Jerry DiPaola stories, Page 156
Pirates starting pitchers present pack of trouble for opponents
Outside of their families, no one knows the Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitchers better than the guy who, literally, puts their fate in his hands and fingers every time they step on the mound. Catcher Francisco Cervelli, who has been in the majors since 2008 when some of his pitchers were...
Pirates SS Erik Gonzalez set for surgery; Starling Marte improving
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Erik Gonzalez will have surgery Thursday morning to repair and stabilize his broken collarbone. Gonzalez collided Friday with center fielder Starling Marte, putting both players on the injured list. Marte, who suffered abdominal wall and rib contusions, is progressing well, Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk...
Keep your eye on locals in NFL Draft, but not in 1st round
Since the turn of the century, a player from either Penn State, West Virginia or Pitt has been chosen in the first round of all but three NFL drafts. It started in 2000 with defensive end Courtney Brown and linebacker LaVar Arrington of Penn State and West Virginia tight end...
Pirates offer Trevor Williams little support in 2-1 loss to Arizona
When he’s at his best, Trevor Williams can paint the four corners of home plate and keep aggressive batters off balance. He comes into every game looking for a fight, at least in figurative terms, according to his catcher, Francisco Cervelli. “His mentality is, `I’m going to get you,’ ”...
Pirates rookie Bryan Reynolds leaves game with left quad injury
The Pittsburgh Pirates lost another outfielder Tuesday night when rookie center fielder Bryan Reynolds left the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park after singling to right field. He injured his left quad while running to first base. Reynolds, who has six hits in 12 at-bats since joining the...
Pirates’ new hitting coaches connect with Colin Moran
After playing four positions this month, Colin Moran started at his accustomed spot — third base — for the second game in a row Tuesday night at PNC Park against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Moran is hitting .289, giving manager Clint Hurdle enough confidence to put him fifth in the batting...
Initial injury diagnosis appears promising for Pirates pitcher Nick Burdi
The initial word from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Nick Burdi’s arm injury was described as “right bicep/elbow pain.” There was no mention of a bone break or muscle tear in his surgically repaired right arm after he threw a 97-mph fastball Monday night at PNC Park and immediately grabbed his...
Unclear on Steelers’ draft plans? These guys may clear things up
Listen closely, and you might think there are as many opinions on what the Pittsburgh Steelers should do with the 20th pick in the NFL Draft as there are seats at Heinz Field. OK, that’s an exaggeration. But many fans have a thought on what the Steelers should do starting...
5 of the best draft prospects whose names you don’t know
Here’s a look at some lesser-known players in the NFL Draft who might make an impact: QB Jacob Dolegala, 6-7, 242, 4.91, Central Connecticut State The NFL team that latches onto Dolegala will need to invest some time in him. But he started four years and set records at Central...
At No. 3, the Jets’ problem is a good one to have
With the third pick in the NFL Draft, the New York Jets have a difficult decision to make. Assuming Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray and Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa go 1-2 to the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers (and that’s no lock), the Jets and new coach Adam...
What you need to know about NFL Draft
The three-day football fan’s holiday known as the NFL Draft begins Thursday and runs through Saturday for at least four hours each day. It will appear on so many telecast and streaming platforms that if you don’t catch at least five minutes of it, you just don’t care. Here is...
Clint Hurdle’s decisions magnified in Pirates’ 3-2 loss to Giants
The Pittsburgh Pirates gave themselves little margin for error Sunday at PNC Park, producing only five hits in a 3-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants. But there was plenty of room for anyone in the crowd of 12,396 to second-guess the manager, making the Pirates’ first defeat after a...
Gregory Polanco close to returning, but arm strength will be an immediate issue
Gregory Polanco is making good progress from shoulder surgery and could come off the injury list during the current homestand, Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. But the initial velocity on Polanco’s throws will be compromised, according to general manager Neal Huntington. “Teams are probably going to challenge him and...
Colin Moran scheduled to start at second base vs. Giants
Colin Moran learned early this season that the most important number in his phone belongs to the Wilson representative. Moran needs almost as many different gloves as there are positions on the field. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ utility man is scheduled to start at second base Sunday against the San Francisco...
Elias Diaz returns to Pirates after beating virus
With a forgettable spring behind him, catcher Elias Diaz was back in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ clubhouse Sunday when he was activated from the injured list. Diaz, who will be the chief backup to Francisco Cervelli, missed most of spring training and the first 18 games of this season with a...
Pirates banged-up late, but early offensive surge beats Giants
With the season’s second four-game winning streak in the books, starting pitchers who continue to string together zeros and now a defense that hasn’t made an error in more than a week, the first-place Pittsburgh Pirates are faced with this question: What new troubles lurk around the corner? That’s right....
3 Pirates leave Giants game with injuries
Three Pittsburgh Pirates players left the game against the San Francisco Giants with injuries Friday night at PNC Park. In the eighth, shortstop Erik Gonzalez and center fielder Starling Marte collided trying to run down a bloop single by Yangervis Solarte. Both Pirates players were on the ground for several...
Pirates notebook: Clint Hurdle says Josh Bell’s start rooted in thoughtful approach
During the 2017 season, Josh Bell set a National League record for most home runs by a switch-hitting rookie (26), led NL first-year players in hits (140) and tied for first in doubles (26). Yet Clint Hurdle suggested Bell might have gained more valuable experience last year when he hit...
In the Major Leagues, Pirates’ Nick Burdi more than just a ‘Wild Thing’
When Nick Burdi’s ophthalmologist told him he needed to correct the vision in his right eye, he didn’t choose black-rimmed glasses for any reason other than personal convenience. “I had trouble putting (contacts) in and out,” the Pittsburgh Pirates’ rookie relief pitcher said. “I didn’t want to deal with it...
Penn State to host 3rd straight NCAA hockey regional in 2020
Penn State will be the host school for the Midwest Hockey Regional for the third consecutive year on March 28-29, 2020, at PPL Center in Allentown, the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Committee announced Friday. The winner from the four teams will advance to the 2020 Frozen Four in...
Robert Morris signs trio of newcomers
Robert Morris men’s basketball coach Andy Toole announced Thursday receiving letters of intent from three incoming players, including two from junior colleges. They are freshman forward Olisa Ngonadi of Fort Washington, Md., and junior forwards D.J. Russell of Jacksonville, Fla., and AJ Bramah of San Leandro, Calif. “As we get...
Pirates showing positive signs as they move into first place
If baseball’s regular season ended Thursday, the Pittsburgh Pirates would be a playoff team, and, of course, it doesn’t matter. It’s true the Pirates have the fourth-best record in MLB (10-6) and are in first place in the National League Central, percentage points ahead of the Miilwaukee Brewers, who fell...
Duquesne gets signatures on letters of intent from 2 guards
Guards Ashton Miller and Evan Buckley, who had previously given Duquesne coach Keith Dambrot verbal commitments to join the team, signed their letters of intent, the school announced. Miller, who scored 991 of his 1,220 career points over his final two seasons at Seton Hall (N.J.) Prep, averaged 20.2 points,...
Pitt signs 4-star wing player to letter of intent
Justin Champagnie, a 6-foot-5, four-star wing player from Brooklyn, N.Y., signed his letter of intent with Pitt after verbally committing to coach Jeff Capel in March. “Justin is a high-energy player who competes hard on every possession,” Capel said in a statement. “He has the skill set and versatility to...
Steelers, 102.5 FM extend broadcast pact through 2023
For the past 20 seasons, Pittsburgh Steelers fans who can’t be in front of a TV on gameday have known where to turn to hear the games. The Steelers and iHeartMedia will keep that familiarity going through the 2023 season after reaching an extension of their broadcast agreement. “We are...
