Pirates/MLB category, Page 45
On Sports: Will an ex-Steeler make his Giants debut as starting LT vs. Steelers?; Bub Carrington makes NBA debut
O-line shakeup They’ll get no sympathy from the Pittsburgh Steelers, who themselves have started nine different offensive linemen and five starting combinations of the unit through seven games. But Pittsburgh’s next opponent is facing desperate times at its O-line’s most high-profile position. Signed off the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad...
U mad, bro?: Pittsburgh fans emote about Pirates pierogi politics, scuffling Penguins, Steelers’ tackling
If Russell Wilson had been bad in his first start as a Pittsburgh Steeler on Sunday night, all we would be talking about this week in “U mad, bro” would’ve been Justin Fields getting benched. But Russ cooked, and the Steelers won. So instead of a big, juicy main course,...
Pirates fill front-office opening, hire Kevin Tenenbaum as VP of research and development
The Pittsburgh Pirates filled one of their two front-office openings by hiring Kevin Tenenbaum as vice president of research and development, a source confirmed to TribLive. Tenenbaum, 32, comes to the Pirates after seven years with the Cleveland Guardians, where he spent four years as assistant director of baseball research...
Tim Benz: 45 years later, remembering how the potent 1979 Pirates pitched their way to a World Series comeback
Thursday marks the 45th anniversary of the 1979 World Series championship for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The franchise hasn’t won one since. In the second half of our two-part series remembering that title run, we flashback to an overlooked aspect of that Fall Classic. When most baseball fans think back to...
Pirates pitcher Domingo German elects free agency
Pitcher Domingo German, designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sept. 5, has elected free agency, per Minor League Baseball’s transactions log. German, whose signing to a minor-league deal by the Pirates in March was controversial given the 32-year-old’s checkered past that featured several suspensions by MLB, was assigned...
Pirates’ Jared Triolo named Gold Glove finalist at utility position
Overall, Jared Triolo didn’t have the most remarkable of seasons in 2024 for the Pittsburgh Pirates. After a red-hot finish at the plate to conclude the 2023 campaign, followed by a solid offensive performance over spring training, Triolo seemed in position to carve out a larger role with the Pirates...
Tim Benz: A chance to celebrate Maz and Franco on the same day
Whether it’s on television or social media Sunday, you’ll probably be hit with a few reminders of the greatest moment in Steelers history. The Steelers are playing the Raiders. Any time that happens — even if they aren’t in Oakland anymore — you are going to see some highlights of...
Pirates offer to assist hurricane first responders in Bradenton, report damage at training facility
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ training facility in Bradenton, Fla., where the Low-A Marauders are based, was damaged overnight as Hurricane Milton made its way across the state. Both LECOM Park and Pirates City, where the Pirates hold spring training games and workouts, respectively, suffered damage. In addition to several photos showcasing...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Pirates watch as rival Reds improve by hiring New Brighton’s Terry Francona
The Pittsburgh Pirates added MLB’s best pitcher and another good hurler this season. Their best offensive talent was healthy after playing just nine games in 2023 because he didn’t know how to slide. (Probably still doesn’t.) Yet somehow the Pirates managed to finish with the same rotten record (76-86) as...
‘We came up short way too often’: Pirates’ season spiraled with stretch of 1-run losses
The Pittsburgh Pirates had just blown a ninth-inning lead in a 7-6 loss to the San Diego Padres on Aug. 8 at PNC Park when manager Derek Shelton was asked about suffering a fifth one-run loss in seven days. “If I could put my finger on it, I would,” Shelton...
Savannah Bananas’ World Tour includes 2-game stop at PNC Park in 2025Video
The Savannah Bananas are bringing their unique brand of baseball to Pittsburgh next summer. PNC Park will host a pair of games between the Bananas and Texas Tailgaters on Aug. 29-30, 2025. The Bananas announced their Banana Ball World Tour City Draft on Thursday night, listing a 2025 schedule that...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Pirates trying to figure out the fallout of another late-season collapse
With the Pittsburgh Pirates in wild-card contention, general manager Ben Cherington became a buyer for the first time at the trade deadline and dealt for three players to make a push for the playoffs. The acquisitions of left-handed reliever Jalen Beeks, outfielder Bryan De La Cruz and infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa...
U mad, bro?: Readers enraged over Steelers’ loss in Indy, NFL officiating, PiratesVideo
The Steelers were shockingly bad in Indianapolis on Sunday. The Pirates’ 2024 season ended in typically disappointing fashion. NFL officials continue to be a disaster. And Pete Rose died before he was ever let into the Hall of Fame. Let’s just say I had plenty of material to fill out...
‘We’re not winning enough’: GM Ben Cherington isn’t satisfied with Pirates’ progress
That the Pittsburgh Pirates followed back-to-back 100-loss seasons with successive 76-win seasons might be viewed as progress, but general manager Ben Cherington isn’t about celebrate. Not when the Pirates have posted six consecutive losing seasons. Not when they have missed the playoffs nine years in a row. And not after...
Tim Benz: Despite public pressure, MLB and Cooperstown can’t change their stances on Pete Rose for 1 big reason
In the days since his death Monday night, the conversation about inducting Pete Rose into baseball’s Hall of Fame has regenerated. Supporters of Rose are calling for Major League Baseball’s all-time hits leader to finally be inducted posthumously in Cooperstown because, theoretically, his lifetime ban for gambling on baseball has...
Bryan De La Cruz projected for biggest raise among Pirates’ 9 arbitration-eligible players
One of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ most disappointing players is in line for the biggest raise among their nine arbitration-eligible players, based on annual projections by MLBTradeRumors.com for the 2025 season. Right fielder Bryan De La Cruz, who batted .200 with six doubles, three home runs and 17 RBIs in 44...
‘Cueto!’: Looking back at Pirates’ 2013 NL Wild Card victory
Clint Hurdle called it one of the best days of his life. Many of the thousands of Pirates fans who filled PNC Park 11 years ago have a similar feeling as the then-Bucs manager. Tuesday is the anniversary of the 2013 National League Wild Card game between the Pirates and...
Pirates shake up staff by firing hitting coach Andy Haines, bullpen coach Justin Meccage
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington gave a vote of confidence to Derek Shelton last month, saying he would return in 2025 for his sixth season as manager. Shelton’s coaching staff, however, is undergoing changes. Sources confirmed to TribLive that the Pirates dismissed hitting coach Andy Haines and bullpen coach...
Tim Benz: Don’t let win total fool you, the Pirates regressed in so many ways
“You either get better or you get worse. You never stay the same.” If ever there was a sports team that personified that inspirational thought-for-a-day calendar entry, it was the 2024 Pittsburgh Pirates. In the strictest of terms, this year’s Pirates club stayed the same as last year. They were...
Analysis: After ‘frustrating’ year, Pirates need Ke’Bryan Hayes to put back issues behind him
Ke’Bryan Hayes repeated the words “definitely frustrating” over and over, reinforcing that he wasn’t pleased with anything related to his health or performance when discussing the 2024 season. After winning the NL Gold Glove at third base and being voted team MVP, the 27-year-old was entering his prime and expected...
Pirates pitching phenom Paul Skenes wins Baseball America’s rookie of the year honors
Paul Skenes earned the first of what could be many awards Monday when Baseball America named the Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitcher its rookie of the year. The 22-year-old Skenes becomes only the second Pirates player to win Baseball America’s rookie of the year honors, joining outfielder Andrew McCutchen (2009). The...
What happens to PNC Park’s leftover food?
The Pittsburgh Pirates played their final 2024 home game Thursday at PNC Park, but there are items from the ballpark’s concession stands still being served, though not to fans. The leftover food is being donated to 412 Food Rescue, a non-profit that recovers and redistributes food directly to people who...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Unsatisfying season has Pirates looking for ways to get better faster
Even before the Pittsburgh Pirates played their finale Sunday, Ben Cherington was asked to point out the highlights and lowlights of a season that fell far short of expectations. Given that they already had clinched their sixth consecutive losing season, the Pirates general manager was reluctant to put too positive...
‘I didn’t deserve it’: Pirates infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa passes on chance for performance bonus
After enduring backlash for releasing Rowdy Tellez earlier this week when he was four plate appearances from qualifying for a $200,000 performance bonus, the Pittsburgh Pirates found themselves in another payroll predicament before Sunday’s season finale at the New York Yankees. This time, it was the player who opted out...
Yankees rally for 2 runs in bottom of 8th inning to beat Pirates in season finale
That Oneil Cruz went down swinging for a strikeout for the final out in the ninth inning was a fitting end to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ season. It proved to be a big whiff. Alex Verdugo hit a two-run single with the bases loaded to break a tie in the bottom...
