Sports category, Page 2407
Bud Dupree unaware Steelers could have pulled 5th-year option
When the Pittsburgh Steelers picked up the fifth-year option on linebacker Bud Dupree’s contract in April 2018, they had 11 months to change their mind. The $9.232 million value of that option represented life-changing money for Dupree, essentially doubling his career earnings as long as he remained on the roster...
Former Vanderbilt RB Ralph Webb looks to impress in 2nd chance with Steelers
One of the dark horse candidates for a Pittsburgh Steelers roster spot at the back end of the running back depth chart was a highly productive rusher at a lower-profile SEC East school. And there’s Benny Snell, too. Snell, a rookie fourth-round pick, had a school-record 3,873 rushing yards at...
Steelers’ Chuks Okorafor slims down in pursuit of starting gig
Seeing Chuks Okorafor for the first time in almost five months, it stands out almost immediately. And not necessarily just because Okorafor has a new, tighter haircut that makes him appear more streamlined. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ second-year offensive tackle has slimmed down. “I’m down a little bit,” Okorafor said of...
Pirates broadcaster Steve Blass: ‘I don’t have to defend myself’
Steve Blass didn’t have much to say publicly about the controversy over remarks he made regarding Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. during a telecast of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ game Tuesday night at PNC Park. But he did want to make something clear to those who have known him during...
Plum’s R.J. Umberger makes Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame
Plum native R.J. Umberger is part of the 2019 class of the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame, the school announced Thursday. Umberger played three seasons for the Buckeyes from 2000-03, leading the team in scoring all three years. He finished his college career with 129 points in 112 games....
Pirates draft pick Blake Sabol discusses being Troy Polamalu’s cousin, JuJu Smith-Schuster’s friend
Remember how quiet and shy Troy Polamalu was when he was first drafted by the Steelers? Now picture the exact opposite. That’s his second cousin, Blake Sabol. And that’s who the Pirates drafted in the seventh round out of Southern Cal. If the catcher-turned-outfielder is as comfortable at the plate...
First Call: Could Clint Frazier-to-Pirates talk heat back up?; analyst picks Bills over Patriots
Thursday’s “First Call” includes a Penn State alum making a crazy NFL pick. A Penn State commit staying true to State College. And a reason why the Yankees may be shopping Clint Frazier to the Pirates again. Say what?! NFL Network analyst — and Penn State product — Michael Robinson...
U mad, bro? Raging Reds fans, puking Pirates fans, Le’Veon Bell defenders
There is a disturbing lack of “Phil DePhense Phoundation” emails in “U mad, bro?” this week. Don’t they know “the media is trying to run Phil out of town” again? But their absence has been filled by angry Pirates fans, raging Reds fans and NFL fans who want to call...
Tim Benz: Attacks on Pirates’ Steve Blass are shameful, unwarranted
I’m not going to defend Steve Blass. Mainly because the Pirates broadcaster’s six-decade-long reputation in baseball should stand on its own. It’s a reputation of being an ambassador of the game, rooted in his ability to be well-liked and respected by those of many different races and nationalities. For 36...
Podcast part 4: Going one-on-one with Mike Ditka
What is Mike Ditka’s favorite thing to do when he returns to the Pittsburgh area? What is his favorite type of cigar? Gus Frerotte and Dave Hager go one-on-one with the former Pitt All-American and Pro Football Hall of Famer in the final segment of this week’s “Huddle Up with...
Raptors overcome Curry’s big night, take 2-1 lead in NBA FinalsVideo
OAKLAND, Calif. — For every amazing shot in a career night by Stephen Curry on his home court, Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry and Danny Green kept finding dazzling answers of their own. The Toronto Raptors decided to “let it rip,” and now they have the momentum again in these back-and-forth...
Joe Musgrove pitches Pirates past BravesVideo
Joe Musgrove did something a Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher hadn’t done in quite some time Wednesday night. He left the mound to a rousing ovation from the home crowd. The 6-foot-5 right-hander pitched into the ninth inning, allowing five hits and striking out six, to lead the Pirates to a 7-4...
Pitt AD Heather Lyke hopes tailgaters someday can set up tents outside Heinz Field
Heather Lyke has a vision, and in her mind, it’s more than a dream. One of these days, Pitt’s athletic director hopes to be driving to her team’s football game, and as she turns toward Heinz Field, she can’t see the parking lots. But that’s a good thing because all...
FR’s Palmer Jackson 2 shots back in AJGA tournament
Franklin Regional senior Palmer Jackson is spending his final week of school doing what he likes the most: golfing. The Notre Dame commit is playing in the AJGA Memorial Junior tournament hosted by Sung Hyun Park at the Ohio State University Golf Club Scarlet Course in Columbus. Jackson is two...
Pirates farm report for games of Wednesday, June 5, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 33-23) won 5-2 over Louisville (Reds) in a game shortened to eight innings by rain. RHP Luis Escobar (1-0, 2.33) went five innings, allowing one run on two hits, three walks and a strikeout. The Indians outhit the Bats, 11-4. SS-2B Pablo Reyes (.227) went 2 for 4...
WVU lands transfer QB Jarret Doege from Bowling Green
Bowling Green quarterback Jarret Doege transferred to West Virginia on Wednesday. Mountaineers coach Neal Brown announced Doege has enrolled in classes. Doege must sit out the 2019 season and will be eligible to play two more seasons. Doege started all 12 games for the Falcons as a sophomore in 2018....
Cubs reach $43M deal with free-agent closer Craig KimbrelVideo
CHICAGO — At the start of spring training, when Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said he had no money to spend, Pedro Strop was asked if the Cubs could use free agent Craig Kimbrel in the bullpen. “I’m never going to say we don’t need a guy like that,” Strop replied....
Kncoh grad Geist takes 3rd in shot put at NCAA track and field championships
University of Arizona sophomore Jordan Geist placed third overall in the men’s shot put at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships Wednesday evening at the University of Texas in Austin. The Knoch graduate, who won his second Pac-12 outdoor title in as many seasons last month, delivered...
Pirates pick Michigan State wide receiver recruit on third day of MLB draft
Jase Bowen could be the next Kirk Gibson. The Pittsburgh Pirates hope he’s not. Bowen, a 6-foot-1 outfielder, was the Pirates’ 11th-round selection in the 2019 draft, which concluded Wednesday with the final 30 rounds. He hit .550 with 31 RBIs and 14 stolen bases as a senior at Toledo...
Chris Mullin, Tim Hardaway reflect on ‘Run TMC’ Warriors
SAN RAMON, Calif. — Chris Mullin and Tim Hardaway spent two seasons as members of “Run TMC” at Oracle Arena, back when it was called the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena. The nostalgia is flooding back this week. The Golden State Warriors’ era in Oakland is ending. Only two or three...
Cops: Women vanished with Le’Veon Bell’s jewelry worth $500KVideo
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Authorities say two female acquaintances vanished with more than half a million dollars in jewelry from star running back Le’Veon Bell’s Florida home. Hollywood police said Bell returned from the gym May 25 and found the women gone and his jewelry missing. The police report obtained by...
Pirates bump struggling Nick Kingham from rotation in favor of Rookie Davis
With front-end starters Trevor Williams and Jameson Taillon sidelined by injuries, the Pittsburgh Pirates asked Nick Kingham and Steven Brault to patch holes in their rotation over the past few weeks. Kingham’s audition is over. He is headed to the bullpen, replaced by 26-year-old righty Rookie Davis. Brault’s spot remains...
College basketball’s 3-point line to move as part of NCAA rules changes
College basketball’s 3-point shot just got a little deeper. The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved moving the 3-point line to the international basketball distance in men’s basketball, the NCAA announced Wednesday. The distance is now 22 feet, 1 3/4 inches — 16.75 inches farther than the line was for...
Southmoreland graduate Adeline Nicholson transferring to D-I Morehead State
Adeline Nicholson is proof the new NCAA transfer portal works. Nicholson’s name was entered into the portal, a national database designed to let athletes talk to other schools without restriction after first informing their current school of their desire to leave. It essentially can resemble a draft board for schools...
Plum Legion team looking to make waves in league play
Evan Sante is pulling double duty this summer. In addition to playing for the Plum Pterodactyls in the Daily News adult baseball league, the soon-to-be high school graduate — he and his Plum senior classmates commence Thursday — is a member of the Plum Legion squad for the first time....
