Tim Benz stories, Page 4

Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88

Tim Benz: Ben Cherington tells Pirates players to 'take a breath' as fan rancor swirls

It’s a little early to start thinking about the Pearl Jam concerts at PPG Paints Arena on May 16 and 18. But Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington wants his players to channel their inner Eddie Vedder and “Just Breathe.” “In the clubhouse, what I see is maybe just taking...

Tim Benz: Ben Cherington's Paul Skenes-Pedro Martinez comp misses a crucial ingredient

During his weekly radio show on Sunday afternoon, Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington was asked if he had ever seen anyone like Paul Skenes. The name he pulled was Pedro Martinez. “I was with the Red Sox during part of Pedro’s prime. They’re very different pitchers. They do it...

First Call: Aaron Rodgers' decision expected before draft, but not before Pat McAfee appearance

Tuesday’s “First Call” tries to figure out when a contract between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Aaron Rodgers might be signed. There’s another defensive lineman on the Steelers’ draft radar. Paul Skenes is facing a familiar opponent in his 2025 home debut. And some Penguins goaltenders are getting recognized for their...

Madden Monday: For Alex Ovechkin, there's a difference between most goals and greatest goal-scorer ever

Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin set the all-time NHL goal record Sunday afternoon, scoring on a power play against the New York Islanders to net the 895th of his career. With the goal, Ovechkin passed Wayne Gretzky for the all-time mark in 1,487 regular season games. Gretzky played exactly that...

'The book is guys like Judge': Paul Skenes, Aaron Judge similar in ways beyond stature, skill

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton doesn’t profess to know Aaron Judge beyond a cordial hello. What he has heard about the New York Yankees slugger, though, makes him think of the superstar in his own dugout who might be on a similar career arc. “I have many friends on the...

First Call: Finances may be a hold up for Aaron Rodgers; Steelers miss out on depth QB trade target

Friday’s “First Call” wraps up the week with news that complicates the Aaron Rodgers storyline. The Pittsburgh Steelers missed out on a young, project quarterback they liked. An ex-Steelers receiver is heading to Chicago. The Pirates are bracing for the New York Yankees’ offense on Opening Day, and the Penguins...

3rd time's a charm: Winding road leads former RMU skater, Wexford native Brian Kramer to Frozen 4

When the Frozen Four gets underway next week in St. Louis, nine college hockey players with Western Pennsylvania ties will be on the ice. Seven of them will be on Penn State’s roster, as the Nittany Lions have qualified for the national semifinal for the first time in program history....

Tim Benz: Opening Day crowd should open the ears of the Pirates (and the owner)

Losing is one thing. How you lose and when you lose is another. Ask the Pittsburgh Steelers. For many NFL franchises, a 10-7 record and a playoff berth might sound like a pretty good year. When you lose five poorly played games in a row to close out the season...

First Call: Paul Skenes reacts to his GQ photo spread with Livvy Dunne; Steelers pulled back on Kirk Cousins inquiry

Thursday’s “First Call” has pictures of Paul Skenes’ GQ photo shoot with Livvy Dunne. The Pittsburgh Penguins have a daunting task in St. Louis. The Steelers apparently pulled back from a quarterback inquiry. Plus, Alex Ovechkin scored again. But now his Washington Capitals are suddenly struggling. Smile pretty for the...

U mad, bro?: Perpetual position problems, Tony Award-level QB drama fatigues fans in Pittsburgh

It’s Final Four week. But we’ve got many more entries than that for this week’s “U mad, bro?” None of them reference college basketball, though. With so much going on surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers’ QB hunt, Penguins goaltending uncertainty and early Pirates woes, our blind rage over Duke making another...

Predictable offensive woes already showing for Pirates

The Pirates have opened their 2025 season at 1-5 in Miami and Tampa Bay. Some preseason warnings have manifested as reasons for the slow start. Through the first six games, we’ve seen the predicted fielding concerns, bullpen issues, and back end of the rotation worries. However, the red flags many...

First Call: Ben Roethlisberger has some QB advice for the Steelers; watch Alex Ovechkin score yet again

Wednesday’s “First Call” has advice for the Steelers from former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He also questions the franchise’s full faith in Mason Rudolph. DK Metcalf apparently wanted to leave Seattle long before he was traded to Pittsburgh. And you can watch Alex Ovechkin’s latest step toward breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL...

Tim Benz: There's 1 clear benefit to Aaron Rodgers' prolonged decision process

Steelers owner Art Rooney II provided an update on how long his franchise will wait for quarterback Aaron Rodgers to decide if he wants to join the 2025 roster in Pittsburgh. “Not forever, but a little while longer,” Rooney told reporters in Florida Tuesday afternoon. Gee, Art, I’m sure that’ll...

First Call: Video shows Aaron Rodgers throwing to DK Metcalf; Jets discuss plans for Justin Fields

Tuesday’s “First Call” looks at video of Aaron Rodgers’ throwing session with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf. Aaron Glenn discusses the Jets’ plans for former Steelers quarterback Justin Fields. Alex Ovechkin’s goal-record chase continues. A pair of former Penguins stand out in Dallas’ latest victory. And the Pirates square...

Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin's latest comments illustrate Steelers' QB planning problem

Of all the responses Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin gave about his team’s current quarterback situation during a Q&A with reporters in Florida on Sunday, one resonated with me well beyond the others. “I don’t know if we’re identifying anything as ‘Plan A, Plan B or Plan C.’ We’re just...

Madden Monday: Past Steelers heads 'would have made the decision by now' on Aaron Rodgers

On Sunday, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said that he has yet to give Aaron Rodgers any sort of deadline as to when he would need an answer about playing quarterback for the franchise. During this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 The X said that’s...

Tim Benz: Pirates already show anything less than elite from starters will get them burned

The Pittsburgh Pirates have enough flaws that they don’t need much help to be highlighted. Less-than-stellar starting pitching will do exactly that, though. As the Pirates limped through a 1-3 start in Miami, the starting pitching offset the rest of the team’s shortcomings to at least make the Buccos competitive...

On Russ, Rodgers, Rudolph: A brief history of the Steelers' recent QB tragic comedy

Bon voyage, Russell Wilson. We hardly knew ye! Oops, sorry. We hardly knew yinz. The veteran free-agent quarterback signed a one-year contract with the New York Giants on Tuesday. After just one season and 12 games as the Steelers starting quarterback, the Wilson era is over practically before it began....

Tim Benz: A completely logical, totally achievable wish list for the 2025 Pirates

Last year, I ended up being a little too optimistic in my projection for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The BetRivers over-under win total was 78.5. I had them at 81 wins. They came in under with 76. I’m not going to allow myself to be disappointed again. This year BetRivers’ over-under...

Plenty of reasons why Cam Heyward is clarifying his remarks about Aaron Rodgers

Cameron Heyward sure sounds like he is walking back his comments about potential new teammate Aaron Rodgers. During his “Not Just Football” podcast last week, Heyward was asked about the drawn-out discussions regarding the Steelers’ vacant starting quarterback job. “I think, just (sigh) … I want to play football,” Heyward...

First Call: Aaron Rodgers' decision expected 'within the next few days'; Steelers talking with a college QB

Tuesday’s “First Call” has an optimistic spin on the Aaron Rodgers watch for the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants. In the meantime, the Steelers are talking to a college quarterback in advance of the NFL Draft. A depth defensive lineman may be on their wish list too. We’ll preview...

Tim Benz: Paul Skenes is right. The Pirates owe the city more. Time to pay up

I’m not exactly sure who Paul Skenes was talking about. Maybe Skenes doesn’t even know. But while the young Pittsburgh Pirates ace was speaking with Alex Stumpf for a recent feature on MLB.com in advance of Thursday’s 2025 season opener in Miami, Skenes made some noteworthy comments about the state...

Steelers' QB waiting game highlights plenty of other roster issues

The football world is waiting with simmering impatience to see if the Pittsburgh Steelers sign Aaron Rodgers to be their next starting quarterback. But as “Ayahuasca Aaron” ruminates over the decision, by extension another truth has come to light. The Steelers have plenty of other issues besides quarterback — especially...

First Call: Pat Freiermuth contacts Aaron Rodgers; Russell Wilson can still help Steelers from New York

In Wednesday’s “First Call,” Aaron Rodgers is making contact with at least one Pittsburgh Steelers target on offense. We investigate how Russell Wilson still may be able to help his now-former team. There is an update on the recovery of ex-Steeler James Daniels. We tell you if Alex Ovechkin is...

Tim Benz: The unfortunate reality of the Steelers' QB situation

For all the podcast downloads, talk show air time, column space and television segments that have been dedicated toward figuring out what the Pittsburgh Steelers are doing at quarterback, one unfortunate reality exists: None of the feasible candidates that have been discussed offer much hope that the team is going...

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