The Cook & Joe Show

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey and Austin Bechtold, from Friday, June 12th, 2026

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey: On this day in 2009 and 2016, the Penguins won the Stanley Cup. It was an incredible time in Pittsburgh sports. Who will be the next team to win a championship?

Hour 2 with Joe Starkey: Steelers reporter Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette joined the show. The Steelers are closing OTAs today and the young quarterbacks are getting all the reps. Ray thinks the Steelers are giving Will Howard every opportunity to win the backup job. Ray thinks Will Howard will end up on the team. Drew Allar has made "good progress" since starting his Steelers career. The Pirates have decisions to make on a multitude of players - Marcell Ozuna, Henry Davis, Dennis Santana, and Jared Triolo.

Hour 3 with Joe Starkey: Will Weiner of Pogopalooza joined the show. Pogopalooza is taking place this weekend. There will be a high jump competition tonight in Market Square. People are going over 10 feet in the air. WVU plays in the College World Series today. We thinks the Knicks will beat the Spurs in Game 6. We think Carolina will win the Stanley Cup Final. Don Kelly thinks the Pirates can compete with the best teams in the NL. He thinks the Pirates were right there with the Dodgers and also Atlanta. He thinks they battled and the lineup did well showing the Pirates could be in a good spot.

Hour 4 with Joe Starkey: Bob thinks Mitch Keller is looking for consistency and running into problems on the mound. Bob doesn't like how teams are handling starters. Bob doesn't think Keller's struggles are about trying to miss bats and is concerned the control isn't good right now. We discuss the Pirates Hall of Fame class with Wilber Cooper, John Candelaria, and Jack Wilson. This day in Pittsburgh Sports History.

This day in Pittsburgh Sports History - 6-12-2026. Stan Savran passed away three years ago. Jerry West died on this day. Pirates have a very important series against the Miami Marlins this weekend.

Pirates broadcaster Bob Walk joined the show. Bob thinks Mitch Keller is looking for consistency and running into problems on the mound. Bob doesn't like how teams are handling starters. Bob doesn't think Keller's struggles are about trying to miss bats and is concerned the control isn't good right now. We discuss the Pirates Hall of Fame class with Wilber Cooper, John Candelaria, and Jack Wilson. 

WVU plays in the College World Series today. We thinks the Knicks will beat the Spurs in Game 6. We think Carolina will win the Stanley Cup Final. Don Kelly thinks the Pirates can compete with the best teams in the NL. He thinks the Pirates were right there with the Dodgers and also Atlanta. He thinks they battled and the lineup did well showing the Pirates could be in a good spot.

Will Weiner of Pogopalooza joined the show. Pogopalooza is taking place this weekend. There will be a high jump competition tonight in Market Square. People are going over 10 feet in the air. They are trying to break the record over 12 feet. It's a niche sport and Will called it C- to D+ entertainment! They have performed at the Cavs game and also at the Spurs game.

Does Mitch Keller belong in the bullpen? The Pirates have decisions to make on a multitude of players. Marcell Ozuna, Henry Davis, Dennis Santana, and Jared Triolo have all struggled. We discuss if we would keep those players on the roster or who we would move on from. 

The Steelers are closing OTAs today and the young quarterbacks are getting all the reps. Ray thinks the Steelers are giving Will Howard every opportunity to win the backup job. Ray thinks Will Howard will end up on the team. Drew Allar has made "good progress" since starting his Steelers career. Mike McCarthy's practices are "extremely detailed." Keeanu Benton is a solid defensive lineman, but we wouldn't pay him $20 million.

Joe used to write stories with Pierre McGuire. Joe thinks the Penguins winning the Stanley Cup in 2009 trumps winning in 2016 and 2017. One caller thinks the Penguins have the best plan to win a championship. 

On this day in 2009 and 2016, the Penguins won the Stanley Cup. It was an incredible time in Pittsburgh sports. Who will be the next team to win a championship? Pittsburgh won SIX championships in the 1970s. Pittsburgh had FIVE titles in the 12 years from 2005-2017.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Thursday, June 11th, 2026

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: This was one of the greatest wins in PNC Park history. Oneil Cruz and Konnor Griffin are both out, and Tyler Callihan delivered. Joe is always going to remember how a random Wednesday night turned into a historic night with the Pirates, plus the Knicks cementing the largest comeback in NBA Finals history. The Pirates need a big threat in the bullpen.

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Oneil Cruz is going to be out a while with a hand injury. We sometimes react to baseball games like football games where one game can swing the entire season. What do you envision from the Pirates this summer? Joe was gifted a Bob McAdoo signed jersey. Joe wants to wear the jersey and take it with him to the beach, instead of framing it. Austin thinks Joe HAS to frame it and you shouldn't use or wear signed merch. Who do you agree with?

Hour 3 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: We continue to hear from people on if you should frame or wear/use signed jerseys and memorabilia. Has there ever been a year where the Stanley Cup Finals and the NBA Finals have been this compelling? Nine years ago, today, the Penguins won their fifth Stanley Cup in Nashville. Vince Lombardi was born on this date in 1913. Joe Montana was born on this day in 1956.

Hour 4 with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Jeff Hathhorn: Tyler Callihan had a great day and Jeff thinks Callihan wanted to prove that he belongs! Callihan thinks he's going to have better numbers in the majors because the games count and he is very focused and has an edge to prove that he belongs. Joe predicts Marcell Ozuna will hit two home runs tonight. Jordan Staal has been awesome for the Carolina Hurricanes and has five goals in the Stanley Cup Final.

Jordan Staal has been awesome for the Carolina Hurricanes and has five goals in the Stanley Cup Final. Could Staal win the Conn Smythe Award?

Tyler Callihan had a great day and Jeff thinks Callihan wanted to prove that he belongs! Callihan thinks he's going to have better numbers in the majors because the games count and he is very focused and has an edge to prove that he belongs. Joe predicts Marcell Ozuna will hit two home runs tonight. Jeff thinks Konnor Griffin is still a few weeks away.

This Date in Pittsburgh Sports History! 6-11-2026. Nine years ago, today, the Penguins won their fifth Stanley Cup in Nashville. Vince Lombardi was born on this date in 1913. Joe Montana was born on this day in 1956.

We continue to hear from people on if you should frame or wear/use signed jerseys and memorabilia. Has there ever been a year where the Stanley Cup Finals and the NBA Finals have been this compelling? 

Joe was gifted a Bob McAdoo signed jersey. Joe wants to wear the jersey and take it with him to the beach, instead of framing it. Austin thinks Joe HAS to frame it and you shouldn't use or wear signed merch. Who do you agree with?

Oneil Cruz is going to be out a while with a hand injury. We sometimes react to baseball games like football games where one game can swing the entire season. What do you envision from the Pirates this summer? Marcell Ozuna is 6-14 challenging strikes. Joe thinks Marcell Ozuna is going to hit two home runs. Spencer Horwitz is having a great season. Will fans be going to the ballpark if the Pirates are hanging around the wild card?

The Pirates need a big threat in the bullpen. Aroldis Chapman is the answer to some of the Pirates questions. Justin in Harmony went to the game and was amazed by the crowd. You felt something great was going to happen. No one left the stadium after 6-1 and people let it play out.

This was one of the greatest wins in PNC Park history. Oneil Cruz and Konnor Griffin are both out, and Tyler Callihan delivered. Callihan said he's going to be better in the Major Leagues than the minors because these games matter and he received a curtain call by the fans. Joe is always going to remember how a random Wednesday night turned into a historic night with the Pirates, plus the Knicks cementing the largest comeback in NBA Finals history.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Wednesday, June 10th, 2026

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey: The Pirates have no pitching depth. Are you starting to get a bad feeling about the Pirates? They are a half game out of a wild card spot. Marcell Ozuna is hitting .195 and has not had an extra base hit in his last seven games. He was booed and challenged a pitch early in the game that he didn't win again. How long can the Pirates keep Marcell Ozuna? Jeff Patton of Baseball Card Castle joined the show.

Hour 2 with Joe Starkey: Is Shohei Ohtani the greatest athlete of all time? Shohei Ohtani, Bo Jackson, LeBron James, Deion Sanders are all options. Who is the best athlete of our lifetimes? The three greatest athletes in Joe Starkey's lifetime. Joe: Ohtani, Bo Jackson, Michael Jordan.

Hour 3 with Joe Starkey and Mark Kaboly: Drew Allar and Will Howard are the only quarterbacks at OTAs. Rookies will be in the building next week too. He is trying to fix things with his mechanics. Mike McCarthy wants Allar and Howard to do footwork his way. Mark Kaboly thinks the Steelers have "no choice" but to extend Porter. Mark thinks Porter is likely going to hold-in like T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward. Steelers are poised to "purge the roster of older gentleman" after this season with older players like Cam Heyward and others potentially being gone if this season goes poorly.

Hour 4 with Joe Starkey: This date in sport history. Drafting the best Steelers backup quarterbacks of the 21st century:Pirates insider Jason Mackey joined the show. When is Ben Cherington going to acquire a bullpen arm? No one has asked Paul Skenes why he doesn't throw 100 mph anymore and Jason doesn't care. Oneil Cruz has a hand injury and occured on Saturday. Konnor Griffin has an elbow forearm injury. 

Pirates insider Jason Mackey joined the show. When is Ben Cherington going to acquire a bullpen arm? No one has asked Paul Skenes why he doesn't throw 100 mph anymore and Jason doesn't care. Oneil Cruz has a hand injury and occured on Saturday. Konnor Griffin has an elbow forearm injury.

Joe Starkey, Austin Bechtold, and Mark Kaboly draft the best Steelers backup QBs of the last 26 years.

Joe thinks it's going to take $50 million guaranteed for Joey Porter Jr.'s deal. Mark Kaboly thinks the Steelers have "no choice" but to extend Porter. Mark thinks Porter is likely going to hold-in like T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward. Steelers are poised to "purge the roster of older gentleman" after this season with older players like Cam Heyward and others potentially being gone if this season goes poorly.

Steelers insider Mark Kaboly joined the show. Drew Allar and Will Howard are the only quarterbacks at OTAs. Rookies will be in the building next week too. He is trying to fix things with his mechanics. Mike McCarthy wants Allar and Howard to do footwork his way.

The three greatest athletes in Joe Starkey's lifetime. Joe: Ohtani, Bo Jackson, Michael Jordan. Joe thinks Michael Jordan was getting better at baseball before he went back to the NBA. We hear from sports fans on who's the best athlete.

Who is the greatest athlete to ever live? Is Shohei Ohtani the greatest athlete of all time? Shohei Ohtani, Bo Jackson, LeBron James, Deion Sanders are all options. Who is the best athlete of our lifetimes?

Who can the Pirates call up from AAA? Are you worried about Wilber Dotel? Austin thinks he will be fine. We look at options for the bullpen. Jeff Patton of Baseball Card Castle joined the show. The General has a Shohei Ohtani card as Starkey's Card of the Week!

The Pirates have no pitching depth. Are you starting to get a bad feeling about the Pirates? They are a half game out of a wild card spot. Marcell Ozuna is hitting .195 and has not had an extra base hit in his last seven games. He was booed and challenged a pitch early in the game that he didn't win again. How long can the Pirates keep Marcell Ozuna? How much longer can the Pirates keep Henry Davis?

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Tuesday, June 9th, 2026

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey: We recap the Bob Pompeani 35th annual golf outing. Why are we not seeing the usual Paul Skenes right now? Ben Cherington said the World Baseball Classic may be a lingering effect of why Skenes has struggled his last four starts. Skenes has been good, but hasn't been elite. Are you worried about Paul Skenes?

Hour 2 with Joe Starkey: - It seems that MLB owners have seen the light with TV contracts and want to equality distribute the money. MLB is going to make HUGE money on TV deals when the deals are up in 2028. MLB needs a salary cap and a salary floor!! A quarterback question for every team from Dan Graziano.