Beyond the Bylines: Potential Penguins draft moves; the ownership change; defending Don Kelly’s recent movesVideo
As the NHL Draft approaches Friday and Saturday in Buffalo, Joe Starkey and I discussed some draft strategy and trade possibilities for the Pittsburgh Penguins in this week’s “Beyond the Bylines.” We also got into the ownership change with the Pens. The Pirates are 41-40 at the halfway point. I...
First Call: Joey Porter Jr. could get a ‘top of the market’ CB contract from Steelers; Paul Skenes, Chase Burns highlight Pirates-RedsVideo
At least one reporter is attempting to cool concerns about Joey Porter Jr.’s contract situation with the Steelers. Paul Skenes and Chase Burns will both see action on the mound in Pirates-Reds this weekend. Gerrit Cole is trying to get his return to pitching back on track after a rough...
Tim Benz: Hoffmann family has a blueprint to follow for ownership of Penguins
During their introductory news conference, two things were made abundantly clear by David Hoffmann, the patriarch of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ new ownership family. Wow, he really loves his ECHL team in Florida. Wow, he really hates Pittsburgh hotels. “We’ve had lengthy discussions about, ‘Why isn’t there a better choice for...
First Call: The loss that almost drove Cam Heyward into retirement; Konnor Griffin unsure of Pirates recall plans
Our Thursday “First Call” looks at the pitching matchup in the finale of the Pirates-Mariners series at PNC Park. Bucs shortstop Konnor Griffin talks about the timetable for his return to Pittsburgh. We have more Penguins draft predictions. And Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward recalls a loss that almost pushed...
Tim Benz: As good as Braxton Ashcraft was, a bigger story emerged for the Pirates Wednesday nightVideo
Even though Braxton Ashcraft made history for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night, he wasn’t the story of the game. My guess is that he’d be fine with that assessment. Ashcraft had a second consecutive strong outing for the Pirates (40-40), backing them to an 11-1 romp over the Seattle...
U mad, bro?: Fans at boiling point with Pirates’ inconsistency, Ben Cherington’s moves, Don Kelly’s decisions
Approaching the halfway point of the Major League Baseball season, the Pittsburgh Pirates are at 40-40. If you’re someone like me who predicted the team to go 81-81, things are moving along right on course. But others within the Bucco fanbase had higher expectations. Despite the club’s 11-1 win over...
First Call: Ex-Raven rips Ben Roethlisberger, ‘trash’ Steelers roster; Tom Brady’s high praise for Aaron Rodgers
Wednesday’s “First Call” features a shot at Ben Roethlisberger from a former Baltimore Ravens rival. Tom Brady tips his cap to Aaron Rodgers. All-Pro tight end George Kittle wants to see an NFL improvement that could impact the Pittsburgh Steelers. And Braxton Ashcraft tries to even up the Pirates series...
Tim Benz: Mitch Keller’s latest loss sums up Pirates’ seasonVideo
In many ways, Mitch Keller’s latest start for the Pittsburgh Pirates mirrored the 2026 club overall. He was good enough — until he wasn’t. That’s how things went for Keller against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night en route to a 3-2 defeat. That’s how things have gone for most...
Tim Benz: NFL roadblock of Brendan Sorsby could have consequences
Based on a decision made by the NFL on Tuesday afternoon, Brendan Sorsby will not be entering the 2026 NFL supplemental draft. That’s because the NFL has decided that it will not hold a 2026 supplemental draft. Since Sorsby was probably going to be the only guy in it, and...
Tim Benz: It’s time for the Pirates to get serious. Instead it feels like they are stuck in neutral
Shortstop Konnor Griffin is only a rookie. So maybe we underrate what his absence from the lineup and the infield has truly meant to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Similarly, Oneil Cruz’s flaws as a player are substantial enough that we sometimes overlook the importance of his strengths within the Pirates’ batting...
First Call: Mitch Keller must reverse some recent trends; Myles Garrett ‘wasn’t necessarily loved’ by Browns
Tuesday’s “First Call” has some interesting comments from J.J. Watt about the coaching change with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Teammates in Cleveland don’t exactly seem broken up about Myles Garrett’s departure for Los Angeles. Joey Bart is getting a thumbs up so far in Atlanta, and Mitch Keller needs to reverse...
NHL Draft experts have Penguins targeting defensemen in 1st roundVideo
For Tuesday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast, we caught up with Adam Kimelman of NHL.com to preview the upcoming NHL Draft. It’s in Buffalo on Friday and Saturday. The Penguins pick No. 22 in the first round. They have four other picks to use on top of that one (two in...
First Call: Pirates upcoming challenge vs. Mariners; JJ Wetherholt’s big day; Anthony Mantha’s free-agent planVideo
Monday’s “First Call” looks at the Pirates’ upcoming series at home against Seattle. We discuss the state of the National League Central Division and the wild card race. A local Major League Baseball product had a huge day. We get into Anthony Mantha’s contract status with the Penguins, and we...
Tim Benz: MLB owners can’t be satisfied with minimal concessions in salary cap quest
The latest proposal advanced by MLB during a collective bargaining session with the MLB Players Association is a complete overhaul of its amateur entry system. The most noteworthy items include: • Banning high school players from the domestic draft and requiring anyone eligible to be at least two years removed...
Madden Monday: What the Penguins will do about Anthony Mantha, Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell
According to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, the Penguins would’ve liked to bring Anthony Mantha back on a one-year contract. But LeBrun claims the unrestricted free agent who scored 33 goals last season (none in the playoffs) is looking for a multi-year deal. In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark...
Beyond the Bylines: Ripping the MLBPA; debating Brendan Sorsby, the Joey Bart trade, Evgeni Malkin’s playing timeVideo
This week, “Beyond the Bylines” comes to you from Maine for me. Joe Starkey is back in Pittsburgh, guzzling Ohio spring water. In between sips, Joe and I debate the merits of the Steelers perhaps spending a supplemental draft pick on quarterback Brendan Sorsby. We also discuss the idea of...
First Call: Updated Brendan Sorsby timeline; Pirates prep for next series
Thursday’s “First Call’ updates Brendan Sorsby’s timeline. A former Steelers wide receiver is getting back to the NFL after showing off in the UFL. We preview the Pirates’ next stop on their road trip. We preview the U.S. Open in our podcast. And George Pickens is playing it cool when...
U mad, bro?: Fans reject idea of Steelers drafting Brendan Sorsby, refute concerns about Paul Skenes
Usually, the prospect of landing a high-profile quarterback would have Pittsburgh Steelers fans in a state of frenzy. When that quarterback has a gambling rap sheet a mile long, that’s not so much the case. At any point when the Pirates have had an ace pitcher with a 2.85 ERA...
Surf’s up!: Pittsburgh-born Josie Lacenere making waves in California’s scholastic surfing scene
There’s a term in surfing called “tombstoning.” The phrase is as ominous as it is descriptive. It happens when a surfer is held underwater by the force of a wave while their board sticks up
vertically. So, it looks like a tombstone. Before his sixth-grade daughter, Josie, even started paddling...
Tim Benz: Unloading a Pirates pitching trauma dumpVideo
On Tuesday night, the Pirates won 6-5 over the Athletics in West Sacramento. They have still lost 8 of 11. They are 37-37. They are in fourth place in the National League Central division, nine games out of first place. In recent days, I’ve tried to write as thoughtfully and...
First Call: Brendan Sorsby applies for supplemental draft; Terry Bradshaw talks retirement from Fox
Wednesday’s “First Call” has an update on the Brendan Sorsby situation. We look at the Pirates-Athletics pitching matchup for the series finale in California on Wednesday. We also track Gerrit Cole’s comeback and Terry Bradshaw’s thoughts on retirement from Fox. Next step: The NFL Network is reporting that Texas Tech...
Tim Benz: What had been reliable aspects of the Pirates are now sputtering
It’s one thing when the Pirates lose because of bad defense and a leaky bullpen. That’s like the Steelers losing a playoff game because the defense underachieves, and the quarterback play is substandard. Or it’s like when the Penguins go down to defeat because they give up too many odd-man...
First Call: Ex-Pirate steals show as Vincentian’s Kyler Fedko makes MLB debut; competition for Bucs’ trade targetVideo
“First Call” for Tuesday puts out a call for help to fix the Pittsburgh Pirates’ recent pitching problems. We look at a potential Bucs trade target who may be drawing interest from others. A local baseball standout makes his Major League Baseball debut. Gerrit Cole attempts to recapture his initial...
Tim Benz: If the Steelers think Brendan Sorsby is a 1st-rounder, take him in the supplemental draft
Another name could be in the mix for the Pittsburgh Steelers at the quarterback position. The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Monday that Brendan Sorsby is applying for the NFL’s supplemental draft. The Texas Tech quarterback has changed his mind about staying in college. Brendan Sorsby’s attorneys plan to withdraw...
First Call: Celebrating Jordan Staal’s Conn Smythe; NFL expansion talk
Monday’s “First Call” celebrates Jordan Staal’s Conn Smythe trophy. We look at John Tortorella’s future. The Pittsburgh Pirates head west. An ex-Steeler helped decide the UFL championship. And could the NFL be considering expansion? Cat out of the bag? Mike Repole might have spilled a secret Friday. Or he is...
