16 Jul
Best 2 Days of WWE
published in category: Wrestling Reality on Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 – 3:35 pm
Posted in Wrestling Reality
Tree of Life
15 Jul
Steigerwald vs. Fedko on Bucs
published in category: Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, July 15th, 2013 – 1:44 pm
Posted in Pittsburgh Pirates
14 Jul
Five Pirates All-Stars Are Most Since 1972
published in category: Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, July 14th, 2013 – 1:46 pm
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Mark Melancon and San Francisco Giants closer Sergio Romo have been named National League All-Stars and will replace inactive pitchers Jeff Locke of the Pirates and Jordan Zimmermann of the Washington Nationals, National League All-Star manager Bruce Bochy announced in conjunction with Major League Baseball today. In addition, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman has been selected as an addition to the American League roster to replace Sunday pitcher Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers, American League All-Star manager Jim Leyland announced today.
Melancon, Romo and Tillman are all first-time All-Stars, bringing this year’s total of newcomers to the Midsummer Classic to 36, which eclipses the record total of 35 at the 2011 All-Star Game in Arizona.
Melancon, 28, entered play today with a 2-1 record, a National League-best 0.81 ERA and two saves in 45 games this season. In 44.1 innings pitched, the right-handed setup man has surrendered just 31 hits and has posted 46 strikeouts against only four walks. The fifth-year Major Leaguer has limited batters to a .193 average this season in front of fellow Pirates All-Star Jason Grilli and has been scored upon just three times in his last 37 appearances. In addition to Grilli and Locke, Melancon joins teammates Andrew McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez as All-Stars. The five Pirates All-Stars represent the most the club has had since 1972, when Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell along with Steve Blass, Al Oliver and Manny Sanguillen played in Atlanta.
Romo, 30, is 3-4 with a 2.86 ERA and 21 saves this year. The two-time World Series Champion with the Giants has collected 38 strikeouts in 34.2 innings pitched (29 H, 7 BB). Romo recorded the final out in nine of the Giants’ 11 Postseason wins in 2012, and he became the seventh pitcher ever to earn three saves in a single World Series.
Tillman, 25, is 11-3 with a 3.95 ERA on the year, with 89 strikeouts in 111.2 innings (110 H). The 6’5” right-hander is in his fifth Major League season and will join four Orioles teammates – position players Chris Davis, J.J. Hardy, Adam Jones and Manny Machado – in New York for All-Star festivities. The five O’s All-Stars are the franchise’s most since 1997, when Hall of Famers Cal Ripken, Jr. and Roberto Alomar participated along with Brady Anderson, Mike Mussina and Randy Myers.
Other announcements regarding the All-Star rosters will be made later today, including substitutions for other All-Star pitchers who are starting today. The current A.L. and N.L. All-Star rosters accompany this press release.
The 2013 All-Star Game will be played at Citi Field on Tuesday, July 16th. The 84th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International’s independent feed. Pregame ceremonies will begin at 7:30 p.m. (EDT). ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com or mets.com/asg.
Posted in Pittsburgh Pirates
13 Jul
Penguins Getting Old Fast by Wes Uhler
published in category: Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, July 13th, 2013 – 6:09 pm
In the upcoming 2013-2014 NHL season the Pittsburgh Penguins will be the second oldest team in the league, behind only the New Jersey Devils. It might not be long, however, until the Penguins have the most aged roster in all of hockey. This summer, General Manager Ray Shero decided to keep Pascal Dupuis, Craig Adams, and extend Chris Kunitz, as well as bring back Rob Scuderi, a key member of the 2009 Stanley Cup team. In all, the Penguins gave these men a combined $40 million dollars in contracts that will keep them in Pittsburgh until they are all 37 or 38 years old. Looking at these contracts individually, it’s hard to complain at first glance. Dupuis and Kunitz both signed for less than what they could have received in the open market. And when you look at the contracts handed out this summer to guys like Ryan Clowe, Dave Clarkson, and Tyler Bozak, it would be easy to argue Scuderi might have been the only big name free agent who wasn’t overpaid in July’s free agent frenzy. While individually all these deals are of great value, the fact remains that the Penguins failed to win the Stanley Cup this year with an aging all star caliber lineup. Aside from the core of Crosby, Malkin, Neal, and Letang, the group of Penguins signed for the future is going to get old—-fast. I would love to see Shero and company add some youth to the Penguins lineup. It may seem like the team doesn’t have much cap to work with when you consider that the aforementioned core plus Marc-Andre Fleury consume about 50% or more of the Penguins salary cap. But when you look at all the other contending teams in the NHL, most of them have this issue. Consider this year’s Stanley Cup champions. The Chicago Blackhawks had around 47% of their salary cap going to their top 5 paid players. What made the Blackhawks a better team than the Penguins, however, wasn’t their top players. It was the depth they had on their 3rd and 4th lines with players like Dave Bolland, Viktor Stalberg, Andrew Shaw, and Bryan Bickell. Locking up so much money and so many years with veterans like Scuderi, Kunitz, and Dupuis can be risky business. Adding to the risk is that the organization hasn’t had much inexpensive, productive talent coming through its farm system lately. Hopefully Beau Bennett and Simon Despres can change that this year. There is still plenty of time left over the next 3 months for Ray Shero to infuse some youth into next season’s lineup. All indications point to Matt Niskanen’s days in the black and gold being numbered when you consider he is set to make more than $2 million next season. Guys like Jussi Jokinen, Deryk Engellend, and Tanner Glass could also be dealt. If the Penguins could deal any of these players for a young, fast, and inexpensive forward, I think they would be foolish not to make a move.
Posted in Pittsburgh Penguins
12 Jul
Pirates Make Trade
published in category: Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, July 12th, 2013 – 2:48 pm
The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced they have acquired first baseman/outfielder Russ Canzler
from the Baltimore Orioles organization in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Tim Alderson.
The announcement was made by Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington.
Canzler hit .276 (89-for-323) with 15 doubles, one triple, 11 home runs, 49 RBI and 46 runs scored
in 86 games this season for Triple-A Norfolk of the International League. He made 35 appearances at
first base, 14 in the outfield, four at third base and one at second base this year for the Tides.
Canzler, who has been added to the 40-man roster, was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis following
the trade. To make room for Canzler on the 40-man roster, the Pirates have transferred right-handed
pitcher James McDonald from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list.
Canzler was originally selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 30th round of the 2004 First-Year Player
Draft. He was signed by Tampa Bay as a free agent on November 19, 2010 before making his big league
debut on September 15, 2011.
The 27-year-old Canzler has gone 26-for-96 (.271).
Posted in Pittsburgh Pirates
12 Jul
Power vs. SaberCats Saturday night at 7pm on TribLIVE Radio
published in category: Sports Talk Radio on Friday, July 12th, 2013 – 10:57 am
One week after clinching their second consecutive AFL postseason berth, the San Jose SaberCats (11-4) travel to the Steel City for a matchup with the Pittsburgh Power (3-12) on CBS Sports Network. “NET10 Wireless Arena Football Saturday” action is set to kickoff at 7:00 p.m. ET from CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh.
The SaberCats locked down a spot in the National Conference playoffs last week following a 62-35 victory at home over the San Antonio Talons (8-7). San Jose’s veteran southpaw quarterback, Russ Michna, passed for five touchdowns in the win. Since joining the team in mid-April, Michna has completed more than 64 percent of his passes for 2,497 yards and 53 touchdowns. He was out with an injury when the SaberCats defeated the Power, 68-54, in Week 12. His top target has been former Pittsburgh receiver Jason Willis, who has tallied 103 receptions for 1,292 yards and 31 touchdowns this season. Willis was a member of the inaugural Power team in 2011. Michna has also developed a rapport with Fred Williams and Huey Whittaker, who combined for five receiving touchdowns in last week’s contest.
The Power, who are coming off a 58-71 loss to the East Division-rival Cleveland Gladiators last week, are led by quarterback Steven Sheffield, who has completed 61 percent of his passes for 1,878 yards and 38 touchdowns since taking over as the starter midway through the season. Mike “The Joystick” Washington has proven once again to be Pittsburgh’s top offensive weapon, recording a franchise record 116 receptions this season, resulting in 1,343 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns. Rookie receiver Julian Talley has also shown flashes of brilliance as of late, tying a single-game franchise record with five touchdown receptions against Cleveland last week.
On the defensive side of the ball, the strength of both teams lies in the secondary. San Jose boasts one of the all-time greats in defensive back Clevan Thomas, who is tied for the League lead with 11 interceptions on the season. Thomas earned Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and Cutters Catch of the Week honors in Week 16 after snagging two interceptions, returning both for scores. His SaberCat comrade, Ken Fontenette, leads the team with 84 tackles. Conversely, defensive back Sergio Gilliam leads the Power with a single-season franchise record 80.5 tackles and came away with what looked to be a game-winning interception in the final minute of the last matchup between these two squads.
Both teams’ kick return specialists have displayed game-breaking ability as well. Chris LeFlore leads the Power with 56 returns for 974 yards and a pair of scores, while Williams has handled return duties for San Jose admirably, totaling 884 yards and two touchdowns on 44 returns this season. A loss by the Power would officially eliminate Pittsburgh from playoff contention, while a San Jose win would maintain their position as the No. 4 seed in the National Conference playoff picture, with the potential to move up to No. 3 in the event of a loss by the Spokane Shock (11-4) in Week 17.
About the AFL
Since its inception in 1987, the Arena Football League has showcased a fast-paced and exciting game to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. CBS Sports Network will broadcast an AFL National Game of the Week on Saturday nights for the entire regular season and postseason through the semifinal round. The ArenaBowl XXVI Championship Game will air on the CBS Television Network on August 17, 2013.
Posted in Sports Talk Radio
11 Jul
Pirates Shutout Oakland
published in category: Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, July 11th, 2013 – 12:54 pm
Posted in Pittsburgh Pirates
11 Jul
Pitt Preseason accolades
published in category: College Sports on Thursday, July 11th, 2013 – 10:11 am
PITTSBURGH—The preseason accolades continue to roll in for Pitt senior defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
Donald (Pittsburgh, Pa./Penn Hills) has been named a preseason candidate for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented to the nation’s top defensive player, and the Outland Trophy, awarded to the country’s outstanding interior lineman.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club and the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA). Donald was one of 81 national candidates — and one of 12 from the Atlantic Coast Conference — named to the Nagurski watch list.
The Outland Trophy is also presented by the FWAA. Seventy-five players were on the preseason Outland list, including 11 from the ACC.
Donald has now been named a preseason candidate for four national awards. He was previously named to the Bednarik Award and Ronnie Lott IMPACT Trophy watch lists. Donald was selected a preseason All-American by Lindy’s Sports and Phil Steele.
The 6-foot, 285-pound Donald enters his senior season already owning impressive career credentials. He was named All-Big East each of the past two years, collecting 16.5 sacks and 34.5 TFLs during that span.
In 2012, Donald compiled 64 total tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble. He led the Big East and ranked 12th nationally with 1.54 TFLs per game.
The 2013 season marks the Panthers’ first as a member of the ACC. Pitt will open the year with a highly anticipated showdown against defending ACC and Orange Bowl champion Florida State on Labor Day (Sept. 2) at Heinz Field. The ESPN national telecast will kick off at 8 p.m.
The Pitt-FSU contest marks the ACC’s 10th consecutive game on Labor Day night, a streak that began in 2004. The Panthers will be making their initial appearance in the Labor Day primetime game. The Seminoles will be making their sixth appearance in this showcase slot.
Posted in College Sports