Sports category, Page 586
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Here’s how the Pirates can maximize profits with Paul Skenes
With phenom flamethrower Paul Skenes likely to join the Pittsburgh Pirates in mid-May or a bit later, it’s time to map out the game plan for Skenes’ first MLB start. It will definitely take place at PNC Park. The Pirates aren’t dumb when it comes to matters of profit. There’s...
Position of paradox: Pirates have decisions to make at catcher when Yasmani Grandal returns
The catcher position has been a paradox for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The defensive whiz who won the starting job last year is out for the season after injuring his elbow swinging a bat. The two-time All-Star brought in for veteran leadership has been sidelined since spring training. The backup brought...
Pirates farm report for April 26, 2024: 5 Bradenton pitchers combine on 5-hit shutout
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 12-12) and Omaha (Royals) were rained out. The game will be played as a part of a doubelheader at 1:05 p.m. Sunday. Next: Saturday at Omaha (Royals), 7:05 p.m. ALTOONA (Double-A, 5-13) hit only six singles in a 6-2 loss to Akron (Guardians). RF Jase Bowen (.167) went...
Patrick Bailey hits 3-run home run off David Bednar to give Giants walk-off win over Pirates
A scoreless game came down to the 2023 National League saves leaders pitching the ninth inning, and San Francisco’s Camilo Doval escaped a bases-loaded jam against the Pittsburgh Pirates. David Bednar wasn’t as fortunate. Patrick Bailey hit a three-run home run to lift the Giants to a 3-0 walk-off win...
Tim Benz: Playing young linemen well worth the risk for Steelers
Steelers fans are getting exactly what they wanted so far in the 2024 NFL Draft. In the ramp-up to this selection weekend, I posted a social media poll asking what position the Steelers should address in the first round on Thursday. After 1,000 votes, 47.4% of respondents wanted a center...
Steelers draft Bednarik Award winner as nation’s best defensive player, ILB Payton Wilson
He was the 98th player selected overall. Five prospects classified as inside linebackers were taken before him. But the Pittsburgh Steelers can make a reasonable claim they took the best defensive player in the draft. After all, Payton Wilson has the hardware to prove it. An inside linebacker from NC...
Minor league report: Penguins’ season ends with overtime loss in Game 2Video
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins’ season came to an end after a 5-4 overtime road loss to the rival Lehigh Valley Phantoms in Game 2 of a first-round series at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre on Friday. A goal by forward Jacob Gaucher at 2:11 of overtime secured victory for the Phantoms...
Payton Wilson bio: Steelers’ 3rd-round pick (98th overall) in 2024 NFL draft
Payton Wilson Third-round pick, No. 98 overall ILB, N.C. State 6-4, 233 Stats: Capped injury-marred career at N.C. State by starting 23 games over final two seasons. He ranked fifth nationally with 138 tackles in 2023. Totaled 17.5 tackles for loss and had six sacks and three interceptions. Hometown: Hillsborough,...
Penn State edge rusher Adisa Isaac goes to Ravens in 3rd round
After disrupting Big Ten offenses at Penn State, Adisa Isaac will turn his attention toward the NFL next season after he was drafted in the third round (93rd overall) by the Baltimore Ravens on Friday. One of the Big Ten’s best edge rushers, Isaac (6-foot-4, 249 pounds) started 10 games...
Roman Wilson bio: Steelers’ 3rd-round pick (84th overall) in 2024 NFL draft
Roman Wilson Third-round pick, No. 84 overall WR, Michigan 5-foot-11, 185 pounds Stats: Tied for ninth in the nationally with 12 receiving touchdowns last season and led Michigan in receptions (48) and receiving yards (789). Over four college seasons had 107 receptions for 1,707 yards and 20 touchdowns. Hometown: Maui,...
Steelers nab WR Roman Wilson with 3rd-round pick
Continuing a run of offensive players in the NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers took Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson with their first pick of the third round Friday night, the No. 84 overall selection. Wilson joined tackle Troy Fautanu and center Zach Frazier as the team’s top three picks. The...
Colts make trade to move up in 3rd round, select Pitt offensive lineman Matt Goncalves
Former Pitt offensive lineman Matt Goncalves received plenty of pats on the back, hugs and text messages Friday night when he was drafted in the third round (79th overall) by the Indianapolis Colts One text stood out, however, when he connected with former Pitt defensive line coach Charlie Partridge, who...
Duquesne gets verbal commitment from ex-Furman forward Alex Williams, 4th transfer to join Dukes
Dru Joyce III has been Duquesne’s head coach for less than a month, and he’s wasted no time restocking the Dukes’ roster. The most recent of the four transfer players to give Joyce a verbal commitment is former Furman forward Alex Williams, who made his announcement Friday. Let’s get it!!...
Patriots draft well-seasoned Penn State offensive tackle Caedan Wallace in 3rd round
When the New England Patriots selected Penn State’s Caedan Wallace in the third round Friday night (68th overall), they got one of the most experienced offensive tackles in the NFL Draft. #PennState OT Caedan Wallace has 40 career starts and 1,276 snaps at right tackle in his career.He’s one of...
Michael Penix hears from Kirk Cousins, Michael Vick after landing with Falcons
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Michael Penix Jr., the biggest surprise of the NFL Draft’s first round, received a congratulatory call from Kirk Cousins on Thursday night even as Cousins’ agent was second-guessing the Atlanta Falcons adding depth to their quarterback spot. Penix described the chat with Cousins as “a very...
Pirates call up pitcher Kyle Nicolas
The Pittsburgh Pirates made a roster move to shake up their bullpen Friday, recalling right-hander Kyle Nicolas and optioning Ryder Ryan to Triple-A Indianapolis. Nicolas appeared in four games for the Pirates last season, allowing seven runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts and four walks in 5 ⅓ innings....
Zach Frazier bio: Steelers’ 2nd-round pick (51st overall) in 2024 NFL Draft
Zach Frazier Second-round pick, No. 51 overall C, West Virginia 6-foot-3, 313 pounds Stats: Started 37 games at center in his final three seasons with the Mountaineers Hometown: Fairmont, W.Va. Tidbits: Spent three seasons at a team captain at West Virginia. … Started 46 of 47 games, including nine at...
Steelers get their center, draft WVU’s Zach Frazier in 2nd round
The new coordinator got two shiny new pieces that should go a long way toward instilling an old-school mentality for his offense for the Pittsburgh Steelers. A day after taking a tackle with their first-round pick, the Steelers made it 2-for-2 in adding offensive linemen when they selected West Virginia...
Caitlin Clark revs up Pacers fans with pregame playoff appearance
INDIANAPOLIS — Caitlin Clark crashed the NBA’s playoff party Friday night — and drew a standing ovation from her new home fans. Twice. She’s hoping to do it all over again in September in the same place. The WNBA’s No. 1 overall draft pick and Division I’s career scoring leader...
Brewers left-hander Wade Miley says he needs Tommy John surgery
MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Brewers left-handed pitcher Wade Miley said Friday he needs Tommy John surgery. The 37-year-old Miley was put on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation on April 22, retroactive to April 19. “I need a full Tommy John,” Miley said Friday before the Brewers faced the...
Long travel day doesn’t dampen Troy Fautanu’s enthusiasm about being drafted by Steelers
Less than four hours after being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, Troy Fautanu was seated in Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport awaiting a red-eye flight to Pittsburgh. Accompanied by his mother, father and sister, Fautanu had a layover in Detroit before continuing the final leg...
NFL to allow players to wear protective soft-shell helmet covers during games
NEW YORK — The NFL announced Friday it will allow players to wear protective soft-shell helmet covers known as Guardian caps during games next season if they choose. The league is also expanding the use of the devices during practices. Defensive backs and receivers have joined the position groups now...
Caleb Williams breaks Caitlin Clark’s draft-night record for jersey sales
Fans of the Chicago Bears seem pretty excited to have former USC quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams on the team. How excited? Based on draft-night jersey sales data, possibly more excited than any fanbase of any sports team has ever been about any draft pick. The Bears selected...
Jayden Daniels is Washington’s latest quarterback of the future
ASHBURN, Va. — Jayden Daniels is confident he can start in the NFL. Just not this minute. “Man, I don’t know the playbook, so I’m not prepared right now,” he said. Give it time, learn the playbook and Daniels might be Washington’s quarterback of the future. That’s certainly what ownership,...
Mark Madden: Steelers got their guy in the 1st round but are still stuck in mushy middle
The Pittsburgh Steelers got a player they wanted in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday, selecting Washington tackle Troy Fautanu. Good pick? Bad pick? Who knows? Franchise-changing pick? Not this year and not likely. The Steelers need a four- or five-win season if they want to draft that...
