The Cook & Joe Show

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, Matt Clement (11:45-2pm), and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Monday, August 3rd, 2026

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Joe said logically the Pirates should sell but our hearts wants them to buy! BUY OR SELL? Joe thinks the biggest story in Pittsburgh sports today is the sudden decline of Paul Skenes! The Pirates are 5-10 since the All-Star Game. They are in the range of teams that should sell. This is depressing.

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Aaron Rodgers is going to play 30-40 snaps in the preseason with Mike McCarthy. That means significantly fewer snaps for the young quarterbacks. The big picture with the Steelers is they don't have a quarterback, and they need to learn more about Drew Allar! MLB analyst Matt Clement joined the show. Matt thinks now it's either buy, or sell Lowe and do nothing. Matt would buy and try to acquire hitting, too.

Hour 3 with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Matt Clement: Are the Dodgers ruining baseball? They traded for Tarik Skubal and have an incredible rotation. Matt Clement doesn't think a salary cap is going to happen. Jo Adell has been traded to the Guardians and Taylor Ward traded to the Mariners. Where are the Pirates???

Hour 4 with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Matt Clement: Tim Tawa of the Diamondbacks broke up a perfect game with a bunt in the 6th inning. Matt Clement thinks that's kind of against baseball's unwritten rules. Only two players from the Pirates top 10 prospects list in 2021 are on the team! The Pirates have yet to make any impactful trades. Bob isn't a fan of Bill Murphy and Matt Clement thinks Murphy must be feeling the pressure.

The Pirates have yet to make any impactful trades! Bob isn't a fan of Bill Murphy and Matt Clement thinks Murphy must be feeling the pressure.

Tim Tawa of the Diamondbacks broke up a perfect game with a bunt in the 6th inning. Matt Clement thinks that's kind of against baseball's unwritten rules. Only two players from the Pirates top 10 prospects list in 2021 are on the team! The Pirates could have signed Kyle Schwarber or even trade him at the trading deadline. 

The Guardians only gave up the 17th best prospect for Jo Adell. The returns have not been substantial for players. Where are the Pirates? Ben Cherington is not being aggressive. Bob and Austin think there is a 25% chance they make the playoffs. Matt thinks 18% but Joe thinks 2%. The Cubs and Phillies are making significant moves.

Are the Dodgers ruining baseball? They traded for Tarik Skubal and have an incredible rotation. Matt doesn't think a salary cap is going to happen. It should. Matt said a cap was never considered when he was a player. Jo Adell has been traded to the Guardians and Taylor Ward traded to the Mariners.

MLB analyst Matt Clement joined the show. Matt thinks now it's either buy, or sell Lowe and do nothing. Matt would buy and try to acquire hitting, too. Jo Adell and Taylor Ward make sense to bring in a right-handed bat. Matt thinks Paul Skenes' struggles are very alarming, and the league is somewhat figuring him out. 

Joe is bingewatching Ted Lasso. Aaron Rodgers is going to play 30-40 snaps in the preseason with Mike McCarthy. That means significantly fewer snaps for the young quarterbacks. The big picture with the Steelers is they don't have a quarterback, and they need to learn more about Drew Allar!

The Pirates are 5-10 since the All-Star Game. They are in the range of teams that should sell. This is depressing. The Yankees got Luis Garcia, the Dodgers acquired Skubal, and the Phillies traded for Luis Arraez. Joe doesn't think Ben Cherington will make a big move. 

Joe said logically the Pirates should sell but our hearts wants them to buy! BUY OR SELL? Joe thinks the biggest story in Pittsburgh sports today is the sudden decline of Paul Skenes. Joe thinks it's best to trade Brandon Lowe and try to trade Mitch Keller. Ben Cherington's job may be on the line. The Pirates have put them in a difficult spot.

There's a new look at St. Vincent with Mike McCarthy in charge and the Pirates struggled this week as the trade deadline approaches.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Friday, July 31st, 2026

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey: This is the worst Joe has felt about the Pirates all year. We all knew they were going to lose in the 9th. Joe thinks it was a bad decision that Mason Montgomery didn't pitch the 9th inning after seven pitches in the 8th. The Pirates are 2-6 in their last eight games. The Pirates and Brewers are in on Mets relief pitcher Luke Weaver!

Hour 2 with Joe Starkey: The Pirates are interested in Luke Weaver. The Mets have interest in Murf Gray and Sammy Stafura according to a report by Michael Marino. The Pirates and Brewers are both interested in Weaver and it may cause a bidding war. Ken Rosenthal said that Seth Hernandez is in heavy demand. Would you trade Seth Hernandez for Mason Miller?

Hour 3 with Joe Starkey: Jason Mackey said that the Pirates are interested in Luke Weaver but imagines it would take a player like Murf Gray. He thinks Murf Gray would be the right move to trade for Weaver. Jason thinks for the right deal, the Pirates will trade anyone not named Seth Hernandez. The Penguins signed Tommy Novak to a three-year extension for $4.65 million per season. Should the Pirates pursue Robbie Ray??

Hour 4 with Joe Starkey: Pirates broadcaster Bob Walk joined the show. The Pirates bullpen has been better but Bob admits its been bad in the 9th inning. Starters are not pitching deep enough and the inconsistency of the bullpen has been partially because the rotation isn't helping. Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo joined the show. Steelers practice today was a walk-through and McCarthy seriously focuses on clutch time and working on what to do in the last drive. Ray doesn't think they will keep four quarterbacks. Ray thinks the quarterbacks will find a way to get enough reps.

Steelers practice today was a walk-through and McCarthy seriously focuses on clutch time and working on what to do in the last drive. Ray doesn't think they will keep four quarterbacks. Ray thinks the quarterbacks will find a way to get enough reps. Joey Porter Jr. comes down for half of the practice but has been on the side with Jalen Ramsey.

The Pirates bullpen has been better but Bob admits its been bad in the 9th inning. Starters are not pitching deep enough and the inconsistency of the bullpen has been partially because the rotation isn't helping. Steve Blass was a great reliever and we recall how great of a golfer he can be. Bob thinks the Pirates need to get the offense back on track. 

The Penguins signed Tommy Novak to a three-year extension for $4.65 million per season. Should the Pirates pursue Robbie Ray? Tony Romo is on leave from CBS. T.J. Watt was ranked the No. 41 player on the NFL Top 100 Players

Jason said that the Pirates are interested in Luke Weaver but imagines it would take a player like Murf Gray. He thinks Murf Gray would be the right move to trade for Weaver. Jason thinks for the right deal, the Pirates will trade anyone not named Seth Hernandez.  Jason doesn't see a package coming along where Hernandez is included in a deal. Sammy Stafura is becoming a headliner for a deal.

The Pirates are interested in Luke Weaver. The Mets have interest in Murf Gray and Sammy Stafura according to a report by Michael Marino. The Pirates and Brewers are both interested in Weaver and it may cause a bidding war. Ken Rosenthal said that Seth Hernandez is in heavy demand. The Pirates are unlikely to trade Hernandez, even in a package for Mason Miller.

If the Pirates get swept, Austin thinks they should buy but not be as aggressive with moves at the trade deadline. The Pirates have to prove they're not just a good story. The Pirates and Brewers are in on Mets relief pitcher Luke Weaver. 

This is the worst Joe has felt about the Pirates all year. We all knew they were going to lose in the 9th. Joe thinks it was a bad decision that Mason Montgomery didn't pitch the 9th inning after seven pitches in the 8th. The Pirates are 2-6 in their last eight and the offense is now slumping, it's hurting them. The Pirates haven't pushed Mason Montgomery for two innings this year.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Austin Bechtold, from Thursday, July 30th, 2026

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Bob was at the first day of training camp. Bob noticed how quick the Steelers ran their practice was a fast pace and they don't waste any time. Charlie Batch is adamant the Steelers are not going to keep four quarterbacks. Pat Bostick would be shocked if the Steelers keep four quarterbacks. Gerry Dulac said in the Steelers situation, why wouldn't you keep four? Ted in Connecticut, who knows Joe, calls in to talk about pickleball.

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Adam Thielen said it was stressful playing with Aaron Rodgers. If you don't see or understand Rodgers' hand signals at the line that it could make a bad relationship with Rodgers. How does this effect Roman Wilson and Germie Bernard? How much of an impact does a baseball manager have? Joe wants to golf. Mark DeRosa proposed the Pirates acquire Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes for Carmen Mlodzinski and Termarr Johnson.

Hour 3 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: The LA Angels traded reliever Chase Silseth to the Rangers and takes one pitcher off the board for the Pirates. Austin's proposed Mason Miller deal. Austin thinks the Pirates could deal Carmen Mlodzinski, Edward Florentino, the Password, and Sammy Stafura. Would you trade Bubba Chandler? We hear from Pirates fans. They're feeling pessimistic. A debate with Greg in Youngstown on how good of a player that Nick Gonzales is. 

Hour 4 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Baker Mayfield doesn't think he is being recognized for his value. Cam Heyward said he would like to play AT LEAST two more years. Keeanu Benton is not playing anywhere near nose. Bob in Monongahela wants people to enjoy the run for the Pirates and being competitive! Sports Director Jeff Hathhorn joined the show. The Steelers were more in a rhythm today. DK Metcalf had a good day. Aaron Rodgers had a great practice. Will Howard ended practice with an interception. Accuracy and timing are so much different for Rodgers compared to Howard and Drew Allar.

Sports Director Jeff Hathhorn joined the show. The Steelers were more in a rhythm today. DK Metcalf had a good day. Aaron Rodgers had a great practice. Will Howard ended practice with an interception. Accuracy and timing are so much different for Rodgers compared to Howard and Drew Allar. Broderick Jones is still looking to add on another 15 pounds. 

Baker Mayfield doesn't think he is being recognized for his value. Cam Heyward said he would like to play AT LEAST two more years. Keeanu Benton is not playing anywhere near nose. Bob in Monongahela wants people to enjoy the run for the Pirates and being competitive! 

We hear from Pirates fans. They're feeling pessimistic. A debate with Greg in Youngstown on how good of a player that Nick Gonzales is. 

The LA Angels traded reliever Chase Silseth to the Rangers and takes one pitcher off the board for the Pirates. Austin's proposed Mason Miller deal. Austin thinks the Pirates could deal Carmen Mlodzinski, Edward Florentino, the Password, and Sammy Stafura. Would you trade Bubba Chandler?

Joe wants to golf. Mark DeRosa proposed the Pirates acquire Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes for Carmen Mlodzinski and Termarr Johnson. A heated debate on if the Pirates are utilizing Carmen Mlodzinski the right way. Bob and Austin think they haven't. 

Adam Thielen said it was stressful playing with Aaron Rodgers. If you don't see or understand Rodgers' hand signals at the line that it could make a bad relationship with Rodgers. How does this effect Roman Wilson and Germie Bernard? How much of an impact does a baseball manager have? Joe doesn't think it's that much. Gennings Dunker was with the third team. Drew Allar had an up and down day, but made arguably the best throw of the day.

Ted in Connecticut, who knows Joe, calls in to talk about pickleball. Ted was on vacation with Joe. Is Ted Joe's brother? Joe is trying to figure out how to play golf in all 50 of the states. 

The Pirates are frustration and excitement at once. Bob was at the first day of training camp. Bob noticed how quick the Steelers ran their practice was a fast pace and they don't waste any time. Charlie Batch is adamant the Steelers are not going to keep four quarterbacks. Pat Bostick would be shocked if the Steelers keep four quarterbacks. Gerry Dulac said in the Steelers situation, why wouldn't you keep four?

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Wednesday, July 29th, 2026

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey: Joe, Austin, and Donny Football went to the game with listener Steve in Latrobe. Denzel Ward signed for two years, $62 million with $52 million guaranteed. Joey Porter Jr. is going to command a big contract. Joe shares the story of getting a tattoo. We think the Steelers could play it safe and go with Mason Rudolph. . DK Metcalf said him and Aaron Rodgers were sometimes walking on eggshells on the field.

Hour 2 with Joe Starkey: Joe is upset is daughter is going to college in a couple weeks. Is Braxton Ashcraft getting fatigued? Seth Hernandez has an oblique injury and is out for 6-8 weeks. Matt Clement doesn't think he will be back and think it can be beneficial for the Pirates to limit his innings.