For the better part of the MLB season, we've been choosing our "Pirate of the Week" each week. Now, as the regular season is over and the Pittsburgh Pirates head into the postseason and get set to host the Wild Card playoff game, we want to bring you our Pirate of the Year. Without further hesitation, your Pirate of the Year is ... Andrew McCutchen. McCutchen has been heralded as the team's MVP all season. Just about every at-bat he has the chants of "MVP" ring out through PNC Park and even on ... Read More
Message to Hurdle: Play the match ups
Clint Hurdle has made a major impact on the Pittsburgh Pirates since choosing to manage them at the start of the 2011 season. He's created a new atmosphere in the clubhouse, replacing the mundane, defeatist spirit left behind by John Russell, with a loud, energetic voice of optimism. With a group as young as the Pirates, that type of message can go a long way. Especially if the team starts winning. As a motivator, Hurdle is one of the best in baseball. As a strategist, he's, at times, ... Read More
Steelers Week 4 Report Card following loss
A change of scenery didn't help the Pittsburgh Steelers much. Another week and another disappointing loss in the books for the 0-4 Steelers. The defense was once again shelled and dug the offense, which wasn't bad again, too big of a hole too climb out of in a 34-27 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London. However despite the loss, there were a few bright spots along the way. Let's see how the Steelers graded out in this one. Quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger had a pretty solid ... Read More
It’s make or break for Fleury
The most enigmatic athlete in all of Pittsburgh sports right now might just be Marc-Andre Fleury. You could probably remove the might because you can argue that although his mistakes happen at the worst moments, Big Ben doesn’t have a Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin surrounding him. It seems as though most Penguins fans — even if some still have a soft spot from the 2009 Stanley Cup run — have had enough of Fleury. And those that still are willing to see what happens with him, are no longer ... Read More
No matter what, enjoy the game on Tuesday
The Pittsburgh Pirates will be hosting the opening game of the National League playoffs on Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds for the city’s first playoff game in 20 years. The club has won 94 games this year — an improvement of 15 from last year’s talented team that just missed breaking the streak of consecutive losing seasons. Beyond that, the team entered this weekend’s series needing to take 2 of 3 from their now-hated rivals across the border to host the game, and instead they decided to ... Read More
LC Greenwood dies at 67
Former defensive end, LC Greenwood, died Sunday afternoon at the age of 67 from natural causes. Greenwood was one of four defensive linemen that dominated the 70's, helping the Steelers win four Super Bowls in six years. Partnered with Ernie Holmes, Dwight White, and "Mean" Joe Greene, Greenwood terrorized opposing offensive lines as part of the "Steel Curtain". Joe Greene is the only surviving member from that group as White and Holmes died six months apart in 2008. Greenwood was a tenth ... Read More
Steelers 0-4 for first time since 1968
What it means: Four games into the season, the Steelers have all but played their way out of postseason contention. They are 0-4 to start a season for the first time since 1968, and fans will start turning their attention to the 2014 draft. The Steelers are making a dubious run at a top-10 if not top-5 pick. Maybe they will use it on a left tackle, as Mike Adams continues to look overmatched there. A playmaker for a defense that is in serious decline is also an option. As well as the Steelers’ ... Read More
Slippery Rock bounces Mercyhurst 58-34
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Slippery Rock University rode a three-pronged offensive attack to a 58-34 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-Western Division football win Saturday night over visiting Mercyhurst University at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. The win was SRU’s third in four games this winter and first in two PSAC-West contests. Mercyhurst fell to 1-3 overall, 0-2 in division action. Junior running back Teddy Blakeman rushed for three touchdowns (3,1 and 8 yards), caught a 37-yard TD pass ... Read More
Robert Morris wins thriller in Double OT
Lexington, Va. – Senior Deontae Howard (Clairton, Pa. / Clairton) turned the left corner and sprinted into the end zone from 17 yards out to conclude the game and give the Robert Morris University football team a thrilling, 37-31, win in double overtime at VMI in non-conference action Saturday afternoon at an overcast Foster Stadium. In a game full of twists and turns, RMU rallied from a 10-point deficit with fewer than 20 minutes remaining. The Colonials actually took the lead in the fourth ... Read More
Panthers defeat Virginia in ACC Battle
PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh turned a pair of early Virginia turnovers into touchdowns and the Panther defense did the rest in a 14-3 victory on Saturday. Tom Savage completed 13 of 30 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions before leaving late in the fourth quarter. Tyler Boyd caught seven passes for 111 yards for Pitt. The Panthers (3-1, 2-1 ACC) have won three straight for the first time since 2010. A week after giving up 55 points to Duke, Pitt's defense shut down the ... Read More