This is the slowest week in sports. The NFL hasn’t started training camps yet. It’s All-Star break time for Major League Baseball. The NHL and NBA are in an offseason lull.

You’d think that would lead to a lull in angst from Pittsburgh sports fans too.

You’d be wrong. Here’s proof in this week’s “U mad, bro?”

We begin with Robert from Fairview Park, Ohio. It doesn’t sound like he is very fond of Pirates owner Bob Nutting.

“This team has spent over 30 years under a cloud and won’t emerge until they get an owner who is more interested in winning than just cashing checks. Nutting lacks that desire to win and is only interested in cashing checks. It’s a good interest to have, but not if you are supposed to be competing to win and you give up a week into the season!”

Robert, here is actual footage that TribLive has obtained of Bob Nutting when the revenue sharing check arrives.

This person was upset that Paul Skenes only pitched one inning in the All-Star Game despite how the Pirates massaged his pitch count during his last two outings.

Good thing pirates kept his arm fresh for that one inning!

— RB7501 (@RB75012) July 16, 2025

I’m surprised Ben Cherington didn’t run out to the mound in Atlanta and self-immolate after the first hitter.

Frankly, the fact that Skenes went three full batters is an upset in my book.

Matteus is trying to discredit Patrick Rooney’s negative comments about the Steelers because he doesn’t have an ownership stake in the team.

Me thinks Patrick Rooney might be slightly salty that he has no direct affiliation with the Steelers

— matteus (@MBM872003) July 10, 2025

OK. Does that make anything he said inaccurate?

I’ll hang up and listen.

Mikey replied to my post about the push and pull of baseball economics.

Why do they portray Nutting/Pirates as the victim? They have the same opportunity as any other team to go out and buy players, its just that they wont,

— MikeyP ???????? (@mikeyp3258) July 15, 2025

Well, that’s not quite true, Mikey. The opportunities to generate revenue in New York, Chicago, Boston and Los Angeles are greater than they are in Pittsburgh. That’s just economics.

If what you are trying to say is that the Pirates at least have the opportunity to be as competitive as Milwaukee, Tampa and Kansas City have been over the last 10 years since the last wild card game in Pittsburgh, then, yes, I would agree with that.

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Ronald agrees with the complaints that I voiced about the plans to expand the NCAA basketball tournament, as well as one tweak that I’d like to see to the current format.

”Why does a conference champion, e.g. St. Francis, have to become eligible for the tournament by participating in the ‘Play-in Game,’ for that is really what the First Four is? Shouldn’t any conference champion be guaranteed a spot in the field of 64, and teams that did not win the conference championship have to play into the tournament, even if they are in a ‘power conference’ I know that the NCAA will make the excuse that the first four or eight or 16 have ‘made the tournament,’ but that’s really just marketing.”

Exactly, Ronald. That was my point. The field of 64 markets itself with the bracket format. But if the NCAA wants a growth opportunity by way of expanding the field, then make the Dayton games — and whatever becomes the Dayton 2.0 region — the “play-in” lines for the 10 and 11 seeds.

Populate those entry regions with big conference teams. Boost ratings and attendance, and let the small schools have their moment in the sun on Thursday and Friday.

Finally, Mike wants to quibble with some facts that I brought up about former Penguin Paul Coffey during a recent “First Call” entry that I posted regarding his new job with the Edmonton Oilers.

”Good Morning- The article regarding Paul Coffey mentioned (3) Stanley Cup Rings with Edminton and 1 with Pittsburgh. He was also instrumental in 3 championships with the Detroit Red Wings, 97-98, and 02.”

Actually, Mike, Paul Coffey retired in 2001 and was in Philly from 1996-98. He left Detroit in ‘96. So, none of that makes sense.

“You’re correct…so much for A.I.”

No kiddin’. Did AI also teach you how to spell “Edminton?”

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