Tim Benz stories, Page 47
Tim Benz: Penguins get 1st big chance to advance renewed optimism for Pittsburgh’s sports teams
As recently as March 7, the Pittsburgh sports landscape was looking pretty bleak. The Penguins became sellers at the trade deadline, shipping former All-Star Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes. Steelers coaches and management were giving skeptical fans and media members a hard sell about why they were still optimistic...
U mad, bro?: Pirates fans push back on booing of David Bednar, idea of Barry Bonds in team Hall of Fame
This week, I didn’t defend a hometown hero after he got booed at PNC Park. I suggested that a Pittsburgh sports pariah get inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame. And I refused to advance a bogus politically correct women’s sports media narrative. So, as you could imagine, my social...
First Call: Potential Steelers international date goes elsewhere; examining Eastern Conference playoff chances for Pens
Thursday’s “First Call” has some Steelers international news to pass along. We study the team’s wide receiver position. We also look at the Penguins’ state of affairs heading into a huge game Thursday night. And the Pirates get set for a cross-state rivalry renewal. Staying stateside The Pittsburgh Steelers are...
First Call: Steelers lose free agent wide receiver; NHL’s Eastern Conference chaos
The Pittsburgh Steelers lose a wide receiver to the New York Giants. The club is casting a wide net on some areas of need in advance of the draft. We recap a wild night in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. And we preview what’s next for the Pirates. Bye-bye, Boykin The...
Tim Benz: Booing David Bednar doesn’t matter. How he is pitching, and how the Pirates fix him, does
Full marks to new Pittsburgh Pirate Rowdy Tellez. That was one heckuva media redirect that he orchestrated in front of David Bednar’s locker Tuesday afternoon. Before Bednar could speak with reporters in the wake of his third blown save in four opportunities this year, Tellez stepped in front of the...
Familiar hurdles result in Penguins leaving a valuable point on the table in TorontoVideo
During their recent four-game winning streak, the Pittsburgh Penguins had corrected a lot of issues that have plagued them throughout 2024. Unfortunately for coach Mike Sullivan and his team, two familiar stumbling blocks cropped up in Toronto Monday night to end that run of success: the power play and their...
First Call: Steelers interviewing top-notch offensive tackle before draft; huge night for Penguins’ playoff hopes
Tuesday’s “First Call” takes a look at a high-profile offensive lineman on the Steelers’ draft board. A new Steelers defensive lineman discusses the reason why he chose Pittsburgh in free agency. We also examine the Pirates’ early offensive prowess and how the Penguins’ playoff prospects could be impacted by many...
Tim Benz: It’s time to put Barry Bonds in the Pirates Hall of Fame
Later this month, the Pittsburgh Pirates are expected to release the names of the franchise’s 2024 Hall of Fame inductees. It would be wise to include Barry Bonds’ name on that list. They should also include plans to retire his No. 24. People who have read my posts or listened...
Tim Benz: Improved lineup depth a big help, but Pirates star hitters are still the key
There has been a lot of conversation about how much the Pittsburgh Pirates’ lineup has been lengthened this year. It’s certainly a big reason why the franchise is off to an 8-2 start to open 2024. The Pirates are fourth in Major League Baseball with 59 runs. The team’s on-base...
Madden Monday: Why Penguins should start Tristan Jarry in Toronto despite Alex Nedeljkovic’s hot streak
When it comes to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ recent efforts to salvage their season, Mark Madden from 105.9 The X and TribLive points to one main reason. “This is all Sid,” Madden said during this week’s Madden Monday podcast. “All the usual suspects would say, ‘This is a team sport.’ Even...
First Call: Doubts about Justin Fields from Chicago; Tyler Huntley could’ve been a Steeler? Penguins’ playoff outlookVideo
Monday’s “First Call” has a rough review of new Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields. We learn who the Steelers may have tried to acquire on the quarterback market if not for the Fields trade. The Penguins’ playoff picture is coming into focus. And we look at the next opponent for...
Tim Benz: As expectations rise for Pirates roster, they increase for manager Derek Shelton, as well
Before Friday’s home opener at PNC Park, former Pittsburgh Pirates manager Jim Leyland threw out the ceremonial first pitch to current manager Derek Shelton. In advance of the pregame festivities, both men discussed their strong relationship. From Leyland reaching out to Shelton when he got the job to their regular...
First Call: Pair of logical Steelers UFA targets with local ties go elsewhere; muddy playoff picture for PenguinsVideo
In Friday’s “First Call,” a pair of logical free-agent targets for the Pittsburgh Steelers with local ties are going elsewhere. We examine the state of the NHL’s Eastern Conference and the Penguins’ place in it heading into a crucial weekend. And the Pirates aren’t the only team going into the...
Jim Leyland on home opener 1st pitch, Hall of Fame election and Pirates’ hot start
For any MLB manager, Opening Days are always memorable. For Jim Leyland, the first of his MLB career with the Pittsburgh Pirates was impossible to forget. As was the opponent, the fabled 1986 Mets. “You realized real quick these were the big boys,” Leyland told me Thursday on 105.9 FM....
U mad, bro?: Readers bristle at criticism of Russell Wilson from Seattle, idea of Dak Prescott in Pittsburgh next year
As always, this week’s “U mad, bro?” relies on meat and potatoes: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback debates and Penguins trades. But we also branch out to some uncharted territory: concert bookings, World War II history, and, even more foreign of a concept, the NBA. Never accuse my readers and listeners of...
First Call: Steelers may have eyes on Joey Porter Jr.’s cousin; new Steelers jersey numbers known
In Thursday’s “First Call,” the Pittsburgh Steelers could be expanding the family tree in the defensive backfield. Justin Fields’ jersey number is now known. Penguins fans are keeping an eye on the Eastern Conference standings. Pirates fans watched another unbeaten team go down as their own team was losing for...
Tim Benz: Penguins flip the script in rare win over Devils
The 2023-24 Pittsburgh Penguins have had their share of fatal flaws all year. • A lousy power play • A failure to hold multi-goal leads • Up-and-down goaltending • Giving up goals moments after scoring them • Disappointing results in three-on-three overtime • Poor performance on the road All of...
First Call: CFL team wants Chase Claypool if he returns to Canada; Steelers, Commanders may flip LBs
Wednesday’s “First Call” shows us how the Pittsburgh Steelers may be swapping linebackers with an NFC team without making a trade. If Chase Claypool heads back to Canada, we know what team has first dibs to sign him. It looks like the Steelers tried to lowball Tyler Boyd. We’ve got...
Tim Benz: Duquesne players on board with promotion of Dru Joyce III to head coach
As the days dragged along between Duquesne’s last game under Keith Dambrot in the NCAA Tournament and Dru Joyce III’s eventual announcement as the new head coach, some of the players got a little itchy. That stretch of time was only five days, but it felt longer. Everyone on campus...
First Call: Mike Tomlin meets with 3 Alabama draft prospects; ex-Penguin keeps scoring in ColumbusVideo
Tuesday’s “First Call” has an interesting list of names that the Pittsburgh Steelers are speaking with in advance of the NFL Draft. We have an update on the Cameron Sutton situation, and a former Penguin continues to light the lamp in Columbus. ‘Welcome to tahn’ It looks like Malachi Corley...
‘There’s a lot to Russ’: Seattle radio host prepares Steelers fans for the full ‘Russell Wilson experience’
With Mark Madden on vacation, we didn’t have a “Madden Monday” podcast this week. But we certainly did have an intriguing conversation about new Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson. Ian Furness of KJR Radio and Fox-13 in Seattle joined us at “Breakfast With Benz” for Monday’s podcast. He covered Wilson for...
First Call: Steelers in on workout for WVU center Zach Frazier; Marc-Andre Fleury updates retirement stance
In Monday’s “First Call,” the Pittsburgh Steelers eye up a potential NFL Draft choice at center. Some former Steelers shine in their UFL debuts. Marc-Andre Fleury is singing a different tune about retirement. The Penguins open April with a stiff challenge. And the Pirates look to keep the bats hot...
Tim Benz: Another Pirates April Fools’ joke? Or is there reason to buy Bucs’ hot start?
If the Duquesne basketball team can win its first NCAA Tournament game since 1969, can the Pirates perhaps win their first full playoff series since 1979? Or their first division crown since 1992? OK, maybe we are getting ahead of ourselves. But the Bucs just opened 2024 with a four-game...
Dru Joyce III takes over Duquesne basketball amid new heights and challenges
Newly hired Duquesne men’s basketball coach Dru Joyce III is taking over the program on the heels of the team hitting heights we haven’t seen in half a century. Joyce was promoted from associate coach to head coach Thursday, replacing recently retired Keith Dambrot after seven years on the job...
Tim Benz: Pirates’ tension-packed season-opener feels like a forecast of what’s to come
The reaction of Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton was one of bemused relief when he was asked a question following his team’s exhausting 6-5 season-opening win over the Miami Marlins. Is this how it’s going to be for his team all year? “Ha! I hope not,” Shelton said via the...
