Mark Madden Columns category, Page 7
Mark Madden: Ridicule Pirates for many things, but not for disrespecting Clemente family
The Pittsburgh Pirates erected a statue of Roberto Clemente outside PNC Park. His retired No. 21 is on display. The right-field wall is called the Roberto Clemente Wall, is 21 feet tall and adorned with two No. 21s. Clemente was in the first class inducted to the Pirates’ in-house hall...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: The Pirates continue to fleece fans, city
Pirates owner Bob Nutting garnished the home opener at PNC Park this past Friday with a huge steaming helping of horse manure. Nutting said that winning is “the most important thing we’re focused on.” A bold-faced lie. Nutting also said, “I think I’ve done everything I can to provide the...
Mark Madden: Management failures, Paul Skenes’ future and more Pirates notes ahead of home opener
If the Siege of Leningrad were re-enacted on a baseball diamond, PNC Park would be the logical location. Let’s bunker in with refreshing Pittsburgh Pirates notes! • The New Yankees are killing it with those newfangled torpedo bats. The Pirates might as well be using Wiffle ball bats. Not much...
Mark Madden: Penguins’ Kyle Dubas makes right call with rookies Ville Koivunen, Rutger McGroarty
To my mind, there was debate about when to start the influx of prospects from the Penguins’ system to Pittsburgh. I might have finished this season plugging gaps with scrubs, then promoted a chunk of legit kids at the beginning of next season — readiness permitting, of course. Let energy...
Mark Madden: Alex Ovechkin will break Wayne Gretzky’s scoring record, but how he does it matters for NHL
Alex Ovechkin has 890 career goals. He’s going to break Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career record of 894. But how should he do it? What would be best for business? The Washington Capitals have to consider what’s best for their team. They unexpectedly have the top seed in the Eastern Conference...
Mark Madden’s hot take: Sidney Crosby’s unrivaled consistency portrayed in latest milestone
Sidney Crosby invented a record. It wasn’t there before he did it. On Thursday at Buffalo, Crosby’s goal clinched him being the first player in NHL history to average a point per game or better in 20 consecutive seasons. Wayne Gretzky did it for 19 seasons but didn’t do it...
Mark Madden: Short-term gamble on Aaron Rodgers means long-term consequences for Steelers
Aaron Rodgers still isn’t a Pittsburgh Steeler. It’s already got a touch of Rodgers’ tenure with the New York Jets about it, where he skipped mandatory minicamp to vacation in Egypt. If Rodgers had any sense of commitment to the Steelers and to maximizing what’s left of his career, he’d...
Mark Madden: Steelers remain incompetent at managing quarterback position
Rampant speculation holds that Aaron Rodgers will announce that he’s a Steeler at Pat McAfee’s live event April 9 at PPG Paints Arena. If that’s the initial confirmation of Rodgers’ commitment, the Steelers will have lost control of that situation from the very first moment. A legendary logo becomes reality...
Mark Madden: What exactly does Aaron Rodgers bring to the Steelers?
It seems possible that the Steelers will (drum roll) sign Aaron Rodgers. He visited, probably had a Primanti’s sandwich, maybe rode the incline, so he’s hooked. What exactly would Rodgers bring to the table? It might not be everything you think. Rodgers is one of the best quarterbacks of all...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Has Tristan Jarry saved his future in Pittsburgh?
When goalie Tristan Jarry cleared waivers and got sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League in mid-January, his Pittsburgh Penguins tenure seemed over. Perhaps his NHL career, too. But since being recalled to Pittsburgh three weeks ago, Jarry has rallied. Jarry has done so under very little pressure, true....
Mark Madden: Steelers QB drama has plenty of subplots, no leading man
Aside from waiting for Aaron Rodgers to make up his mind as he indulges his endless narcissism, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback debacle has some interesting sidebars. Why would Mason Rudolph come back to Pittsburgh? Rudolph had a queasy six years with the Steelers before spending last season with the Tennessee Titans....
Mark Madden: It’s long past time for the Penguins to tank, even if they don’t know how
The Penguins ran out of fool’s gold Tuesday night when their four-game win streak came crashing to a halt against the New York Islanders at PPG Paints Arena. Much of what’s wrong with the Penguins this season was on display in the third period as they saw a 2-0 lead...
Mark Madden: Steelers’ quarterback focus should be on 2026 draft in Pittsburgh
It doesn’t matter who the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback is in 2025. The Steelers entered NFL free agency with more than $60 million in salary cap space. That ranked between fifth and 10th among the league’s top figures, depending on the source. The Steelers haven’t exactly made spectacular use of their...
Mark Madden: Steelers should pursue long-term path, timetable that’s best for the franchise
The Steelers offseason is all over the place. The highlights of free agency so far: • Recycling a quarterback they never trusted previously. • Getting a second-string running back to go with their other second-string running back. • Adding a 34-year-old cornerback. The Steelers might sign a 33-year-old fullback, which...
Mark Madden: Give Penguins’ rebuild time, and watch Kyle Dubas become the hero
The “2025 trade deadline” phase of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ rebuilding project is complete. President of hockey ops/GM Kyle Dubas did well. But then the players fouled it up by winning their last two games, and against good teams, too. You can’t tell Sidney Crosby to not be Sidney Crosby. Fewer...
Mark Madden: With DK Metcalf in the fold, it’s time for Steelers to change their dynamic
Full props to the Pittsburgh Steelers for acquiring wide receiver DK Metcalf from Seattle for a second-round draft pick. That’s not too pricey. Signing Metcalf to a five-year, $150-million contract is. The Steelers are paying two guys quarterback money. But neither plays quarterback. That’s OK. A bold move was needed...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Journalism disappearing from sports broadcasting
The death of journalism in sports broadcasting continues with the cancellation of “Around the Horn” after 23 seasons on ESPN. “Around the Horn” was far from perfect. Host Tony Reali did a marvelous job holding things together and will be an asset wherever he winds up. The panelists were journalists,...
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...
Mark Madden: Bargain shopping Steelers likely to again make mediocre moves during free agency
NFL free agency starts March 12. That’s not far off. But there’s no reason to be excited about what the Steelers will do. Because they won’t do anything. Not until the first wave subsides. Then the Steelers will do their usual bargain shopping. The Steelers have a little over $60...
Mark Madden: Sidney Crosby’s greatness again on display, goaltending woes and more Penguins notes
Not enough wins. Not much hope for this season. But still a lot to discuss. Refreshing Penguins notes are the lifeblood of Pittsburgh hockey! First shot, first goal! • Sidney Crosby had a goal and two assists in Sunday’s 6-5 overtime loss against visiting Toronto. He passed Bobby Hull on...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Steelers’ indecision could cost them
As anybody with a brain knew, Matthew Stafford will not be a Steeler. A report says that the Steelers called the Los Angeles Rams about Stafford, but the quarterback had zero interest in coming to Pittsburgh. (Stafford decided to stay with the Rams.) As Jarrett Bailey of The Sporting News...
Mark Madden: Remembering Gene Hackman — Norman Dale vs. Jimmy McGinty
The death of heralded actor Gene Hackman begs the question: Who was the superior coach, Norman Dale in “Hoosiers” or Jimmy McGinty in “The Replacements”? Neither had much with which to work. Dale’s talent was thin beyond Jimmy Chitwood, who provided Hickory High School with a deadly scoring touch and...
Mark Madden: Don’t expect to see Matthew Stafford playing for thrifty Steelers
The discussion about the Pittsburgh Steelers acquiring Matthew Stafford from the Los Angeles Rams seems like empty, pointless conversation. The media is obligated to link the Steelers to every quarterback who’s available. It was a surprise last offseason when the Steelers’ quarterback room got a total makeover via getting Russell...
Mark Madden: Sidney Crosby shines, goaltending doesn’t in Penguins’ return from break
If the 4 Nations Face-Off was “best on best,” what was Sunday’s game between the Penguins and New York Rangers? Find the answer and much more in this edition of refreshing Penguins notes! • Sidney Crosby played hard and exceptionally at the 4 Nations Face-Off, then did the same in...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Steelers fans can expect much of the same, boring offseason
We spend endless hours debating what the Pittsburgh Steelers will do this offseason. (Some more than others.) It’s insufferable. Nonstop yak, yak, yak. Most of it about the quarterback position. Here’s a shortcut. Here’s what the Steelers won’t do this offseason: • Trade for Matthew Stafford. • Get Aaron Rodgers....
