Mark Madden stories, Page 19

Texas is reportedly interested in acquiring outfielder/DH Andrew McCutchen from the Pirates. McCutchen, 36, signed with the Pirates as a free agent this past offseason. It was a much-ballyhooed return to Pittsburgh after leaving the Pirates via trade to San Francisco following the 2017 campaign. Tears were shed, smiles plentiful....

When Jim Rutherford was Penguins GM, you knew what he’d do: A lot. When Ron Hextall was Penguins GM, you knew what he’d do: Often something stupid. But now, with Kyle Dubas as the team’s president of hockey operations and a very important week ahead, it’s hard to draw a...

Something called Pro Football Network ranked the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mike Tomlin third among NFL coaches, trailing only Kansas City’s Andy Reid and New England’s Bill Belichick. Pro Football Network seems small potatoes. But this is exemplary of how Tomlin is rated, and why. He’s good just because. “A Tomlin team...

Ex-Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tom Barrasso made the Hockey Hall of Fame. It took him 17 years of eligibility. Former New York Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist made it on his first ballot. After just three years. Lundqvist had the advantage of playing in New York, North America’s top media hub. But...

UFC impresario Dana White offered a candid assessment of the NHL: “They are all old, dumb (expletive) people that have no idea what’s going on. They have no idea where this younger generation is, how you reach them.” (There’s a Van Halen lyric in there somewhere.) White pointed out that...

Stan Savran’s funeral begins at 1 p.m. Wednesday. My radio program starts at 3 p.m. So I’ll attend Stan’s funeral but will leave at 1:45 p.m. whether it’s completed or not because I want to make certain I get to the studio on time. That’s the biggest tribute I can...

After his team lost the Stanley Cup Final in five games to the Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice gave a powerful interview that referenced his “special group” and talked about how his players “love each other.” Hockey’s romantics fairly wept, citing the Panthers’ great culture. But it’s...

Pro Football Focus projects Alex Highsmith will get a four-year contract extension worth $65 million. That’s an average annual value of $16.25, which would rank him 13th among the NFL’s edge rushers. That’s insane. But Highsmith will get it. The Pittsburgh Steelers are bullied by their players easily and often....

In the new-age media tradition of compiling endless lists and providing content that would be more apropos in, say, 10-12 weeks, I present: Top 5 reasons the Steelers aren’t as good as you think 1. Defense doesn’t win. Not even elite defense, and it’s a big leap to assume the...

When no single topic stands out, it’s time for refreshing sports notes! (Problem is, that kills a gaggle of column ideas in one fell swoop.) • The Pittsburgh Pirates almost could win me over. They play hard, aggressive baseball and have a modicum of talent. But I don’t trust owner Bob...

Whenever a fan is in the presence of a big-time athlete, the fan should remember that the athlete doesn’t care about him or her. You won’t be friends. It’s an empty encounter, so don’t feel bad about wanting a selfie, autograph, whatever. (Be polite.) This especially goes if you have...

The Pirates swept bogey team St. Louis and then lost two of three to Oakland, perhaps the worst team in baseball history. It’s maddening, but the Pirates have somehow hung around the top of the very generic National League Central despite their consistent inconsistency. Shortstop Oneil Cruz won’t be back...

Before you moralize about the Saudis buying golf — which is exactly what they did Tuesday — ask yourself this: How would you feel if they bought the Pittsburgh Pirates? If the Saudis bought the Pirates, they would be the best team in MLB within two or three years. No...

As a talk-show stooge, I constantly get asked cliched questions. One of the more frequent: Which Pittsburgh team is closest to a championship? It might be the Riverhounds. Sure, it’s only Class AAA soccer. But the Riverhounds are quietly becoming a phenomenon, selling out five of their six home games...

The Pittsburgh Pirates lost 14-4 at San Francisco on Monday. Pirates utilityman Chase Owings (since cut) pitched the bottom of the eighth, the last time the Giants batted. A non-pitcher pitching is stupid. It happens at the end of lopsided games far too often. It shouldn’t happen at all. There’s...

Kyle Dubas is the Penguins’ new president of hockey operations. It’s a great hire. I told you it would be in March. Here’s what I like: • Dubas isn’t some blockhead ex-player hanging on by way of a second act. At 37, he’s a career executive. Dubas learned the craft...

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly kicking around the idea of getting running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren on the field at the same time. Cue a bunch of tweets: “Just like Franco and Rocky.” (One tweet literally said that. I ridiculed the author.) This sounds like mindless OTAs talk....

The next Pittsburgh Penguins GM has his work cut out for him. He likely will have to package positive assets with negative surplus just to hit reset. Like trading, say, a third-round pick and Mikael Granlund for zilch just to get rid of Granlund. If that sounds grotesque, it’s just...

Kenny Pickett got his SUV and playbook stolen. The SUV (a perk from a sponsor) got swiped. The playbook was in it. Each could be easily replaced. Free cars are plentiful for star athletes, and Matt Canada authored the playbook. Light reading by an unheralded author. The crime was easily...

LeBron James got his backside handed to him by Nikola Jokic in the NBA playoffs. Denver eliminated the Los Angeles Lakers in four straight games. James, 38, was very good. Jokic, 28, was utterly dominant. But, in the immediate aftermath, James pondered whether he’d retire. The media swarmed like piranha....

If you’re one of those who might get the Pittsburgh Penguins GM job, here’s a user’s guide: • Be the boss. The Penguins haven’t won a playoff series since 2018. They need your ideas. You don’t need theirs. Insist on having complete power over personnel and input on coaching. You’ll...

Brittney Griner made her return to the WNBA on Friday when her Phoenix team visited Los Angeles. Griner missed the 2022 season while she was imprisoned 10 months in Russia for carrying a controlled substance (cannabis vape cartridges) through a Moscow airport. Vice President Kamala Harris attended. So did tennis...

Few sports have a player who unequivocally can be declared the game’s best ever. Hockey produces a debate between Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Bobby Orr. With basketball it’s LeBron James and Michael Jordan. In baseball, options are plentiful: Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, etc....

As a wise old veteran of sports media once told me: When in doubt, write/talk about the quarterback. That’s always been a go-to in the Pittsburgh market. The Steelers re-upping third-stringer Mason Rudolph generated headlines, clicks and conversation. Extending backup Mitch Trubisky’s contract did the same, but more. Both moves...

Refreshing sports notes seem a worthy method of celebrating Mason Rudolph still being a Steeler. He can’t return because he never left. • Mason Rudolph’s re-signing with the Steelers gives him a job but also reveals that no other team considered him worthy to compete for a No. 2 spot....