Sports category, Page 321
Mark Madden: Steelers would be wrong to extend T.J. Watt’s contract now, but they will
As the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason kicks into high gear with the launch of NFL free agency Wednesday, their handling of T.J. Watt’s contract situation figures to exemplify the weakness of their organization. The superstar edge rusher and 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year is heading into the final year...
Top prospect Bubba Chandler headlines Pirates’ roster for Spring Breakout against Phillies
Pitcher Bubba Chandler headlines the roster of Pittsburgh Pirates prospects to play against Philadelphia Phillies prospects in the Spring Breakout on March 14 at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Fla. The 22-year-old Chandler is ranked the Pirates’ No. 1 prospect and No. 15 overall by MLB Pipeline. The 6-foot-3, 218-pound right-hander...
Going, going, gone? One-of-a-kind card featuring Pirates star Paul Skenes heading to auction
Paul Skenes has been in the major leagues for less than a year. A piece of the Pittsburgh Pirates ace — well, OK, a piece of the jersey that Skenes donned during his first start last May — could be ready to join some elite company. A one-of-a-kind autographed baseball...
A look at the Penguins’ roster as the trade deadline approaches
Kevin Hayes is 11 years into his NHL career and has plenty of perspective through his 760 career games. And the lens of that perspective has been sharpened by playing for five teams thanks, in part, to four separate trades. One such transaction brought him to the Pittsburgh Penguins in...
First Call: Christian Kirk courted by Steelers players; watch Alex Ovechkin score againVideo
Thursday’s “First Call” features some Steelers taking to social media as a way to entice a free agent to Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, one AFC veteran is retiring, while another has been released. In the NHL, Alex Ovechkin scores again. And there’s plenty of NCAA postseason women’s basketball on the slate as...
Tim Benz: Steelers QB quandary could present Catch-22 situation with potential receivers
I’m not quite sure if this qualifies as a “chicken-or-the-egg” kind of problem for the Steelers. But it feels like it can be placed under that tent. Plus, with the price of eggs these days, I’m not sure the Steelers could fit a dozen under the salary cap. But as...
U mad, bro?: Penguins trade talk, Erik Karlsson’s play, criticism of Mike Tomlin drawing the ire of Pittsburgh fans
A lot of things about the Pittsburgh sports scene didn’t exactly go over great with the audience this week. The high NFLPA grades for Mike Tomlin continue to generate angry dialogue. So do Erik Karlsson’s mishaps and Penguins trade rumors. Hey, at least we aren’t talking politics in this week’s...
With fast start, slugger DJ Stewart emerges as darkhorse candidate at first base for Pirates
DJ Stewart prides himself on being an athlete, and he has the pedigree as a 2015 first-round pick to prove it. When he failed to become a starter in Baltimore, Stewart realized he needed to put his athleticism on display defensively. “You see a lot of guys play multiple positions,”...
Chargers release edge rusher Joey Bosa after 9 seasons with franchiseVideo
The Los Angeles Chargers released Joey Bosa on Wednesday night, ending the edge rusher’s nine-season tenure with the franchise. The move was expected due to Bosa’s large salary cap number and injury history. Bosa had a cap number of $36.47 million for the 2025 season, but the Chargers will save...
Penguins make moves ahead of Friday’s trade deadlineVideo
Michael Bunting very much enjoyed his time in Pittsburgh. Nearly a year ago (March 7, 2024), he was the only NHL player the Penguins received — along with a bundle of future assets — when they dealt away popular All-Star forward Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes. And almost immediately,...
Penguins trade forward Michael Bunting to Predators for Luke Schenn, Tommy Novak
Soon after trading defenseman Vincent Desharnais to the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday night, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager/president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas made a more substantial deal, shipping winger Michael Bunting and a fourth-round 2026 draft pick to the Nashville Predators. In return, the Penguins acquired defenseman Luke Schenn...
After 71-63 loss to N.C. State, Pitt’s losing streak reaches 4 for the 3rd time this season
Perhaps the worst part of Pitt’s 71-63 loss at N.C. State’s Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., on Wednesday night wasn’t the deflating reality of the Panthers’ third four-game losing streak of the season. No, it was Pitt allowing the Wolfpack, who had lost nine in a row earlier this season,...
Well-traveled Woods plays important role in getting Robert Morris the top seed for the Horizon League Tournament
In high school, Kam Woods was a phenom on the basketball court. After all, he didn’t score nearly 4,000 career points by accident. He averaged 38.1 as a senior at Pinson Valley in suburban Birmingham, Ala. It’s just one small highlight in the big picture of Woods’ illustrious background that...
Penguins trade defenseman Vincent Desharnais to San Jose for 5th-round pick in 2028
As the 2025 NHL trade deadline Friday afternoon fast approaches, Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operations/general manager Kyle Dubas has made his opening move. The Penguins announced Wednesday evening that they shipped defenseman Vincent Desharnais to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick in 2028. Desharnais,...
Oneil Cruz crushes 3-run homer, Joey Bart goes deep as Pirates outlast Blue Jays
With one swing, Oneil Cruz turned the tide on a tied game. Cruz crushed a 2-2 changeup from Jake Bloss, sending it over the boardwalk in center field for a three-run homer that sailed out of LECOM Park. Joey Bart followed with a solo shot to center to make it...
Xander Schauffele ready to return from rib injury with modest expectations at Bay HillVideo
ORLANDO, Fla. — Xander Schauffele took his first swing on a PGA Tour course in 57 days and found the middle of the fairway. And then he took another golf ball from his bag and tossed it into the thick rough. That was the real test. “If this doesn’t go...
Pitt women bow out of ACC Tournament with loss to Virginia
The Pitt women’s 64-50 loss to Virginia on Wednesday in the first round of the ACC Tournament in Greensboro, N.C., was mainly a matter of the Cavaliers’ playing stingy defense against the Panthers. Center Khadija Faye, named to the All-ACC first team earlier in the week, missed 16 of 19...
Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon bring out best in each other
DENVER — Nathan MacKinnon’s childhood idol and role model has turned into a training partner and an offseason neighbor back home in the Halifax area of their native Nova Scotia. One of his closest friends, too. MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby have developed a tight bond, which made winning the 4...
Mets spent more in 4 years than Pirates, Marlins and Rays over past 21
NEW YORK — The New York Mets led the major leagues in spending for the third straight season in 2024 and have totaled $1.36 billion in payroll and luxury tax over four years under owner Steve Cohen, exceeding what the Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays each have...
Devils star Jack Hughes done for season after having shoulder surgeryVideo
NEWARK, N.J. — New Jersey Devils leading scorer Jack Hughes had shoulder surgery and is out for the season, a blow to the team’s hopes of making a playoff run. The team said Hughes had surgery on his right shoulder in Vail, Colo., on Wednesday after tests and conversations with...
Seahawks star receiver D.K. Metcalf requests trade
D.K. Metcalf wants out of Seattle. A person with knowledge of the decision told the Associated Press that the longtime Seahawks wide receiver asked for a trade. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the request was not announced publicly. Metcalf, a two-time Pro Bowler, has...
Lightning acquire Gourde and Bjorkstrand and Panthers get Vanecek as NHL trade action heats upVideo
The Tampa Bay Lightning answered the cross-state-rival and defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers’ first couple of additions ahead of the NHL trade deadline with a big move of their own. The Lightning on Wednesday acquired forwards Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand from Seattle in a three-team trade that also...
Eagles retain All-Pro LB Zack Baun before he tests free agency
All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun is staying with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Super Bowl champions announced Wednesday they agreed on a three-year deal with Baun through the 2027 season. A person familiar with the details told the Associated Press that Baun’s contract is worth $51 million, including $34 million guaranteed. The...
Seahawks release longtime wide receiver Tyler Lockett in cost-cutting move
SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks released Tyler Lockett on Wednesday, parting ways with the franchise’s second all-time leading receiver in a cost-cutting move ahead of the new league year. Lockett, a 10-year veteran, caught 661 passes for 8,564 yards and 61 touchdowns in Seattle, trailing only Hall of Famer Steve...
Raiders extend pass rusher Maxx Crosby’s contract
HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders extended the contract of star defensive end Maxx Crosby, the club said Wednesday. The terms weren’t immediately announced. Crosby has been one of the NFL’s elite pass rushers with 59 1/2 sacks since being selected in the fourth round of the 2109 draft....
