Tim Benz stories, Page 181
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Pirates disaster vs. Cubs, Penguins chemistry, NFL schedule
In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Tim Benz and Mark Madden take a look at what went wrong with the Pirates during their disastrous series in Chicago to start the second half of the season. Not only did the Pirates come out of the All-Star break cold, they helped the...
Tim Benz: The potential issues that make NFL’s 18-game plan terrible
In recent days. there has been increased discussion over the prospect of an 18-16 split for the NFL regular season. In other words, every team would play 18 games. But individual players would be forced to sit out two of them. The hope is that the league could increase revenue...
Tim Benz: Penguins going younger, faster to mask issues on defense
This is the third of our five posts examining the “money quotes” from Mike Sullivan’s interview on 105.9 the X with Mark Madden last week. This entry looks at an admission from Sullivan about his team. Two, actually. Frankly, neither is groundbreaking. More or less, both corroborate opinions that many...
First Call: Redskins’ Josh Norman leaps over bull; Jagr trade anniversary; stealing 1st base
In Friday’s “First Call,” an NFL player tries “bull jumping.” A dumb rule change is on trial in minor league baseball. And an unhappy Penguin anniversary. Is this covered in his contract? There is a leaping penalty in football. But I don’t think this is it. Redskins cornerback Josh Norman...
Hockey News writer says Penguins will miss playoffs in 2020. Hear why.
The Penguins missing the playoffs in 2020? Pfft! That’s not going to happen. I mean, they haven’t missed out since 2006. Then again, the Penguins made the playoffs by only four points in 2019. And it took until Game 81 to clinch a berth. And they couldn’t win a playoff...
Tim Benz: What Penguins coach Mike Sullivan didn’t say about Phil Kessel is telling
This is the second of our five posts examining the “money quotes” from Mike Sullivan’s interview on 105.9 the X with Mark Madden this week. On Thursday, we focused on what the Penguins head coach had to say about Evgeni Malkin. On Friday, we look at his comments about the...
Tim Benz: Cubs’ Joe Maddon hints at tense series vs. Pirates. Do they deserve it?
There’s a growing opinion about the Pirates across the National League. They throw up-and-in too much. This isn’t really a new thing. That reputation has been attached to the Pirates for a while. Going back years. There was the beanball war with Arizona in 2018. And there was one between...
First Call: Pirates’ price for Felipe Vazquez becoming clear; robot umpires debut
In “First Call” Wednesday, we catch wind of what the Pirates’ asking price is for Felipe Vazquez. It’s “Tacko Time” in Boston. And robot umpires make their debut. Fishing for Felipe We’ve talked about what it would take for the Pirates to get Madison Bumgarner if they stay in the...
Tim Benz: Mike Sullivan nails Evgeni Malkin’s biggest problem. Now fix it.
We do a lot of “Take 5’s” around here. Five takes on the Steelers’ loss to the Broncos. Five takes on the Steelers’ loss to the Raiders. Five takes on the Steelers tying the Browns. Five takes on why the Steelers can never get a win against a lousy team...
Tim Benz: What Pirates could offer to get Madison Bumgarner
Picture it. Madison Bumgarner pitching at PNC Park in October again. I mean, for the hometown team this time. You might remember him from the wild-card game five years ago as a member of the eventual World Series champion San Francisco Giants. Right. That guy. Well, the 2014 World Series...
Podcast: MLB’s weak explanation on baseballs; Pitt’s Kenny Pickett bulks up
A lot happened during Major League Baseball’s All-Star week in Cleveland. Much of it had nothing to do with the game. Our Jerry DiPaola was on hand to cover all the angles. He’s back in Pittsburgh after the American League’s 4-3 win. We discuss commissioner Rob Manfred’s double talk...
First Call: Steelers Hall of Fame locks; 1 prediction has Penguins missing playoffs
Hall of Fame talk dots “First Call” today. Will the Penguins really miss the playoffs in 2020? And a look at how baseball financial inflation is out of control. Who besides Ben? This isn’t the most scientific NFL list of all time, but it may be worth a debate. The...
Andrew McCutchen’s wife, Maria, throws him an All-Star partyVideo
Former Pirate Andrew McCutchen went to the All-Star game five times during his years in Black and Gold. He hasn’t been back since 2015. And he probably wouldn’t have made it this year either as a member of the Phillies. Even though McCutchen had 10 home runs through June 3,...
Pirates players insist their July output is sustainable
During the All-Star break, we discussed how Pirates management may view the recent surge by their players now that they are within 2 1/2 games of first place in the National League Central. They sound optimistic. But I bet the jury is still out. It should be. Because for as...
Tim Benz: Cubs manager Joe Maddon thinks he’s figured out Pirates, NL Central
When the All-Star break ends, the second half of the season will resume the same way the first half ended for the National League Central. Division rivals will be jockeying for position as all five teams reboot the schedule within 4 ½ games of each other in the standings. The...
Tim Benz: How Alison Riske nearly seized opportunity at Wimbledon
There was no raising of the Jolly Roger at Wimbledon’s Centre Court. No one waved a Terrible Towel. And “Renegade” was never played. London ain’t ready for that much Pittsburgh n’at, anyway. Peters Township product Alison Riske gave it her best against Serena Williams during the Wimbledon quarterfinals. But the...
First Call: Steelers a playoff sleeper in 2019?
In “First Call” for Tuesday, optimism for a bounce-back Steelers season. The TV ratings are good for the Women’s World Cup. And creative use of a player’s day with the Stanley Cup. Don’t sleep on the Steelers Some in the media and the fanbase seem to think the Steelers will...
U mad, bro? Readers blast Tim Benz over USWNT opinions
People are so mad at me over my recent columns about the United States Women’s National Team, I thought we should have a special edition today of “U mad, bro?” And because the vast majority of the responses I got were negative ones from women or on behalf of women,...
Tim Benz: Who are the 2019 Pittsburgh Pirates?
At the Major League Baseball All-Star break, the 2019 standings do a nice job telling the story of the National League Central. I’m not sure that they do as good of a job telling the story of the 2019 Pittsburgh Pirates. Come to think of it, I don’t know how...
Alison Riske’s WPIAL coach talks Wimbledon upset, quarterfinals vs. Serena Williams
Peters Township tennis product Alison Riske upset the top seed and world No. 1 at Wimbledon. Her reward? A quarterfinal match against legendary champion Serena Williams. It’s at 8 a.m. Tuesday. And it’ll be played on Centre Court. No pressure. Riske, the No. 55-ranked player in the world, stunned French...
First Call: Jameson Taillon starts road to recovery; Ivan Nova helps Pirates
In “First Call” Monday, Jameson Taillon starts his road to recovery. Ivan Nova helps the Pirates. Charlie Morton continues to shine. And the home run contest may have gotten a little easier for Josh Bell. Baby steps Pirates starter Jameson Taillon ended up playing catch at PNC Park before the...
Tim Benz: USWNT won the World Cup and lost a dumb argument
The United States Women’s National Team won the World Cup. And it lost one stupid argument. The first thing is more important. The second thing is their own fault. Prior to her team’s 2-0 victory over the Netherlands to win the World Cup, American star Megan Rapinoe complained that her...
Tim Benz: It’s not worthwhile for Pirates to find position for Francisco Cervelli
After at least six concussions, Francisco Cervelli says he’s done with catching. The Pirates general manager isn’t ruling that scenario out either. “As we go through with Cervy, we need to be cognizant that there may be a position change at hand,” Neal Huntington said. “We’re continuing to work through...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden talk USWNT, Mike Sullivan, Pirates, Twitter suspension
Mark Madden may be suspended from Twitter (#FreeMarkMadden), but he isn’t suspended from the “Breakfast With Benz” podcast page. We talk at great length about the United States Women’s National Team. They won the World Cup. Have the politics and self-generated sidebar stories surrounding this team outweighed their accomplishments? It...
Fantasy sports podcast: NHL keepers hurt by new teams; MLB run barrage
It’s our weekly fantasy sports podcast with Jeff Erickson of Rotowire. This week we get into major player changes affecting hockey and basketball fantasy leagues. We’ve seen a ton of player movement in the NHL. Jeff and I each give you one player that has changed teams who could kill...
