Joe Starkey stories
Cup of Joe: This version of Penguins’ Erik Karlsson is downright frightening
CUP OF JOE: Starkey on sports in 400 words or less When asked recently on live television what goes through his head when he sees Nathan MacKinnon coming at him, Erik Karlsson did not hesitate. “Oh (crap), here we go,” he said. Now imagine what opposing players must say when...
Cup of Joe: Oh well, at least Team USA honored the Padres
Cup of Joe: Starkey on sports in 350 words or less Yes, Team USA choked away the overrated World Baseball Classic, its vaunted lineup again coming up small in a 3-2 loss to Venezuela and journeyman pitcher Eduardo Rodríguez in the championship game. But at least they honored the San...
Cup of Joe: In defense of Evgeni Malkin, top 25 all-time player and 3rd-best in Penguins history
Cup of Joe: Starkey on Sports in 400 words or less (or significantly more, in this case) People are often quicker to rip Evgeni Malkin than give him the benefit of the doubt. And that continues to amaze me. Has this man not earned the benefit of the doubt by...
Joe Starkey’s Mailbag: Are the Penguins primed for a playoff run?
You ask. I answer. It’s time for “Mailing It In,” a weekly Q&A that appears Tuesdays at TribLive.com. Most of the questions come via X, but you can also hit me up at jraystarkey@gmail.com. Let’s gooooooo … Zach Hanczar, @zach_hanczar27: Will the Pens reach the conference final? Starkey: Why not,...
Cup of Joe: It was Fenway Sports Group that made this magical Penguins season possible
Cup of Joe: Starkey on sports in 400 words or less (or in this case more) They established themselves as a cold and distant corporate entity from the moment they arrived — and it kind of still feels like they never did arrive. They never really connected to the fan...
Joe Starkey: Did Team USA manager Mark DeRosa just make the biggest coaching blunder in sports history?
Part of me relates to Mark DeRosa, the MLB Network host who doubles as manager of Team USA at the World Baseball Classic. I’m a travel sports parent, you see, and the tournament brackets always leave me far beyond befuddled. I’ve been at softball or volleyball tournaments with my daughter,...
Joe Starkey’s Mailbag: How would you grade the Steelers’ 1st day of free agency?
You ask. I answer. It’s time for “Mailing It In,” a weekly Q&A that appears Tuesdays at TribLive.com. Most of the questions come via X, but you can also hit me up at jraystarkey@gmail.com. Let’s gooooooo … J, @Crossland895: Hello Joe! If you would, please grade day 1 of the...
Joe Starkey’s Cup of Joe: Evgeni Malkin’s suspension was a joke compared to Brandon Hagel’s free ride
CUP OF JOE: Starkey on sports in 350 words or less (or more, in this case) Silly question, but might there be reasons why people keep attacking Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin? And might one of those reasons be that Dahlin specializes in sneak-attack cross-checks from behind? Nah. It’s probably...
Joe Starkey’s Cup of Joe: Pitt, Duquesne, RMU fight back, inject a little life into hoops scene
CUP OF JOE: Starkey on sports in 350 words or less This was shaping up as a horrific year for men’s college hoops around here. It still might not be great, but things are momentarily looking up after a wildly entertaining and unexpected stretch of basketball. Pitt was tracking to...
Joe Starkey: Why couldn’t Pat McAfee just ask Aaron Rodgers a simple question?
The biggest news from the Pat McAfee-Aaron Rodgers bro show Wednesday was Rodgers saying, “I’m a free agent.” Hmmm. I wonder if he’s thinking about the Minnesota Vikings. I would be, although at least if Rodgers returns to the Pittsburgh Steelers he won’t have to ignore Jonnu Smith again. News...
Joe Starkey’s Cup of Joe: Upon further review, Ben Roethlisberger performed an absolute miracle in his final season
CUP OF JOE: Starkey on sports in 350 words or less (or more, in this case) His unqualified coordinator had never called an NFL play. His top receiver sometimes ran backwards and would be run straight out of the league by his late 20s. His No. 2 receiver would be...
Joe Starkey’s Mailbag: Who’s better — Drew Allar or Will Howard?
You ask. I answer. It’s time for “Mailing It In,” a weekly Q&A that appears Tuesdays at TribLive.com. Most of the questions come via X, but you can also hit me up at jraystarkey@gmail.com. Let’s gooooooo …. Burke O’Toole, @BurkeMan513: Dr. Starkey who would you rather the Steelers try to...
Joe Starkey: She sculpted the Bill Mazeroski statue — and hardly anybody knows
Every so often, Susan Wagner will visit PNC Park to see those powerful Pirates legends statues. Last weekend provided such an occasion, albeit a sad one. Bill Mazeroski died. Dozens journeyed to his bronze likeness at the end of the cul-de-sac on Mazeroski Way, near the right-field entrance, in front...
Joe Starkey’s Cup of Joe: What is an ‘AFC North’ quarterback?
Cup of Joe: Starkey on sports in 350 words or less Steelers GM Omar Khan made sure to talk up last season’s third-string quarterback — the sixth-round pick who has never appeared in a live NFL game — in addressing reporters at the NFL Combine. Of course he did. Khan...
Joe Starkey: The Steelers are Omar Khan’s show now. Is that a good thing?
Evaluating the Steelers’ personnel decisions in recent years was always tricky, because it was often unclear whether coach Mike Tomlin or general manager Omar Khan dictated a given decision. Who was pulling the trigger on many of the main acquisitions, via the draft, trades and free agency — and where...
Joe Starkey’s Cup of Joe: Steelers not alone in quarterback quandary
The ESPN.com headlines Tuesday felt like one big cry for quarterback help: • “Browns GM: Starting QB up for grabs, includes Sanders, Watson” • “Falcons GM: QB Cousins to be released March 11” • “Dolphins GM: ‘Everything’s on the table’ with Tua” • “Texans GM: Stroud trade speculation is ‘moronic’”...
Joe Starkey’s Mailbag: Would a salary cap enable the Pirates to keep Paul Skenes?
You ask. I answer. It’s time for “Mailing It In,” a weekly Q&A that appears Tuesdays at TribLive.com. Most of the questions come via X, but you can also hit me up at jraystarkey@gmail.com. Let’s gooooooo …. Chris Abt, @Chris_Abt: Why aren’t we considering that the imminent MLB lockout and...
Joe Starkey: My unforgettable afternoon with the Miracle on Ice team
The icy glares had long since melted. Herb Brooks was no longer the fiery tyrant of 1980. He was no longer the mad man who’d ordered his players to skate sprints in the dark after a lazy performance against Norway, telling them if they kept smashing their sticks on the...
Joe Starkey: Sidney Crosby’s injury should not have happened
Who was officiating the Canada-Czechia Olympic hockey game Wednesday, Jerry Meals? Actually, it was three NHL officials and a Swedish one, and their incompetence might have altered the course of the tournament, not to mention the Penguins’ promising season. As of this writing, Sidney Crosby was to undergo imaging for...
Joe Starkey’s Mailbag: Why can’t the Pirates win 85 games?
You ask. I answer. It’s time for a weekly Q&A mailbag that appears Tuesdays at TribLive.com. Most of the questions come via “X,” but you can also hit me up jraystarkey@gmail.com. Let’s gooooo … Frank from Cranberry, via email: Joe — hope the colonoscopy went well. The prep sucks. Anyway,...
Joe Starkey’s Cup of Joe: Steelers should steer clear of Tyreek Hill
CUP OF JOE: Starkey on Sports in 350 words or less Omar Khan’s never-ending search for a legit No. 2 receiver resumes this offseason. Strike that. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a No. 2 receiver. His name is DK Metcalf. He’s a decent player when he’s not taking pot shots at...
Joe Starkey’s Cup of Joe: Elroy Face and old baseball stories that never get old
CUP OF JOE: Starkey on Sports in 350 words or less I had only a few conversations with Elroy Face, but he was always ready with a story. His passing Thursday at age 97 reminded me of that. And of a few other things: • How quickly time flies and...
Joe Starkey: Projecting Pirates lineups is suddenly enjoyable, especially with Konnor Griffin in them
I keep reading about how the Pirates defense could be compromised by their offseason acquisitions, and I keep not caring. I’ll take the offense. Consider the case of all-field, no-hit Ke’Bryan Hayes, now in Cincinnati. Hayes is an elite defender, but how many times per game is he afforded the...
Joe Starkey: Ben Roethlisberger led where his team needed him most — on the field
What did Ben Roethlisberger actually say about Mike Tomlin that has Joey Porter and so many other ex-Steelers all hot and bothered? Not much, as it turns out. Back in December, Roethlisberger stated on his podcast what all but the most delusional Tomlin apologists were saying: “Maybe it’s a clean-house...
Joe Starkey’s Mailbag: Would Mac Jones be a good option for Steelers?
You ask. I answer. It’s time for a weekly Q&A mailbag that appears Tuesdays at TribLive.com. We had a banner first three weeks. This is no time for a trap game. Apologies for the delay this week. Most of the questions come via “X,” but you can also hit me...
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