Sports category, Page 1810
Pirates avoid arbitration hearings, agree to contract terms with nine players
The Pittsburgh Pirates avoided any salary arbitration hearings this year, agreeing to contract terms with nine players Friday. The Pirates signed pitchers Steven Brault, Kyle Crick, Chad Kuhl, Joe Musgrove, Richard Rodriguez and Chris Stratton, second baseman Adam Frazier, first baseman Colin Moran and catcher Jacob Stallings to one-year deals....
Penguins defenseman Zach Trotman undergoes knee surgery
Penguins defenseman Zach Trotman will be sidelined four to six weeks following surgery to his right knee for a torn meniscus. Trotman, 30, has not skated with the team since practice was abruptly canceled Saturday because of coronavirus-related concerns. On Wednesday, prior to the team’s season-opening contest, the Penguins placed...
Pirates add super utility player, signing Wilmer Difo in minor-league deal
The Pittsburgh Pirates have placed a premium on versatility, which played a role in their signing of free agent Wilmer Difo on Friday. The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder fits the bill of super utility player, having played second base, shortstop, third base and the corner outfield spots in six seasons with the...
Pitt freshman forward John Hugley suspended, facing 3 felony charges
Pitt freshman forward John Hugley is charged with two counts of criminal conspiracy and one count of receiving stolen property — all felonies — and has been suspended indefinitely from the men’s basketball team. He also faces a summary citation for driving without a license. The charges date back to...
Pitt basketball Take 5: Despite a 6-2 record, questions surround Panthers
Two questions quickly come to mind when pondering Pitt’s game Saturday against Syracuse at Petersen Events Center: • Will the game be played? Don’t laugh. It would be only Pitt’s third game since before Christmas. • Does Pitt’s 6-2 record (2-1 ACC) give rise to optimism? Let’s examine those questions...
Mark Madden: An open letter to Hines Ward
To: Hines Ward, somewhere besides Canton From: Mark Madden, Pittsburgh Dear Hines: I bet you remember me. I called you “Whines Hard” and lampooned your unbridled ego. When you unfairly threw Ben Roethlisberger under the bus over concussion issues, I said so. I made fun of your lame pursuit of...
Even with no fans, season opener let the Penguins feel normal for onceVideo
Sidney Crosby had waited roughly five months to play a game. So what was another 30 seconds? Just before the Penguins captain lined up to take a faceoff against Philadelphia Flyers forward Sean Couturier, he backed off. Referee Kelly Sutherland asked for a few moments before he dropped the puck...
Pirates give $2.35 million bonus to sign top international teenage outfield prospect
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed the top teenage outfield prospect in the 2020-21 international free agent market Friday, giving a $2.35 million bonus to 16-year-old Shalin Polanco of the Dominican Republic. The 6-foot, 170-pound Polanco — no relation to Pirates right fielder Gregory, although both hail from Santo Domingo — is...
Keith Dambrot torn on rules — and reasons — surrounding recent Duquesne departures
The 2020-21 season was supposed to be a step forward for the Duquesne men’s basketball program (3-4). That hope was largely based on the premise that they had a great deal of upperclass returning talent and experience. Well, it started that way. But so much for that idea, just seven...
Virus limits NHL vet-rookie time away from rink
Colorado defenseman Ian Cole has taken a young kid under his wing as he starts his 11th season in the NHL, dining with him often and going the extra mile to make sure his needs are met. Of course, this is Cole’s infant son, who was born over the summer....
This Date in Sports History: Jan. 15
1965 — In one of the most notable trades in NBA history, the San Francisco Warriors deal Wilt Chamberlain to the Philadelphia 76ers for Connie Dierking, Lee Shaffer, Paul Neumann and cash. 1967 — The NFL’s Green Bay Packers open the Super Bowl series by defeating the Kansas City Chiefs...
Tim Benz: The ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ that cost the Steelers their 2020 season
Without a doubt, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2020 collapse was sinful. But were they guilty of any of the actual Seven Deadly Sins? Hmmm. Now that I’m looking at this list, I may be more guilty of those sins than those on the team itself. • Envy: I’m envious of teams...
First Call: Chase Claypool reiterates Browns critique; Zach Banner may be back. Matt Canada to Miami?
For Friday’s “First Call,” Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Chase Claypool can’t get out of his own way. The Steelers may have to fight to keep Matt Canada on staff. And tackle Zach Banner seems optimistic about his future in Pittsburgh. All that and some college basketball news, too. Doubling down Steelers...
Jets hire 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as coach
NEW YORK — The New York Jets were searching for a leader, someone who could bring a frustrated, playoff-starved franchise back to respectability. They think they found their guy in Robert Saleh. The Jets reached an agreement in principle with the popular and energetic San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Thursday...
Wheeling Nailers’ weekend series postponed
The Wheeling Nailers’ upcoming road games against the Indy Fuel in Indianapolis have been postponed indefinitely. No specific reason was provided as the ECHL cited “league safety protocols” in an announcement Thursday. The ECHL opened its 2020-21 season on Dec. 11, but only 13 of its 26 teams are playing...
Ralph Snyder, architect of West Point youth softball program, dies at age 80
Ralph Snyder had just moved his family from Norvelt to West Point in 1977 and signed up his oldest daughter, Renee, in the West Point Little League. His daughter made the West Point fast-pitch all-star team in 1978 and competed in the state tournament in Williamsport. West Point was overmatched....
Jared Goff to start for Rams in Green BayVideo
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Jared Goff and Sean McVay say they had a healthy, productive disagreement last week about Goff’s readiness to return from thumb surgery. They’re in complete accord this week, however: Goff is the best choice to lead the Los Angeles Rams in the playoffs. Goff will start...
Kentucky adds former West Virginia forward Oscar TshiebweVideo
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky announced former West Virginia forward Oscar Tshiebwe has transferred to the program and will be eligible after sitting out next season, per NCAA transfer rules. The 6-foot-9 sophomore from Congo with a 7-5 wingspan left the Mountaineers’ program Jan. 1 for personal reasons. A preseason All-Big...
Blackhawks place Jonathan Toews on long-term injured reserveVideo
CHICAGO — Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews will miss at least 10 games and 24 days after the team placed him on long-term injured reserve Thursday because of an unspecified illness. The 32-year-old Toews announced before the start of training camp last month he was experiencing symptoms that left him...
Leonard Fournette grateful for 2nd chance with BuccaneersVideo
TAMPA, Fla. — When Leonard Fournette suddenly found himself out of work, one of the first people who reached out to the former Jacksonville Jaguars running back was Tom Brady. The six-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback thought he’d be a nice addition to a talented group of playmakers being assembled around...
Former Clairton and Penn State star Lamont Wade declares for NFL Draft
Former Clairton and Penn State star Lamont Wade is heading to the NFL. On Thursday, Wade announced that he was declaring for the NFL draft on his Twitter account after four seasons in State College. Galatians 6:9“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we...
Colts GM contemplates possibility of Philip Rivers returning to teamVideo
INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard heard the locker room talk. Coach Frank Reich wants Philip Rivers back as the starting quarterback next fall. Two-time All-Pro linebacker Darius Leonard wants another chance to get Rivers his missing Super Bowl ring. So do Leonard’s teammates. Now, the Colts general...
Packers’ Davante Adams finally gets to face off with Rams’ Jalen RamseyVideo
Green Bay’s Davante Adams has caught more touchdown passes over the last five seasons than any other player. Jalen Ramsey of the Los Angeles Rams is one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks. They finally will face each other in a game that matters Saturday when the top-seeded Packers (13-3) host...
Browns’ Kareem Hunt set for emotional playoff reunion with Chiefs
CLEVELAND — Kareem Hunt’s about to face the team that drafted and developed him before deciding to push the running back away. The Kansas City Chiefs won a Super Bowl without Hunt. He wants to stop them from getting another one. Hunt, whose career briefly derailed in Kansas City before...
Jeff Capel says schedule interruptions led to boredom among Pitt players
Basketball coaches try to avoid a variety of circumstances that can impact a game in a negative way. Poor free-throw shooting, failure to gain proper position while rebounding, foul trouble and a lack of hustle come to mind. Those are normal issues that can be fixed, to some extent, with...
