Wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino made the rounds prior to Mother’s Day, championing the uncontested World Champion of his life, his late mother, Emilia. As Sammartino tells the story, his mother frequently took day-long journeys from the mountains, high above Pizzoferrato, Italy into town below in a search for food. Bruno, his older brother Paul and sister Mary oftentimes didn’t know if she would make the 24-hour trip back. The small Italian town had fallen under the control of Germany and ... Read More
NHL releases Pittsburgh Penguins first-round playoff schedule
The NHL released the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoff first-round schedule early Sunday morning with the Penguins beginning their quest for the cup against the Presidents Trophy winner New York Rangers in The Big Apple on Thursday night. The Pens will be without defensemen Kris Letang, who is done until next season due to a concussion sustained on March 28 from a hit by Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan. That came days after the team officially ruled Foreward Pascal Dupuis out for the remainder of the ... Read More
Reds sweep Pirates with walk-off
Gregory Polanco misplayed a Marlon Byrd line drive in the ninth inning allowing Todd Frazier to score the winning run in another Reds walk-off of the Pirates to complete a three-game sweep in Cincinnati. The dropped liner finished off a disastrous ninth inning by Pirate reliever Rob Scahill as he allowed Frazier — who hit two home runs and knocked in four RBI in the first two games of the series — to lead off the inning with a double. The Reds (3-0) then received a gift when Frazier was able ... Read More
Locked up: Pirates set rotation, talk extension with Gregory Polanco
The Pirates took care of business today on and off the field. In Grapefruit league action, the Pirates dominated the Phillies for a 19-4 victory. After the victory, Manager Clint Hurdle announced that Jeff Locke will take the team's fourth spot in the Opening Day rotation while Vance Worley will begin the season in the bullpen for long-relief. Locke went 7-6 for the Pirates in 2014 with a 3.91 ERA in 21 starts with 89 strikeouts and 40 walks in 131 1/3 innings. After struggling through the ... Read More
Middle-infield looks solid for Pirates
There were questions going into the 2014 season about the lack of offense at the middle-infield positions for the Pirates. At second base, Neil Walker had shown glimpses of power, but injuries plagued him forcing him to sit when things seemed to be coming around. At shortstop, there wasn't much to look forward to. Clint Barmes could barely keep his head above the Mendoza line and a young Jordy Mercer looked to be at least a full year or two away from being a solid starter. To the surprise ... Read More
Pirates make more roster moves
The Pittsburgh Pirates made more expected roster moves on Thursday as they continue to work their way to the 25-man limit that all teams need to be at by Opening Day. RHP Collin Balester – reassigned to minor league camp LHP Jeremy Bleich - reassigned to minor league camp OF Willy Garcia – optioned to Altoona INF Gift Ngoepe - reassigned to minor league camp OF Mel Rojas, Jr. - reassigned to minor league camp INF Alen Hanson - optioned to Indianapolis Hanson batted .400 ... Read More
Burnett solid in first appearance; Pirates tie Rays
A.J. Burnett made his 2015 grapefruit league debut Saturday afternoon going two scoreless innings as the Pirates tied the Rays 1-1 in 10 innings at McKechnie Field. Burnett faced eight batters on the day allowing one hit while hitting another in the first inning before settling down to get the final five outs of his start. Nick Kingham was the other starter making a two-inning appearance allowing two hits and striking out two in a scoreless outting. Tony Watson, Jared Hughes, Antonio ... Read More
First full year will help Pirates’ Polanco grow
There is no question that Gregory Polanco is the Pirates answer in right field. The 22-year-old was signed as an international free agent in 2009 and placed in the organization's Dominican academy with hopes of making it to the big leagues. What came next surpassed any expectations that most had about Polanco's abilities. He quickly began a climb through the minor league system which culminated with a jump in 2013 from High-A Bradenton to AAA Indianapolis in one season turning heads in the ... Read More
Player-to-be-named announced in Snider trade
The Pirates announced the player-to-be-named in the Travis Snider trade with Baltimore. The team acquired 22-year-old LHP Steven Brault from the Orioles High-A Frederick organization. Brault, an 11th round pick by the Orioles in the 2013 Amateur Draft, posted an 11-8 record with a 2.77 ERA and a 0.984 WHIP in 24 starts (25 games) in 2014 between Class-A Delmarva and High-A Frederick. Brault's fastball sits 90-92 mph with some sink to it. He also has a decent slider and change up that ... Read More
Pirates unveil new performance center at Pirate City
The Pittsburgh Pirates today officially unveiled the new 12,240-square-foot performance center at Pirate City, the Pirates’ training facility in Bradenton, Florida. The new two-story performance center, which was constructed adjacent to the existing dining facility, combines leading edge technology with coaching, training and recovery support. It is designed to support the club’s year-round athletic performance and rehabilitation programs in Bradenton. The center includes coaches’ offices, ... Read More