Tim Benz stories, Page 20
Tim Benz: Paul Skenes’ rough outing continues typically dreary start for Pirates
On Tuesday night, Paul Skenes actually looked human. Fortunately, there was barely anyone in the ballpark to see it. Even the draw of seeing the Pittsburgh Pirates ace in his 2025 home debut wasn’t enough to lure more than 8,291 out to PNC Park on a 38-degree night against the...
‘Eternal’ and ‘evergreen’ game of Sidney Crosby has aged as well as many predictedVideo
After scoring three goals against the Dallas Stars on Saturday, Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby was asked if netting a hat trick ever gets old. “No,” Crosby replied via audio provided by the team. “They don’t come along often. They are definitely fun to get.” Crosby’s hat trick over the...
First Call: Aaron Rodgers’ decision expected before draft, but not before Pat McAfee appearance
Tuesday’s “First Call” tries to figure out when a contract between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Aaron Rodgers might be signed. There’s another defensive lineman on the Steelers’ draft radar. Paul Skenes is facing a familiar opponent in his 2025 home debut. And some Penguins goaltenders are getting recognized for their...
Tim Benz: Ben Cherington’s Paul Skenes-Pedro Martinez comp misses a crucial ingredient
During his weekly radio show on Sunday afternoon, Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington was asked if he had ever seen anyone like Paul Skenes. The name he pulled was Pedro Martinez. “I was with the Red Sox during part of Pedro’s prime. They’re very different pitchers. They do it...
First Call: Steelers among teams with most interest in QB Jaxson Dart; Penguins stars congratulate Alex OvechkinVideo
Monday’s “First Call” has congratulations for Alex Ovechkin from the Pittsburgh Penguins’ biggest stars. The Steelers appear intrigued by a quarterback prospect in this year’s NFL Draft. The St. Louis Cardinals make their first visit to Pittsburgh this week. We honor the life of a former Steeler who died over...
Madden Monday: For Alex Ovechkin, there’s a difference between most goals and greatest goal-scorer ever
Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin set the all-time NHL goal record Sunday afternoon, scoring on a power play against the New York Islanders to net the 895th of his career. With the goal, Ovechkin passed Wayne Gretzky for the all-time mark in 1,487 regular season games. Gretzky played exactly that...
Tim Benz: Ben Cherington tells Pirates players to ‘take a breath’ as fan rancor swirls
It’s a little early to start thinking about the Pearl Jam concerts at PPG Paints Arena on May 16 and 18. But Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington wants his players to channel their inner Eddie Vedder and “Just Breathe.” “In the clubhouse, what I see is maybe just taking...
‘The book is guys like Judge’: Paul Skenes, Aaron Judge similar in ways beyond stature, skill
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton doesn’t profess to know Aaron Judge beyond a cordial hello. What he has heard about the New York Yankees slugger, though, makes him think of the superstar in his own dugout who might be on a similar career arc. “I have many friends on the...
Tim Benz: Opening Day crowd should open the ears of the Pirates (and the owner)Video
Losing is one thing. How you lose and when you lose is another. Ask the Pittsburgh Steelers. For many NFL franchises, a 10-7 record and a playoff berth might sound like a pretty good year. When you lose five poorly played games in a row to close out the season...
3rd time’s a charm: Winding road leads former RMU skater, Wexford native Brian Kramer to Frozen 4Video
When the Frozen Four gets underway next week in St. Louis, nine college hockey players with Western Pennsylvania ties will be on the ice. Seven of them will be on Penn State’s roster, as the Nittany Lions have qualified for the national semifinal for the first time in program history....
First Call: Finances may be a holdup for Aaron Rodgers; Steelers miss out on depth QB trade targetVideo
Friday’s “First Call” wraps up the week with news that complicates the Aaron Rodgers storyline. The Pittsburgh Steelers missed out on a young, project quarterback they liked. An ex-Steelers receiver is heading to Chicago. The Pirates are bracing for the New York Yankees’ offense on Opening Day, and the Penguins...
First Call: Paul Skenes reacts to his GQ photo spread with Livvy Dunne; Steelers pulled back on Kirk Cousins inquiryVideo
Thursday’s “First Call” has pictures of Paul Skenes’ GQ photo shoot with Livvy Dunne. The Pittsburgh Penguins have a daunting task in St. Louis. The Steelers apparently pulled back from a quarterback inquiry. Plus, Alex Ovechkin scored again. But now his Washington Capitals are suddenly struggling. Smile pretty for the...
U mad, bro?: Perpetual position problems, Tony Award-level QB drama fatigues fans in PittsburghVideo
It’s Final Four week. But we’ve got many more entries than that for this week’s “U mad, bro?” None of them reference college basketball, though. With so much going on surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers’ QB hunt, Penguins goaltending uncertainty and early Pirates woes, our blind rage over Duke making another...
Predictable offensive woes already showing for Pirates
The Pirates have opened their 2025 season at 1-5 in Miami and Tampa Bay. Some preseason warnings have manifested as reasons for the slow start. Through the first six games, we’ve seen the predicted fielding concerns, bullpen issues, and back end of the rotation worries. However, the red flags many...
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger has some QB advice for the Steelers; watch Alex Ovechkin score yet again
Wednesday’s “First Call” has advice for the Steelers from former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He also questions the franchise’s full faith in Mason Rudolph. DK Metcalf apparently wanted to leave Seattle long before he was traded to Pittsburgh. And you can watch Alex Ovechkin’s latest step toward breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL...
Tim Benz: There’s 1 clear benefit to Aaron Rodgers’ prolonged decision process
Steelers owner Art Rooney II provided an update on how long his franchise will wait for quarterback Aaron Rodgers to decide if he wants to join the 2025 roster in Pittsburgh. “Not forever, but a little while longer,” Rooney told reporters in Florida Tuesday afternoon. Gee, Art, I’m sure that’ll...
First Call: Video shows Aaron Rodgers throwing to DK Metcalf; Jets discuss plans for Justin Fields
Tuesday’s “First Call” looks at video of Aaron Rodgers’ throwing session with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf. Aaron Glenn discusses the Jets’ plans for former Steelers quarterback Justin Fields. Alex Ovechkin’s goal-record chase continues. A pair of former Penguins stand out in Dallas’ latest victory. And the Pirates square...
Tim Benz: Pirates already show anything less than elite from starters will get them burned
The Pittsburgh Pirates have enough flaws that they don’t need much help to be highlighted. Less-than-stellar starting pitching will do exactly that, though. As the Pirates limped through a 1-3 start in Miami, the starting pitching offset the rest of the team’s shortcomings to at least make the Buccos competitive...
Admitting it or not, 1 specific pre-draft goal should exist for Steelers GM Omar Khan
Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan said so little in his media Q&A at the NFL league meetings in Florida on Monday that he made Mike Tomlin’s comments on Sunday read like a State of the Union address. Take, for instance, what Khan had to say when he was asked...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin’s latest comments illustrate Steelers’ QB planning problem
Of all the responses Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin gave about his team’s current quarterback situation during a Q&A with reporters in Florida on Sunday, one resonated with me well beyond the others. “I don’t know if we’re identifying anything as ‘Plan A, Plan B or Plan C.’ We’re just...
First Call: Mike Tomlin addresses state of Steelers’ RBs; Steelers players sound off on NFL schedule expansion talkVideo
In Monday’s “First Call,” Mike Tomlin addresses the Pittsburgh Steelers’ running back room without Najee Harris. We have some banter between former Steelers teammates regarding potential NFL schedule expansion. An ex-Steeler provides a sparkling highlight in the UFL’s first week. And the NCAA’s Frozen Four will have a substantial Western...
Madden Monday: Past Steelers heads ‘would have made the decision by now’ on Aaron Rodgers
On Sunday, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said that he has yet to give Aaron Rodgers any sort of deadline as to when he would need an answer about playing quarterback for the franchise. During this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 The X said that’s...
Plenty of reasons why Cam Heyward is clarifying his remarks about Aaron Rodgers
Cameron Heyward sure sounds like he is walking back his comments about potential new teammate Aaron Rodgers. During his “Not Just Football” podcast last week, Heyward was asked about the drawn-out discussions regarding the Steelers’ vacant starting quarterback job. “I think, just (sigh) … I want to play football,” Heyward...
First Call: Vikings can’t ‘100%’ shut door on Aaron Rodgers; Adam Schefter won’t rule out Rodgers retiring
The Minnesota Vikings aren’t entirely giving up on the prospect of signing quarterback Aaron Rodgers. However, Rodgers may give up on football before signing with them or the Pittsburgh Steelers. Russell Wilson shows off the arm for his new fans in New York. The Steelers interviewed a successful college quarterback...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans resist criticism of Aaron Rodgers; Pirates fans hate MLB economics
I’m heading to New Jersey for the Sweet 16 Thursday after this posts. So, I’m in a March Madness frame of mind. That said, here are our brackets for “U mad, bro?” this week. • Aaron Rodgers is the No. 1 seed in the “What are the Steelers doing at...
