Blogs

. Brief and to the Point … >> My Wednesday column retells Pittsburgh’s own version of Linsanity, not so long ago. And trust me when I tell you this couldn’t have happened to a better human being. >> Another leaf of the Civic Arena came crashing down. And it hit so hard that the reader [...]

. Looking ahead to faceoff … Game: Penguins (33-21-5) vs. New York Rangers (38-14-5) Time: 7:08 p.m. Site: Consol Energy Center TV, radio: Root Sports, 105.9 The X Here is the official live summary. Updates are on our Penguins page. Josh Yohe must spell Reijo Ruotsalainen to gain entry into the press box. Feel free to [...]

Brief and to the Point … >> Ben Roethlisberger told the Trib’s Mark Kaboly yesterday he has yet to hear from the Steelers’ new offensive coordinator, Todd Haley. “He still hasn’t called yet,” Roethlisberger said, strongly implying the first move should be Haley’s. He’s absolutely right. In any sports setting, the new coach reaches out [...]

. BUFFALO, N.Y. — Brief and to the Point … >> My Monday column from Sabres-land looks at the Penguins and the upcoming deadline. >> Had a good talk with Ray Shero before faceoff on a variety of topics, including the James Neal trade — the anniversary is tomorrow — that led to the six-year, [...]

. BUFFALO, N.Y. – Looking ahead to faceoff … Game: Penguins (33-20-5) vs. Buffalo Sabres (24-27-7) Time: 12:38 p.m. Site: First Niagara Center TV, radio: NBC, 105.9 The X Here is the official live summary. Updates are on our Penguins page. Picked up a hitchhiker driving up I-90, and it just happened to be Josh Yohe. [...]

. Looking ahead to faceoff … Game: Penguins (32-20-5) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (32-18-7) Time: 1:08 p.m. Site: Wells Fargo Center TV, radio: Root Sports, NHL Network, 105.9 The X Here is the official live summary. Updates are on our Penguins page. Chris Harlan drove past many 24-hour Starbucks on the Turnpike.

The Pirates have acquired starting pitcher A.J. Burnett from the New York Yankees, pending a physical and approval from Major League Baseball, I’ve just learned. The trade is comprised almost entirely of cash, with the Yankees responsible for $20 million of the $33 million Burnett is due over the final two seasons of his contract. [...]

Brief and to the Point … >> My Friday column looks at the Pirates’ upcoming acquisition of A.J. Burnett. And yes, to repeat the theme from all week on the blog, it will happen. Relax. >> Covered the Pitt-West Virginia game late last night, and I’ve got to tell you: People who don’t think this [...]

. Looking ahead to tipoff … Game: Pitt (15-11, 4-9 Big East) vs. West Virginia (16-10, 6-7) Time: 9:05 p.m. Site: Petersen Events Center TV, radio: ESPN, 93.7 The Fan Here is the official live summary, and here are news updates on our Pitt page. John Grupp will be one of the few on hand [...]

Brief and to the Point … >> Teemu Selanne’s breathtaking backhander made for a fine game-winning goal in the Penguins’ 2-1 loss to the Ducks last night. Hockey at its finest. But the game as a whole, as Kris Letang made clear afterward, was yet another in a long line of laughably officiated games around [...]