Tim Benz Columns category, Page 99
From WPIAL to S.I. swimsuits, Apollo’s Dessie Mitcheson launching boutique with body-positive messageVideo
Former WPIAL athlete Dessie Mitcheson left Pittsburgh area fairways for international runways a long time ago. Now she’s going from a big-time model to a small business owner. And she’s doing so back home in Western Pennsylvania. Mitcheson — who was a golfer and regionally top-15 ranked diver at Kiski...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin reflects on relationship with Bill Cowher in advance of Cowher’s Hall of Fame induction
During an interview in advance of his upcoming Hall of Fame induction, former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher had one request. He wanted current coach Mike Tomlin to allow him to call one more defensive play during the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys. “Let...
Mike Sullivan on coaching Team USA, facing Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, belief in Penguins goalies and revamping the bottom 6
Mike Sullivan rattled off the names as if he was reciting his current Penguins roster. However, it was a roster from 41 years ago. And it wasn’t the Penguins. “Mike Eruzione. Jim Craig. Jack O’Callahan. David Silk,” Sullivan said. “Those were the four guys from BU (Boston University) where I...
First Call: Ravens sign player Steelers considered, watch Marc-Andre Fleury’s announcement to play in Chicago
Monday’s “First Call” has some high expectations for two young Pittsburgh Steelers. We have an update on Marc-Andre Fleury’s decision regarding the Chicago Blackhawks. And a player the Steelers considered signing is going to the Baltimore Ravens instead. We even have a heartwarming Olympic moment, hurling and Gaelic football. Not...
Pittsburgh Gaelic Athletic Association hosts hurling; Gaelic football Midwest finals this week in Indiana Township
In Gaelic, the motto on the crest of the Pittsburgh Hurling Club reads “Neart agus Misneach.” Or, in English, “Strength and Courage.” If you’ve seen what the sport of hurling looks like at full speed, you understand why that fits. If you haven’t, you can see it on a championship...
Tim Benz: SEC expansion isn’t just about trying to dominate the NCAA; it’s preparing for a world after the NCAA
As the drama continues to swirl around the Southeastern Conference’s attempt to absorb Texas and Oklahoma from the Big 12, many characterize the advance as an SEC attempt to form a “super conference.” Wait. I thought that’s what the SEC was already. No? A lot has been written and said...
First Call: Steelers work on addressing drops; ex-Steeler on covid list; Andrew McCutchen back at PNC Park
Friday’s “First Call” takes a look at the sticky situation of not-so-sticky hands from Steelers receivers. Bad news for Bud Dupree. The Pirates prepare to welcome back Andrew McCutchen. An update on the Robert Morris hockey front. And a Pittsburgh kid gets a big NHL contract. Addressing the issue Last...
U mad, bro?: Some Penguins fans don’t want Marc-Andre Fleury back; Pirates fans didn’t want Adam Frazier to go
Apparently not all Penguins fans are happy with the idea of the Penguins bringing The Flower back to Pittsburgh. Pirates fans are tired of seeing good players like Adam Frazier traded. And the Team USA Olympic basketball squad is leaving people flat. All that in this week’s “U mad, bro?”...
Tim Benz: A return of Marc-Andre Fleury to Penguins makes sense beyond sentiment
The Vegas Golden Knights’ trade of former Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was a stunner to many in hockey circles on Tuesday. Not so much in the sense that Vegas shipped away the NHL’s reigning Vezina Trophy winner. After all, they had a Goalie-1 and Goalie-1A situation with Fleury and Robin...
Tim Benz: A response to Bart Scott’s ‘compliment’ about the Steelers’ atmosphere at Heinz Field
During an episode of ESPN’s “First Take” last week, panelist Bart Scott gave a little love to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets linebacker was asked for his favorite playoff atmosphere. And he said Steelers fans at Heinz Field (at 1:22:16 of this clip). Scott...
Tim Benz: Cast aside by same team, Trai Turner and Melvin Ingram look to reboot their careers with Steelers
After the Pittsburgh Steelers signed castoff free agents Melvin Ingram and Trai Turner, it was completely fair of Steelers fans to wonder if either player has much left in the tank. Turner spent most of last year hurt, playing only nine games thanks to ankle and groin injuries. When he...
U mad, bro?: Penguins fans fret about expansion strategy; Pirates fans still prickly about draft; Steelers’ forgotten past
This week’s “U mad, bro?” is all over the map. Penguins hockey. College hockey. Baseball drafts. Steelers from the 1930s. And English lessons. This is what they call the “dog days” of summer. I don’t have a dog right now. But based on the emails I received this week, if...
Tim Benz: 4 reasons why this year’s Steelers training camp may be more important than most
Training camp is a high priority for the Pittsburgh Steelers, as it is for the rest of the NFL’s franchises. That importance is increasing with players frequently balking at in-person offseason workouts these days and with the reduction of the preseason schedule to three games. The Steelers are “lucky” (if...
Tim Benz: Robert Morris hockey teams want to play games. On the ice, not with their own administration
If Robert Morris University truly wants its recently resuscitated hockey programs to play games this season, the school should stop playing games with the student-athletes who remain on the teams. Immediately. The decision makers in Moon Township should reinstate both the men’s and women’s programs right now and let them...
Tim Benz: Pirates-Mets was far from perfect, but plenty of fun
My plan coming out of the All-Star break was to go to PNC Park Sunday in case New York Mets ace pitcher Jacob deGrom spun a perfect game against the normally putrid Pirates. Instead, what we saw was a 7-6 Mets win that was as far from perfect as you...
First Call: Troy Polamalu planning Pittsburgh return; Dwayne Haskins breaks tooth in Las Vegas incident
Pittsburgh Steelers legend Troy Polamalu may return to Heinz Field. Backup quarterback Dwayne Haskins reportedly lost a tooth during an incident in Las Vegas. An update on when Pirates fans may get to see Jacob deGrom. And we’ll let you know how WPIAL and Pitt product Cam Johnson did in...
Robert Morris reverses course, eyes path to resurrect men’s and women’s hockey programs
Robert Morris hockey might have a path back to existence. Three months after university officials said they were eliminating the men’s and women’s hockey programs, the school announced Wednesday it had reversed course and is hoping to resurrect the programs. University officials said they would work with the recently formed...
Tim Benz: Just enough for Pittsburgh sports fans to get you through the mid-summer lull
We are still about two weeks away from Steelers training camp. The Stanley Cup Finals are over. So is the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, Home Run Derby and the draft. Besides the Pirates grinding toward a potential 100-loss season, what can Pittsburgh sports fans watch to get their fix...
Tim Benz: 20 years after the Jaromir Jagr trade, former Penguin Kris Beech has found peace
If the call had come on the 10th anniversary of the Jaromir Jagr trade, Kris Beech may have had a different reaction. He probably still would’ve done the interview. Just with a little less enthusiasm and a lot less perspective. But after 20 years of reflection, the former Penguins forward...
Tim Benz: Sports Illustrated reporter sees 2 teams out front in the Adam Frazier trade sweepstakes
Wednesday’s 14-3 Pirates loss to the Atlanta Braves featured another multi-hit day for All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier. Pirates fans better enjoy those moments while they can because there likely won’t be too many games between the All-Star Game next week and the July 30 trade deadline before the team...
U mad, bro?: Pirates fans sound off about big picture, fret about future
The Pirates have won three of their last four, but that doesn’t seem to matter in this week’s “U mad, bro?” inbox. Buccos fans are fretting about the future, bummed about the big picture and “on tilt” about ownership. Get back to me when they’ve won 10 in a row...
Tim Benz: Pirates can embrace the future without so obviously spitting in the face of the present
It was just one thought from Ben Cherington during an 18-minute interview. And it was said in almost a throw-away fashion by the Pirates general manager. But I hope he was paying attention to the words coming out of his own mouth. On 93.7 The Fan Thursday, host Andrew Fillipponi...
Sean McDonough on his new NHL play-by-play role, the league’s move to ESPN and hockey broadcasting history
When news broke in March that the NHL was heading to ESPN and Turner Sports next season, many hockey fans had two consistent questions: • How will broadcasts change, if at all, from NBC’s approach? • Will ESPN really prioritize hockey coverage more in its highlight-intensive sports news shows and...
Tim Benz: Numbers from Tampa Bay Lightning postseason run are replicating Penguins’ Stanley Cup success
As the Tampa Bay Lightning march through their Stanley Cup title defense, they are clipping along at a rate reminiscent of past Pittsburgh Penguins achievements. Coach John Cooper and his team are up 1-0 over the Montreal Canadiens in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final. That’s the result of a 5-1...
Tim Benz: Robert Morris leaders would be wise to avoid legal brawl with hockey players’ new lawyers
After communicating with 15-20 different Robert Morris hockey players, coaches and alumni in the month since the men’s and women’s programs were cut on May 26, I think one player summed up the tone of the administration best. “It’s like they just think we are more trouble than we are...
