Breakfast With Benz category, Page 192
U mad, bro? Raging Reds fans, puking Pirates fans, Le’Veon Bell defenders
There is a disturbing lack of “Phil DePhense Phoundation” emails in “U mad, bro?” this week. Don’t they know “the media is trying to run Phil out of town” again? But their absence has been filled by angry Pirates fans, raging Reds fans and NFL fans who want to call...
First Call: Browns drama starts to emerge; bunt breaks up no-hitter
In “First Call” Wednesday, the Browns are dealing with some drama of their own. Arizona is still mad about Super Bowl XLIII. And a team broke up a no-hitter with a bunt. Browns drama The Steelers have had their share of drama in recent years while attempting to win the...
Tim Benz: Le’Veon Bell’s praise for Jets QB Sam Darnold a little much
So how was Le’Veon Bell’s first day at his new school? The former Steelers running back went through his first minicamp practice with the Jets on Tuesday. Bell says he can already tell that he is going to be more of a leader in New York than he was in...
High school coach dismisses arm worries for Pirates 1st-rounder Quinn Priester
The Pirates selected Quinn Priester in the first round of the MLB Draft on Monday. In this podcast, I interviewed his coach, Ryan Passaglia. Passaglia coached Priester at Cary-Grove High School in Illinois and has been working with the right-hander since he was in middle school. Priester has committed to...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden talk JuJu’s prom, Phil Kessel trade, Pirates pros and cons
I know. This has become a trend. It’s another “Madden Monday” podcast on a Tuesday. Between Memorial Day weekend and concert activities, Mark Madden and I have had a few three-day weekends of late. We’ll get on a proper schedule again eventually. Or, if not, no big deal. It’s summer....
First Call: Pirates’ 1st-round pick Quinn Priester has ‘highest ceiling’
Tuesday’s “First Call” some high praise for the Pirates’ first-round draft pick, an injury to Andrew McCutchen and a lucky break for the Steelers. Mighty Quinn? The Pirates are getting high praise for their first-round pick. It’s right-handed high school pitcher Quinn Priester from Illinois. On MLB network, Jim Callis...
First Call: Reds fans go after John Wehner after Derek Dietrich comments
In “First Call” Friday, Reds fans attack John Wehner. Le’Veon Bell and Odell Beckham Jr. are taking heat for skipping practices. Problems for a few former Pirates. Now it’s on! Pirates broadcaster John Wehner made headlines this week when he shamed Reds player Derek Dietrich for showboating his home runs...
Fantasy sports podcast: Stirring the pot on Derek Dietrich, Pirates-Reds rivalry
Our weekly fantasy sports podcast always features Jeff Erickson of Rotowire. He’s a lifelong Reds fan. So this week, he gives a completely different perspective on the sniping back and forth between his favorite club and the Pirates. Derek Dietrich pimping home runs against the Pirates has been a hot...
Plenty of opinions about where Penguins’ Phil Kessel could land in trade
The Phil Kessel trade watch is one of the biggest topics in hockey right now. And the opinions are flying. Dave Poulin said on TSN, “He’s an acquired taste that has run its course in Pittsburgh.” On the same panel, Craig Button made it sound like the team is scapegoating...
First Call: Jon Gruden was ready to give up 2nd-round pick for Antonio Brown
In “First Call” Thursday, the Steelers may have been able to do better in the Antonio Brown trade. A WPIAL star is climbing toward the majors. Ryan Reaves dabbles in comedy. How it could`ve gone Here’s an item we’ve buried this week. It turns out the Steelers may have been...
Podcast: Pittsburgh comedian, sports nut Steve Byrne returns to the Improv
National headlining comedian, actor and renowned Pittsburgh sports fan Steve Byrne is making a return to his hometown. He’ll be performing at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Improv in Homestead. And he’s featured on our “Breakfast With Benz” podcast Wednesday. LISTEN: Pittsburgh comedian, sports nut Steve Byrne Byrne actually joined...
Tim Benz: Josh Bell’s breakout season can be traced to 1 stat
One of the advanced analytics regularly in the dunking booth for baseball old-schoolers is exit velocity. You know, Major League Baseball’s Statcast tracking of how fast a player hits the ball off the bat. The older the baseball fan, the more likely you are to hear: “Do I really need...
First Call: An Antonio Brown, Vontaze Burfict family feud; Austin Meadows stays hot
Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us the first “feud” between Antonio Brown and Vontaze Burfict. And the Raiders really did sign Richie Incognito. The worst first pitch ever. Another Austin Meadows homer. It’s time to play the feud Antonio Brown and Vontaze Burfict had their first family feud in Oakland. No,...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden debate Kessel trade idea, Pirates, Porter ripping Roethlisberger
Mark Madden joins me for “Madden Madden” a day late after the Memorial Day holiday. We debate that failed trade of Phil Kessel to the Wild. Mark and I have differing views on that front. I’m not opposed to a deal involving Kessel. But I’m down on the structure of...
First Call: Feel-good Jordan Staal story; Derek Dietrich punks Pirates again
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” Jordan Staal’s kind gesture is heartwarming. More replay may be coming to the NHL. And Derek Dietrich continues to provoke. Jordan’s jet Carolina Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell shared some thoughts about the team chemistry that helped push his team from the seventh seed to the...
Tim Benz: Pirates leaning on surprisingly reliable Jordan Lyles
Clint Hurdle took a look at his extended pitching chart while meeting with the media before Saturday’s game against the Dodgers. It was a color-coded mashup with individual schedules, notes and cross-outs. He shrugged and gave a resigned, bemused grin. “At the back end of it, we’ve got (Jordan) Lyles...
U mad, bro? Readers angry about Chris Archer, Steelers coverage
You should be mad. Why? Because “U mad, bro” is late this week. And waiting a few extra days seems to have allowed some of your venom to bubble quite a bit. Follow along as readers pop off about Chris Archer and coverage of the Steelers. A few readers didn’t...
Fantasy sports podcast: Chris Archer frustrations, Josh Bell’s bombs, Mitch Keller call-up?
It’s our weekly fantasy sports podcast with Jeff Erickson of Rotowire. There’s a ton of baseball to discuss. I don’t like “the opener” concept. I’ll get Erickson’s opinion, and he’ll tell us the fantasy impact. Significant call-ups across the league are taking place. Pirates farmhand Mitch Keller could be next....
First Call: Possible Phil Kessel landing spot; Pirates scout outfielder; loving Le’Veon Bell
It’s a trade-heavy “First Call” for Friday. The Penguins may be engaged in a potential trade for Phil Kessel. Jets coach Adam Gase is denying ideas he wants to trade Le’Veon Bell. And the Pirates may be interested in acquiring a New York Yankee. Pharewell Phil? Tribune-Review Penguins writer Jonathan...
Sean McDowell discusses retiring from WDVE, last song he’ll play
Sean McDowell has been on Steelers flagship radio station WDVE since 1993. He’s been on air in Pittsburgh since 1981. I spoke with him about his pending retirement which will happen on July 31. LISTEN: Sean McDowell discusses retirement from WDVE When McDowell made the announcement a few weeks ago,...
First Call: Antonio Brown makes Raiders debut; Pirates pierogies sexist?
Thursday’s “First Call” features your first look at Antonio Brown practicing with the Raiders. Tyler Boyd’s stance on free agency. Landry Jones’ release. Jon Bostic’s signing. And sautéed sexism at PNC Park. Brown’s debut Antonio Brown made his debut at Raiders organized team activities yesterday. Here’s your first look at...
Plenty of praise for Pirates’ Josh Bell’s latest splash landing
Only 9,534 fans saw Josh Bell’s 454-foot bomb of a home run at PNC Park Wednesday night. Too bad. It was worth seeing. Big drip, what you call it? ? pic.twitter.com/a3f6x4zbEa— Pirates (@Pirates) May 23, 2019 That’s just the fifth home run to reach the Allegheny River on the fly....
New Robert Morris athletic director discusses return to alma mater
In Wednesday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast, I’m joined by new Robert Morris Athletic Director Chris King to discuss his return to his alma mater. King, an Apollo native, assumes the job on June 1. He talks about how to best utilize the new UPMC Events Center. We also get into...
Check out the best hidden-ball trick in sports history
Get ready to see the best hidden-ball trick of all time. A tip of the cap to the crew at Deadspin for referencing the inspiration for the maneuver. Do you remember the baseball movie “Little Big League?” Pfft! That was nothing. First of all, it was the middle of a...
First Call: Jon Gruden discusses Antonio Brown’s OTA absence; a comical Pirates mishap
In “First Call” Wednesday, Jon Gruden responds to Antonio Brown’s absence in Oakland. A comical Pirates mishap. The Blues win the Western Conference finals with more help from a former Penguin. And someone in Buffalo has O.J. Simpson’s number. No A.B.? No big deal That seems to be the reaction...
