Sports category, Page 1773
Pirates pitcher Quinn Priester ‘itching’ to prove top-100 status while chasing his daydreams
Quinn Priester reported for his first major league spring training with the Pittsburgh Pirates wearing a first-round tag and a growing reputation as one of baseball’s top-100 prospects, so don’t mind the 20-year-old right-hander if his mind drifts towards leading the revival of a struggling franchise. “So I do, I...
Staff changes just one piece of puzzle toward Steelers improving 32nd-ranked running game
The plan to correct the deficiencies in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ running game is akin to putting together a puzzle. All of the pieces must interlock and have the same message when connected properly. The puzzle was jumbled for much of the 2020 season, and the result was the worst rushing...
Sidney Crosby proud to share company with Al MacInnisVideo
Penguins forward Sidney Crosby is scheduled to appear in his 1,000th career game on Saturday when his team hosts the New York Islanders at PPG Paints Arena. He will become the fourth native of Nova Scotia to reach that milestone joining defenseman Al MacInnis (1,416) as well as forwards Bobby...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Steelers making it hard for Ben Roethlisberger to return
Three weeks ago, Steelers owner Art Rooney II said there was “work to be done” regarding the adjustment of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s contract to afford a more amenable cap figure than the current charge of $41.25 million for 2021. Roethlisberger responded by saying, “I don’t care about my pay at...
Dissatisfied with their choices, Western Pa. voters write in athletes, coaches for president
Duquesne men’s basketball coach Keith Dambrot isn’t sure why one person in Allegheny County — a voter from Baldwin — chose him as a write-in candidate for president in November’s election. He is sure, however, that he doesn’t want the job. “I have enough problems,” Dambrot said with a laugh....
Naomi Osaka wins Australian Open, stays perfect in Slam finals
MELBOURNE, Australia — As Naomi Osaka strode through the Champion’s Walk leading to the court for the Australian Open final — headphones on her ears, racket bag strapped to her back — she reached out her left hand to tap a panel marked with her name and the year of...
This Date in Sports History: Feb. 20
1887 — The International Association, the first minor league baseball association, is organized in Pittsburgh. 1951 — In the wake of the college point-shaving scandal, Long Island University drops basketball and all other intercollegiate sports. LIU revives basketball in 1957. 1971 — En route to a record 76-goal season, Boston’s...
Minor league report: Nailers beaten by KometsVideo
Goaltender Francois Brassard made 22 saves on 26 shots for the Wheeling Nailers in a 4-1 road loss to the Fort Wayne Komets at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Ind. on Friday. Forward Matt Alfaro scored the only goal for Wheeling (5-10-4). Highlights: The Nailers’ next...
Detroit Mercy hands Robert Morris another Horizon League loss
DETROIT — Antoine Davis had 26 points as Detroit Mercy topped Robert Morris, 85-74, on Friday night. Charles Bain had 19 points for the Colonials (4-13, 3-11 Horizon League). Cameron Wilbon added 15 points and six rebounds, and Jon Williams had 14 points. Noah Waterman had 19 points for Detroit...
Explainer: A trickier NCAA bracket in this unusual season
There’s no need to worry about geography in this year’s NCAA Tournament. Get ready for plenty of talk about the so-called “S curve” instead. And don’t worry — it’s not that complicated. With the entire tournament taking place in or near Indianapolis, there is no reason for the four geographic...
Pitt’s Justin Champagnie takes brief look into 2021-22, possible matchup with twin brother, Julian
Justin Champagnie’s thoughts mainly are focused on Pitt’s game Saturday against Florida State and how to reverse the Panthers’ current 1-6 slide. But during his video conference call with reporters Friday, he said he’s eager to be a part of Pitt’s reported game against St. John’s next season when he...
Pirates sign 2-time All-Star Todd Frazier to minor league deal
The Pirates added a power-hitting corner infielder Friday by signing Todd Frazier to a minor league deal with a non-roster invitation to spring training, according to a source. Frazier, a two-time All-Star, will earn $1.5 million if he makes the team. Frazier, 35, has a career .242 batting average with...
As Sidney Crosby reaches 1,000 games, teammates share what makes him great
Numbers will largely define Sidney Crosby the player. Heck, the 87 on his back kind of tells his story considering he was born on the seventh day of the eighth month of 1987. Statistics will paint a pretty vivid picture of the Penguins’ longtime captain when his career is evaluated....
Penalty-killing rounding into form for Penguins
It, by some standards, was a modest streak, one that covered a mere one full game. But for the Pittsburgh Penguins penalty kill, denying nine consecutive opponent power plays was a sign the unit is rounding into form after a bumpy start to the season. A late goal after the...
NCAA proceeding with Frozen Four in Pittsburgh in April
The coronavirus pandemic has led to a dearth of events at PPG Paints Arena over the past 11 months. But “plans are moving forward” for a major collegiate event to be held at the facility in April. Organizers Robert Morris and SportsPittsburgh are proceeding with preparations for the Frozen Four...
Despite covid-related pause, Duquesne’s Keith Dambrot contends, ‘We don’t stink’
Anyone who knows Keith Dambrot might be surprised by how he is approaching the final days before the Atlantic 10 Tournament. Practices are shorter, about an hour this week as he prepared Duquesne for its first game in 18 days Saturday at Richmond. He might even overlook a misstep or...
Sidney Crosby reiterates desire to play entire career for Penguins
With a new management team and an accompanying possible change in the franchise’s big-picture direction, for the first time during his 16 years with the Pittsburgh Penguins there have been whispers about Sidney Crosby’s future with the organization. But if the longtime team captain has his way, he’ll retire as...
Salary cap decisions await Steelers, Kevin Colbert as new league year approaches
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ financial situation continued to improve this week, and for the third time this offseason, they didn’t do a single thing to make it happen. They didn’t have to cut a player or extend a contract to provide salary cap relief. With the NFL announcing an increase of...
Jusso Riikola returns to Penguins practice, albeit in non-contact jersey
Slowly but surely, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ battered blue line is returning to full strength. Friday’s practice was the first in more than a month that featured Jusso Riikola since the defenseman suffered an undisclosed injury believed to be to his upper-body. Though he had worked with the Penguins’ taxi squad...
NCAA allows limited fan attendance at men’s tournament games
INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA will allow a limited number of fans to attend all rounds of next month’s men’s basketball tournament in Indiana. The governing body said Friday it is permitting 25% capacity at the venues to allow for social distancing. That figure will include all participants and essential staff...
No. 16 Florida State offers no relief for slumping Pitt
Although Pitt players, coaches and fans have plenty of reasons to feel frustrated, angry and let down, the season isn’t over. Although no one can be sure how many games will be played, there will be enough time for Jeff Capel to steer his team to a respectable finish, starting...
Mark Madden: With milestone looming, an appreciation for Sidney Crosby’s accomplishments
Sidney Crosby will play in NHL game No. 1,000 Saturday night. It’s not the most dynamic milestone: 349 players have hit that mark, many of them to little discernible effect besides showing up. When Crosby plays game No. 1,001, he ties the great Steve Staios. No. 1,003 knots him with...
Penguins recall forwards Jordy Bellerive, Josh Currie and goaltender Emil LarmiVideo
The Penguins have recalled forwards Jordy Bellerive, Josh Currie and goaltender Emil Larmi from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League to their taxi squad. Additionally, the team assigned forwards Anthony Angello, Frederick Gaudreau and Maxime Lagace to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Bellerive, 21, has appeared in three AHL games this season and has...
Pirates lefty Steven Brault ‘excited’ to build off strong finish, cement spot in starting rotation
Now that Steven Brault has solidified a spot in the starting rotation, the Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander can’t contain his excitement. He even used the word with the frequency which he used to throw his fastball. “I’m excited. There’s no other way to play it. I’m excited,” Brault said. “I’m going...
Plenty of key Kevin Colbert quotes about Steelers besides the Ben Roethlisberger talk
When I read Kevin Colbert’s quote on Wednesday about the status of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s future, my antenna went up. “As we sit here today, Ben is a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.” Well. That came off as, um, non-committal, to say the least. But when I saw the video...
