Tim Benz stories, Page 179

A lot happened during Major League Baseball’s All-Star week in Cleveland. Much of it had nothing to do with the game. Our Jerry DiPaola was on hand to cover all the angles. He’s back in Pittsburgh after the American League’s 4-3 win. We discuss commissioner Rob Manfred’s double talk...

Hall of Fame talk dots “First Call” today. Will the Penguins really miss the playoffs in 2020? And a look at how baseball financial inflation is out of control. Who besides Ben? This isn’t the most scientific NFL list of all time, but it may be worth a debate. The...

During the All-Star break, we discussed how Pirates management may view the recent surge by their players now that they are within 2 1/2 games of first place in the National League Central. They sound optimistic. But I bet the jury is still out. It should be. Because for as...

When the All-Star break ends, the second half of the season will resume the same way the first half ended for the National League Central. Division rivals will be jockeying for position as all five teams reboot the schedule within 4 ½ games of each other in the standings. The...

There was no raising of the Jolly Roger at Wimbledon’s Centre Court. No one waved a Terrible Towel. And “Renegade” was never played. London ain’t ready for that much Pittsburgh n’at, anyway. Peters Township product Alison Riske gave it her best against Serena Williams during the Wimbledon quarterfinals. But the...

In “First Call” for Tuesday, optimism for a bounce-back Steelers season. The TV ratings are good for the Women’s World Cup. And creative use of a player’s day with the Stanley Cup. Don’t sleep on the Steelers Some in the media and the fanbase seem to think the Steelers will...

People are so mad at me over my recent columns about the United States Women’s National Team, I thought we should have a special edition today of “U mad, bro?” And because the vast majority of the responses I got were negative ones from women or on behalf of women,...

At the Major League Baseball All-Star break, the 2019 standings do a nice job telling the story of the National League Central. I’m not sure that they do as good of a job telling the story of the 2019 Pittsburgh Pirates. Come to think of it, I don’t know how...

Peters Township tennis product Alison Riske upset the top seed and world No. 1 at Wimbledon. Her reward? A quarterfinal match against legendary champion Serena Williams. It’s at 8 a.m. Tuesday. And it’ll be played on Centre Court. No pressure. Riske, the No. 55-ranked player in the world, stunned French...

In “First Call” Monday, Jameson Taillon starts his road to recovery. Ivan Nova helps the Pirates. Charlie Morton continues to shine. And the home run contest may have gotten a little easier for Josh Bell. Baby steps Pirates starter Jameson Taillon ended up playing catch at PNC Park before the...

The United States Women’s National Team won the World Cup. And it lost one stupid argument. The first thing is more important. The second thing is their own fault. Prior to her team’s 2-0 victory over the Netherlands to win the World Cup, American star Megan Rapinoe complained that her...

After at least six concussions, Francisco Cervelli says he’s done with catching. The Pirates general manager isn’t ruling that scenario out either. “As we go through with Cervy, we need to be cognizant that there may be a position change at hand,” Neal Huntington said. “We’re continuing to work through...

Mark Madden may be suspended from Twitter (#FreeMarkMadden), but he isn’t suspended from the “Breakfast With Benz” podcast page. We talk at great length about the United States Women’s National Team. They won the World Cup. Have the politics and self-generated sidebar stories surrounding this team outweighed their accomplishments? It...

It’s our weekly fantasy sports podcast with Jeff Erickson of Rotowire. This week we get into major player changes affecting hockey and basketball fantasy leagues. We’ve seen a ton of player movement in the NHL. Jeff and I each give you one player that has changed teams who could kill...

In Wednesday’s “First Call,” the latest major jewelry purchase by Antonio Brown is hilarious. JuJu Smith-Schuster goes to London. Myles Garrett shows us why he is a beast. I see what you did there Antonio Brown has some new jewelry. It’s a dedication to Muhammad Ali. And himself, of course....

It’s been a week since I’ve checked my inbox for “U mad, bro.” And a lot has built up while I was on vacation. Penguins fans chime in on the Phil Kessel trade to Arizona. Pirates fans don’t seem to like the idea of dealing Felipe Vazquez. And Neal Huntington...

The U.S. women’s national soccer team has gotten its fair share of attention for celebrating too much and showing up its opponents during the Women’s World Cup. Even their own social media account was getting cocky after the 2-1 semifinal win against England on Tuesday afternoon. PARTY LIKE IT’S 1776...

In “First Call” Tuesday, T.J. McConnell may be staying with the Philadelphia 76ers. The NFL could expand its next Hall of Fame class. And we keep an eye on Long Island. Staying put in Philly? T.J. McConnell may stay in Philadelphia after all. At the end of the NBA season,...

The guys over at SteelersWire.com put together their all-time Steelers 53-man roster. Most of the choices are beyond dispute. Although making Scott Campbell the backup to Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback was a bit odd. Kidding. But there were a few strange omissions and choices almost nutty as that one that...

I’m back from Europe. Mark Madden is back from Vegas. It’s a day late. But our “Madden Monday” podcast for the week is up. And there is plenty to talk about concerning the Penguins. We get Mark’s response to the Phil Kessel trade from the standpoint of how the Penguins...

Let’s not put Jim Rutherford on an aircraft carrier with the “Mission Accomplished” sign behind his head just yet. But it appears the Penguins general manager has taken many of the steps he wanted to take this offseason. During his season-ending press conference in April, Rutherford said he wanted to...

In “First Call” Monday, Phil Kessel says goodbye to Pittsburgh. The MLB London series was insane. And the winding story of Dino Tomlin’s recruitment to Maryland. Kessel’s goodbye There have been a lot of reports about acrimony on the way out the door between Phil Kessel and the Penguins. But,...

Not only am I adjusting my body clock back to the Eastern time zone, I’m adjusting the podcast schedule, as well. With my American Airlines debacle of a flight home from vacation, and with Mark Madden traveling back from Las Vegas, we’ll do our usual Madden Monday podcast on Tuesday....

If the Pirates are genuinely considering a trade of Felipe Vazquez, one thing is clear. The team better get its next closer in exchange for him. Otherwise, recent history shows us that the return for good closers the Pirates have previously had has been poor. To the credit of Neal...