Sports category, Page 631
What will Utah’s NHL team be called? Here are 20 options
Ownership of the NHL’s team in Utah has given fans 20 choices to vote on for the franchise’s new name, according to a survey sent out Wednesday by Smith Entertainment Group. Owner Ryan Smith has told The Associated Press the team will have a name starting with Utah. The inaugural...
Penguins A to Z: Jordan Frasca made progress, but only incrementallyVideo
With the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2023-24 season coming to an end without any postseason action, TribLive will offer Penguins A to Z, a player-by-player look at all 51 individuals signed to an NHL contract — including those whose deals do not begin until next season — with the organization, from fourth-line...
U mad, bro?: Pirates fans tired of empty at-bats; impatience for Paul Skenes; Steelers fans sound off about Najee Harris
The Pittsburgh Pirates can’t hit. Some feel like it took too long to promote Paul Skenes. The Penguins fired an assistant coach. And the Steelers essentially admitted they shouldn’t have drafted a running back in the first round three years ago. There is plenty of room for grumbling in Pittsburgh...
First Call: What it may have cost the Steelers to land Brandon Aiyuk; Martavis Bryant released again
Thursday’s “First Call” takes a look behind the curtain as to what it may have cost the Pittsburgh Steelers to land Brandon Aiyuk in a trade with San Francisco. A former Steelers pass-catcher is back on the open market. A second former Steelers front office alum is in the hunt...
Tim Benz: When Paul Skenes shows up, it’ll be nice if other Pirates also start showing up
Pittsburgh Pirates fans are just going to have to twiddle their thumbs and wait for first-round pick Paul Skenes to show up for his Major League debut Saturday. That wouldn’t be quite so bad if all of Pittsburgh wasn’t also waiting for the rest of the team to show up...
Pirates’ promotion of Paul Skenes evokes memories of Stephen Strasburg’s debut
When searching for comparisons to Paul Skenes and his 10-month path from being selected with the No. 1 overall pick to making his first start in the major leagues, one name rings most prominent. Where the Pittsburgh Pirates are pumped for the first MLB start by Skenes against the Chicago...
Former Pitt forward William Jeffress transfers to Louisiana Tech
William Jeffress, who enrolled at Pitt as a 17-year-old and spent four seasons with the men’s basketball program before entering the transfer portal this year, has committed to Louisiana Tech. At the outset of the 2020-2021 season, Jeffress was the youngest ACC player (17 years, five months, 22 days) to...
Minor league report: Nailers on verge of elimination after dropping Game 3Video
Forward Matthew Querica had a goal and an assist for the Wheeling Nailers in a 7-3 home loss to the Toledo Walleye in Game 3 of the Central Division final series at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, W.Va. on Wednesday. The Walleye lead the best-of-seven series, 3-0. Defenseman David Drake and...
Pirates farm report for May 8, 2024: Braxton Ashcraft throws 5 scoreless in Altoona win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 16-16) dropped a 4-3 decision to Louisville (Reds). LHP Cam Alldred (6.92) started and went five innings, allowed two runs (one unearned) on four hits, including a home run, didn’t walk a batter and struck out five. RHP Ryder Ryan (4.50) gave up one unearned run on two...
Cowboys cut former Steelers WR Martavis Bryant, ending his latest comeback attempt
FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys released former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Martavis Bryant on Wednesday, ending his latest attempt to return to the NFL following a long absence. Bryant signed with Dallas’ practice squad last season but didn’t make the active roster. He was retained on a futures contract after...
Former interpreter for Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani will plead guilty in betting case
LOS ANGELES — The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud in a sports betting case in which prosecutors allege he stole nearly $17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts, federal prosecutors said Wednesday....
Nuggets Nikola Jokic wins NBA’s MVP award, his 3rd in 4 seasons
Nikola Jokic did it all again. And the MVP trophy is his again. Jokic, the Denver Nuggets star from Serbia, was announced Wednesday night as the NBA’s MVP — his third time winning the award in the past four seasons, a feat that just six other players in league history...
Local golf notebook: Rachel Rohanna qualifies for U.S. Women’s Open
WPIAL Hall of Famer and two-time PIAA champion Rachel Rohanna of Waynesburg returns to the U.S. Women’s Open on May 28 at Lancaster Country Club after winning the sectional qualifier Tuesday at Shannopin Country Club. Rohanna, who played in the LPGA Tour and Epson Tour, shot a 2-under-par 140 during...
Indianapolis sports columnist won’t cover Fever following awkward back-and-forth with Caitlin Clark
INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Star sports columnist Gregg Doyel, whose interaction with WNBA No. 1 draft pick Caitlin Clark at her introductory news conference was criticized in the national media as being inappropriate, will not cover the Indiana Fever in person this season. Gannett spokesperson Lark-Marie Antón said in a statement...
Former Pine-Richland, Pitt QB Phil Jurkovec invited to Steelers rookie camp as TE
Former Pitt quarterback Phil Jurkovec is returning to the South Side, only this time he’s walking through a different door, dressing in another locker room and playing a new (at least, relatively new) position. Jurkovec accepted an invitation to the Pittsburgh Steelers rookie camp that begins Friday and runs through...
Pirates top prospect Paul Skenes scheduled to make MLB debut Saturday against Cubs
In what is expected to be the most anticipated debut by a starting pitcher since Stephen Strasburg in 2010, the Pittsburgh Pirates are promoting Paul Skenes to the major leagues, a source confirmed to TribLive. The 21-year-old right-hander, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft and regarded...
Pirates shut down by Angels bullpen, drop series finale
After five innings Wednesday afternoon at PNC Park, the Pittsburgh Pirates looked to be sitting pretty, having taken a two-run lead over the Los Angeles Angels and chasing starter Jose Soriano. But that advantage evaporated almost instantly, with starter Martin Perez and reliever Luis Ortiz imploding in the sixth to...
Rory McIlroy won’t rejoin PGA Tour board, says others were ‘uncomfortable’ with his potential return
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rory McIlroy won’t be returning to the PGA Tour board, saying Wednesday that a plan to replace Webb Simpson was met with resistance from board members. Simpson, one of six player directors, recently offered to give up his seat — but only if McIlroy were to replace...
Steelers add former Tampa Bay, Atlanta WR Scotty Miller to crowded position group
Adding a potential option to play in the slot this season, the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to a one-year contract Wednesday with wide receiver Scotty Miller, a league source confirmed to TribLive. Miller, 26, is the fifth player from the Atlanta Falcons to follow new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to the...
Undrafted, but not unwanted, ex-Pitt players eager for NFL opportunities
Jake Kradel could have spent the final day of the NFL Draft staring at his TV, cell phone by his side, hoping for the vibration that could change his life. Instead, he went golfing. “It was a nice wind-down, a celebration of my college career,” said Kradel, the Butler graduate...
Oneil Cruz’s left ankle ‘strong and stable,’ as Pirates shortstop returns to starting lineup
Oneil Cruz has given the Pittsburgh Pirates several scares by tweaking the left ankle that required surgery last season, yet director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk considers it more of an issue of treatment. After his latest sign of discomfort on a single to right in the sixth inning Monday...
Duquesne adds 6th transfer to 2024-25 men’s basketball roster
Duquesne coach Dru Joyce III’s most recent roster addition will arrive — after completing the necessary paperwork — with three years of eligibility to develop and some impressive experience and accomplishments behind him. Committed 1000% pic.twitter.com/2lU8oTSRAu— Elijah Wilborn (@ElijahWilborn3) May 8, 2024 Elijah Wilborn, who played his freshman season (2023-24)...
Pirates, Audacy extend radio broadcast agreement
Pittsburgh Pirates games will remain on Audacy Pittsburgh radio stations through the 2027 season, the team and Audacy announced Wednesday. The parties agreed to a broadcast contract extension that will keep Pirates games on 93.7 The Fan (KDKA-FM), which has been the team’s flagship station since 2012. “Our relationship with...
Mark Madden: Penguins should be window shopping for grit, edge during Stanley Cup playoffs
NHL free agency doesn’t start till July 1, but it’s OK to do some window shopping now. After all, NFL Draft geeks already have started doing mocks for 2025. Two players the Penguins should take a good look at both played for Toronto this past season: winger Tyler Bertuzzi and...
Pitt’s Bill Fralic lends local flavor to Croatian American Hall of Fame
The 2024 inductees to the Croatian American Sports Hall of Fame include many names with local connections, including Pitt football great Bill Fralic and his agent, who was an outstanding athlete himself. Plus, a slow-pitch softball star known as King Kong. The CAS-HOF’s selection committee announced the following area inductees:...
