With Mike Leake signing a five-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, the mid-tier starting pitching market is dwindling before the eyes of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Now, it may be time for the club to consider turning back around towards a Plan B of sorts. When the hot stove started heating up a few weeks ago, former Reds starting pitcher Mat Latos was pegged as one of the many "reclamation projects" that interested the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team had a better bead on Latos than most, ... Read More
Archives for December 2015
WPIAL well represented on All-State teams
Central Catholic and Aliquippa represented the WPIAL in the PIAA Class AAAA and AA Football State Championships this past weekend. The players who comprised those teams are well represented on the Pennsylvania Football Writers Class AAAA and AA All-State teams. The Vikings, PIAA Class AAAA Champions, are represented on the Class AAAA all-state team by running back Ronnie Jones, defensive lineman Rashad Wheeler, linebacker David Adams and defensive backs Damar Hamlin and Bricen Garner. Also ... Read More
Antonio Brown named AFC Offensive Player of the Week
Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver Antonio Brown's stellar season continues week to week and with each passing week it seems Brown earns another honor. This week it came in the form of being named AFC Offensive Player of the Week. Brown earned that honor after a 16-catch, 189-yard, two-touchdown performance Sunday in a win against the Denver Broncos. Brown also won AFC Offensive Player of the Month in November. In the process of torching Denver cornerback Chris Harris, who came into the ... Read More
Three Steelers earn Pro Bowl selections
The Pittsburgh Steelers will have three players representing them at this year's Pro Bowl if they do not go to the Super Bowl. The three players, who are all offensive players, that were voted on by NFL fans were quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, wide receiver Antonio Brown, and lineman David DeCastro. For DeCastro, it's his first Pro Bowl. The lineman has lent a helpful hand this year in protecting his quarterback. However, during the beginning of the season, it didn't look like it. Most of the ... Read More
A history of Pens coaching changes, part 1
The first mid-season coaching change in Pittsburgh Penguins team history took place under the watchful eye of Jim Rutherford. He was not General Manager at the time, but rather was serving as the starting goaltender during the 1972-73 season. The Early Years Red Kelly was the second Head Coach in franchise history and in his fourth year having led the team to playoff appearances in two of the previous three seasons, but the team was struggling and he was replaced after posting a 17-19-6 ... Read More
Jones sidelined for remainder of season
Senior forward Jeremiah Jones tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during Saturday’s game against Robert Morris, announced Duquesne head coach Jim Ferry. According to goduquesne.com, the injury will sideline him for the remainder of the season. Jones, team captain and member of Ferry’s first recruiting class at Duquesne, played in every game in his career for the Dukes and started 84 consecutive games. “I'm extremely disappointed for Jeremiah," Ferry said in a ... Read More
Can Josh Bell be Pirates answer at first base?
The Pittsburgh Pirates have an abundance of questions at this point in the offseason. One of the biggest questions surrounding the organization revolves around the starting first base position at the major league level. With the departure of Pedro Alvarez, veteran Mike Morse and newly-acquired players Jake Goebbert and Jason Rogers are currently three candidates that could replace "El Toro" in 2016. However, one top prospect, and a possible answer at first base, has yet to arrive in the Steel ... Read More
Sullivan wins first game for Pens with no Crosby
Going on almost a month since their last home win, the Pittsburgh Penguins (15-14-3) looked to end their recent winning drought with a victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets (13-19-3). Although playing without Sidney Crosby in tonight’s game the offense finally broke out in a 5-2 win. Phil Kessel (10, 11) scored two back-to-back goals in the second period to give the Penguins a multi-goal lead. Evgeni Malkin (16, 17) took the reins of the team tonight and led his team in their overwhelming ... Read More
Pittsburgh Pirates acquire LHP Kyle Lobstein for cash
Today the Pittsburgh Pirates announced via Twitter that they have acquired LHP Kyle Lobstein from the Detroit Tigers for cash considerations. Lobstein is a 26-year old left handed pitcher who has spent parts of the last two seasons with the Tigers. Lobstein has made 17 starts over that time as well as appeared in three games in a relief capacity. He has posted a 5.33 ERA over that span, with a 1.59 strikeout-to-walk ratio. At first glance, Lobstein's performance thus far can be considered ... Read More
Steelers vs. Broncos: Report card grades
The Steelers played host at Heinz Field to the Denver Broncos on Dec. 20 in what they knew was a must-win game. That's what the next two games are for the Steelers, as they need to win both to keep their spot in the playoffs secured. Right now, the Steelers sit at the sixth seed in the AFC playoff picture, but they do have some competition in the likes of the Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts and New York Jets. However, with their win against the Broncos, the Steelers increased their record ... Read More