In his Sunday column, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writer Dejan Kovacevic had a one-on-one interview with Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle. In the column, Kovacevic goes on to say how the team still has Hurdle's back despite the back-to-back late season collapses. In order to ensure that the players know that Hurdle has their back as well, he is doing something that very few - if any - other coaches/managers do it sports. "Near the end of this spring training, Hurdle will ask his players to vote on ... Read More
Pirates extend Hurdle through 2014 with option for 2015
Despite two straight late season collapses, the Pirates have announced that they will extend Manager Clint Hurdle through the 2014 season with an option for 2015 according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Hurdle, who is going into his third season as the Pirates manager, was originally signed to a three-year deal in the winter of 2010. In his two seasons with the Pirates, Hurdle is 151-173 for a .466 winning percentage. Hurdle was on the hot seat last year as fans ... Read More
Stern includes Pittsburgh on short list of possible NBA expansion cities
The talk gets thrown around every year about whether or not a NBA franchise could succeed in Pittsburgh. As a small-market city, a NBA team would have to compete with the Pirates, Penguins and Steelers. Could Pittsburgh possibly support a team? Apparently NBA commissioner David Stern thinks so. Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle sat down with Stern and asked him about the NBA possibly adding expansion teams so Seattle and Sacramento could both have teams and Stern throws out a Pittsburgh ... Read More
Clarion alum Frankie Edgar takes UFC by storm
Frankie Edgar may not be a household name around Clarion University like Kurt Angle and John Calipari are, but there’s no reason he shouldn’t be. Edgar was a four-time qualifier for Nationals during his time at Clarion in the 141-weight class between 2001 and 2005. Edgar, a New Jersey native, didn’t take the same route as Angle, but instead decided to take his talents in the direction of Mixed Martial Arts. “In the beginning, I didn’t think it was a realistic possibility for me,” Edgar ... Read More
Pirates sign Jonathan Sanchez
The Pittsburgh Pirates have officially announced the signing of left-handed pitcher Jonathan Sanchez to a minor league contract. The contract includes an invitation to Major League Spring Training. Sanchez went 1-9 last year with a 8.07 ERA between Colorado and Kansas City. The signing of Sanchez is a low-risk, high-reward move by the Pirates. It also provides insurance for the signing of Francisco Liriano. Liriano broke his non-pitching arm over Christmas, but the Pirates were able to ... Read More
Pittsburgh’s true Passion
"The difference between the old ballplayer and the new ballplayer is the jersey. The old ballplayer cared about the name on the front. The new ballplayer cares about the name on the back." - Steve Garvey There is no greater moment in sports than to watch a team win a championship. At that moment when the pitcher records the final out, the quarterback takes the final kneel or the point guard launches the ball in the air in celebration, you can see it. You see the joy that the players have. The ... Read More
There’s no I – or we, us, our – in fan
Now we've all heard this before. And yes, I meant to say we. I'm grouping us into a group. We, in this case, is the fan. The fan which is short for fanatic. That's what we are, right? We're all sport fanatics. But there's something that we aren't. We aren't a part of the team that we cheer for. Call me picky or call me clueless. That's fine. But you are a fan and that's all. "We can't run this play. If we lose this game, it's going to hurt our playoff chances." - Oh really? Tell me ... Read More
Pirates agree to revised deal with Liriano
What an offseason for Francisco Liriano. It was first reported that he and the Pittsburgh Pirates had agreed to a two-year deal worth $14 million. After learning that he injured his non-throwing arm over Christmas, the deal looked to be over. As an insurance piece, the Pirates went out an re-signed Jeff Karstens to replace Liriano. As it was announced today however, the wheels started spinning again with Liriano. As Fox Sports has announced, the Pirates have agreed to a revised two-year deal ... Read More
Andrew McCutchen enjoys offseason, but remains focused
To say the 2012 Pittsburgh Pirates season was a roller coaster for the team and fans alike would be a tremendous understatement. You all know the story by now. A team that is 16 games over .500 in August just collapses like we've never seen before. Ok actually, we saw the same thing take place in 2011, but not to this magnitude. There is one man who stayed consistent throughout the season for the Pirates winning awards and becoming exposed to a national audience. Don't let the recognition or ... Read More
Steelers fans: Passionate. Emotional. Spoiled?
The NFL playoffs kickoff this weekend and for the first time since 1999, there isn't a team from Pennsylvania in the dance. But it's not the Eagles that matter around here right? It's the Steelers. The six-time Super Bowl champion Steelers. Trust me, if you aren't a fan of them, their fans WILL remind you daily how many titles they have. The most respected franchise in all of sports with the best ownership. The "real" America's team and not those crummy Dallas Cowboys. The Steelers fans are, in ... Read More