Breakfast With Benz category, Page 185
Podcast: Pittsburgh comedian, sports nut Steve Byrne returns to the Improv
National headlining comedian, actor and renowned Pittsburgh sports fan Steve Byrne is making a return to his hometown. He’ll be performing at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Improv in Homestead. And he’s featured on our “Breakfast With Benz” podcast Wednesday. LISTEN: Pittsburgh comedian, sports nut Steve Byrne Byrne actually joined...
Tim Benz: Josh Bell’s breakout season can be traced to 1 stat
One of the advanced analytics regularly in the dunking booth for baseball old-schoolers is exit velocity. You know, Major League Baseball’s Statcast tracking of how fast a player hits the ball off the bat. The older the baseball fan, the more likely you are to hear: “Do I really need...
First Call: An Antonio Brown, Vontaze Burfict family feud; Austin Meadows stays hot
Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us the first “feud” between Antonio Brown and Vontaze Burfict. And the Raiders really did sign Richie Incognito. The worst first pitch ever. Another Austin Meadows homer. It’s time to play the feud Antonio Brown and Vontaze Burfict had their first family feud in Oakland. No,...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden debate Kessel trade idea, Pirates, Porter ripping Roethlisberger
Mark Madden joins me for “Madden Madden” a day late after the Memorial Day holiday. We debate that failed trade of Phil Kessel to the Wild. Mark and I have differing views on that front. I’m not opposed to a deal involving Kessel. But I’m down on the structure of...
First Call: Feel-good Jordan Staal story; Derek Dietrich punks Pirates again
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” Jordan Staal’s kind gesture is heartwarming. More replay may be coming to the NHL. And Derek Dietrich continues to provoke. Jordan’s jet Carolina Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell shared some thoughts about the team chemistry that helped push his team from the seventh seed to the...
Tim Benz: Pirates leaning on surprisingly reliable Jordan Lyles
Clint Hurdle took a look at his extended pitching chart while meeting with the media before Saturday’s game against the Dodgers. It was a color-coded mashup with individual schedules, notes and cross-outs. He shrugged and gave a resigned, bemused grin. “At the back end of it, we’ve got (Jordan) Lyles...
U mad, bro? Readers angry about Chris Archer, Steelers coverage
You should be mad. Why? Because “U mad, bro” is late this week. And waiting a few extra days seems to have allowed some of your venom to bubble quite a bit. Follow along as readers pop off about Chris Archer and coverage of the Steelers. A few readers didn’t...
Fantasy sports podcast: Chris Archer frustrations, Josh Bell’s bombs, Mitch Keller call-up?
It’s our weekly fantasy sports podcast with Jeff Erickson of Rotowire. There’s a ton of baseball to discuss. I don’t like “the opener” concept. I’ll get Erickson’s opinion, and he’ll tell us the fantasy impact. Significant call-ups across the league are taking place. Pirates farmhand Mitch Keller could be next....
First Call: Possible Phil Kessel landing spot; Pirates scout outfielder; loving Le’Veon Bell
It’s a trade-heavy “First Call” for Friday. The Penguins may be engaged in a potential trade for Phil Kessel. Jets coach Adam Gase is denying ideas he wants to trade Le’Veon Bell. And the Pirates may be interested in acquiring a New York Yankee. Pharewell Phil? Tribune-Review Penguins writer Jonathan...
Sean McDowell discusses retiring from WDVE, last song he’ll play
Sean McDowell has been on Steelers flagship radio station WDVE since 1993. He’s been on air in Pittsburgh since 1981. I spoke with him about his pending retirement which will happen on July 31. LISTEN: Sean McDowell discusses retirement from WDVE When McDowell made the announcement a few weeks ago,...
First Call: Antonio Brown makes Raiders debut; Pirates pierogies sexist?
Thursday’s “First Call” features your first look at Antonio Brown practicing with the Raiders. Tyler Boyd’s stance on free agency. Landry Jones’ release. Jon Bostic’s signing. And sautéed sexism at PNC Park. Brown’s debut Antonio Brown made his debut at Raiders organized team activities yesterday. Here’s your first look at...
Plenty of praise for Pirates’ Josh Bell’s latest splash landing
Only 9,534 fans saw Josh Bell’s 454-foot bomb of a home run at PNC Park Wednesday night. Too bad. It was worth seeing. Big drip, what you call it? ? pic.twitter.com/a3f6x4zbEa— Pirates (@Pirates) May 23, 2019 That’s just the fifth home run to reach the Allegheny River on the fly....
New Robert Morris athletic director discusses return to alma mater
In Wednesday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast, I’m joined by new Robert Morris Athletic Director Chris King to discuss his return to his alma mater. King, an Apollo native, assumes the job on June 1. He talks about how to best utilize the new UPMC Events Center. We also get into...
Check out the best hidden-ball trick in sports history
Get ready to see the best hidden-ball trick of all time. A tip of the cap to the crew at Deadspin for referencing the inspiration for the maneuver. Do you remember the baseball movie “Little Big League?” Pfft! That was nothing. First of all, it was the middle of a...
First Call: Jon Gruden discusses Antonio Brown’s OTA absence; a comical Pirates mishap
In “First Call” Wednesday, Jon Gruden responds to Antonio Brown’s absence in Oakland. A comical Pirates mishap. The Blues win the Western Conference finals with more help from a former Penguin. And someone in Buffalo has O.J. Simpson’s number. No A.B.? No big deal That seems to be the reaction...
First Call: New pressure for Le’Veon Bell; Penguins scoring in bunches at Worlds
In “First Call” Tuesday, something to watch for Le’Veon Bell in New York. Penguins players keep pumping in goals at the World Championships. The Warriors make history. And the next opponent for the Pirates just can’t buy good luck. Something to watch Many people are wondering how Le’Veon Bell will...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Steelers drama, Josh Bell’s power explosion
This week’s “Madden Monday,” comes a day late after my trip to the Sonic Temple Festival in Columbus. So, obviously, music comes up at some point. Like Joan Jett still performing … at 60! Mainly, though, we focus on the continuation of Steelers drama even as Ben Roethlisberger tries to...
Tim Benz: It’s not smart, but Ben Roethlisberger might continue radio show
Ben Roethlisberger’s 93.7 FM radio show is widely heard and often quoted. Plus, it has been the source of consternation for current and former teammates, namely Antonio Brown. The program has also been the catalyst of speculation when it came to Roethlisberger’s relationship with Todd Haley, his thoughts on retirement...
First Call: Dominik Simon finally scores; Bruins keep Eastern sweeps alive
In Friday’s “First Call,” we finally see Dominik Simon score a goal. Not for the Penguins, of course. John Daly’s pants are better than his game. And the Bruins keep the sweep trend rolling in the Eastern Conference. Deadly Dominik So when is Dominik Simon going to score? Oh. Now?...
‘Seinfeld Night’ can be properly hosted by only 1 team … and they’re doing it
Take a wild guess which team is hosting “Seinfeld Night” at their ballpark? Of course, it’s Jerry Seinfeld’s beloved New York Mets. Their July 5th game at Citi Field will have a Seinfeld theme and giveaways. Here's the bobblehead the Mets will give away for this event.Jerry Seinfeld is also...
Pirates’ Josh Bell is ripping up fantasy leagues, too
After a week off, I check in with Jeff Erickson of Rotowire for our usual fantasy sports podcast. We start off by looking at what had been some of the early warning signs for Josh Bell’s huge start to the year. Melky Cabrera’s performance over the first month and a...
Tim Benz: Does the Steelers’ pass-rush production match its reputation?
Is Bud Dupree better than we make him out to be? Is the Steelers’ pass-rush as good as its sack numbers indicate? Is the Steelers’ offensive line pass-protection as good as we say it is? Based on some numbers compiled by ESPN’s Next Gen player-tracking stats those answers are: •...
First call: Big Ben’s big bash, NHL officials under fire again, Shaq’s awful attire
In “First Call” Thursday, Ben Roethlisberger does some image repair. Kasper Björkqvist already has PPG Paints Arena experience. Shaq’s wardrobe needs help. So do NHL officials. Bad leader Ben? Remember when Antonio Brown trashed Ben Roethlisberger as a leader, in part, because “he has an owner’s mentality” and never invited...
Penn State men’s lacrosse seeks its first Final Four
The Penn State lacrosse team is No. 1 in the country and just one win away from the Final Four over Memorial Day weekend. In Philadelphia, by the way. The Nittany Lions won their first-round game, 25-10, over UMBC last week. That was the first NCAA tournament win in school...
First call: Antonio Brown’s odd goodbye; Patrick Peterson trade talk returns
Today’s “First Call” features Antonio Brown’s odd goodbye to his home in Western Pennsylvania, Patrick Peterson trade talk returning and the idea of an NFL draft lottery. Kimbo comes with the house? Since we are talking about Antonio Brown, this shouldn’t surprise us. The former Steelers receiver was back in Pittsburgh...
