Sports category, Page 942
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Messi is arguably the best ever, but MLS competition must be taken into context
Lionel Messi’s debut for Inter Miami was electric. Messi netted a 94th-minute free kick Friday to give the MLS club a 2-1 win over Mexican side Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup, whatever that is. A-list player, maybe the best of all time. A-list goal, though Messi has produced many...
Pirates practicing patience with Henry Davis, as rookie RF balances big bat with new position
Henry Davis had just hit a home run off Shohei Ohtani, a 410-foot no-doubter that showcased his prodigious power and was followed by a casual bat flip as if it hadn’t just come against the best player in baseball. Ohtani got some revenge in the bottom of the fourth inning...
Confidence at an all-time high for Norwin grad Jack Salopek at Western Michigan
Quarterback Jack Salopek has never been a rah-rah screamer — in the huddle, at practice or otherwise. You might say he is like a vault emotionally with the way he carries himself and how he plays football. The Norwin alum has always let his game do the talking, and he...
Norwin notebook: Viola dojo competitors shine at national championships
The Allegheny Shotokan “Viola” Karate Dojo had the most qualifiers advance from the World Karate and Kickboxing Commission National Championships last month in Detroit, Mich. The North Huntingdon-based dojo had 17 competitors advance. The top four finishers in each division earned a spot on Team USA, which consists of top...
Kenny Pickett enters Steelers camp at the head of the table
For the second consecutive year, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have the same three quarterbacks in training camp. Kenny Pickett, though, will no longer arrive as an invited guest when the Steelers report to Saint Vincent College. He has a seat firmly placed at the head of the table. Third on...
Steelers’ 2023 training camp positional breakdown: Offense
Quarterbacks 8 KENNY PICKETT · 6-3 · 220 The season-long stats were poor, but Pickett was statistically at his best down the stretch of his rookie season. The “eye test” suggested Pickett will fulfill promise as a franchise QB, and his intangibles suggest a high floor. 10 MITCH TRUBISKY ·...
Steelers 2-a-days: Chandon Sullivan a veteran nickel CB, Cory Trice Jr. an intriguing big rookie CB
Editor’s note: From the end of minicamp through the day the team reports to training camp at Saint Vincent College, the Trib will be running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, assessing each player’s outlook for the 2023 season. The breakdown will go through the roster in mostly-alphabetical order, (at...
2023 Trib HSSN Preseason Football All-Star Team: Central Catholic’s Payton Wehner
Lying in a hospital bed about three years ago, Payton Wehner took inventory of his world. “That was a point in life where, honestly, if I could go back, I wouldn’t change a thing,” said Wehner, Central Catholic’s senior quarterback. Not the wildcat play that resulted in a season-ending injury?...
Henry Davis hits 2 of Pirates’ 4 home runs off Shohei Ohtani in road loss to Angels
Even with less than six full MLB seasons under his belt, there isn’t much room to deny that the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani is one of the most unique and talented players in the history of the game. A true unicorn player who combines elite offensive abilities with a repertoire of...
Pirates farm report for July 21, 2023: Termarr Johnson homers, steals base in Bradenton win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 44-49) scored one in the eighth and three in the ninth to beat Iowa (Cubs), 9-6. SS Alika Williams (.300) went 3 for 4 with a solo homer in the eighth inning, his seventh, a double, three runs scored and three RBIs. 3B Chris Owings (.248) went 1...
Sophia Smith scores twice for U.S. in 3-0 World Cup victory over Vietnam
AUKLAND, New Zealand — Sophia Smith scored twice for the United States in the opening half, and the two-time defending champions kicked off the Women’s World Cup with a 3-0 victory over tournament first-timers Vietnam on Saturday. Lindsey Horan added a goal for the favored Americans, who have won four...
Lionel Messi scores dramatic game-winning goal in Inter Miami debut
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi made an unforgettable debut for Inter Miami. The game’s greatest player — a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner — scored on a free kick from about 25 yards in the 94th minute, giving Inter Miami a 2-1 win over Mexican club Cruz Azul on Friday...
Column: Party on, Commanders fans! Dan Snyder’s departure is biggest win in 31 yearsVideo
Football fans in the nation’s capital are enjoying their biggest victory since Joe Gibbs’ Hogs won their third Super Bowl 31 years ago. It may take a while before Washington celebrates similar on-field success. Getting rid of owner Dan Snyder is the first step toward rebuilding a once-proud franchise, but...
Altoona Curve honors Pirates legend Roberto Clemente, retires No. 21
ALTOONA — It has been more than 50 years since Roberto Clemente died tragically in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve in 1972, but Roberto Clemente Jr. still became emotional while a video tribute played on the scoreboard at PNG Field. The Clemente family was in attendance as the...
Pirates activate left-handed pitcher Jose Hernandez from injured list, option righty Yohan Ramirez to Triple-A
The Pittsburgh Pirates made a pair of bullpen-related roster moves Friday ahead of their first of three games in Anaheim against the Angels, activating left-handed reliever Jose Hernandez from the 15-day injured list and optioning righty Yohan Ramirez to Triple-A Indianapolis. Hernandez, sidelined with a right calf strain since mid-June,...
Final preparations underway for opening of annual Freeport International Baseball Invitational
When last year’s Freeport International Baseball Invitational wrapped up, plans already were in the works for this year’s event, the 29th installment of the Alle-Kiski Valley summer tradition. Meetings, phone calls, emails and other planning sessions over the past 12 months have come down to just a few days left...
Brian Harman matches British Open records at Hoylake to build 5-shot lead after 2 roundsVideo
HOYLAKE, England — Brian Harman found himself in elite company through two rounds at Royal Liverpool, tying the 36-hole record also held by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Even better was having no company at all atop the leaderboard Friday in the British Open. Harman seized control early with four...
Trainer Bob Baffert goes for his 10th win in the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park
OCEANPORT, N.J. — Trainer Bob Baffert will look to add another Haskell Stakes and big payday to his collection when the lightly raced Arabian Knight takes on Kentucky Derby winner Mage and six others in the $1 million showcase event of the summer meet at Monmouth Park. The 70-year-old Hall...
Ex-NBA All-Star Kemba Walker is chasing his next chance. That means playing in Europe.
Former NBA All-Star Kemba Walker is headed to Europe. AS Monaco said Friday it has signed Walker for the upcoming season, which will mark Walker’s first playing stint in the EuroLeague. The 6-foot guard was a three-time NBA All-Star in Charlotte, and then in his first season in Boston in...
Suns GM James Jones carving out valuable role in new owner Mat Ishbia’s leadership team
PHOENIX — James Jones was a survivor during his 14-year NBA career, a 49th overall pick from Miami who carved out a reputation as a valuable role player, contributing to three championship teams. His second career as an NBA executive is showing similar long-term strength. Jones, 42, is one of...
Confident U.S. enters Women’s World Cup against underdog Vietnam as quest for 3rd title begins
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — In the words of Vietnam’s coach, facing the U.S. national team in the Women’s World Cup is a daunting quest, something “like a mountain,” said Mai Duc Chung. Vietnam makes its World Cup debut Saturday against the United States, the heavy favorites to win the tournament...
Matej Mohoric fights tears after winning Tour de France 19th stage by 0.004 seconds
POLIGNY, France — Matej Mohorič fought tears of relief after edging Kasper Asgreen to win the Tour de France’s closest ever stage finish on Friday. The Slovenian rider broke down after winning, fought tears during the award ceremony for the 19th stage, and again struggled with his emotions as he...
Jets would be ‘shocked’ if Aaron Rodgers’ stint in New York isn’t multiple seasons
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Aaron Rodgers might be sticking around with the New York Jets a bit longer than many first thought. The 39-year-old quarterback has not committed to playing football beyond this season, but he has strongly hinted several times his first year with the Jets won’t be his...
Justin Thomas headed to Minnesota to salvage Ryder Cup hopes
HOYLAKE, England — Justin Thomas never imagined using the second round of the British Open as a tune-up for the 3M Open next week in Minnesota. That speaks to the state of the game. And it’s not good. Thomas is in a slump for the first time in his PGA...
Death of Dale Earnhardt in 2001 Daytona 500 picked as NASCAR’s most pivotal moment
The 2001 Daytona 500 remains the bleakest day in NASCAR history. The death of Dale Earnhardt from a crash on the last lap of the race robbed a family of its patriarch and the industry of the greatest stock car star of his era. But beyond the seven championships, The...
