Tim Benz stories, Page 181

In “U mad, bro?” this week, defenders of the Pittsburgh Steelers come out of the woodwork. People are still angry at those who lashed out at Steve Blass. And what would this weekly post be without a few agitated Pirates fans honked off at the pitching staff? Jamie didn’t like...

When it comes to Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford, one question needs to be asked. Who is he kidding? Us? Or himself? Right now, I’d say it’s the former. By the time the 2019-20 season starts, it may end up being the latter. Over the past three weeks, the...

Golf’s U.S. Open starts today. So that’s the topic of our Thursday “Breakfast With Benz” podcast. We turn to our expert on the links, Brian Taylor of “Real Golf Radio.” . He joins us to talk about all the major championships. Those events are often won by Brooks Koepka. He...

For “First Call” Wednesday, is Melky Cabrera getting traded? How about Derek Dietrich? Antonio Brown seems pumped for “Hard Knocks.” High praise for a Pitt product in the NFL. And the Pirates first-round pick insists his arm is fine. Will Melky move? MLB.com posted a list of 10 players whose...

It wasn’t the strongest NFL draft class for running backs. But Pitt’s Qadree Ollison may be one of the most impactful of the bunch. That’s according to NFL.com’s Gil Brandt. Here’s what he said about the Falcons’ fifth-round pick. “In a perfect world for the Falcons, Devonta Freeman and Ito...

It’s Blues vs. Bruins on Wednesday in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. So I turned to the best possible hockey expert in Pittsburgh for analysis for our podcast today. Look out, Bob Errey and Phil Bourque. Step aside, Colby Armstrong and Mike Rupp. This is Sutton Smith’s time...

Everybody is in on the joke now. Not just the offensive linemen. “There you go, ‘Sweet Feet,’ ” Ben Roethlisberger hollered as he walked past a throng of media waiting for new offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett. “Uh, I mean, coach Shaun.” It’s been the running joke of Steelers spring...

Penguins fans have had a lot of fun anniversaries to celebrate lately. • The 35th anniversary of drafting Mario Lemieux was Sunday. • The end of this season marked the 30th anniversary of Lemieux’s 199-point campaign in 1989. • Today is the 10th anniversary of the 2009 Stanley Cup championship...

In Tuesday’s “First Call,” Antonio Brown dabbles in Le’Veon Bell territory. Emotional reaction to Kevin Durant’s injury. Kyle Rudolph is staying with the Vikings. And, please, enough Drake! Move over Le’V Mr. Big Chest is Mr. Big Voice now. Yup. A.B. is trying his hand at singing now. View this...

What did you do for “Happy Mario Day?” Did you go down the YouTube Mario Lemieux highlight rabbit hole? Wear a No. 66 jersey to Sunday dinner? Maybe place a bouquet at the statue in front of PPG Paints Arena? Those are all completely appropriate responses, by the way. However...

Tired of hearing about how those ex-Pirates are blossoming in Tampa after the Chris Archer trade? Austin Meadows and that annoying .346 batting average to lead the American League. Tyler Glasnow and that 1.80 ERA before his injury. Tired of being reminded that Gerrit Cole is leading Major League Baseball...

If this is Major League Baseball’s idea of “letting the kids play,” then it shouldn’t. Because the kids can’t handle themselves. Whether it’s Derek Dietrich posing for every home run he hits, Max Muncy acting like a first-inning homer in June is a walk-off homer in October, Madison Bumgarner channeling...

In Monday’s “First Call,” an update on David Ortiz’s health after he was shot over the weekend. A.J. Green wants to remain a Bengal. Tensions rise in the N.L. West. Praying for Papi Red Sox legend Pedro Martinez reached out to former teammate David Ortiz on Sunday night after Ortiz...

Well, what do you know? It’s a “Madden Monday” podcast … on a Monday! Will wonders never cease? Between holidays, vacation days and our mutually busy concert schedule, Mark Madden and I haven’t been able to connect on a Monday for the past few weeks, pushing our usual post back...

The Pirates don’t need this. It appears Francisco Liriano may be turning into their latest problem, after having previously been one of their most reliable performers. Liriano allowed a two-run homer to Mike Moustakas in the eighth inning Sunday. Mike Moustakas continues to hurt the Pirates. This is his 12th...

This was an interesting find by TribLive’s Chris Adamski. He came across this table compiled by German stats guy René Bugner. No commentary from Bugner. Just the numbers. It’s a list of the best decades ever compiled by NFL teams. His numbers outline the best combined regular-season and playoff win-loss...

In “First Call” Friday, there may be a trade chip on the Penguins besides Phil Kessel. The Bruins got screwed in the Stanley Cup Final. The Big Ten/ACC Challenge should be fantastic. Who else besides Phil? The Athletic listed its top 20 trade candidates. Two Penguins made it. Writer Craig...

It’s our weekly fantasy sports podcast with Jeff Erickson of Rotowire. One of our big topics of conversation is Andrew McCutchen’s injury. How will the Phillies adjust? And how should fantasy owners of McCutchen adjust? There’s been some talk of the Phillies perhaps being interested in Starling Marte. We kick...

Part of the reason the Pirates traded Andrew McCutchen is that they had Starling Marte. Now that McCutchen’s newest team has lost him for the season, might the Phillies try to replace him with Marte? That seems to be a percolating possibility, if you believe what is being written about...

In a perfect world, the National Football League would trim its preseason by at least two games, keep its regular season at 16 games and leave the playoff bracket alone. But it’s far from a perfect world, even in the NFL. The collective bargaining agreement expires after the 2020 season....

Remember how quiet and shy Troy Polamalu was when he was first drafted by the Steelers? Now picture the exact opposite. That’s his second cousin, Blake Sabol. And that’s who the Pirates drafted in the seventh round out of Southern Cal. If the catcher-turned-outfielder is as comfortable at the plate...

Thursday’s “First Call” includes a Penn State alum making a crazy NFL pick. A Penn State commit staying true to State College. And a reason why the Yankees may be shopping Clint Frazier to the Pirates again. Say what?! NFL Network analyst — and Penn State product — Michael Robinson...

There is a disturbing lack of “Phil DePhense Phoundation” emails in “U mad, bro?” this week. Don’t they know “the media is trying to run Phil out of town” again? But their absence has been filled by angry Pirates fans, raging Reds fans and NFL fans who want to call...

I’m not going to defend Steve Blass. Mainly because the Pirates broadcaster’s six-decade-long reputation in baseball should stand on its own. It’s a reputation of being an ambassador of the game, rooted in his ability to be well-liked and respected by those of many different races and nationalities. For 36...

In “First Call” Wednesday, the Browns are dealing with some drama of their own. Arizona is still mad about Super Bowl XLIII. And a team broke up a no-hitter with a bunt. Browns drama The Steelers have had their share of drama in recent years while attempting to win the...