Tim Benz stories, Page 53

The Steelers may be signing a pair of former West Virginia Mountaineers. Another Steeler raises eyebrows on social media. A new team is atop the National League Central. And the Penguins are mentioned on the fringes of a potential player acquisition. All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.” Multiple Mountaineers It...

The Pittsburgh Pirates are an organization that subsists on selling hope via the development and promotion of prospects. So, over the years, the fanbase has gotten used to what it looks like. We understand what the excitement level is supposed to be for the debut of a pitching prospect like...

By throwing a little faith behind the Pittsburgh Steelers, FS1 talk show host Colin Cowherd may have ruffled the feathers of some Baltimore Ravens fans. During an episode of his program (“The Herd”) last week, Cowherd predicted that the Steelers would supplant the Ravens as one of the AFC’s playoff...

Former No. 1 overall draft pick Henry Davis has been called up to the Major League ranks by the Pittsburgh Pirates. His MLB debut will be Monday night at PNC Park against the Chicago Cubs. In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE is...

Monday’s “First Call” features some personal introspection from Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt. Kyle Dubas gets a hearty endorsement from a former Penguins general manager. A precedent is set for NHL buyout candidates. And an ex-Pirates player makes an interesting decision. Full ‘Watt’ age in 2023? Former NFL Defensive Player of...

The National Arena League has kicked the franchise that Antonio Brown owns out of the league. The Albany Empire has had its membership revoked by the NAL because it claims Brown didn’t pay a required league fee or a fine he received after recent public comments. “After exhausting all avenues,...

One way to make the Pittsburgh Steelers red zone scoring issues less of a concern this season would be to score more often from a greater distance. Sure. That would be a wonderful idea. There are no concerns about getting bogged down in the red zone if you are good...

Pittsburgh Penguins fans “can’t get no satisfaction” with their goalie. College football coaches are ticked at each other. And Pirates fans are stuck in the middle about how to view this up-and-down season. Two months from now, the Steelers will be getting ready for their first preseason game. So for...

Nostalgia is a powerful emotion. For many, two things are frequent triggers of that warm sense of yearning for days gone by. Baseball and movies. It’s even better when the subject matter at hand is about one of the more likable personalities the game has known. Those two pastimes intersect...

According to some of the Pittsburgh Steelers at OTAs, inside linebacker Mark Robinson is making a noticeable jump in his second year. Not just because of growth after his rookie season. But he also made a position switch from running back at Ole Miss before his final year with the...

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin showers praise on the late Stan Savran. Danny Smith has some curious remarks on the new kickoff rule. A blown lead by the Brewers helps the Pirates in the National League standings. And Phil Kessel is a Stanley Cup champion, again. All that in Wednesday’s...

Tuesday’s “First Call” features a self-reflexive Pittsburgh Steelers legend. A well-traveled hockey coach is looking to become a Penguins’ divisional rival once more. The Brewers are gearing up for an interleague series before the Pirates come calling. And you’ll see a highlight of one of the most painful NCAA baseball...

If you had asked any Pittsburgh Pirates fan at the start of 2023 if they’d be OK with the team being 34-30 and in first place of the National League Central on June 13, they’d have gladly said “Yes!” But at the start of last week, if you had said,...

For those of us that knew Stan Savran well, news of his death Monday at age 76 was an emotional blow. And when I say “for those of us that knew Stan Savran well,” I mean all of us in Pittsburgh. We all knew him well. Not just those of...

By collecting his 2,000th career hit, Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Andrew McCutchen provided Sunday afternoon’s biggest moment. However, it was Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller who provided the biggest storyline. Keller pitched seven innings against the New York Mets en route to a 2-1 win. The right-hander allowed only one earned...

Pittsburgh Pirates veteran Andrew McCutchen got his 2,000th career hit Sunday afternoon during a 2-1 win over the New York Mets. It was a classic McCutchen swing, whipping his quick hands through a pitch from Carlos Carrasco and lacing it into left field. This moment is everything ???? pic.twitter.com/53yrnjJNwt— Pittsburgh...

Monday’s “First Call” dishes out praise for a Pittsburgh Steelers dynamic duo. Meanwhile, an ex-Steeler jumps to the NFC South. The Pirates get help from an unlikely source. And more details are leaking out about Antonio Brown’s nutty ownership of that National Arena Football League team in Albany. Also, we...

Few NFL teams embrace the concept of tradition more than the Pittsburgh Steelers. One example is that the Steelers still load up the team and travel to a destination away from home for training camp. They spend training camp at Saint Vincent College’s Latrobe-area campus. Only a handful of teams...

Colorado Buffaloes football coach Deion Sanders is returning serve following some criticism from Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi. A few weeks ago, Narduzzi made some noteworthy comments about the transfer portal, obviously aimed at Sanders, who openly encouraged many of his Colorado players to leave the program so he could “bring...

Friday’s “First Call” looks at a flailing opponent for the Pirates at PNC Park this weekend. It’s the anniversary of a memorable night in Pittsburgh hockey history. A Steelers All-Pro is deemed to be second best at his position. And the Pirates get a little help on their off day....

Well, that was an awful series for the Pittsburgh Pirates. They just dropped two of three at home and were nearly swept by the hideous Oakland A’s (14-50). What’s next? Are they going to lose back-to-back games to the Chicago Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets? Come on, Penguins fans. Don’t...

Here’s how I can tell that NFL OTAs happen too early for us to really care. I didn’t get a single Pittsburgh Steelers complaint this week. Not one “I don’t care that Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season.” Nary a “Kenny Pickett is never gonna be all that...

Thursday’s “First Call” has the remaining details about the Steelers preseason schedule. The teams directly in front of and behind the Pirates in the standings lit it up on Wednesday. Plus some eerie photos of Yankee Stadium as the Canadian wildfires are forcing Major League Baseball cancellations. Now it’s known...