Sports category, Page 756
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin called George Pickens issue a ‘pebble in my shoe.’ His players are trying to prevent a rockslide
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin referred to last week’s social media distraction involving George Pickens as “a pebble in my shoe.” Apparently, some of his other players saw it as potentially a large thorn in the side of the team because they felt the need to address it. On...
Pirates A to Z: Osvaldo Bido’s MLB debut was another success story for Dominican academy
During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z, an alphabetical, player-by-player look at the 40-man roster. Player: Osvaldo Bido Position: Pitcher Throws: Right Age: 28 Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 175 pounds 2023 MLB statistics: Was 2-5 with a 5.86 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 48 strikeouts and 21...
Extra loud ‘Hail’ during national anthem tells Pitt’s Blake Hinson the Zoo is ready
Before the first shot of the season nestled in the cords Monday night, Blake Hinson knew the Oakland Zoo was ready. Actually, he said the student cheering section reached full throat much earlier than it did a year ago. “I always tell the story about the Zoo growing in attendance...
U mad, bro?: Too much praise for Mike Tomlin. Too much blame for Mike Tomlin. Bad NFL refs and … popcorn balls
Praise for Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Blame for Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Sports Journalism 101. Steelers roster construction. Bad NFL officiating. And popcorn balls. This week’s “U mad, bro?” has it all. Let’s start with an important matter. In last week’s “U mad, bro?” I took a shot at popcorn...
Robert Saleh: There’s no ‘conspiracy theory’ in Jets’ decision to stick with Zach Wilson at QB
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Zach Wilson appeared on the verge of taking the major step for which so many around the New York Jets — and their frustrated fans — have been waiting. The third-year quarterback outplayed Patrick Mahomes in a 23-20 loss to Kansas City in front of a...
Clash of NFL’s top 2 defenses when Browns, Ravens meet in key AFC North matchupVideo
BEREA, Ohio — Deshaun Watson’s most recent view of Baltimore’s stingy, snarling defense came from the safety of Cleveland’s sideline. This week, he’ll be in harm’s way. Watson, who returned last week after missing four games — including a 28-3 loss to the Ravens on Oct. 1 — with a...
Next on the Tee: John Mahaffey recalls winning ’78 PGA Championship at Oakmont Country Club
On this episode of Next on the Tee, host Chris Mascaro is joined by two legends of the game, John Cook and John Mahaffey; plus one of the great players in Western Pennsylvania history, Bob Friend Jr.; and Top 100 instructor and Pittsburgh native Eric Johnson. Cook discusses his epic...
Shohei Ohtani free agency sweepstakes off to a clandestine start
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The race to add two-way baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani in a blockbuster free agency deal is off to a clandestine start. “Special player, that’s all I’ll say,” said Chris Young, general manager of the World Series champion Texas Rangers. “We’re going to be interested in looking at...
Michigan responds to Big Ten, saying commissioner doesn’t have discipline authorityVideo
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Michigan warned Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti about overstepping his authority and rushing to judgment, insisting Wednesday he cannot discipline coach Jim Harbaugh under the conference’s sportsmanship policy for an alleged sign-stealing scheme that has rocked college football. Parts of the blistering 10-page...
Angels hire Ron Washington as manager to replace Phil Nevin
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Los Angeles Angels hired Ron Washington to be their new manager Wednesday, turning to a veteran baseball mind in an attempt to end nearly a decade of losing. The 71-year-old Washington became the majors’ oldest current manager and only the second active Black manager, joining the...
Steelers WR George Pickens denies being frustrated with reduced targets
George Pickens was in a state of denial Wednesday afternoon. He denied being upset with the dwindling number of targets he has received the past two games. He denied briefly removing references to the Pittsburgh Steelers from his Instagram page because of any dissatisfaction with his employer. He also denied...
4-year veteran Mykal Walker prepared if needed to step in to help Steelers ILB group
Mykal Walker is palpably glad to be here — as in, in the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room. But he just can’t figure out how ended up here — as in, on his fourth team over a three-month span, cut three times since August. “I never thought I would be in...
Column: Michigan game is Penn State’s last gasp at being elite this season
There has been plenty of consternation about Penn State’s status in the college football world this season. The team’s loss to Ohio State put it on the back burner once again in the College Football Playoff picture and left the program without a clear path to taking the next step...
Vikings designate WR Justin Jefferson for return from IR
EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings designated wide receiver Justin Jefferson for return from injured reserve Wednesday, bringing the 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year back to practice with three weeks to assess the readiness of his strained right hamstring for game action. Jefferson’s four-week minimum on IR ended...
Judge grants Jonna Burke preliminary injunction letting basketball coach avoid PIAA suspension
A federal judge has granted Jonna Burke’s request for a preliminary injunction, a legal victory that lets the Shady Side Academy girls basketball coach avoid a PIAA suspension for now. Burke was serving a one-year ban for an alleged recruiting violation before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cynthia Reed Eddy ruled in...
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Montravius Adams miss practice for Steelers
When Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin left open the possibility that injured All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick could return in time for Sunday’s game, he used the qualifier that at best he wouldn’t practice until later in the week. That held true Wednesday, when Fitzpatrick did not participate in the Steelers’...
Pitt players thankful for 3 more chances to achieve redemption
While the regular season moves into its final three-game stretch, talk among fans and media drifts toward arguments about College Football Playoff rankings, what will happen with Michigan and those sign-stealing allegations and speculation on who will win the Heisman trophy. Will anyone be paying attention to Pitt (2-7, 1-4...
Penguins waive forward Andreas Johnnsson
The Pittsburgh Penguins have placed forward Andreas Johnsson on unconditional waivers for the purposes of terminating his contract. Should Johnsson go unclaimed by 2 p.m. Thursday, the team can formally cut ties with him. The Penguins signed Johnsson to a one-year contract worth $800,000 on July 7 with hopes he...
Right tackle Chuks Okorafor expects to sit again in favor of Steelers rookie Broderick JonesVideo
Chuks Okorafor isn’t saying what words or actions got him in trouble with coach Mike Tomlin that led to his benching against the Tennessee Titans. He doesn’t know whether he will remain in Tomlin’s doghouse long term. He just knows he doesn’t expect to start again Sunday at right tackle...
Mike Sullivan, players praise sparring-match style win for Penguins in Anaheim
After the Pittsburgh Penguins won a close 2-0 contest in Anaheim on Tuesday night, Ducks coach Greg Cronin made a boxing analogy. “There wasn’t a lot of rhythm to the game,” Cronin said via the Associated Press. “There weren’t a lot of scoring chances either way. It was like two...
Mark Madden: Just another example of Steelers’ flawed culture under Mike Tomlin
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ culture, at least the portion created by coach Mike Tomlin, is uneven and flawed. Chuks Okorafor lost the starting job at right tackle because he “acted out” during the Oct. 29 loss to Jacksonville. Okorafor said or did something Tomlin didn’t like. This switch was past due...
Penguins reserve goaltender Magnus Hellberg used to being on the move
After spending half a decade playing in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League, Magnus Hellberg had a base expectation when he returned to North America in 2022. Spend the entire 2022-23 campaign in the NHL. It was a pretty simple pursuit on the surface. And he definitely accomplished it. But it was...
Pirates A to Z: David Bednar developed into ‘elite closer’, despite a month without a saveVideo
During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z, an alphabetical, player-by-player look at the 40-man roster. Player: David Bednar Position: Closer Throws: Right Age: 29 Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 250 pounds 2023 MLB statistics: Went 3-3 with a 2.00 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 39 saves in 67...
Tim Benz: ‘4th Quarter Kenny’ is making Pittsburgh smile, but Mike Tomlin can’t laugh off 1st-half concerns forever
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin had a smile on his face. There was some levity to his retort. But as is often the case when someone makes a joke, there’s a lot of truth to it. And there’s usually a message to the delivery. During his weekly Tuesday press conference,...
First Call: Martavis Bryant has a new home; Kyler Murray likely to make return ahead of game against Steelers
Wednesday’s “First Call” features familiar Pittsburgh Steelers faces in new places. A big-time offensive tackle reveals how he nearly wound up in Pittsburgh. And the Steelers may be facing a former Pro Bowler at quarterback in a few weeks. Big deal in Big D According to multiple reports, including one...
