Jerry DiPaola stories, Page 87
Pirates trade All-Star Adam Frazier to Padres for prospects
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher J.T. Brubaker had to tell the truth Sunday when he heard Adam Frazier was traded to the San Diego Padres for three young prospects. “I’m happy for the guy. Dude’s an All-Star,” Brubaker said. Catcher Jacob Stallings didn’t hide from what many players in the Pirates clubhouse...
Pirates miss chance at sweep, drop series finale to NL West-leading Giants
Except for two pitches, J.T. Brubaker gave the Pittsburgh Pirates a chance to win Sunday at Oracle Park in San Francisco. But leadoff hitter Lamonte Wade Jr. homered twice off Brubaker, Pittsburgh Pirates bat went silent and the Giants finally looked like the team with the best record in baseball...
With trade deadline looming, Pirates’ Ben Cherington hopes to uncover `opportunities that make sense’
Ben Cherington offered no specific details Sunday when he appeared on his radio show on 93.7 FM and was asked about the upcoming trade deadline. But the Pittsburgh Pirates general manager indicated trades are an important component in rebuilding the team. “We have to stay focused on adding talent and...
Pitt tight end Lucas Krull named to John Mackey Watch List
Once an MLB draft choice, Lucas Krull continues to be recognized as a college football tight end, earning a second consecutive spot on the John Mackey Award Watch List. Krull, 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, was injured and missed most of the 2020 season, with only one catch for 6 yards against...
Pitt wide receiver Jordan Addison named to Biletnikoff Watch List
No longer a newcomer, Pitt wide receiver Jordan Addison will be asked to hoist a heavier load this year as one of the top pass catchers in the ACC. He’ll enter his sophomore season as one of eight ACC players named to the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, presented...
Pitt notebook: Pat Narduzzi says players can improve their brand by staying out of trouble
Pat Narduzzi keeps a sheet of paper in his office that he considers just as important as any page in the playbook. On it, Pitt’s football coach keeps track of off-the-field problems that arise involving college athletes around the country. Occasionally, he takes it out and share its contents with...
Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi looks at the changes in college football and declares, ‘This is crazy’
The boy who used to wait eagerly at the kitchen table for his father to come home from practice so they could talk college football now wonders what’s happened to the game he loves. That boy grew up to be Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi. The 55-year-old son of a coach...
New ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips ready to confront problems of transfers, NIL, covid
In his first five months on the job, ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips has been confronted with three unprecedented challenges: • The NCAA transfer portal, and its effect on football and basketball rosters and recruiting. • Dealing with players seeking exposure and financial gain through name, image and likeness opportunities. •...
Pirates pitchers squander 4-run lead on the way to an 11-6 loss to Diamondbacks
The Pittsburgh Pirates finally supported starting pitcher Tyler Anderson on Tuesday night — for half the game — but it wasn’t nearly enough to secure a victory. Anderson allowed three runs in six innings and the Pirates bullpen collapsed in a 31-minute, eight-run seventh to help the Arizona Diamondbacks roll...
Pirates notebook: Chase De Jong placed on IL after taking hit on left knee
The Pittsburgh Pirates placed starting pitcher Chase De Jong on the 10-day injured list Tuesday after he was hit on the left knee Monday night by a 89.5-mph line drive off the bat of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ David Peralta. De Jong, who has knee inflammation, is the sixth Pirates starter...
Former Canon-McMillan, Peters Township boys basketball coach Rick Bell joins Duquesne women’s staff
Rick Bell’s resume is difficult to ignore. Along with his 31 years as head boys basketball coach at Canon-McMillan (18 years) and Peters Township (13), Bell was an assistant coach in the 1996 McDonalds All-American Boys Game at the former Civic Arena where his players included Kobe Bryant and four...
Pirates 2nd-round draft pick Anthony Solometo: Need to dominate batters ‘like an addiction’
Every athlete hopes to dominate the opponent, but Anthony Solometo takes his approach toward that end one intense step further. Something like what a shark feels when it sees blood in the water, he said. “It was kind of like an addiction,” the Pittsburgh Pirates’ second-round draft choice said Tuesday...
Diamondbacks hang on to defeat Pirates, 4-2
The Arizona Diamondbacks started the season with a respectable 15-13 record. Then, they lost 55 of their next 67 games, almost unbelievable futility. The Pittsburgh Pirates rolled into Chase Stadium in Phoenix on Monday night carrying a .302 batting average since the Fourth of July, the second-highest in the majors....
Pitt’s Kenny Pickett, Calijah Kancey named to preseason watch lists for Maxwell, Bednarik Awards
Two Pitt players — one on each side of the ball — attracted national attention Monday when quarterback Kenny Pickett and sophomore defensive tackle Calijah Kancey were named to watch lists for the Maxwell Award and Chuck Bednarik Awards. The Maxwell is awarded to the college player of the year;...
Pirates notebook: Kyle Crick dropped after minor-league pitcher Dillon Peters acquired from Angels
The quest for capable pitching arms at all levels of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization continued Monday when the Pirates sent cash considerations to the Los Angeles Angels for left-handed pitcher Dillon Peters. The team immediately assigned Peters to Triple-A Indianapolis, but the Pirates plan to use him there — and,...
33 years later, Pitt gets a return match with Vanderbilt
Pitt will get another shot at Vanderbilt this basketball season — even if it is 33 years too late. The schools announced Monday a two-game series that will begin this season. The Panthers will host first, welcoming Vanderbilt to Petersen Events Center on Nov. 24. Pitt will visit Nashville, Tenn.,...
Carnegie Mellon track coach Gary Aldrich eager to guide U.S. athletes at Olympics
Gary Aldrich is making history at Carnegie Mellon. CMU’s track and field coach will be the first from the school to coach in the Olympics when he guides the U.S. men’s team in shot put, discus, hammer and javelin. Delayed a year by the covid-19 pandemic, the Tokyo Olympics start...
Ex-Pitt forward Justin Champagnie said he expects to be drafted, but knows that’s only the beginning
Justin Champagnie said the thought hasn’t crossed his mind. Yet, when presented Thursday with the possibility that he might not be among the 60 players drafted into the NBA on July 29, the former Pitt forward had a well-considered answer. Speaking from the Petersen Events Center on a conference call...
Penn State receives commitment from nation’s No. 1 ’23 interior offensive lineman Alex Birchmeier
While in the midst of assembling the nation’s third-ranked 2022 recruiting class, Penn State received its first verbal commitment from a 2023 prospect Thursday when guard Alex Birchmeier announced his plans to enroll. 100% COMMITTED #WEARE23 pic.twitter.com/dw3Xc6wWTa— Alex Birchmeier (@Alex_Birchmeier) July 15, 2021 Birchmeier, a 6-foot-5, 275-pound rising junior at...
Pirates step onto sports betting platform with BetMGM
The Pittsburgh Pirates have formed a partnership with sports betting and digital gaming operator BetMGM that will include branding throughout PNC Park, content on the team’s digital and social platforms and promotions aimed at fans in the stands. “Our partnership with BetMGM is one that we are extremely proud to...
Pitt rewards men’s soccer coach Jay Vidovich with contract extension through 2025
Pitt coupled success with stability in its men’s soccer program Wednesday, announcing a contract extension that will keep coach Jay Vidovich with the team at least through the 2025 season. Vidovich, a five-time ACC Coach of the Year, led Pitt to the best season in its 67-year history in a...
Pitt’s Jimbo Covert: Waiting 20 years to reach Pro Football Hall ‘makes it so much sweeter’
From his humble upbringing in the small Beaver County borough of Freedom, Jimbo Covert has reached a lofty station in life on many levels: • Successful businessman • Pitt Board of Trustees member • Pro Football Hall of Famer (when he is inducted Aug. 7 with the 2020 Centennial Class)...
Vincentian, UConn standout Kyler Fedko drafted by Twins
Vincentian graduate Kyler Fedko, who found a power stroke this season at the University of Connecticut after hitting .412 in 13 games in 2020, was chosen by the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday in the 12th round of the MLB Draft. He was the 369th overall selection. Fedko, 21, was the...
Pitt pitcher Mitch Myers picked by the A’s in 12th round
Pitt pitcher Mitch Myers, who threw a complete-game, three-hitter to defeat Virginia and two months later led the Panthers to a 5-3 victory against North Carolina in the ACC Tournament, was picked in the 12th round of the MLB Draft on Tuesday. Myers, a junior right-hander, was the 368th overall...
WVU pitchers Jackson Wolf, Ryan Bergert, PSU’s Conor Larkin chosen on 2nd day of draft
Two West Virginia pitchers and another from Penn State were chosen Monday on the second day of the MLB Draft. The San Diego Padres selected the two Mountaineers, senior left-hander Jackson Wolf and junior right-hander Ryan Bergert. Penn State senior right-hander Conor Larkin went to the Torono Blue Jays. Wolf...
