Monday’s “First Call” reveals the first two Steelers to appear on the NFL Network’s Top 100 list. New Steeler Joe Schobert is already dropping hints for fans to interpret. We find an interesting ratings twist from the NFL Hall of Fame game.

And the Pirates have a mighty task ahead to start their six-game road trip.

Rare pair

The NFL Network is unveiling its list of Top 100 players for 2021. The series of programs is airing over the next three weeks, with the Nos. 100-41 players revealed on Sunday during a six-hour show.

NFL players are the ones who vote.

The Steelers have had just two players represented so far. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is ranked No. 52. Defensive end Cameron Heyward comes in at No. 57.

Fitzpatrick has been on the list twice. Heyward has been on five times.

In my opinion, those rankings are both too low.

The Top 100 continues on Sunday, Aug. 22 at 4 p.m. The show will plow through Nos. 40-11.

The Top 10 will be revealed on Saturday, Aug. 28 at 4 p.m.

Expect linebacker T.J. Watt to be announced soon.

Ratings rundown

Here’s a tidbit from the Steelers-Cowboys Hall of Fame game last Thursday, courtesy of ProFootballTalk.com.

Fox drew an average audience of 5.9 million viewers for the New York Yankees versus the Chicago White Sox in the regular season “Field of Dreams” baseball game. That was the most-watched regular season MLB game in 16 years.

However, Fox had an average audience of 7.3 million for the Hall of Fame game seven days earlier.

Same network, same day of the week.

You could say, well, that was more than just a typical pre-season football game. Similar to the “Field of Dreams” game, that Hall of Fame game was a nostalgia showcase with two iconic franchises playing each other with two years’ worth of big-name Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees woven into the broadcast.

Also, the Steelers and Cowboys both carry massive national fan bases.

All true. Maybe if it was just some random broadcast of a Week 2 or Week 3 preseason game between the Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars, the “Field of Dreams” game wins the ratings comparison.

But the Yankees and White Sox are big market teams. The White Sox are in first place. And the game featured eight homers en route to a thrilling walk off.

So the power of football on TV is once again exemplified.

‘The Joe Scho’ says ‘no’

During his first practice with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team tweeted out a photo of new linebacker Joe Schobert. They also touted his new No. 45 uniform number.

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 15, 2021

Schobert wasn’t so quick to jump on board. After practice, he simply replied “*Temporary” in response to the jersey declaration.

— Joe Schobert (@TheSchoGoesOn53) August 15, 2021

When he was in Cleveland, Schobert wore No. 53 for the Browns. In Jacksonville, he wore No. 47. And while he was in college at Wisconsin, Schobert was No. 58.

Well, he’s not getting 58, even though it is unoccupied. That’s Jack Lambert’s number. Forty-seven was Mel Blount’s. So that’s likely not happening either. And rookie center Kendrick Green just absorbed No. 53 from his predecessor at the position, Maurkice Pouncey.

So unless Schobert is planning on bullying (or buying) that number off Green’s back, he may have to get creative if he doesn’t like 45.

I love L.A.!

The Los Angeles Dodgers are locked in a blood and guts fight for the National League West division crown.

After a 14-4 win over the New York Mets Sunday night, the Dodgers are four games back of the division-leading San Francisco Giants. They also hold the N.L.’s top wild-card slot by six games over the San Diego Padres.

Their opportunity to close some ground may be coming up to start this week.

Why? Because they are hosting the Pittsburgh Pirates for three games, that’s why.

The Pirates come in having lost 12 of 14 games. At 42-76, only the Arizona Diamondbacks (38-81) have a worse record in the National League. But the Pirates run differential is a N.L.-worst minus-180, and their 427 runs scored is also at the bottom of the league.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers come in with 72 wins, tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for the second most in MLB behind only the Giants. Their 619 runs are the most in the N.L., and their run differential of plus-193 is also best in the league.

So things should go great for the Pirates this week.

But, hey, who cares?! Because they had an awesome draft and Twitter tells me that’s all that matters now.

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