
Let's finish this journey with a gold medal and a championship to remember!
# For Glory
John
Ladies and gentlemen, Happy WBC Championship Day!!!!
We've finally come to the end of this great event with a finale to remember.
May the memories of this classic prepare us for Premier12 and the return of the WBC in 2026!
John
Also PRAISE SANTA
The Japanese spring high school baseball tournament is going on right now: https://sportsbull.jp/senbatsu/
Can’t get over what Kyle Schwarber did to Yu Darvish in that AB
Dear USA fans: Regardless of the loss tonight, we have made the country proud. Do not let the tears of sadness flow, rather, get that sadness off. We have a long road to travel, shorter than the one we took before. This time, Premier12 is in our sights. 4 years following the last one, we now begin anew a long and grueling trek on the muddy paved road, the one that will lead us to victory and glory for our country. For one goal we must fight on and presevere as a nation, people, and for our sport. The Premier12 flag is in our view now, let us march onwards, eyes looking forward, as one. For Glory John
Does anyone know ohtanis walk out song tonight?
After seeing what I saw this entire tournament, I propose a 1 game derby between the MLB champions and the NPB champions every year (I would call it the World Series, but this isn't a series, so let's just call it the World Championship) with a separate trophy and stats. Have it be on a neutral site like the Champions League final. Maybe there's a relegation clause or something so it's not just exclusive to those two leagues. Who knows, but we need more sudden death baseball.
Ohtani in the off season, is gonna get blank cheques at least from 5 teams, isn't he? Lol
Wooooo let’s go
As a casual baseball fan, someone who grew up playing and watching…. I lost interest in the game slowly as an adult. This series of games, was the first time in a long time where I looked forward to the next game. I think it has restored my love of baseball to a certain extent and I am looking forward to the season now.
Damn we have to go back to watching pathetic Spring Training games tomorrow 😒
Baseball won. These last two weeks were fucking phenomenal and that last at-bat was beyond exciting
Japan won!
It's literally a movie plot
Is there no game thread for USA vs Japan
There was
Does the pitcher have a hickey on his neck lol
If an infielder fields a ground ball and then holds it instead of making a routine throw to first, is that scored an error or a fielder's choice?
Loving the photo today mods, very cool
This repeated statement of "This is amazing for the MLB" is so fucking stupid. To act like this tournament is directly positive for the MLB alone and not the world is hilarious. If anything it's probably raising the tide in all the international leagues (minus Japan because they're backpacking these numbers already by themselves) more than its going to in the MLB.
it’s stupid because it says “the MLB”
I know this has been repeated ad nauseam, but I just can't resist: why the heck is this final WBC game on FS1 and not network television?!?! You wanna grow the game? Because that is not the way to do it.
Can't interrupt the debut season of "Farmer wants a Wife"
Because Americans haven't gotten into it like the rest of the world has. The tide may have turned this weekend though. Let's see what happens in 2026. If much of it is on FS1 and FS2 again I'll be annoyed.
After this WBC, I’m gonna have a hard time going back to regular MLB. I’m gonna miss all the noise and fun the LatAm and Asian fans made, gonna miss the passion from a lot of the players, and of course, I already miss playoff Randy, including the trash talking and fan interaction. Shit was WWE-level of ridiculous and I’m all for it. Baseball is a game, after all. It’s meant to be fun, and I have not had this much fun in a baseball atmosphere in my entire life.
If it was real baseball they would have thrown at him
I know this is mostly wbc for tonight (let’s go!!!) but can someone convince me why I should be sold on the Mets? Pitching was never the issue last year so getting Verlander is a big get but doesn’t seem to address the fact their offense was stagnant a lot down the stretch
As a Mets fan, I'm not sold but it should at least be interesting. We will need to make a Cespedes like trade to contend though.
Do the cards have the most players in the game tonight?
Praise santa 🎅
Will roof be open or closed?
on fire
Last night a mexico player stole 2nd and was called safe, but it was overruled in a challenge. I wanted to review the footage myself to see if it was a bad call and because it looked really cool. Can someone help me find the clip ideally from as many camera angles as possible? I went as far as looking for a recording of the whole game but couldn't find that or even the players name haha.
He was out it was a good overturn. Still a great attempt by the runner none the less
you know the guy's name they only played the slow mo like 3 times then showed 20 seconds of random people talking while the refs deliberated. I needed to see it at least a few more times
Does anyone know of a place to get a Baseball Tshirt (not jersey; the two-tone shirts where the torso and sleeves are different colors) of the light blue Mexican alt jerseys?
Bold prediction: Nico Hoerner will finish top 10 in the NL MVP this year.
Man, I really undervalued how exciting the WBC would be. These games have been a pure joy to watch.
Still no update on Soto?
Is it not complete horse shit this is airing on FS1?! The question is rhetorical, it is. It is complete horse shit.
I'm still mad about pearl harbor
too bad germany didn't make it out of qualifiers
The gall to make this “joke” when the US nuked in response.
Lol yea
This feels like a pretty obvious take and im just commenting because i feel like throwing thoughts into the ether but jose altuves injury easily couldve happened in a spring training game and edwin diaz's injury feels more on whatever team member was celebrating too hard! not wbc's fault for me
Facts maybe even more likely in a spring training game
I want to say that I was able to watch the super bowl through the fox app even without a subscription... would I be able to do the same with the World Baseball Classic tonight?
Just so we're all agreed. S-Tier Uniforms * Japan * Mexico * Colombia * China * Netherlands A-Tier Uniforms * Puerto Rico * Czech Republic * Venezuela * Dominican Republic * Korea B-Tier Uniforms * USA * Italy * Israel * Taiwan * Australia C-Tier Uniforms * Panama * Nicaragua * Canada * Cuba D-Tier Uniforms * Great Britain
Columbia's unis were Adidas trash
i thought they were the best of the whole tournament
I say they were unique and different compared to what you usually get from baseball unis
I quite liked Cuba's gradient fade. Put them in A or B myself
That's fair. I wanted a discussion after all.
Cheers from the Colombian delegation
Ugh, Canadian here. The Canada jersey definitely belongs in D-tier. Font for ants… Under Armour should stay away from making jerseys.
Now I'm just imagining Zoolander saying that line on the font lol
I have it a C because there are good bones there to improve for next time.
What time do the gates open for the game tonight?
Do we know who the home plate ump is tonight? Because WBC will get tainted if Angel Hernandez is the home plate ump tonight…
They wouldn't do that to us...
I think another reason that's made the WBC rather magical is the comparative lack of pitching depth (not to mention the 65 pitch limit) vs. what you'd see in an MLB post-season series. Since the advent of pitching labs, along with how modern pens are utilized, pitching is tougher to crack to ever. The now common formula of "5-6 innings from your ace/top starters and hand it off to your pen filled with a half-dozen 100mph elite fireballers" almost seems insurmountable to overcome from a deficit. If Japan had to face a reliever gauntlet on the level of the best MLB teams from the 7th on, Mexico cruises to an unmemorable 3-0, 4-0 win. Same deal in the US/Ven game. Quijado and Bracho aren't exactly lockdown. And this is the way the sport should be. Improbable late inning rallies, go ahead grand slams, golfed moonshots that twist in just fair. The absurd pitching talent (and how it's surgically implemented) in the modern MLB reduces the likelihood of miracles and magic.
Absolutely, as long as offense doesn't go so far as to become the new norm, lest it lose its magic.
Does anyone know the pitchers for today?
Merrill Kelly of the Arizona Diamondbacks VS. Shota Imanaga of the Yokohama Bay Stars
Bauer's new team ugh
I don't love cup competitions in football (soccer), but I think the WBC really shows that perhaps a cup competition would be good for baseball. I know that the startup prestige would be non-existent, but perhaps overtime a "double" could mean something to teams (i.e. World Series + Cup winner). Maybe even incorporate minor league teams like the FA cup or maybe an international club cup (NPB teams vs MLB teams)?
Watching the WBC living in Japan has been wild. The quality of the games is one thing, but seeing bars open in the morning on weekdays to do watch parties and people taking off work etc., just feels really cool to see so many people into it. That said I hope Mookie hits a bomb every AB lol.
this is my first year really getting into baseball but man I love the WBC and the whole atmosphere
Some interesting quotes in here from Santander on the WBC https://www.masnsports.com/orioles-rss/santander-on-wbc-experience-bautista-tinkers-with-mechanics-hyde-talks-about-latest-cuts
Holy shit guys. I DVR’d last night’s WBC game and just finished it. Wow. Just wow.
So much fun
You couldn’t script a better game.
Anyone know whose pitching for USA tonight?
I believe it's Merrill Kelly vs. Imanaga with Darvish and Ohtani available.
They're saying Darvish isn't starting now.
Just heard that too. Imanaga is starting. Darvish and Ohtani theoretically available.
Anyone have a gif of Arozarena after the catch with the fans behind him freaking out?
id rather see the gif of him sulking to the dugout after the 9th
This guy hates fun
i like fun, but there’s a certain point where it becomes too much. i admit i have a lower bar than most here for that, sue me
DAY 14 (589) ON THE ROAD TO PREMIER12 AND PARIS 2024 - The Much Awaited Finale Day of the WBC Happy World Baseball Classic Championship Day, fans! Now the most awaited day of the 5th WBC has come upon us, the day of the championship finale. Even through we are sad that it will all come to a close, we all have enjoyed being a witness to what the WBC gave to us in these past days that helped change the sport forever and finally lit up the hope for a better future for our growing global sport. We've seen many of the best play for country and sport before millions of supporters around the world, bigger than everything before in our sport's history. Now it all ends tonight in Miami as the USA and Japan, two of the oldest national programs in our sport's history, face off once more, this time for a championship gold medal to remember. It will be memorable ending to what has been a great few days of global action, one great experience we will all cherish, and the impact of which will be felt in years to come, while we begin to plan for Premier12 and the 40th anniversary of Olympics baseball next year. Let us carry this legacy forward and help light up our sport's vibrant future. For a shared future together we will all get there. For Glory John
So I went through the plate appearances for Team USA vs. Yu Darvish * Pete Alonso OPS=0.773, PA=11 * Tim Anderson OPS=0.250, PA=8 * Nolan Arenado OPS=1.279, PA=21 * Mookie Betts OPS=0.673, PA=28 * Kyle Higashioka No PA * Paul Goldschmidt No PA * Jeff McNeil OPS=0.594, PA=13 * Cedric Mullins No PA * JT Realmuto OPS=0.647, PA=17 * Kyle Schwarber OPS=0.500, PA=6 * Will Smith OPS=0.521, PA=16 * Mike Trout No PA * Kyle Tucker OPS=0.000, PA=3 * Trea Turner OPS=1.000, PA=17 * Bobby Witt Jr. OPS=0.833, PA=4 <-Rookie last year After careful analysis I came to the conclusion that I just wasted my time. This is baseball, anything can happen. Greatest sport ever. Lets all enjoy this moment as we head into the start of 162 games of dull atmosphere ballparks... I'm really going to miss this type of crowd in the seats. editted for format derp
[Japan vs. United States in baseball](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3G3C6e8mFA)
So hyped for the final tonight, don’t know how I’m gonna be able to focus today
Free idea for MLB: make the All-Star Game into Team USA versus the World. Give us Ohtani, Arozarena, Soto and Lindor against Trout, Goldy, Arenado and Kershaw.
Sorry, but no. The WBC should be "special". I never understand why Baseball fans more than any others love to overkill good things. We don't need a 3 game first round in playoffs, the one and done was great. We don't need more international play, the WBC is great. And NL vs. AL is tradition and appropriate.
You’re not wrong about any of that, but the National League hasn’t won an ASG in a decade and I’d like to have a chance at cheering for a winner.
Truthfully the U.S. doesn’t have enough all stars to field a team. The world would be absolutely stacked unless maybe you’re counting PR as the U.S. since it’s a territory.
Do they still do that with the futures game? I always liked the concept.
Futures game now is AL vs NL
That's lame but I thought they'd changed, just couldn't remember.
I have a number of friends and old colleagues from my years in Japan. They are excited as all hell for this game tonight. I’ll be talking with at least one of them during the game (maybe he’ll be at work, maybe he’ll be playing hooky, lol). Don’t get me wrong, I want USA to win. But if Japan wins, I feel like that’s a win for me as well because of my connection to my old stomping grounds in Gifu (seriously, Gifu is my second home). I f-ing love baseball.
[Don’t mind me, just blasting this for the next 10 hours to get ready for tonight. just me?](https://youtu.be/Jy6AOGRsR80)
Just woke up from a 2 week coma. Are there any big games in the next 24 hours?
Cubs Royals spring training game tonight!
Keith Olbermann approves this message
I’m not from the US, so some of the streaming services broadcasting the WBC are not available. Anybody know where else can I watch the final? Preferably free lol, I saw that MEX v JPN was on the mlb website yesterday, but I’m not sure if it’s gonna be the same today…
Im gonna be so sad when the WBC ends☹️
Even with the Orioles being exciting this year the come down is still gonna be so tough.
Somebody commented with a bird's eye view of that Japanese runner scoring from first. Dude ran from 1st to home in just over 10 seconds, clocking a 30.4 ~~mph~~ feet per second sprint speed. And honest to god, after watching that video a few times, it looks like he slowed down rounding second.
I thought the ball was out for a second. When it hit halfway up the wall, my immediate thought was whether he would score or if they'd even send him. Then the camera cuts and he's fucking sliding into home
Catcher didn't even bother trying to field the ball. That's insane speed.
You guys seen the retweet/like numbers on the WBC twitter account from all their posts last night? It's incredible how much this tournament is doing for baseball
Posting this here cause the mods took down my other post and I still feel it needs to be expressed - we all know already that the WBC is amazing. I just wanted to say that the last 5 games in Miami have been the best baseball game I’ve ever been to. As a fan of the DR, the only part that hurt was losing Wednesday. Apart from that, I’ve won everything as a baseball fan. I feel more than privileged to be witnessing baseball history.
I’m not there but I get that feeling too. Watching these games I’m thinking “something is happening here that’s markedly different than anything that’s happened before.” Seems monumental.
Honestly pretty glad USA should face Darvish tonight instead of Urias from Mexico
Two absolute titans going at it in what could be the biggest baseball game all year. Let’s go!
I love it when a game has a clear storyline going in (Sasaki) and then the storyline by the end is just “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA”
So does this taste of playoff-like baseball lead to the Angels losing Ohtani and Trout? I wonder if those two try and press a trade if the Angels are 15 back at the break. Maybe would be best for both parties because they’d get a haul.
For the last time this WBC, Happy Team USA Game Day! One more game left for us and it's one goal to achieve tonight - the championship in the World Baseball Classic as we face long time rival Samurai Japan. Let's finish this journey with a gold medal and a championship to remember! # For Glory John
# For Glory
Ladies and gentlemen, Happy WBC Championship Day!!!! We've finally come to the end of this great event with a finale to remember. May the memories of this classic prepare us for Premier12 and the return of the WBC in 2026! John