Tim Benz stories, Page 81

Wednesday’s “First Call” checks in on an ex-Steeler who needs a new place to play. A former Pitt Panther has his eyes on the NBA. Starling Marte is on fire with the New York Mets. And a free agent some Steelers fans wanted is heading down south. On the open...

Former Steelers executive — and recent general manager candidate — Doug Whaley made some headlines recently when he had a less than glowing review of Steelers legend Jack Ham. Speaking on 93.7 The Fan earlier this month, the Pitt grad and former Buffalo Bills general manager said, “Jack Ham would...

Pitt Panthers great Aaron Donald continues to leave his future up in the air. A pair of former Pirates exchange big blows at the plate in New York. Jacob Trouba is at it again for the New York Rangers. And a one-time Penguin has a new job with another former...

On Friday, the Pittsburgh Steelers promoted vice president of football and business administration Omar Khan to be the franchise’s new general manager. It’s a move that surprised some because Khan doesn’t have much player scouting or development experience. He’s known more for his acumen on the business side and for...

Now that Memorial Day has come and gone, baseball fans can start gauging who will be in the mix for the Major League Baseball All-Star game (July 19 in Los Angeles). One Pittsburgh Pirate who is making an early push is closer David Bednar. His nine saves are eighth in...

A complaint you often hear from linemen who play in pass-heavy offenses like the Pittsburgh Steelers is that they don’t get to be aggressive enough. If a team doesn’t run the ball very much, the offensive linemen aren’t firing off the line of scrimmage and attacking the defensive lineman on...

Friday’s “First Call” debates the Steelers most “underappreciated player.” We also look ahead to the Pirates game against Joe Musgrove. And some Pittsburgh connections played a role in the Carolina Hurricanes win over the New York Rangers on Thursday night. Plus, a happy anniversary for the Penguins, but a sad...

This week’s “U mad, bro?” features clamoring about the Steelers’ quarterback situation. There is much fretting about the future of the Penguins. Fans are pushing back about my concern of recent Pittsburgh playoff incompetence. Plus, my readers are very fired up about a particular movie poll. And, well, I think...

In Thursday’s “First Call,” former Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coach Bruce Arians discusses where things went wrong with Antonio Brown. Penguins legend Jaromir Jagr escapes a frightening auto crash. The Pens are celebrating a pair of anniversaries. And the Pirates did something they rarely do en route to victory Wednesday. Arians...

If Mitch Trubisky can read a defense as well as he can read a room, then maybe the Pittsburgh Steelers really do have a diamond in the rough. Speaking with reporters Tuesday for the first time (in person, anyway) after the first OTA practice, Trubisky appropriately addressed, deftly sidestepped or...

Penguins winger Bryan Rust surprised many in the hockey world by getting to the end of the 2021-22 season as a prospective free agent but then signing a deal to stay in Pittsburgh before testing the waters. On Monday, Rust joined TribLIVE columnist Mark Madden on his 105.9 The X...

Based on what Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ron Hextall said Monday, not only does he want to keep the whole band together, he wants to re-release a greatest hits album. As I listened to Hextall’s comments from his press conference, my mind started to picture Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang, Evgeni...

Tuesday’s “First Call” updates the Aaron Donald situation in Los Angeles. We check in on potential free agents the Pittsburgh Steelers may want to investigate. A rematch of an ex-Pirate pitching duel takes a turn. And a former Penguin stays hot in the postseason. A.D.’s day Los Angeles Rams star...

It felt like a turn-back-the-clock kind of weekend at PNC Park for the St. Louis Cardinals. For the Pittsburgh Pirates, meanwhile, time continues to stand still and the calendar never advances to a better year. Adam Wainwright spun a gem. Albert Pujols hit a pair of home runs. Paul Goldschmidt...

Monday’s “First Call” debunks the thought that former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Michael Vick may try a comeback. Jameson Taillon continues to author a fine season in New York. Josh Bell has cooled off in Washington. The Pirates may get a break with the Rockies in town. And Patric Hornqvist is...

A lot of questions are popping up in the wake of Bryan Rust’s decision to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins. One thing isn’t up for debate, though. This is a good deal for the Pens. The franchise is keeping a two-time Stanley Cup champion who has 73 goals over the...

Pittsburgh once referred to itself as the “City of Champions,” based on the success of its sports teams in the 1970s, 1990s and early 2000s. Of late, though, those franchises have gone from playoff champions to playoff chumps. • The Penguins’ recently completed playoff series loss to the New York...

For the Pittsburgh Pirates hitters, coming back to PNC Park on Friday might be a case of getting the wrong guy at the wrong time. The Buccos batters will face a familiar foe in Adam Wainwright and the St. Louis Cardinals to open a three-game series and a six-game homestand....

Friday’s “First Call” has an update on the Pittsburgh Steelers general manager interviews. We also get a look at the franchise’s offseason “to do” list. Mike Tomlin pays respect to a retiring Baltimore Raven. And an ex-Penguin plays a role in St. Louis’ win in Colorado on Thursday night. Keeping...

To the surprise of no one, Pittsburgh Penguins fans are ticked off about their team blowing a 3-1 series lead against the New York Rangers en route to playoff elimination. Meanwhile, Pirates fans are ticked off about … everything. That’s why we invented “U mad, bro?” It’s basically a public...

In Thursday’s “First Call,” Pittsburgh Steelers fans are going to have to wait for the triumphant return of Antonio Brown. One candidate to replace Kevin Colbert as Steelers general manager is out of the running. An ex-Penguin burns the New York Rangers in Round 2 of the Eastern Conference playoffs....

Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us an update on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ general manager search. Jerome Bettis reaches a personal milestone. One of the Steelers’ historic rivals is getting shined up by ESPN. And Tom Brady is about to be “roasted.” Brandon to Buffalo? The Steelers announced Tuesday that vice president...

Because Pittsburgh Penguins star center Sidney Crosby is so consistent with his pragmatic, stay-in-the-middle-lane approach to dealing with the media, he rarely lets any quote slip that’s surprising. Frankly, the one he uttered Tuesday may not be all that remarkable either, but, during the Penguins breakup day interviews, the team’s...

Given the thirst so many people had for the Pittsburgh Steelers to draft a defensive lineman, I’m sure the instant reaction from most was to applaud when DeMarvin Leal’s name popped up next to the franchise’s logo in the third round last month. But that may have been followed by...

A former Pittsburgh Steeler is making news by taking a high school coaching job. He is also endorsing a reunion between the Steelers and Antonio Brown. Things aren’t perfect in Cincinnati with the Bengals and a star player. The New York Rangers are underdogs in their next series despite dispatching...