Podcast appearances and mentions of Ben Cherington

The Winter of Ben continues! Ryan O'Hearn signs a 2-year deal worth $29 million (plus incentives) to come play for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates add another lefty with much needed pop and on-base skills to get them to become a real legit contender in the NL Central. We give our initial reactions and break down this singing for Ben Cherington. Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee Use Promo Code NS9 for 30% off your first order at https://www.gritily.com Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show! NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com ►Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine ►Website: https://www.northshorenine.com ►Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine ►Discord: https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

BREAKING: The Pirates have signed Ryan O'Hearn to a 2-year deal. Ben Cherington is starting to make things happen. Can you believe it? How are we feeling?

A Tomlin Tuesday has us continuing to follow the DK Metcalf situation today. Mike Tomlin wasn't allowed to dive too deep into the entire thing because he eluded to legal actions being taken outside of football. We wondered how all of this escalated and what is going on with the fan, Ryan Kennedy, who targeted Metcalf in the heckling incident that resulted in Metcalf throwing a punch. How messy is this going to get? BREAKING: The Pirates have signed Ryan O'Hearn to a 2-year deal. Ben Cherington is starting to make things happen. Can you believe it? How are we feeling? Jeremy Conn from The Big Bad Morning Show in Baltimore joined the show. Jeremy told the guys what the Pirates are getting in Ryan O'Hearn. He described him as a ‘great' clubhouse guy and someone fans will love against right-handed pitching. Jeremy said O'Hearn plays a decent first-base, but could also serve as a DH and just worry about his bat.

Ben Cherington just made the biggest trade of his Pirates tenure — and it might finally change the direction of this franchise. On this episode of Bucco Brew, we break down the blockbuster deal that sent Mike Burrows out of Pittsburgh and brought back Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum, and Mason Montgomery. We dive into why this move matters, how Lowe immediately upgrades the offense, what Mangum adds to the lineup mix, and why Montgomery gives the Pirates another intriguing arm. Is this the most impactful trade Cherington has ever made? Does this deal signal that the Pirates are finally shifting from asset accumulation to contention? And what does this move mean for the rest of the offseason and the 2026 roster? We're digging into the numbers, the roster fit, and the bigger picture for a team that suddenly looks a lot closer to competing. Subscribe, like, and join the conversation — Bucco Brew is live for Pirates fans who want real analysis and real talk. Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee Use Promo Code NS9 for 30% off your first order at https://www.gritily.com Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show! NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com ►Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine ►Website: https://www.northshorenine.com ►Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine ►Discord: https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Jason Mackey and Colin Beazley recap the Pirates' moves at the MLB winter meetings in Orlando, Fla. Were they able to land any big free agents or trade acquisitions? What do Ben Cherington's words tell us about their strategy for the offseason? Does this signal a new monetary strategy from Bob Nutting? Where does this leave the team for the upcoming season? And what can we expect from the rest of the offseason? Our duo tackles those topics and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Pirates made a signing last night, but it's not one to get very excited about. Gregory Soto, a 2X All Star lefty reliever, isn't knocking the guys' socks off. Poni, a split-fan between the Pirates and Mets, said Soto was a terrible pitcher in New York. The guys spent time knocking this signing before jumping down the throat of Ben Cherington for another bad off-season move to add to the resume. The big question is – why is a left-handed reliever the first move the Pirates made?

Former MLB pitcher Matt Clement joined the show. Matt thinks the effort for Kyle Schwarber was ‘legit' on the Pirates' end, but getting him away from a big market like Philadelphia was already an uphill battle. He's not sure what kind of offer would have lured Schwarber away from the Phillies. Did the Pirates have any chance at Pete Alonso and were they even interested? The guys asked Matt about the Scott Boras factor and if he will still push his clients to simply take the most money if that money is coming from the Pirates. Matt reacted to the Gregory Soto signing and thinks it's a ‘great' pickup for the bullpen that needed a left-handed reliever. Matt credited Ben Cherington for putting together a group that has a strong pitching staff, but certainly has holdups on what he has acquired offensively. Matt thinks there needs to be a conglomerate of hitters to turn things around.

The Pirates made a signing last night, but it's not one to get very excited about. Gregory Soto, a 2X All Star lefty reliever, isn't knocking the guys' socks off. Poni, a split-fan between the Pirates and Mets, said Soto was a terrible pitcher in New York. The guys spent time knocking this signing before jumping down the throat of Ben Cherington for another bad off-season move to add to the resume. The big question is – why is a left-handed reliever the first move the Pirates made? Former MLB pitcher Matt Clement joined the show. Matt thinks the effort for Kyle Schwarber was ‘legit' on the Pirates' end, but getting him away from a big market like Philadelphia was already an uphill battle. He's not sure what kind of offer would have lured Schwarber away from the Phillies. Did the Pirates have any chance at Pete Alonso and were they even interested? The guys asked Matt about the Scott Boras factor and if he will still push his clients to simply take the most money if that money is coming from the Pirates. Matt reacted to the Gregory Soto signing and thinks it's a ‘great' pickup for the bullpen that needed a left-handed reliever. Matt credited Ben Cherington for putting together a group that has a strong pitching staff, but certainly has holdups on what he has acquired offensively. Matt thinks there needs to be a conglomerate of hitters to turn things around. Former Penguin Tyler Kennedy joined the show. TK reacted to the Penguins losing a game last night after giving up the tying goal with 0.1 seconds remaining. He said it happened because they never thought it would happen. Tyler feels like the team has lost a little bit of their swagger, specifically when they get into shootout situations, where they continue to lose. He said it takes one win for them in that spot to maybe get things rolling. TK talked about some of the things guys need to learn when approaching a shootout. Tyler deciphered the difference between going down the ice in a shootout versus doing it via a breakaway. TK said it's all about a goalie being about to read the blade and puck placement.

Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Jason Mackey and Colin Beazley recap Day 1 of the MLB winter meetings in Orlando, Fla. This show is presented by FanDuel. Which rumors related to the team are real? And which are fake? Particularly with regard to reports tying them to free agent power hitter Kyle Schwarber? Could GM Ben Cherington and manager Don Kelly make a big move involving their pitching depth, which includes names like Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Jared Jones, Braxton Ashcraft, Mike Burrows and Bubba Chandler? What's the future with the organization for big names past, present and future including Andrew McCutchen, Konnor Griffin and Oneil Cruz? And what did the front office have to say about the trade involving Johan Oviedo and Jhostynxon Garcia? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The North Shore Nine crew wrapped Day One of the Winter Meetings with a surprisingly lively start for the Pittsburgh Pirates, even without any major moves. Ben Cherington and Don Kelly spoke, offering clarity on the team's urgency, their pursuit of multiple bats, and why the Kyle Schwarber offer dominated every hallway conversation. The front office stressed external additions, emphasized that Jhostynxon Garcia is only one small piece, and made it clear they're aiming to build a 2026 playoff roster. Don Kelly also shared what winning in Pittsburgh means to him as a hometown manager. Plenty more coverage is coming all week, so be sure to watch or listen to the full recap. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Pirates and Red Sox just dropped a stunner: a five-player trade sending Johan Oviedo to Boston and bringing Jhostynxon García and pitching prospect Jesús Travieso to Pittsburgh, with Tyler Samaniego and Adonys Guzman also included in the deal. So… we're going live. Join us for an emergency NS9 breakdown as we sort through why this move happened, what the Pirates are really getting back, and how losing Oviedo reshapes the rotation and the offseason strategy. We'll dig into the reporting from Robert Murray and Jeff Passan, evaluate the return, and talk through what this signals about Ben Cherington's plans heading into 2026. Set your reminder and hop in the chat when we go live — where Pirates fans gather for fun, insight, and a little therapy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

BREAKING: Aaron Rodgers did not practice today, which has his status up in the air for Sunday. Poni is going to the Penguins game tonight, but forgot to do an errand his wife asked him to complete. We heard audio from Pirates president Travis Williams getting into the team's off-season plan/moves. Given that Williams is more of the off-the-field guy, how much weight do we let these comments carry? Does Ben Cherington have what he needs to get the job done? Former MLB pitcher Matt Clement joined the show. The guys asked Matt about any spots on Thanksgiving Eve where the boys used to get after it in Butler. Matt hopes something finally comes to fruition with the Pirates off-season unlike all of the years in the past. Matt thinks this should be the best opportunity for Ben Cherington to get the job done, hopefully. Matt believes there could be a ‘Pirates tax' to attract free agents if they are in a bidding war against big market teams. Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk joined the show. Did Mike have any spots in Wheeling to go out on Thanksgiving Eve back in the day? Mike still doesn't think there is much of a drop-off between Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph, if the Steelers have to sit Rodgers versus Buffalo. The guys are surprised that Rodgers would all of the sudden listen to doctors. Mike said it's not good for anyone involved with the Steelers if they miss the playoffs and it will be even worse for Mike Tomlin if they finish below .500 for the first time in his career. He compared the Steelers to the guy in his late 20's that still shows up to the high school party wearing his letterman jacket. Mike said teams are constantly monitoring Tomlin's situation with the Steelers, but how much longer would teams be lining up for him if he were to become available? Mike agreed with Colin Cowherd that Tomlin would have been fired by certain organizations around the league due to not winning a playoff game in almost 10 years. Mike reiterated his feel about the Steelers pride in having 3 coaches in 50+ years. He believes the Steelers could still net a pretty good return in a trade if they dangled Tomlin out there. Mike was trying to remember what kind of hair he had in high school. Mike goes with the white meat on Thanksgiving and isn't worried about the dryness of his turkey.

Former MLB pitcher Matt Clement joined the show. The guys asked Matt about any spots on Thanksgiving Eve where the boys used to get after it in Butler. Matt hopes something finally comes to fruition with the Pirates off-season unlike all of the years in the past. Matt thinks this should be the best opportunity for Ben Cherington to get the job done, hopefully. Matt believes there could be a ‘Pirates tax' to attract free agents if they are in a bidding war against big market teams.

The window is finally cracking open in Pittsburgh… but will the Pirates actually spend enough to take advantage of it? Tonight on NS9LIVE, we break down the new Baseball America column asking whether it's even possible for the Pirates to fail with Paul Skenes and Konnor Griffin headlining the future. Are these two truly “can't fail” talents, or is history more complicated than the headline suggests? We also dive into Ben Cherington's latest comments about having “flexibility” and being ready to “spend a little” this offseason. Is that real progress, or the same song Pirates fans have heard for years? And of course… the noise around Paul Skenes and the Yankees. How worried should fans actually be? Join us for a full breakdown, real fan perspective, and live reactions. Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee Use Promo Code NS9 for 30% off your first order at https://www.gritily.com Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show! NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com ►Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine ►Website: https://www.northshorenine.com ►Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine ►Discord: Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pirates insider Jason Mackey from the PG joined the show. Jason thought Paul Skenes struck a lot of the right cords last night in his words to the front office as they dive into the offseason, fresh off winning his first Cy Young award. The guys discussed Skenes not completely bashing the NJ dot com story about him wanting to play for the Yankees and the diplomatic approach he took to the questions. Jason doesn't think Bob Nutting will change his approach with a threat of Skenes wanting to play elsewhere. Jason said Bob, somehow, has faith in Ben Cherington and Travis Williams as we sit in November. Jason predicts Nutting to spend, maybe, $5M more in free agency, but what would that really net them? Jason thinks Skenes will win 2 more Cy Young awards before he leaves Pittsburgh.

Paul Skenes won the 2025 NL Cy Young award by a unanimous decision last night. We listened to Paul's words and read the quotes as we continued to react to the report that came out yesterday regarding his ‘dream' to play for the Yankees. How does that make us feel? Chris thinks Skenes made some odd little missteps in his words that weren't really denying the story. He jumped from the Air Force to LSU after 2 years – what is stopping him this time? Donny believes he views helping the Pirates to the playoffs as a challenge that goes beyond the individual accolades he collects. How do fans feel about the future of Paul Skenes? Pirates insider Jason Mackey from the PG joined the show. Jason thought Paul Skenes struck a lot of the right cords last night in his words to the front office as they dive into the offseason, fresh off winning his first Cy Young award. The guys discussed Skenes not completely bashing the NJ dot com story about him wanting to play for the Yankees and the diplomatic approach he took to the questions. Jason doesn't think Bob Nutting will change his approach with a threat of Skenes wanting to play elsewhere. Jason said Bob, somehow, has faith in Ben Cherington and Travis Williams as we sit in November. Jason predicts Nutting to spend, maybe, $5M more in free agency, but what would that really net them? Jason thinks Skenes will win 2 more Cy Young awards before he leaves Pittsburgh.

Ben Cherington says he'll have 'more flexibility,' but will he really? Hear award-winning columnist Dejan Kovacevic's Daily Shots of Steelers, Penguins and Pirates -- three separate podcasts -- every weekday morning on the DK Pittsburgh Sports podcasting network, available on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/dkpghsports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear award-winning columnist Dejan Kovacevic's Daily Shots of Steelers, Penguins and Pirates -- three separate podcasts -- every weekday morning on the DK Pittsburgh Sports podcasting network, available on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/dkpghsports Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Jason Mackey and Colin Beazley break down GM Ben Cherington's options in left field this offseason. Should he consider making moves for veterans including Taylor Ward, Jo Adell, Mike Yastrzemski and Brandon Lowe? Or should they stick to internal options? Who are the top candidates to fill the bench coach role on manager Don Kelly's coaching staff? And when will we see prospects like Termarr Johnson, Konnor Griffin and Edward Florentino in the offensive lineup? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Jason Mackey and Colin Beazley continue their series of podcasts looking back on the 2025 season and forward at moves GM Ben Cherington and manager Don Kelly could make to improve. Did Henry Davis become good enough defensively to overcome his offensive shortcomings? Should Joey Bart have a role on this team as a struggling defender? And where do Endy Rodriguez and Rafael Flores fit into the future at the position? The guys ponder those questions as well as the DH spot, where Andrew McCutchen's future looms large. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The big lockout theory for keeping Ben Cherington. Hear award-winning columnist Dejan Kovacevic's Daily Shots of Steelers, Penguins and Pirates -- three separate podcasts -- every weekday morning on the DK Pittsburgh Sports podcasting network, available on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/dkpghsports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More excellence underway with Ben Cherington's first move! Hear award-winning columnist Dejan Kovacevic's Daily Shots of Steelers, Penguins and Pirates -- three separate podcasts -- every weekday morning on the DK Pittsburgh Sports podcasting network, available on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/dkpghsports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MLB Trade Rumors just dropped their projected 2026 arbitration figures, and there are some tough decisions ahead for Ben Cherington and the Pirates' front office. From Joey Bart's $2.7M projection to Oneil Cruz's $3.6M, the numbers tell a story about who's earned a raise — and who might be on the bubble. On this episode of North Shore Nine LIVE, we're breaking down every name, debating who should return, and what these figures say about the Pirates' 2026 payroll strategy. We'll cover: ⚾️ Who's worth bringing back?

Ben Cherington's (quite literal) money quote. Hear award-winning columnist Dejan Kovacevic's Daily Shots of Steelers, Penguins and Pirates -- three separate podcasts -- every weekday morning on the DK Pittsburgh Sports podcasting network, available on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/dkpghsports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pirates keeping Ben Cherington, does that mean Andrew McCutchen is gone? Steelers odds on favorite to win AFC North and will the Penguins be any good?

Pirates keeping Ben Cherington, does that mean Andrew McCutchen is gone? Steelers odds on favorite to win AFC North and will the Penguins be any good?

Pirates keeping Ben Cherington, does that mean Andrew McCutchen is gone? Steelers odds on favorite to win AFC North and will the Penguins be any good?

The 2025 Pittsburgh Pirates season has officially come to a close — and NS9LIVE! is here to break it all down. Don Kelly is back, Ben Cherington is back, but Oscar Marin, Mike Rabelo, and Brent Strom are all out. We dive into what those changes mean for the organization moving forward, plus revisit our preseason predictions to see how right (or wrong) we were. The crew also reflects on the highs, lows, and frustrations of the season while reviewing their Over/Under Predictions heading into this season to see how they fared and who came out victorious. Catch the full breakdown, the banter, and the therapy session every Pirates fan needs right now. Watch the full episode and subscribe for more Pirates talk all offseason long. Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee Use Promo Code NS9 for 30% off your first order at https://www.gritily.com Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show! NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com ►Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine ►Website: https://www.northshorenine.com ►Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine ►Discord: https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m ►BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/northshorenine.bsky.social Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson wonder what Pirates' GM Ben Cherington has done to warrant his return for the 2026 season.

-Poni is producing the show for the 1st time and doing a masterful job. He's making it look quite easy as a matter of fact. Donny is hosting and starts the show by talking about the #1 issue facing the Pirates this offseason: their need for hitting help. And why Mitch Keller is the player that needs traded to get hitting help. Mullsy pontificates about Keller going to a new team and becoming a star. "I need someone here who can hit." Mullsy he used the word "WAR" more than time in his life. -Calls are supposed to be on the Pirates but the show has already gone off the rails. -Jason Mackey, PG Pirates writer joined the show. He thinks the Pirates payroll will be around $90 million. He was surprised that Ben Cherington was retained. The Pirates want to get rid of Mitch Keller because he's not good enough to justify his salary. Jason reports Oscar Marin was fired because of what Pirates pitchers said about him in player exit interviews. Mackey believes Andrew McCutchen has played his last game with the Pirates.

Jason Mackey, PG Pirates writer joined the show. He thinks the Pirates payroll will be around $90 million. He was surprised that Ben Cherington was retained. The Pirates want to get rid of Mitch Keller because he's not good enough to justify his salary. Jason reports Oscar Marin was fired because of what Pirates pitchers said about him in player exit interviews. Mackey believes Andrew McCutchen has played his last game with the Pirates.

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani: The Pirates are keeping Ben Cherington and Don Kelly. Bob wanted the Pirates to move on from Cherington and was surprised that he stayed. Bob wants to see the Pirates sign Pete Alonso. The Pirates are moving on from Oscar Marin, Brent Strom, and Mike Rabello. Pirates fans are irritated that the Pirates are keeping members of the front office that have put this 71-win team together.

Dan was somewhat surprised the Pirates moved on from Oscar Marin. It's hard to justify why Ben Cherington is back. Dan thinks there will be more money flowing throughout the sport for other franchises with a cap and floor. He doesn't believe the Pirates have the revenue for a $120 million payroll.

The Pirates are keeping Ben Cherington and Don Kelly. Bob wanted the Pirates to move on from Cherington and was surprised that he stayed. Bob wants to see the Pirates sign Pete Alonso. The Pirates are moving on from Oscar Marin, Brent Strom, and Mike Rabello. Why are the Pirates moving on from their pitching coach??

Hour 4 with Donny Football: Pirates President Travis Wiliams said the Pirates are dedicated to make the playoffs, "Period. Full stop." He said they have the best young pitching staff in baseball. The Pirates offense is not close to being good enough to win. Recapping our Pirates record predictions. Donny and Austin make their World Series picks.

Hour 1 with Donny Football: The Pirates are bringing back manager Don Kelly and general manager Ben Cherington. He is 365-505 as Pirates GM. Pirates fans weigh in and voice their frustration with Ben Cherington coming back.

Hour 3 with Donny Football: Bob Nutting called this full season unacceptable, but is bringing back Travis Williams and Ben Cherington. Noah doesn't understand how these guys are back. Multiple players were outspoken about the team and players went out of their way to let him know how bad things went. Noah thinks the Pirates will trade Mitch Keller and likely be an underwhelming return. Bengals lose and are in trouble of falling apart with their quarterback play with Jake Browning.

Pirates President Travis Wiliams said the Pirates are dedicated to make the playoffs, "Period. Full stop." He said they have the best young pitching staff in baseball.  The Pirates offense needs significant additions to be close to winning. Williams said the historically bad offensive season can be taken care of.

Bob Nutting called this full season unacceptable, but is bringing back Travis Williams and Ben Cherington. Noah doesn't understand how Cherington and Williams are back. Multiple players were outspoken about the team and players went out of their way to let him know how bad things went. Noah thinks the Pirates will trade Mitch Keller and likely be an underwhelming return.

The Pirates are bringing back manager Don Kelly and general manager Ben Cherington. Cherington is 365-505 as Pirates GM. Cherington finished in last place in Boston every season except the season they won the World Series. The Pirates were worse this year than the last two seasons. They haven't shown enough to give fans hope.

Bucco Brew Powered by De Fer Coffee & Tea. The North Shore Nine crew dives into the Post-Gazette's hard-hitting story on the Pirates' frustrating 2025 season—spotlighting Paul Skenes' pointed comments, Bob Nutting's ownership decisions, and the growing calls for Ben Cherington's job. We break down the best quotes and what they mean for the front office, the clubhouse, and the future of the franchise. To lighten things up, we also take on Alex Stumpf's year-end Sporcle challenge, trying to name all 57 Pirates who suited up this season—with plenty of laughs and a few surprises along the way. Noah Hiles' article: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2025/09/29/mlb-pirates-bob-nutting-ben-cherington-paul-skenes-andrew-mccutchen/stories/202509290003 Presented by Fanduel Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee Use Promo Code NS9 for 30% off your first order at https://www.gritily.com Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show! NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myspreadshop.com ►Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine ►Website: https://www.northshorenine.com ►Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine ►Discord: https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m ►BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/northshorenine.bsky.social Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, Don Kelly and the Pittsburgh Pirates agreed to an extension bringing him back as the skipper of the 2026 Pirates. It was also announced immediately after his press conference that General Manager Ben Cherington has been reassured that he will return for the 2026 season. Seems like not much change is happening among the front office immediately after the Pirates finished with 91 losses. Thoughts? The NS9 Postgame Show Powered By Primanti Bros. discuss today's Pittsburgh Pirates game vs. the Chicago Cubs Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee Use Promo Code NS9 for 30% off your first order at https://www.gritily.com Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show! NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com ►Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine ►Website: https://www.northshorenine.com ►Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine ►Discord: https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m ►BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/northshorenine.bsky.social Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hour 4 with Donny Football: Don Kelly AND Ben Cherington will speak to the media at 3:30 p.m. This makes us believe Cherington will be here next year. Bob Nutting said this season was "unacceptable." Why is Cherington going to stay?? Greg in Youngstown is irritated the Cleveland Guardians also can't hit but got hot at the right time and made the postseason. The Pirates are keeping Don Kelly and likely Ben Cherington. Will they finally add offense?

Greg in Youngstown is irritated the Cleveland Guardians also can't hit but got hot at the right time and made the postseason. The Pirates are keeping Don Kelly and likely Ben Cherington. Will they finally add offense? Jack Suwinski, Henry Davis, Oneil Cruz, and many others hurt the team a ton offensively.

Don Kelly AND Ben Cherington will speak to the media at 3:30 p.m. This makes us believe Cherington will be here next year. Bob Nutting said this season was "unacceptable." Will Ben Cherington still be here?? Noah Hiles had a great story in the Post-Gazette today where an anonymous Pirates player called out the Pirates for not spending and saying that you get what you pay for.

Ben Cherington's status seems shakier than ever. Hear award-winning columnist Dejan Kovacevic's Daily Shots of Steelers, Penguins and Pirates -- three separate podcasts -- every weekday morning on the DK Pittsburgh Sports podcasting network, available on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/dkpghsports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What would you do if Ben Cherington's retained? Hear award-winning columnist Dejan Kovacevic's Daily Shots of Steelers, Penguins and Pirates -- three separate podcasts -- every weekday morning on the DK Pittsburgh Sports podcasting network, available on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/dkpghsports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Ben Cherington delusions achieve new lows. Hear award-winning columnist Dejan Kovacevic's Daily Shots of Steelers, Penguins and Pirates -- three separate podcasts -- every weekday morning on the DK Pittsburgh Sports podcasting network, available on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/dkpghsports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nothing exposes Ben Cherington like the home run. Hear award-winning columnist Dejan Kovacevic's Daily Shots of Steelers, Penguins and Pirates -- three separate podcasts -- every weekday morning on the DK Pittsburgh Sports podcasting network, available on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/dkpghsports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Cherington's three bizarre non-trades. Hear award-winning columnist Dejan Kovacevic's Daily Shots of Steelers, Penguins and Pirates -- three separate podcasts -- every weekday morning on the DK Pittsburgh Sports podcasting network, available on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/dkpghsports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices