The Cook & Joe Show

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Thursday, July 17th, 2025

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey: A week from today, the Steelers begin training camp. Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers arrive in Latrobe this year trying to prove that they still can win a big game. CBS Sports ranked Mike Tomlin as the 10th best coach in the NFL. What would be a successful season for the Steelers??

Hour 2 with Joe Starkey: . Poni was told an NFC West team reached out about trading for T.J. Watt and the Steelers said thanks but no thanks. Ryan Clark thinks Tomlin needs his Andy Reid run somewhere else. Would you trade Mitch Keller, Ke'Bryan Hayes, and IKF for Spencer Jones? Joe and Austin go back and forth on a deal and how valuable Mitch Keller is.

Hour 3 with Joe Starkey: Joe makes the case for Spencer Jones to be traded to the Pirates. Joe and Austin have a big argument and rants on the trade deadline and what to get for Mitch Keller and Ke'Bryan Hayes. How do the Pirates acquire bats in the organization?? Mitch Keller, David Bednar, and Dennis Santana are valuable.

Hour 4 with Joe Starkey and Jeff Hathhorn: Jonathan thinks Mitch Keller can fetch a top 100 caliber bat and sweeten the deal with smaller pieces. He doesn't put a ceiling on potential star Konnor Griffin could be up in mid 2026. Joe's quarter century team list is the greatest comeback since 2000. Pitt women's basketball had a 32-point comeback, the largest in NCAA history, and didn't make the list! Pitt didn't allow a point in the third quarter!

Joe's quarter century team list is the greatest comeback since 2000. Pitt women's basketball had a 32-point comeback, the largest in NCAA history, and didn't make the list! Pitt didn't allow a point in the third quarter! He doesn't have Sidney Crosby's return from the concussions.

Jonathan would be "very surprised" if the Pirates trade pieces from their system to acquire a bat. Mitch Keller can fetch a top 100 caliber bat and sweeten the deal with smaller pieces. He doesn't put a ceiling on potential star Konnor Griffin could be up in mid 2026.

Joe makes the case for Spencer Jones to be traded to the Pirates. Joe and Austin have a fun argument and rants on the trade deadline and what to get for Mitch Keller and Ke'Bryan Hayes.

Austin would not do that and thinks Joe isn't valuing Mitch Keller enough. Joe points to Jim Bowden saying the Yankees didn't want to deal him for ace Corbin Burnes. Jones is not ranked as a top 100 prospect.

Poni was told an NFC West team reached out about trading for T.J. Watt and the Steelers said thanks but no thanks. Ryan Clark said that Tomlin can discuss something complex and make it simple for the players. He thinks Tomlin needs his Andy Reid run somewhere else.

Caller Kyle thinks he has a better chance of beating Tiger Woods in nine holes than the Steelers being good. The Steelers have never had a full reset. Would Tomlin win with the KC Chiefs? Dave in Delmont thinks Tomlin is past his prime and has faded. Pulse of the People - fans are fired up. 

A week from today, the Steelers begin training camp. The Steelers are the most entertaining and intriguing team this season with the moves they made. Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers arrive in Latrobe this year trying to prove that they still can win a big game. CBS Sports ranked Mike Tomlin as the 10th best coach in the NFL.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Wednesday, July 16th, 2025

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey: Paul Skenes dominated in the All-Star Game. BREAKING - Pirates trade Adam Frazier to the Kansas City Royals for Cam Devanney. Donny's wedding is the talk of Pittsburgh. Joe is frustrated with Bryan Reynolds and Jason Stark picked him as a top 3 candidate for LVP. 

Hour 2 with Joe Starkey: Noah Hiles gives it a 10% chance for Oneil Cruz and 1% chance for Paul Skenes to sign a long-term extension. % chance players are dealt. Mark Kaboly said T.J. Watt wants five years, four years guaranteed, and to be the highest-paid edge rusher. Mark said that's the starting point, before the Steelers meet in the middle. The disconnect is being paid more than Garrett and the Steelers are going to point to Watt being 15 months older.

Hour 3 with Joe Starkey: Mark Kaboly's top 5 Steelers of the 21st century. Terry McLaurin is frustrated with his contract in Washington. Adam Schefter said the issue is years and guaranteed money and the sides aren't close. He still thinks the deal will get done.The head of the MLBPA says a salary cap would take baseball backward. Patrick Queen ranks No. 75 on the NFL Top 100 players.

Hour 4 with Joe Starkey: Our Pirates midseason awards and disappointments. One year ago, they were one game out of the wild card. First half MVP outside of Skenes. Devin McCourty told us Bill Belichick kept everyone in check and the Patriots did have a chip on their shoulder. Mike Tomlin's words on Antonio Brown's Facebook live had no effect on the Patriots.

Devin McCourty told us Bill Belichick kept everyone in check and the Patriots did have a chip on their shoulder. Mike Tomlin's words on Antonio Brown's Facebook live had no effect on the Patriots. He didn't have an issue with it. Dorian in McKees Rocks said he talked to Paul Skenes and Skenes doesn't ski.

We felt this season could have been successful for the Pirates in February. One year ago, they were one game out of the wild card. First half MVP outside of Skenes. Joe: Keller, Austin: McCutchen. Position player of the year: Austin: Cruz. Bryan Reynolds is the worst position player in WAR!

Terry McLaurin is frustrated with his contract in Washington. We would trade for him, but Washington won't. Adam Schefter said the issue is years and guaranteed money and the sides aren't close. Patrick Queen ranks No. 75 on the NFL Top 100 players.

Mark was NOT invited to Donny's wedding. Mark's top 5 Steelers of the 21st century: Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, Troy Polamalu, Alan Faneca, James Harrison. We hear Cam Heyward's reaction to Donny having Cam 8th on his best players of the last 25 years.

Mark Kaboly said T.J. Watt wants five years, four years guaranteed, and to be the highest-paid edge rusher. Mark said that's the starting point, before the Steelers meet in the middle. The disconnect is being paid more than Garrett and the Steelers are going to point to Watt being 15 months older. Watt will likely be a hold-in player who won't play in the preseason.

Noah gives it a 10% chance for Oneil Cruz and 1% chance for Paul Skenes to sign a long-term extension. Noah thinks both sides are wondering with Cruz if his full potential will be reached. He doesn't think Skenes will demand a trade, the Pirates will likely move him regardless. If they start winning, the conversation around Skenes changes. % chance players are dealt.

Donny's wedding is the talk of Pittsburgh. Josh Rowntree will officiate? Bengals first rounder Shemar Stewart has gone back to Texas A&M to work out with the team with his contract not signed. Oneil Cruz has a chance to be a 30/30 guy and is getting paid pre-arb money.

Paul Skenes dominated in the All-Star Game. Should Paul Skenes request a trade in the next year if the Pirates don't add bats? Austin called the situation embarrassing. The All-Star Game ended in a swing off instead of ending in a tie. BREAKING - Pirates trade Adam Frazier to the Kansas City Royals for Cam Devanney.

Wyndham Clark needs to do a few things before he's allow to play at Oakmont again. Joe and Austin react after Clark trashed the locker room following a frustrating round during the U.S. Open.

Joe and Limits react to Adam Frazier being moved to KC in exchange for a Triple-A infielder.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Tuesday, July 15th, 2025

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey: Oneil Cruz hit the most home runs of anyone in the first round of the Home Run Derby before being eliminated by Cal Raleigh in the second round. Mario Lemieux, Ron Burkle, and David Morehouse want to buy back the Penguins and Josh Yohe of The Athletic further confirmed their interest. Fans weigh in on Pat McAfee and his rise in media.

Hour 2 with Joe Starkey: Recapping the celebrity softball game, benefitting Cam Heyward's charity, The Heyward House. Devin thinks the Steelers have a chance in the AFC North, but he still picks Baltimore to win the division. He would take the Steelers over Cincinnati. Devin was surprised by the Minkah deal. He thinks the DK Metcalf trade is the most impactful, outside of Aaron Rodgers.

Hour 3 with Joe Starkey: Brian thinks DK Metcalf is the most impactful move the Steelers made, outside of quarterback. There is reason for some optimism for the Steelers not to go 9-8. Donny ranks Cam Heyward 8th on his Steelers of the last 25 years AND told Cam. Our top 5 Steelers of the last 25 years. Rob Manfred called out the economic system, but Manfred also helped create it.

Hour 4 with Joe Starkey: Michael agrees with Joe that payroll isn't indicative to wins and losses, but it definitely helps. Coaching and development is significant. Michael points to Milwaukee and how they operate with payroll and development to win. He still believes Oneil Cruz will be a great player and Cruz told Michael he wants to be the best. Donny had Cam Heyward 8th on his top 25 Steelers of the 21st century and Cam had him name them!

Duck Hodges has been going to country concerts and shares duck calling. Donny had Cam Heyward 8th on his top 25 Steelers of the 21st century and Cam had him name them!

Michael agrees with Joe that payroll isn't indicative to wins and losses, but it definitely helps. Coaching and development is significant. Michael points to Milwaukee and how they operate with payroll and development to win. He still believes Oneil Cruz will be a great player and Cruz told Michael he wants to be the best. Harry in West View calls in, but didn't mean to call in.

Luke Kuechly thinks the Steelers are the best defense in the NFL and have solid talent. Joe pushes back and thinks this has been a constant, that the Steelers haven't been tough enough on defense. Rob Manfred said they need to do something to try and change the course of the Pirates. He called out the economic system, but Manfred also helped create it.

Brian Batko thinks DK Metcalf is the most impactful move the Steelers made, outside of quarterback. There is reason for some optimism for the Steelers not to go 9-8. Donny ranks Cam Heyward 8th on his Steelers of the last 25 years AND told Cam. Our top 5 Steelers of the last 25 years.

NBC Sports analyst Devin McCourty joined the show. Devin thinks the Steelers have a chance in the AFC North, but he still picks Baltimore to win the division. He would take the Steelers over Cincinnati. He thinks the DK Metcalf trade is the most impactful, outside of Aaron Rodgers. He picks T.J. Watt over Myles Garrett due to having "more game-changing plays."

Austin talked to Joe Haden, Chris Kirkpatrick, Devin McCourty, Matt Light, and others! Callas pitched and Crowley made big plays. Dorin hit a big home run off Poni.

Fans weigh in on Pat McAfee and his rise in media. Some of our callers love McAfee. Fans also discuss rooting for Oneil Cruz in the Home Run Derby and what it was like at Forbes Field.

Oneil Cruz hit the most home runs of anyone in the first round of the Home Run Derby before being eliminated by Cal Raleigh in the second round. Mario Lemieux, Ron Burkle, and David Morehouse want to buy back the Penguins and Josh Yohe of The Athletic further confirmed their interest. Joe has confirmed they're interested.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Monday, July 14th, 2025

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey: Oneil Cruz will take part in the Home Run Derby tonight. Joe thinks the derby should be reserved for Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, and other top stars. Poni doesn't want to see Oneil Cruz win the Home Run Derby. We want Cruz to win and highlight the Pirates, but it's also frustrating because he's so talented but can't deliver.