Tim Benz stories, Page 116

Monday’s “First Call” gives us reason to think that the Steelers may bolster their pass rushing depth. Kevin Dotson’s pitching mechanics need work. The hype surrounding Tom Brady’s return to New England is building already. And the Pirates actually have reason to believe that they are much better than their...

My plan coming out of the All-Star break was to go to PNC Park Sunday in case New York Mets ace pitcher Jacob deGrom spun a perfect game against the normally putrid Pirates. Instead, what we saw was a 7-6 Mets win that was as far from perfect as you...

One of the things that made Ryan Shazier’s career-ending spinal injury so sad is that, for Pittsburgh Steelers fans, they could sense a little Troy Polamalu in what he brought to the field. Shazier (a linebacker) played a different position than Polamalu (a safety), and the defense around him wasn’t...

This time of year, Pittsburgh Steelers fans spend a lot of time getting fired up over lists and rankings published by various NFL media entities. Where Ben Roethlisberger ranks on the list of quarterbacks in the AFC North. Where T.J. Watt stands on the pass rusher rankings. Where Mike Tomlin...

Pittsburgh Steelers legend Troy Polamalu may return to Heinz Field. Backup quarterback Dwayne Haskins reportedly lost a tooth during an incident in Las Vegas. An update on when Pirates fans may get to see Jacob deGrom. And we’ll let you know how WPIAL and Pitt product Cam Johnson did in...

Pittsburgh Pirates fans reminded me of a valuable lesson this week. Media members are not allowed to pass negative judgement on any aspect of a Major League Baseball draft for at least five years. You can, however, declare it a spectacular, franchise-altering, paradigm-shifting success overnight. That’s how things went this...

For Robert Morris men’s hockey coach Derek Schooley, it sounds like he’s employing some good ol’ fashion hockey cliches. Right out of Hockey Media Relations 101. One play at a time. One shift at a time. One period at a time. One game at a time. For Schooley, though, there’s...

Wednesday’s “First Call” features a Steeler ripping the New England Patriots, on-air hosts singing very different tunes about Ben Roethlisberger and a few nuggets about the Robert Morris hockey teams. Cassius chimes in Steelers linebacker Cassius Marsh is taking another swat at one of his former teams: the New England...

We are still about two weeks away from Steelers training camp. The Stanley Cup Finals are over. So is the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, Home Run Derby and the draft. Besides the Pirates grinding toward a potential 100-loss season, what can Pittsburgh sports fans watch to get their fix...

Tuesday’s “First Call” takes a peek at potential Steelers who could make their Pro Bowl debuts. One Steeler almost missed Mike Tomlin’s draft day phone call. Remembering “Mr. Wonderful’s” football career. And a new job in the NHL for Pierre McGuire. Sounds like a good idea Last week, NFL.com compiled...

Congratulations on the Pittsburgh Pirates clinching a 2027 World Series berth. Okay, maybe 2028. Regardless, order your tickets now! By that point, all of the guys the Pirates drafted in the first few rounds of this week’s 2021 Major League Baseball draft should be with the big league club. Most...

Now that the 2021 Stanley Cup has been awarded to the Tampa Bay Lightning, it’s time for Pittsburgh Penguins fans to focus on what moves their team may make in the offseason. Or according to our Mark Madden, what moves they won’t make. “I think we’ll be amazed by how...

Monday’s “First Call” gives us news of a former Steeler retiring. We examine the details of Ben Roethlisberger allegedly tipping plays pre-snap. Pirates All-Star Adam Frazier is in pretty exclusive company. Ex-Pirates pitchers in the Bronx are finding a better rhythm. And we had some sassy tempers in a Pirates...

If the call had come on the 10th anniversary of the Jaromir Jagr trade, Kris Beech may have had a different reaction. He probably still would’ve done the interview. Just with a little less enthusiasm and a lot less perspective. But after 20 years of reflection, the former Penguins forward...

Friday’s “First Call” brings us a Doomsday scenario prediction for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Also, the Eagles may still be in play for Steven Nelson. We’ve got some Steelers birthdays, a bold prediction from a Steelers rival and Home Run Derby gambling odds. Big Ben ‘is going to be bad’ Former...

This happens from time to time at “Breakfast With Benz.” I get an email, tweet or a post in the comments section that I want to use for “U mad, bro?” However, sometimes that comment itself gets me mad enough that I find myself writing a response so long, it...

As Sunday’s Major League Baseball draft approaches, all signs continue to indicate that the Pittsburgh Pirates will choose Eastlake High School (Chula Vista, Cali.) shortstop Marcelo Mayer with the No.1 overall pick. For some people (yours truly included) who believe that drafting Vanderbilt pitcher Jack Leiter is a better route...

Thursday’s “First Call” gives us more odd Twitter ramblings from Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush. Benny Snell discusses the crowded Steelers running back room. We look at a potential oversight of the Steelers in the new Kurt Warner movie. And there are some interesting numbers heading into this weekend’s Pirates-Mets...

Wednesday’s 14-3 Pirates loss to the Atlanta Braves featured another multi-hit day for All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier. Pirates fans better enjoy those moments while they can because there likely won’t be too many games between the All-Star Game next week and the July 30 trade deadline before the team...

The Pirates have won three of their last four, but that doesn’t seem to matter in this week’s “U mad, bro?” inbox. Buccos fans are fretting about the future, bummed about the big picture and “on tilt” about ownership. Get back to me when they’ve won 10 in a row...

A running back the Steelers might cut. An offensive lineman the Steelers might sign. And high praise for Najee Harris, Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Plus, a WPIAL alumni showdown at PNC Park. All that in Wednesday’s “First Call.” Bye-bye, Benny? ESPN.com found one NFL veteran from each...

Regardless of what happens the rest of the way in the Stanley Cup Final, the Tampa Bay Lightning are about to accomplish something monumental. They’ll either eliminate the Montreal Canadiens with their next victory to become a rare squad that can boast back-to-back championships. Or they’ll blow a 3-0 series...

Newly signed offensive lineman Trai Turner is talking about his decision to join the Pittsburgh Steelers. Turner joined the NFL Network Tuesday. The 28-year-old guard seems confident that he’ll return to the Pro Bowl form he flashed throughout much of his career. “I believe in my game. I think I’m...

According to ESPN.com, T.J. Watt is the second-best pass rusher in the NFL. In Tuesday’s “First Call,” we’ll tell you who finished atop the voting. Also, some Steelers first-pitch fun. Highlights for a current Pirate and a former Buccos star. Plus, Tampa Bay’s mayor gets her wish. Now let’s see...

To the best of my knowledge, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush didn’t go on a midnight treadmill rant. Nor did he dye his mustache blonde. Come to think of it, does he have a mustache? Maybe he could dye that ponytail of his blonde instead if he still has it....