Tim Benz stories, Page 11

A few days after his six-shutout-inning, 11-strikeout, no-hit performance in Chicago, Paul Skenes said he would do something “cooler” than that in his career. He probably will. I don’t think his start Thursday qualified. But you could say it was cool in a different way. It was cool in the...

Thursday’s “First Call” features the details of Antonio Brown’s bankruptcy. George Pickens addresses attempts to replace Dionate Johnson on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster. Lamar Jackson is happy with his weight loss in Baltimore, and a familiar face is back to lead the Chatham men’s hockey program. Mr. Big Debt Earlier...

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes mesmerized the baseball world with his outing Friday at Wrigley Field. He was spinning a no-hitter with 11 strikeouts before getting pulled after six innings. Pitch No. 100: ????6 innings0 hits11 K's Paul Skenes. Wow. pic.twitter.com/3nDXqJfJ8w— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 17, 2024 Now, Skenes...

Things are getting better in Pittsburgh sports right now. Jared Jones and Paul Skenes have Pirates fans optimistic. The Steelers are nothing but smiles at OTAs. And Mike Sullivan is such a good coach, he is going to be on the bench for Team USA in the Olympics. What could...

Before former Pittsburgh Pirates manager Jim Leyland threw out the first pitch on Opening Day at PNC Park this year, I asked him about the prospect of Barry Bonds ever having a moment like that in Pittsburgh. An Opening Day first pitch? Getting inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame?...

What I heard from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday regarding their wide receiver position was encouraging. Well, unless you’re one of the fans who is buying into the preemptive excuse-making as to why everything will be perfectly fine if the wide receiver depth chart stays just the way it is....

Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Broderick Jones is keeping a couple of narratives going about both of his new quarterbacks. The Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors still have a pulse. We have an update on Gerrit Cole’s health and details on how WPIAL great T.J. McConnell fared in Game 1 of the Eastern...

When Tim McConnell resigned from his job as the head coach of boys basketball at Bishop Canevin last May, he wasn’t sure how being away from coaching would go for him. But he knew what he intended to do with his time: watch his kids play. That meant going to...

Tuesday’s “First Call” features some troublesome news for two upcoming opponents of the Pittsburgh Steelers. A former Steelers linebacker is anxious for his return to Pittsburgh as an AFC rival in 2024. An ex-Penguin has helped his team advance to the NHL’s Western Conference Final. And the Pirates are hoping...

May 21 is certainly a day with some historically good vibes for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tuesday marks the 15-year anniversary of Evgeni Malkin’s hat trick against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 of the 2009 Eastern Conference Final. The third goal was Malkin’s famous blind backhander that beat goalie Cam...

Monday’s “First Call” has a report connecting the Pittsburgh Steelers to a veteran free-agent wide receiver. Some NFL macroeconomics may soon influence the Steelers. T.J. McConnell and the Indiana Pacers are onto the Eastern Conference Finals. And at least one NHL award has plenty of Pittsburgh connections to it. Something...

It’s early for the Pittsburgh Pirates to go full Col. Hannibal Smith from the “A-Team.” But in terms of the club’s starting rotation, don’t you just “love it when a plan comes together”? For one series, anyway, that just happened. And for a franchise whose best laid plans so often...

When it comes to Cameron Heyward’s contract situation, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE is imploring the Pittsburgh Steelers to take a very pragmatic stance. Be sensible, not sentimental. The three-time All-Pro defensive lineman is entering the final year of his contract with the franchise. It’s a $22.4...

There sure seems to be a lot of complaining from Pittsburgh Steelers fans and media when it comes to how the NFL drew up the schedule for the Black and Gold. NFL has beef with the Steelers. 4/6 road games to open the year 5/7 road games between weeks 10-16...

Friday’s “First Call,” has an update on Cameron Heyward’s contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Terrell Edmunds has a new place to play in the AFC. We celebrate Upper St. Clair’s Vince Trocheck as he helped the Rangers put away the Carolina Hurricanes in the NHL playoffs. Plus, we examine...

I’ve had a bit of a modified work week. I’ve been doing a lot of radio. I’ve been researching a project for TribLive. I took a day off to see one of my favorite bands, Dirty Honey, at the Roxian on Tuesday. I’m going to a wedding in Cleveland on...

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ schedule is hard, odd, scattered, heavy on primetime games, and light on AFC North contests until almost Thanksgiving. So we’re dedicating all of Thursday’s “First Call” to a full breakdown of the quirks, trends, hot spots and pitfalls that the Steelers could face in 2024. Vengeance is...

There was plenty of excitement generated by Paul Skenes’ debut Saturday night at PNC Park. Unfortunately, the bullpen folly of that 10-9 win for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the four losses in five games to close out their recent homestand drummed up some agitation within the fanbase and some grumbling...

Tuesday’s “First Call” suggests a potential target for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL trade pool may not be out of play just yet. It doesn’t appear that LeBron James’ son will be going to Duquesne after all. An ex-Penguin comes up big in the NHL playoffs. And Monday marked...

Monday’s “First Call” has a defensive back signing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jameson Taillon will be back this week for the Cubs. The Pirates have a tough trip to Milwaukee looming. And T.J. McConnell is tearing it up with the Indiana Pacers. All A’s for Anthony Averett Anthony Averett’s audition...

While some Pittsburgh Steelers fans are insisting the lack of depth at wide receiver is a problem that will be rectified before the 2024 season kicks off, others are worried. As we discussed at “Breakfast With Benz” last week, consider me in that second camp. During this week’s “Madden Monday”...

Friday’s “First Call” discusses a potential reunion for the Pittsburgh Steelers with a former first-round pick. An ex-Steeler is heading to New York. Jake Guentzel keeps doing what he always does in the playoffs. And a pair of former Pirates pitchers are taking to the mound with some wind in...

Paul Skenes’ Pittsburgh Pirates debut is by far the biggest draw to PNC Park this weekend. But it’s not the only one, particularly if you like pitching. The Chicago Cubs are in town to open a three-game set. They begin the series at 22-16. That’s just percentage points behind the...

Do you know how I can tell that the Pittsburgh Steelers’ precarious wide receiver depth is starting to become a big concern? Because Steelers fans keep trying to tell me I shouldn’t be concerned. That’s how. That’s usually the telltale sign. The harder the Steelers’ fan base pushes back against...