Joe Starkey: Without changes, pitchers like Paul Skenes should balk at World Baseball Classic
Paul Skenes took the World Baseball Classic quite seriously. I’m not sure the same could be said for his team. Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal quit the U.S. team in the middle of the tournament, prioritizing health and financial concerns in a contract year. Also, after a win against Mexico,...
Beyond the Bylines: Paul Skenes is broken; the Penguins have ‘other brother syndrome’ again
This week’s “Beyond the Bylines” with Joe Starkey and me dives into Paul Skenes’ recent issues. We also attempt to figure out why he has fallen off a cliff and how to fix him. We talk about the Pittsburgh Penguins and what they’ve done so far on the free agent...
Joe Starkey: Paul Skenes situation goes from worrisome to alarming as Pirates’ rotation implodes
Last offseason, Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes implored management to find some bats. This offseason, it might be Pirates hitters imploring management to find some arms. And so it goes with our Pittsburgh Pirates. Patch one tire, another one pops. That’s how you go decades without a playoff series win,...
Joe Starkey’s Mailbag: Would you trade Pirates starter Jared Jones for an elite closer?
You ask. I answer. It’s time for “Mailing It In,” a weekly Q&A that appears Tuesdays at TribLive.com. Most of the questions come via X, but you can also hit me up at jraystarkey@gmail.com. In the mailbag one month ago, we suggested the Steelers sign Nick Herbig. Within hours, they...
Cup of Joe (Starkey): If Pirates GM Ben Cherington won’t try to save his rancid bullpen, somebody else should
I texted a friend right before the top of the ninth inning Saturday, with the Pirates desperately needing a win and leading by a run after a dramatic comeback against the Cincinnati Reds: “It’s gonna be a bumpy ride.” I know I wasn’t the only one thinking that. To another...
Joe Starkey: Am I allowed to be curious about Paul Skenes’ uncharacteristic first half?
I keep hearing all these reasons why Paul Skenes’ ERA has risen by a full run over where it was at this time last season and why I shouldn’t believe it’s a big deal. The same reasons are provided for why he’s had more bad starts this season than in...
Cup of Joe (Starkey): Hoffmann family has monumental challenge ahead with Penguins
I hate to break up the honeymoon — I, too, enjoyed the Hoffmann family’s introductory news conference Thursday — but this is not exactly the ideal time to seize control of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Among the reasons … • The sun is setting on the Sidney Crosby era, and there...
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...
Joe Starkey: By surviving a frustrating 1st half, Pirates will make the playoffs
They survived. That’s about the best I can say about the Pittsburgh Pirates after 81 largely frustrating games, but it’s not a small thing. By surviving, they set themselves up for a second-half run. I happen to agree with manager Don Kelly, who told reporters Thursday, “We’re in a good...
Joe Starkey’s Mailbag: Should the Pirates be looking beyond bullpen help at MLB trade deadline?
You ask. I answer. It’s time for “Mailing It In,” a weekly Q&A that appears Tuesdays at TribLive.com. Most of the questions come via X, but you can also hit me up at jraystarkey@gmail.com. In the mailbag three weeks ago, we suggested the Pittsburgh Steelers sign Nick Herbig. Within hours,...
Cup of Joe (Starkey): Red-hot Bryan Reynolds has emerged as the Pirates’ most deserving All-Star
The reasonable among us expected Bryan Reynolds to bounce back from a miserable 2025 and become a good player again. I don’t know that anyone expected this. As the season nears the halfway point, Reynolds is on pace for more than 100 RBIs and 100 runs. The last Pirate to...
Joe Starkey: Are the Steelers really never going to retire Terry Bradshaw’s jersey?
It’s not a new topic, but it sprang to mind immediately when Terry Bradshaw was honored last week at Heinz History Center: The Pittsburgh Steelers never did retire his No. 12 jersey, and given the fact that he is 77 now, it seems doubtful they ever will. What a shame....
Cup of Joe (Starkey): There’s only one way the Joey Bart trade makes sense for Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates solved absolutely nothing by trading catcher Joey Bart to the Atlanta Braves for relief pitcher Hunter Stratton, who is carrying a 4.38 ERA in the minors this season. The catching situation remains shaky, at best. The bullpen still stinks. Oh well, at least Paul Skenes still has...
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...
Joe Starkey: Brendan Sorsby would be the Steelers’ best prospect QB — but the risk is obvious
As we opined in this space recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers would be wise to do their homework on quarterback prospect Brendan Sorsby, who apparently will be available in the supplemental draft this summer. You likely know Sorsby’s story by now. He is a recovering gambling addict. He made thousands of...
Joe Starkey’s Mailbag: Will the Pittsburgh ‘Piggybacks’ continue to waste Carmen Mlodzinski?
You ask. I answer. It’s time for “Mailing It In,” a weekly Q&A that appears Tuesdays at TribLive.com. Most of the questions come via X, but you can also hit me up at jraystarkey@gmail.com. In the mailbag two weeks ago, we suggested the Pittsburgh Steelers sign Nick Herbig. Within hours,...
Cup of Joe (Starkey): Pirates’ biggest problems don’t seem all that fixable as season teeters
How low can they go? I wrote a month ago that the Pirates would not sink under .500 again. It might happen Monday night at whatever they call that sorry excuse for a ballpark in Sacramento. I also jumped the gun writing that GM Ben Cherington had redeemed himself after...
Joe Starkey: Valley Brook buzzing over Jake Sollon and his ‘Bucco’ cap, headed for U.S. Open
Mike Papson, the head golf pro at Valley Brook Country Club in McMurray, remembers Jake Sollon when he started out — and he recalls Sollon loving nothing more than cracking a tape-measure drive. “A little, skinny left-handed kid who loved to swing hard and hit it far,” Papson recalled Saturday...
Beyond the Bylines: Pirates problems; Steelers signings; Shohei Ohtani debate; Pitt memoriesVideo
Joe Starkey and I opened up this week’s “Beyond the Bylines” talking about the recent problems for the Pittsburgh Pirates. They dropped five of six games to the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers — the two best teams in the National League. Now they welcome the Miami Marlins,...
Cup of Joe (Starkey): 2 ridiculous, thrilling comebacks on the same night are why we love sports
Man, am I glad I didn’t go to bed early Wednesday or bitterly shut off the television. I thought about both. Some of you probably followed through, to which I can only say this: I’m sorry for your loss. You missed one of the greatest sports nights of all-time. One...
Joe Starkey: The Marcell Ozuna experiment has reached critical mass for Pirates
Granted, Marcell Ozuna is hitting 57 points higher than Henry Davis. But that only puts him at .195 — and Ozuna isn’t Paul Skenes’ personal designated hitter, so his place on the Pittsburgh Pirates roster isn’t guaranteed. It shouldn’t be, anyway. This guy is making Rowdy Tellez look like Aaron...
Joe Starkey’s Mailbag: Who are the Pirates’ All-Stars?
You ask. I answer. It’s time for “Mailing It In,” a weekly Q&A that appears Tuesdays at TribLive.com. Most of the questions come via X, but you can also hit me up at jraystarkey@gmail.com. In last week’s mailbag, we suggested the Steelers sign Nick Herbig. Within hours, they did. Our...
Cup of Joe (Starkey): Wait, was that weekend more good than bad for the Pirates?
Stay with me here. I realize the Pirates just got swept by the Atlanta Braves. I also know that bad experiences in Atlanta stir up horrifying memories of Sid Bream and Jerry Meals. But what did you expect? I’m not among those pretending the Pirates are better than they are....
Joe Starkey: The Pirates need a better Mitch Keller, and maybe another starting pitcher
Do you think Mitch Keller would balk at pitching out of the bullpen? I’m just asking, in case that question ever arises. I’m also wondering if the Pittsburgh Pirates could use a reliable veteran starter, preferably a lefty, as they continue to hover too close to .500 given their powerful offense....
Cup of Joe (Starkey): Somebody fix the Pirates bullpen before the season is ruined!
Me: “Hello, 9-1-1? I have an emergency! The Pirates bullpen is on fire!” 9-1-1: “You again?” Yes, me again. And I’ll keep calling until general manager Ben Cherington cleans up his mess. Today would be good, after one of the Pirates’ most devastating losses in a decade. You probably know...
