Jerry DiPaola stories, Page 18

More evidence surfaced Wednesday night that baseball is a strange, unpredictable game. Day to day, there’s no telling what might happen. One night after scoring double-digit runs (12) for the second time in the previous five games and slugging five home runs among their 11 hits, the Pirates managed only...

Jim Leyland was convinced the phone call that led to his first major-league managerial job — his initial step on the road to Cooperstown — was a joke. Not that he doubted his ability to manage in the majors. After all, he had been a minor-league manager for 11 seasons,...

Here’s the greatest lesson West Virginia’s JJ Wetherholt learned — or, more accurately, taught himself — on his way to becoming a projected top-10 choice in the MLB Draft: There’s more to hitting a baseball than taking swings in the batting cage until your hands ache. Yes, that fundamental part...

Pittsburgh Pirates pitching coach Oscar Marin trotted to the mound in the third inning Tuesday night at American Family Field in Milwaukee, hoping to settle down pitcher Quinn Priester. It was an important timeout because Priester was in the midst of surrendering two runs to the Brewers. But, as it...

With leadoff hitter Andrew McCutchen taking the night off and shortstop Oneil Cruz on the bench while nursing hamstring tightness, the Pittsburgh Pirates hit the road Tuesday night and challenged the National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. The odds were against the Pirates, who are trying to...

With Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitchers Jared Jones and Bailey Falter injured and unavailable, Quinn Priester is back on the active roster. In advance of the start of a six-game road trip, the Pirates ended the rehab assignment of Priester on Tuesday and activated him from the 15-day injured list. Priester,...

Shawn Robinson was exposed to sports through most of his life, most notably as a Pitt defensive back for four years at the turn of the century. As founder and president of Orange Arrow, a consulting service aimed at helping develop young student-athletes for pursuits later in life, Robinson and...

Robert “Bobby” Grier Sr., who was a fullback, linebacker and defensive back at Pitt but more significantly a civil rights pioneer in the 1950s, has died. Grier, who was 91, died June 30, according to a Pitt news release. Grier was the first Black player in the Sugar Bowl after...

Operating under the Pat Narduzzi dictum that Pitt never can have too many defensive backs, the Panthers added two more to their Class of 2025 on Monday — bringing the current total to four — after 3-star prospects Joshua Guerrier of Ocoee, Fla., and Cole Woodson of Haymaker Va., pledged...

The Basketball Tournament, a $1 million, winner-take-all national event, enters its 11th year next month — with a local twist. For the first time, the opening round of games July 20-24 are scheduled for Petersen Events Center. The Zoo Crew, a Pitt alumni team, will be the host. Zoo Crew...

Blake Hinson didn’t want to say signing a free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Lakers represented the greatest moment of his 24 years. But the record-setting Pitt forward said it was about as memorable as another important event in his life. “Getting (born) is right up there with this one,”...

After nine consecutive years without a Pitt player’s name being called in the NBA Draft, the drought ended Wednesday night. Guard Bub Carrington, who played only one season at Pitt, was drafted 14th overall in the first round by the Washington Wizards, who acquired the selection in a Wednesday night...

Cornerback Mason Alexander became the 18th prospect from the class of 2025 to verbally commit to Pitt on Wednesday, and he may be the most significant to date — for two reasons. 100% COMMITTED @CoachDuzzPittFB @ARCHIECOLLINS_ @coachcsanders #RIPPops #HailToPitt #H2P pic.twitter.com/iLFfFFLZMw— Mason “Money Man” Alexander (@MAlexander_15) June 26, 2024 Alexander,...

The next step in the process of identifying Pitt coach Jeff Capel’s program as a legitimate producer of basketball talent will occur Wednesday night when Carlton “Bub” Carrington is selected — at least, by all projections — in the first round of the NBA Draft. NBA DRAFT: NEED TO KNOWThe...

For the next two weeks, the game changes dramatically for the Pittsburgh Pirates and their bullpen. Two-time All-Star closer David Bednar was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday (retroactive to June 20) with a strained left oblique muscle, lifting at least three relief pitchers — Colin Holderman, Aroldis Chapman...

Pat Narduzzi couldn’t have ordered a better weekend than the one that concluded Sunday. Pitt’s coach received five verbal commitments from class of 2025 propsects on the final official visit weekend of June, four who confirmed their decision on social media and one who remains unidentified. Pitt’s class now includes...

Birds in the trees surrounding the No. 1 tee box at Oakmont Country Club on Friday were singing their usual morning melody. Carts were headed in several directions. Golfers teed up opening drives. Noisily, groundskeepers kept busy. Oakmont head professional Devin Gee watches over much of that activity every day,...

Former Pitt guard Bub Carrington will have a front-row seat at the outset of his NBA career. Carrington is among 24 players invited to sit in the green room at the NBA Draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., on June 26. Carrington spent only one season at Pitt, but...

Pitt landed one of the most productive high school players in Pennsylvania on Wednesday when Harrisburg High School defensive back Shawn Lee Jr. pledged to enroll next year. Truly Blessed & Grateful. Committed !!???????? #h2p @CoachDuzzPittFB @ARCHIECOLLINS_ @coachcsanders @PittPanthers247 @Pitt_FB @PRZPAvic @FQPitt pic.twitter.com/xkbYnfszFG— Shawn Lee, Jr (@Shawny_Lee8) June 19, 2024...

Pitt assistant coach Cory Sanders, who has sent three safeties to the NFL and has one of the top crops at that position this season, has been promoted to assistant head coach. Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi made the announcement Tuesday. Sanders, 39, is approaching his seventh season at Pitt. While...

Dru Joyce III insists the new world of name, image and likeness in college athletics is “not my territory.” Yet he admits NIL is “part of our environment.” “You have the opportunity to adapt to it or resist,” he said. He wants to win, so he adapted. Joyce, who is...

He said he places the call “a few times a week,” but first-year Duquesne basketball coach Dru Joyce III makes sure conversations with Keith Dambrot center on more than basketball. “I can drill him with questions, but I really just want to know how he’s doing,” Joyce said of the...

George Aramide, who was born in London, played in Spain and coached in Canada and the U.S., was named Monday as an assistant men’s basketball coach under Andy Toole at Robert Morris. “We are excited to add George to our coaching staff,” Toole said in a statement. “He has been...

English-born offensive lineman Akram Elnagmi, the most physically imposing 2025 recruit who has committed to Pitt, admits he must become a more aggressive pass blocker. “I like to play with a lot of finesse. I’m really patient with my strikes. I don’t really play too aggressive in the pass game,”...

Pitt received its 12th verbal commitment from the class of 2025 on Saturday when Akram Elnagmi, an offensive tackle who comes from Loughborough, England, pledged to enroll next year. He attends school at the NFL Academy, a developmental school for student-athletes in his hometown. Pitt Family, I’m coming home. 1000%...