Sports category, Page 1541
Like normal, the Penguins still believe they are contenders
Besides being sans a franchise center or two, things were pretty normal for the Penguins on the first day of practice at their training camp Thursday in Cranberry. Established veteran defensemen were teamed with 20-something prospects who likely will be playing in American Hockey League contests a few weeks from...
Americans prepare for the ‘big one’ at home Ryder CupVideo
SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — The Americans are running out of excuses in the Ryder Cup. They bring another loaded team to Whistling Straits, 11 of them among the top 16 players in the world. Not only is it a home game, the travel restrictions because of covid-19 make this crowd even...
5 things to watch in WPIAL football Week 4: Covid cancellations not always ‘no-contest’
The WPIAL’s message is clear: Not every covid-related cancellation will be excused as no-contest. Many, if not most, will be forfeits. So far, only four football games met the threshold for a “no-contest” designation this fall, said WPIAL executive director Amy Scheuneman, while at least seven others will go down...
White Sox clinch 1st AL Central title since 2008Video
CLEVELAND — Tony La Russa stood in the visiting dugout, soaking in the scene as the Chicago White Sox celebrated their first AL Central title since 2008. The Hall of Fame manager came out of retirement for moments like this. “It’s like fantasy island because you never thought you’d have...
Pitt scores quickly, but falls short in time of possession
Football teams constantly seek improved efficiency in everything they do. Defenses are asked to hold the opposition to three downs and a punt. Offenses are asked to score as quickly and as often as possible. Makes sense, right? But Western Michigan last week accepted a trade that appeared to be...
Trib HSSN don’t-miss high school football matchups for 2021 Week 4
For some district football teams, it’s the second week of conference play. For others, it is the final tune-up before conference play is underway for all 17 WPIAL conferences. Welcome to Week 4 of the 2021 high school football season. There is a pair of huge matchups as No. 1...
Roethlisberger, Watt, Haden, Bush practice for Steelers; Johnson, Highsmith do not
Ben Roethlisberger and T.J. Watt were limited at Pittsburgh Steelers practice Thursday, and Joe Haden and Devin Bush were full participants three days before a Week 3 divisional game. Three players who would potentially start Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, though, did not practice because of injury: receiver Diontae...
Steelers trying to figure out which OLBs will be available to play against Bengals
The two players listed ahead of him on the depth chart at outside linebacker are dealing with groin injuries. So are cornerback Joe Haden and inside linebacker Devin Bush, who each didn’t play in Week 2 for the Pittsburgh Steelers because of the same issue. Don’t ask Melvin Ingram III,...
Steelers hope 3rd-year defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs can ‘step up’ to replace Tyson Alualu
After slowly being integrated into the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line rotation in his first two seasons, Isaiah Buggs is seeing his development being accelerated this year. And it’s not by design. Tyson Alualu’s right ankle fracture has elevated Buggs into the starting nose tackle role on the defensive line. Buggs...
SMU, TCU get 100th edition of rivalry after waiting a year
FORT WORTH, Texas — Regardless of why SMU and TCU couldn’t find a way to pull off the 100th meeting between the Dallas-Fort Worth rivals last season, it’s happening a year later. Maybe it was a big deal last year because it was just the second time in almost 100...
Matt Canada won’t rule out no-huddle as change-of-pace offense for Steelers
Speaking for the first time since his quarterback twice said he has no option to operate a no-huddle offense, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada indicated that won’t necessarily remain the case as the season goes on. “Ben (Roethlisberger) and I talk all the time,” Canada said Thursday. “If he...
Penguins recommend face coverings for preseason games
The Penguins will continue to recommend face coverings for all guests attending games at PPG Paints Arena this preseason as a precaution against covid-19. In advance of their first preseason game — a home contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday — the team issued a statement on the...
Yoshi Tsutsugo putting up big numbers, proving to be ‘pitcher’s nightmare’ for Pirates
Whether Yoshi Tsutsugo is a man of few words or it’s lost in translation, the Japanese slugger simply has shrugged at his success since signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates in mid-August. After Tsutsugo smashed a Kyle Hendricks curveball 404 feet and off the right-field scoreboard at Wrigley Field on Sept....
Penguins center Evgeni Malkin expected to miss ‘at least’ first 2 months of season
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin is expected to miss a minimum of two months to open the 2021-22 regular season as he recovers from offseason surgery on his right knee. General manager Ron Hextall spoke with the media on the opening day of his team’s training camp in Cranberry and...
Penn State’s Brandon Smith focuses on improvement despite impressive start to season
UNIVERSITY PARK — Brandon Smith didn’t realize he was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Monday until one of the Penn State linebacker’s classmates congratulated him. And even then, it took a second to register. “I’m like, ‘What award?’ ” Smith recounted over Zoom on Wednesday...
Sabres captain Jack Eichel fails physical, placed on long-term IR
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel failed his pre-training camp physical and was placed on injured reserve, leaving the two sides no closer to a resolution over how to treat a herniated disk which has sidelined the player for six months. General manager Kevyn Adams said the player...
Ex-Steeler Mike Hilton returns with Bengals, in possession of something he nabbed from Joe Haden
During his time with the Steelers, I always found Mike Hilton to be one of the more friendly and genuine players in the locker room. An engaging person who really appreciated the role he earned while he was here. A role he eventually parlayed into a four-year, $24 million contract...
First Call: Steeler voices optimism about run game; Bengals coach under scrutiny; McCutchen, Meadows go deep
Thursday’s “First Call” tries to provide optimism for the Steelers run game. We found a little extra stress for Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor before his trip to Pittsburgh. Two former Pirates homer as their teams jockey for the postseason. And ex-Penguin Beau Bennett never ceases to entertain. Positive attitude...
U mad, bro?: Steelers and Pitt fans viciously vent after dreadful weekend at Heinz Field
The Steelers lost their home opener to the Las Vegas Raiders, and Pitt lost at home to Western Michigan. A weekend like that leads to a “U mad, bro?” edition like this. The messages I received from readers were venomous. Vindictive. Vicious. And, occasionally, vapid. I didn’t even include any...
This day in sports history: Sept. 23Video
1926 — Gene Tunney beats Jack Dempsey with a 10-round decision to retain the world heavyweight title. 1952 — Rocky Marciano knocks out Jersey Joe Walcott in the 13th round to retain the world heavyweight title. 1979 — St. Louis’ Lou Brock steals his 938th base to break the record...
Pirates farm report for Sept. 22, 2021: Oneil Cruz homers in Indianapolis debut
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 57-63) lost 4-3 to Omaha (Royals). SS Oneil Cruz (.333) homered in his first Triple-A game, going 1 for 3 with a walk. RHP Roansy Contreras, making his first Triple-A start, went 3.2 innings, allowing one run on four hits and one walk, fanning six. RHP Shea Spitzbarth...
Joe Schobert watched his college teammate T.J. Watt fight through injuries at Wisconsin
Joe Schobert met T.J. Watt when both Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers were playing for the University of Wisconsin. Schobert was a walkon from Waukesha, Wis., Watt from 4 miles down the road in Pewaukee. Schobert remembers how injuries could not stop Watt from reaching his goals with the Badgers. “When he...
‘The Postman’ Ian Poulter delivers for Europe come Ryder Cup timeVideo
SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — Ian Poulter is a very good player who is writing the closing chapters of a very good career — 17 worldwide victories, $27 million in earnings and no major titles but enough top-30 and top-10 finishes to never be overlooked. When he swaps out his trademark plaid...
Justin Fields to make 1st start for Bears with Andy Dalton injuredVideo
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Justin Fields is set to make his first start for the Chicago Bears. The team will go with the prized rookie quarterback when the Bears visit the Cleveland Browns this week with veteran Andy Dalton sidelined because of a left knee injury, coach Matt Nagy said...
Bucs place WR Antonio Brown on reserve/covid-19 listVideo
TAMPA, Fla. — The Bucs may have to play one of their biggest games of the season without receiver Antonio Brown. The team placed Brown on the reserve/covid-19 list Wednesday, meaning he could miss Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. As a vaccinated player, Brown would have to have...
