Tim Benz stories, Page 185
Plenty of opinions about where Penguins’ Phil Kessel could land in trade
The Phil Kessel trade watch is one of the biggest topics in hockey right now. And the opinions are flying. Dave Poulin said on TSN, “He’s an acquired taste that has run its course in Pittsburgh.” On the same panel, Craig Button made it sound like the team is scapegoating...
First Call: Jon Gruden was ready to give up 2nd-round pick for Antonio Brown
In “First Call” Thursday, the Steelers may have been able to do better in the Antonio Brown trade. A WPIAL star is climbing toward the majors. Ryan Reaves dabbles in comedy. How it could`ve gone Here’s an item we’ve buried this week. It turns out the Steelers may have been...
Tim Benz: Mike Munchak’s offseason departure among hardest for Steelers
Much of the discussion at Steelers organized team activities this week has been about the guys who are gone. Namely Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. But a third Steeler of importance has departed and probably hasn’t been talked about enough. That’s offensive line coach Mike Munchak. He left Mike Tomlin’s...
Tim Benz: If Pirates, Reds weren’t so lame, they could have a decent rivalry
Given all the attention on how the Pirates may retaliate against Derek Dietrich preening after his three home runs Tuesday, tempers were a little hot Wednesday afternoon in Cincinnati. The Pirates beat the Reds, 7-2. But it wasn’t without incident. Pirates pitcher Clay Holmes, not exactly renowned for his control...
Podcast: Pittsburgh comedian, sports nut Steve Byrne returns to the Improv
National headlining comedian, actor and renowned Pittsburgh sports fan Steve Byrne is making a return to his hometown. He’ll be performing at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Improv in Homestead. And he’s featured on our “Breakfast With Benz” podcast Wednesday. LISTEN: Pittsburgh comedian, sports nut Steve Byrne Byrne actually joined...
Tim Benz: Josh Bell’s breakout season can be traced to 1 stat
One of the advanced analytics regularly in the dunking booth for baseball old-schoolers is exit velocity. You know, Major League Baseball’s Statcast tracking of how fast a player hits the ball off the bat. The older the baseball fan, the more likely you are to hear: “Do I really need...
First Call: An Antonio Brown, Vontaze Burfict family feud; Austin Meadows stays hot
Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us the first “feud” between Antonio Brown and Vontaze Burfict. And the Raiders really did sign Richie Incognito. The worst first pitch ever. Another Austin Meadows homer. It’s time to play the feud Antonio Brown and Vontaze Burfict had their first family feud in Oakland. No,...
Tim Benz: Broadcasters shred Derek Dietrich as he shreds Pirates
It appears the “grandpa shaming” of Derek Dietrich has backfired. As we documented following Cincinnati’s Tuesday night victory over the Pirates, Dietrich decided to strike a pose after homering against the Pirates. Again. That got former Pirate and current team broadcaster John Wehner talking. He was on 93.7 The Fan...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden debate Kessel trade idea, Pirates, Porter ripping Roethlisberger
Mark Madden joins me for “Madden Madden” a day late after the Memorial Day holiday. We debate that failed trade of Phil Kessel to the Wild. Mark and I have differing views on that front. I’m not opposed to a deal involving Kessel. But I’m down on the structure of...
First Call: Feel-good Jordan Staal story; Derek Dietrich punks Pirates again
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” Jordan Staal’s kind gesture is heartwarming. More replay may be coming to the NHL. And Derek Dietrich continues to provoke. Jordan’s jet Carolina Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell shared some thoughts about the team chemistry that helped push his team from the seventh seed to the...
Tim Benz: Phil Kessel to Wild would’ve been wrong move for Penguins
If there was a trade in place between the Penguins and Wild involving Phil Kessel, it appears to be off now. And it appears it’s off because Kessel doesn’t want to go to Minnesota. The Wild aren’t on his eight-team approved list for trades. And, according to Sportsnet, Kessel doesn’t...
Tim Benz: Pirates leaning on surprisingly reliable Jordan Lyles
Clint Hurdle took a look at his extended pitching chart while meeting with the media before Saturday’s game against the Dodgers. It was a color-coded mashup with individual schedules, notes and cross-outs. He shrugged and gave a resigned, bemused grin. “At the back end of it, we’ve got (Jordan) Lyles...
U mad, bro? Readers angry about Chris Archer, Steelers coverage
You should be mad. Why? Because “U mad, bro” is late this week. And waiting a few extra days seems to have allowed some of your venom to bubble quite a bit. Follow along as readers pop off about Chris Archer and coverage of the Steelers. A few readers didn’t...
Fantasy sports podcast: Chris Archer frustrations, Josh Bell’s bombs, Mitch Keller call-up?
It’s our weekly fantasy sports podcast with Jeff Erickson of Rotowire. There’s a ton of baseball to discuss. I don’t like “the opener” concept. I’ll get Erickson’s opinion, and he’ll tell us the fantasy impact. Significant call-ups across the league are taking place. Pirates farmhand Mitch Keller could be next....
First Call: Possible Phil Kessel landing spot; Pirates scout outfielder; loving Le’Veon Bell
It’s a trade-heavy “First Call” for Friday. The Penguins may be engaged in a potential trade for Phil Kessel. Jets coach Adam Gase is denying ideas he wants to trade Le’Veon Bell. And the Pirates may be interested in acquiring a New York Yankee. Pharewell Phil? Tribune-Review Penguins writer Jonathan...
Tim Benz: NFL simplifies replay, poised to complicate Hail Marys
I’ll give this to the Pittsburgh Steelers secondary: They sure are a diplomatic bunch. I approached many of the defensive backs who were at organized team activities Thursday, looking for some reaction to the tweak of the new NFL pass-interference rules. In case you missed the news Wednesday, the league...
Sean McDowell discusses retiring from WDVE, last song he’ll play
Sean McDowell has been on Steelers flagship radio station WDVE since 1993. He’s been on air in Pittsburgh since 1981. I spoke with him about his pending retirement which will happen on July 31. LISTEN: Sean McDowell discusses retirement from WDVE When McDowell made the announcement a few weeks ago,...
First Call: Antonio Brown makes Raiders debut; Pirates pierogies sexist?
Thursday’s “First Call” features your first look at Antonio Brown practicing with the Raiders. Tyler Boyd’s stance on free agency. Landry Jones’ release. Jon Bostic’s signing. And sautéed sexism at PNC Park. Brown’s debut Antonio Brown made his debut at Raiders organized team activities yesterday. Here’s your first look at...
Plenty of praise for Pirates’ Josh Bell’s latest splash landing
Only 9,534 fans saw Josh Bell’s 454-foot bomb of a home run at PNC Park Wednesday night. Too bad. It was worth seeing. Big drip, what you call it? ? pic.twitter.com/a3f6x4zbEa— Pirates (@Pirates) May 23, 2019 That’s just the fifth home run to reach the Allegheny River on the fly....
Tim Benz: Quieter Steelers on social media? So far, no good
An early question has been raised about the 2019 Pittsburgh Steelers. Did the team purge itself of players who do distracting, corrosive, nitwit-like things such as Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, Martavis Bryant and James Harrison? Or did they just pave the way for younger, louder, less-accomplished nitwits to emerge? Unfortunately,...
New Robert Morris athletic director discusses return to alma mater
In Wednesday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast, I’m joined by new Robert Morris Athletic Director Chris King to discuss his return to his alma mater. King, an Apollo native, assumes the job on June 1. He talks about how to best utilize the new UPMC Events Center. We also get into...
Check out the best hidden-ball trick in sports history
Get ready to see the best hidden-ball trick of all time. A tip of the cap to the crew at Deadspin for referencing the inspiration for the maneuver. Do you remember the baseball movie “Little Big League?” Pfft! That was nothing. First of all, it was the middle of a...
First Call: Jon Gruden discusses Antonio Brown’s OTA absence; a comical Pirates mishap
In “First Call” Wednesday, Jon Gruden responds to Antonio Brown’s absence in Oakland. A comical Pirates mishap. The Blues win the Western Conference finals with more help from a former Penguin. And someone in Buffalo has O.J. Simpson’s number. No A.B.? No big deal That seems to be the reaction...
Tim Benz: New Steelers already pressed for jobs they were just hired for
Welcome to town. Now go fight for the job opening you just thought you were hired to fill. That is the message being sent by the Steelers to each of their three significant free-agent signees this offseason. Inside linebacker Mark Barron, formerly of the Rams, inked a two-year, $12 million...
First Call: New pressure for Le’Veon Bell; Penguins scoring in bunches at Worlds
In “First Call” Tuesday, something to watch for Le’Veon Bell in New York. Penguins players keep pumping in goals at the World Championships. The Warriors make history. And the next opponent for the Pirates just can’t buy good luck. Something to watch Many people are wondering how Le’Veon Bell will...
