Tim Benz stories, Page 150

Do Pirates have a real DH? Or do they really have too many of them?

At least for the time being, it feels like we can talk about actual on-field baseball in Pittsburgh. The Pirates are supposed to start workouts at PNC Park this week, with Major League games resuming July 23. So — while we can before any more shutdowns — let’s talk about...
First Call: Antonio Brown’s ‘night vision’ practice, Cam Newton moving the needle with Patriots

Tuesday’s “First Call” features Antonio Brown’s night vision with the Washington Redskins’ quarterback. Cam Newton’s new home in New England. And a little jab at the Patriots latest cheating controversy. New Newton Want a look at Cam Newton as a Patriot? Yeah. Me neither. Here it is anyway. Via the...
Tim Benz: Steelers ‘optimistic’ fans will be in Heinz Field this fall

The Pittsburgh Steelers are still holding out hope that they will be able to play home games in front of their fans during the 2020 season. Last week, The Athletic’s Daniel Kaplan wrote that the NFL is going to allow teams an opportunity to work out their own seating volume...
Madden Monday: Odd coverage of Ben Roethlisberger’s addictions; defending NHL draft lottery

When Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger admitted addictions to alcohol and pornography last week, it took a long time for that story to gain traction. Particularly on a local level. I wrote a column immediately after I found out about the news. But I found coverage of Roethlisberger’s mea culpa to...
First Call: NHL Draft lottery fallout posses questions for NFL if 2020 season busts

For “First Call” Monday, we look at the NHL draft lottery drawing over the weekend and what the NFL can learn from it. Or — better said — what the NFL can learn to avoid. So the NHL had its draft lottery over the weekend, and its perceived worst-case scenario...
Tim Benz: Making a good defense better? Mike Tomlin and Cam Heyward have different suggestions.

Ask most Steelers fans what they want to see improve in 2020, and the suggestions usually come back to something on offense. Rushing offense. Passing offense. Red zone offense. Third down offense. Scoring offense. None of those are wrong answers. But if we talk about the defense specifically, for as...
From ‘fringy’ to fabulous, one tool turned Pirates 1st-round pick Nick Gonzales into the NCAA batting champ

Many Pirates fans have become familiar with the story of Pirates first-round draft choice Nick Gonzales. From underrecruited walk-on at New Mexico State to NCAA batting champ to Cape Cod League MVP to seventh overall pick in the MLB draft in just three years. But his former coach at New...
First Call: Ditching the Hall of Fame Game isn’t a catastrophe, but it’s something

For Friday’s First Call, let’s take a look at the cancellation of the NFL’s Hall of Fame Game. It was supposed to feature the Steelers against the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 6 in Canton, Ohio. Because of the coronavirus, that ain’t happenin’. Neither is the induction ceremony that would’ve included...
Tim Benz: Jarome Iginla, Marian Hossa, tainted history and butterfly effects

When former Steelers Troy Polamalu, Bill Cowher and Donnie Shell were elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame a few months ago, the news was met with celebration in Pittsburgh. A practical Black and Gold caravan was planned to leave Western Pa. and head to Canton, Ohio, for induction...
How will MLB reboot rules impact fantasy baseball interest, Pirates DH, roster strategy

Major League Baseball is coming back! In real life. We think. So that means it’s coming back for fantasy sports players as well. Jeff Erickson of RotoWire joins us to discuss if he’s seeing many leagues canceling because there is only going to be a 60-game season. For those that...
U mad, bro? Readers fed up with sports and politics, MLB finances, Antonio Brown

It’s a Killer B’s edition of “U mad, bro?” Who is on the dart board for our irate readers this week? Baseball, Benz, Baltimore and “Big Chest.” The #SticktoSports crowd is feeling particularly mouthy this week as well. John from New Cumberland LOVED my column about the second round of...
First Call: Two huge developments on topic of NFL seating in the fall

For Thursday’s “First Call,” we take a look at two major developments when it comes to the prospect of having fans at NFL games in the fall. I know what you’ve been thinking during this pandemic. How … how, dear Lord above … will we be able to emerge from...
Penguins, Pirates announcers on challenges of remote play-by-play

Pirates play-by-play man Greg Brown has been calling baseball games since 1989. But never in the way he’s about to try once Major League Baseball returns to play. The covid-19 pandemic is restricting travel for baseball franchises to the point that local broadcasters will only be calling games — in...
First Call: Rumors heating up about Antonio Brown in Baltimore and Seattle

We warned them! When it comes to former Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, we told them this would happen. If you don’t say “no,” that means “maybe.” And then “maybe,” turns into “could.” And “could” very well “could” be a nightmare for your franchise. On numerous occasions in recent months,...
Tim Benz: Figuring out Ben Roethlisberger’s message about his addictions and recovery

When I heard Ben Roethlisberger’s soundbite admitting that he had battled addictions to alcohol and pornography, I had two immediate questions. The first was, how was this story so far off the radar for so long? Roethlisberger was a speaker for the “ManUp Pittsburgh” Christian men’s program, which was streamed...
Hockey podcast: Hub city jealousy, or not; Penguins memories; NHL reboot issues

Can I make a confession? I’m not at all jealous of any destination that becomes an NHL hub city. I know Pittsburgh was perceived to be a hub city candidate at one point and still hasn’t been completely ruled out. It’s far from a leading candidate, though. And that’s fine....

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