Podcast appearances and mentions of jason mackey

In this hour, Jason Mackey from The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette comes on The Fan Hotline to discuss the latest on the Pirates with Adam Crowley. May 23, 2025, 9:00 Hour

The Post-Gazette's Adam Bittner and Jason Mackey react to a busy week of Pittsburgh sports news. Should OTAs be a red line for Steelers GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin in their pursuit of QB Aaron Rodgers? How important is the offseason program to his success, given that it didn't seem to matter much for Russell Wilson and Justin Fields? And how much worse off would the Steelers be with Mason Rudolph as their starter instead? Is the national media bashing he's received fair? Our duo tackles those questions; the difference between George Pickens and DK Metcalf as WR1; and the team's biggest remaining weakness after adding Derrick Harmon and Kaleb Johnson in the NFL draft. Later, the guys discuss the Penguins coaching search. Why does Mitch Love continue to make a lot of sense as a frontrunner? How much say should Sidney Crosby have in the hiring process? And how cool is it to watch Crosby and Marc-Andre Fleury play together one last time at the IIHF world championships? Then in the third segment, airing on the PG's Pirates YouTube channel, our duo ponders Ben Cherington's options as the season continues to slip away. Is there a trade he can make to salvage his job? Is that a move he should be allowed to make, given his track record? Would firing him have a bigger practical or psychological impact? And what should we make of the Paul Skenes trade chatter, initiated this past week by ESPN's Jeff Passan? Adam and Jason give their thoughts, then analyze the catching situation with Henry Davis and Joey Bart. And Alexander Canario's recent hot streak.

PG columnist Jason Mackey joined the show. Jason said his eyes were opened a bit to the idea of trading Paul Skenes based on what some American League executives told top baseball insiders. However, Jason doesn't think there is any chance the proposed trade would happen. How would the Pirates sell it to their fans? Jason hyped up the pitching they already have and can't stand what little they have done about their offense. Jason isn't confident the next offseason is run by Ben Cherington, if he even makes it through this 162. He thinks there's a chance Cherington is gone by the trade deadline.

What if the Pirates DID trade Paul Skenes? An AL team executive threw out a massive haul the Pirates could bring in if they called teams offering Skenes. But do you trust Ben Cherington to get it done? The guys are skeptical. Would callers take a deal for Paul Skenes? And why hasn't Bubba Chandler been called up? PG columnist Jason Mackey joined the show. Jason said his eyes were opened a bit to the idea of trading Paul Skenes based on what some American League executives told top baseball insiders. However, Jason doesn't think there is any chance the proposed trade would happen. How would the Pirates sell it to their fans? Jason hyped up the pitching they already have and can't stand what little they have done about their offense. Jason isn't confident the next offseason is run by Ben Cherington, if he even makes it through this 162. He thinks there's a chance Cherington is gone by the trade deadline.

On his weekly Saturday Conversations podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey welcomes former Pirates first-round draft pick Cole Tucker to get his perspective on the Pirates' managerial change from Derek Shelton to Don Kelly. What does Tucker remember about playing for Kelly? Why does he believe the club and former teammates including Ke'Bryan Hayes, Bryan Reynolds and Jack Suwinski are struggling so mightily? And what does he remember about his promotion to MLB that included a home run? Then later, our duo discusses Tucker's transition into broadcasting and how he hopes to use his gregarious personality to make TV gold.

Jason would not trade Paul Skenes right now and doesn't think they should. Can things get worse? Skenes is a part of the players association leadership. Jason thinks trading Skenes would send the wrong message.

Hour 4 with Jason Mackey: Pirates broadcaster Bob Walk joined the show. Bob likes the Pirates bringing Gene Lamont back into the organization. Spencer Horwitz is going to be a contact hitter and get on base without providing a lot of power. Jason would not trade Paul Skenes right now and doesn't think they should. Can things get worse? Skenes is a part of the players association leadership. Jason thinks trading Skenes would send the wrong message.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Jason Mackey and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Friday, May 16th, 2025

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Poni tweeted over the weekend that Aaron Rodgers has joined The Club at Nevillewood. Rich Walsh confirmed with the President at Nevillewood that Rodgers did NOT join. Bob Nutting told Jason Mackey he believes he is well positioned to help change the economics of baseball moving forward and a new owner wouldn't have as much say.

Bob Nutting told Jason Mackey he believes he is well positioned to help change the economics of baseball moving forward and a new owner wouldn't have as much say. Nutting thinks he has a good relationship with the commissioners office and has a louder voice for the city. Nutting did not commit to that being a salary cap or floor.

Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson react to an interview that Jason Mackey from The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette did the other day with Pirates' owner Bob Nutting.

In this hour, Jason Mackey from The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette joins Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson to react to the Pirates' decision to fire manager Derek Shelton. Also, "Things you didn't need to know, but they're sports related!" May 9, 2025, 9:00 Hour

Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles and sports columnist Jason Mackey react to the breaking news that manager Derek Shelton was fired Thursday. Why was Shelton relieved of his duties now, and what led up to it? What does this mean for the team going forward under Don Kelly, who was named manager in Shelton's stead? Is Kelly the long-term choice in the dugout? Is general manager Ben Cherington also on the hot seat? And why could Shelton never get the Pirates over the hump? Our duo answers those questions and more.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to react to a busy week of Pittsburgh sports news. Are GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin signaling an intention to punt on the 2025 season after trading George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys? And allowing names like Najee Harris, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to leave via NFL free agency in exchange for compensatory picks for the 2026 NFL draft? Or are they still serious about winning if they're keeping T.J. Watt in Pittsburgh and pursuing QB Aaron Rodgers on the open market? And how smart would it be to position for 2026 and its loaded QB class that includes names like Arch Manning, Drew Allar, Nico Iamaleava and LaNorris Sellers? Our duo tackles those questions, then talks Penguins and Penn State football. Should GM Kyle Dubas regret the team's winning ways to end the season? Which resulted in the 11th overall pick in the upcoming NHL draft? Who are the candidates Jason is mostly looking toward to replace Mike Sullivan as coach? And did Nittany Lions coach James Franklin accomplish what he needed to in the transfer portal this offseason? Adding names like Syracuse WR Trebor Pena and North Carolina linebacker Amare Campbell to a team that hopes to compete for a College Football Playoff national title?

PG columnist Jason Mackey joined the show. Jason thinks it's pretty clear the team was lifeless in the final days of Derek Shelton as Pirates skipper. Jason described it as a ‘sad state of affairs.' He thinks it is a rough situation that is bigger than Derek. Donny Kelly will replace Shelton, at least in the interim, and Jason said the organization likes him a lot in the hopes the role becomes permanent. The guys questioned how much longer Ben Cherington is around considering he is worse at his job than Shelton is at his. How much say did the front office have over actual managerial decisions that fell back on Shelton?

Derek Shelton has been fired by the Pirates following the 12-26 start. We encapsulated what we saw from ‘Shelty' in his time as Pirates manager, which was truly an awful tenure. How much of this falls on him? The guys talked about the troubles that came about due to the incompetence of Ben Cherington as well. Callers weighed in on the firing of Derek Shelton. PG columnist Jason Mackey joined the show. Jason thinks it's pretty clear the team was lifeless in the final days of Derek Shelton as Pirates skipper. Jason described it as a ‘sad state of affairs.' He thinks it is a rough situation that is bigger than Derek. Donny Kelly will replace Shelton, at least in the interim, and Jason said the organization likes him a lot in the hopes the role becomes permanent. The guys questioned how much longer Ben Cherington is around considering he is worse at his job than Shelton is at his. How much say did the front office have over actual managerial decisions that fell back on Shelton?

On his weekly Saturday Conversations podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey welcomes SportsNet Pittsburgh analyst and former Pirates pitcher Steven Brault to discuss the team's slow start. What it an MLB clubhouse like when a team gets off on the wrong foot? Where do the Pirates most need to improve under manager Derek Shelton? And what can they learn from the evolution of Oneil Cruz into a dangerous hitter. And the maturity Paul Skenes has shown in leading the pitching staff? Our duo tackles those topics, then Jason learns how Brault got started in broadcasting and what his hopes are for his career in that field.

Crowley and Dorin are joined by Post-Gazette columnist and former Penguins beat writer Jason Mackey, reacting to the news the New York Rangers have hired former Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan

In this hour, Jason Mackey from The Pittsburgh Post-Post-Gazette comes on and talks with Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson about some of the most popular conversations surround the Steelers and Pirates. May 2, 2025, 9:00 Hour

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to react to a busy week in Pittsburgh sports news. How much pressure is on Steelers coach Mike Tomlin following the firing of the Penguins' Mike Sullivan? Will he face expectations to win in 2025, after GM Omar Khan decided to keep names like George Pickens and T.J. Watt rather than trade them for future draft capital? And amid the likely signing of veteran Aaron Rodgers? Or will get get a chance to coach the team in 2026, when it holds 10 draft picks and may be able to seek its QB of the future, with names like Arch Manning, Drew Allar, LaNorris Sellers and Nico Iamaleava likely coming out of the college ranks? Later, the guys tackle the Penguins' new direction without Sullivan. What changed for GM Kyle Dubas between last year and this year, given the reality that expectations for 2024-25 were low? Could a new coach jolt the team like Dan Bylsma did in 2009 or Sullivan did in 2016 to spark Stanley Cup runs from Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang? How much runway does Kyle Dubas have to turn the Penguins into contenders? And is the perception of Sidney Crosby's involvement in front office moves fit reality? Then in the third segment, airing on the PG's Pirates YouTube channel, our duo analyzes the continued lack of results in the win-loss column despite some improvement offensively. Is this just a bad team, even if it continues to show some improvement? What does that mean for GM Ben Cherington and manager Derek Shelton in owner Bob Nutting's eyes? Is Enmanuel Valdez a useful player? Or only looking good by comparison? And how will things shake out in the rotation with Bubba Chandler becoming hard to deny in the minors, Jared Jones on the mend and Carmen Mlodzinski still struggling after the first time through opposing batting orders? If you haven't already, subscribe to the sports department's YouTube channels so you don't miss videos with our reports, columnists and their special guests.

PG columnist Jason Mackey joined the show. Jason isn't worried about Paul Skenes after a rocky start today. The guys asked Jason how hands-on or hands-off the Pirates are with Skenes. Jason wondered if the lack of a veteran catcher explains why Skenes isn't quite as sharp as he was in 2024. The guys asked Jason about the arm angle change that Skenes has gone through this season. Jason looked at the bottom half of the Pirates order, which is a sad state of affairs for a regime in Year 6.

Poni thinks this was one of the worst months of Pirates baseball in recent memory, including the PR disasters that were met within the first 30ish days of the season. PG columnist Jason Mackey joined the show. Jason isn't worried about Paul Skenes after a rocky start today. The guys asked Jason how hands-on or hands-off the Pirates are with Skenes. Jason wondered if the lack of a veteran catcher explains why Skenes isn't quite as sharp as he was in 2024. The guys asked Jason about the arm angle change that Skenes has gone through this season. Jason looked at the bottom half of the Pirates order, which is a sad state of affairs for a regime in Year 6. Total Request Thursday.

Post-Gazette Sports columnist Jason Mackey and Penguins insider Matt Vensel react to news that the team and coach Mike Sullivan have mutually agreed to part ways. How mutual was the decision in reality? Was Sullivan ready to move on? Or was GM Kyle Dubas the prevailing force in the decision? Who could the team be looking at to replace Sullivan? What does the coaching change mean for the veteran trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang? Or young players like Ville Koivunen, Rutger McGroarty or Sergei Murashov? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

Host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey to recap Day 2 of the NFL draft from a Steelers perspective. Was Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson too good a value to pass up at pick No. 83? Or should GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin have waited to dip into a deep running back class with names like Dylan Sampson, Bhayshul Tuten or DJ Giddens or Trevor Etienne? How does Johnson fit within OC Arthur Smith's scheme? And a backfield that already includes names like Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell? And how should we interpret Johnson coming to Pittsburgh with a similar style to the recently departed Najee Harris? Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Our duo tackles those questions, then talks QBs as Shedeur Sanders continues to tumble from perceived Day 1 status heading into the draft. How much consideration did he deserve for the Steelers? Who enter Day with long-term QB questions? Would the attention around Sanders have been a bad fit with potentially a No. 3 role in the QB room behind Mason Rudolph and Aaron Rodgers? How does he stack up with other Day 3 QB options like Will Howard and Kyle McCord? And how much consideration did Jalen Milroe deserve before going to the Seattle Seahawks a few picks later?

Join the Post-Gazette's team of Steelers experts throughout the first round of the 2025 NFL draft LIVE from Mike's Beer Bar as they discuss each pick all the way up to and after Pittsburgh's scheduled slot at No. 21. Join Adam Bittner, Christopher Carter, Paul Zeise, Jason Mackey, Ray Fittipaldo and Brian Batko to get their reactions to the big news as it happens. Will GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin fortify their defensive line with top prospects like Derrick Harmon, Walter Nolen or Kenneth Grant? Will they aim for a possible franchise quarterback like Shedeur Sanders or Jaxson Dart? Could they go off-script completely and grab names like Omarion Hampton at RB or Jahdae Barron at CB? And will they consider a trade to move up, down or add picks by moving a name like George Pickens or T.J. Watt? Our team ponders those questions amid an offseason that's already included a big trade for DK Metcalf and a long pursuit of QB Aaron Rodgers. For more sports, visit post-gazette.com

In this hour, Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson talked with Jason Mackey about the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. April 25, 2025, 9:00 Hour

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to give his thoughts on the Steelers, the NFL draft, the end of the Penguins' season and the Pirates' West Coast road trip. On the football side, is Derrick Harmon the most uncomplicated pick for GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin? What about Kenneth Grant and Walter Nolen along the defensive line? And where do QBs Sheduer Sanders and Jaxson Dart fit into that conversation? Later, the duo reacts to Penguins GM Kyle Dubas appearing to signal in post-season comments Tuesday that he's looking more toward 2026-27 than next season in terms of competing meaningfully in the Eastern Conference. Is he being too passive with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang on the roster? How aggressively should he shop in NHL free agency this summer? Or move bad contracts owed to Tristan Jarry, Erik Karlsson and Ryan Graves? And where does coach Mike Sullivan figure into all of it? Then finally, in a segment airing on the Post-Gazette's Pirates YouTube channel, the guys react to Andrew McCutchen's angst about his playing time. Does he deserve better from manager Derek Shelton and GM Ben Cherington? How much longer does McCutchen plan to play? And is Shelton's lineup turnover an overall problem as well? Our duo tackles those questions, then discusses the team's mediocre record when Paul Skenes is on the mound and pressure on owner Bob Nutting after loud “sell the team” chants continued during the last homestand.

Draft Day. We started with George Pickens and the latest around the Steelers receiver who is up to his old tricks on social media as we approach a draft where he is surrounded by trade rumors. Are the Steelers better off moving on from Pickens? If it's a way for the Steelers to recoup an extra pick tomorrow night, the guys think the team should do it. Poni is baffled by the amount of George Pickens supporters out there. PG columnist Jason Mackey joined the show. Jason and the guys recapped the Pirates win against the Angels last night. Jason got into his column about Bob Nutting fixing his baseball team instead of the PR problems. Jason does think there could be a mark close to us in which we see Derek Shelton let go, but the wins from the last two nights certainly helped his matters. Jason talked about the lineup stuff and why Andrew McCutchen is voicing some of his annoyance on social media. Jason said the lineup is so matchup based and the Pirates hunt that stuff at all costs, instead of keeping things consistent.

PG columnist Jason Mackey joined the show. Jason and the guys recapped the Pirates win against the Angels last night. Jason got into his column about Bob Nutting fixing his baseball team instead of the PR problems. Jason does think there could be a mark close to us in which we see Derek Shelton let go, but the wins from the last two nights certainly helped his matters. Jason talked about the lineup stuff and why Andrew McCutchen is voicing some of his annoyance on social media. Jason said the lineup is so matchup based and the Pirates hunt that stuff at all costs, instead of keeping things consistent.

In this hour, fill-in host Jason Mackey continues to preview the upcoming NFL Draft. Also, Pirates insider John Perrotto comes on The Fan Hotline. April 21, 2025, 8:00 Hour

Jason Mackey from The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette comes on The Fan Hotline to talk about what the Steelers are likely to do in the NFL Draft this week based how their offseason has gone so far.

Fill-in host Jason Mackey details the immense struggles the Pirates' offense has had so far in 2025.

ESPN's Brooke Pryor comes on The Fan Hotline to share her thoughts on the upcoming NFL Draft with fill-in host Jason Mackey.

Fill-in host Jason Mackey shares how morning show host Adam Crowley may have jinxed the Pirates this 2025 season.

Fill-in host Jason Mackey wonders and discusses what QB Shedeur Sanders could look like on the Steelers, including the effect Deion Sanders may try to have on the team.

Pirates insider John Perrotto comes on The Fan Hotline to talk to fill-in host Jason Mackey about how he perceives the team as the end of April approaches.

Fill-in host Jason Mackey uses the recent playing time of Pirates' OF/DH Andrew McCutchen to assess why a little feel may needed by managers in a world of analytics in baseball.

In this hour, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly comes on with fill-in host Jason Mackey to talk about the NFL Draft this week! April 21, 2025, 9:00 Hour

In this hour, fill-in host Jason Mackey reviews the Penguins and wonders what they have planned for the 2025 off-season. Also, ESPN's Brooke Pryor comes on The Fan Hotline. April 21, 2025, 7:00 Hour

In this hour, fill-in host Jason Mackey reacts to the Pirates getting swept by the Cleveland Guardians over the weekend. April 21, 2025, 6:00 Hour

On his weekly Saturday Conversations podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey welcomes Penguins broadcaster Paul Steigerwald to tackle a range of hockey topics. Can coach Mike Sullivan's team sustain its late-season momentum into next season to give Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin a chance to return to the playoffs? How much should we believe in young players and prospects like Ville Koivunen, Rutger McGroarty and Sergei Murashov? And how much can GM Kyle Dubas accomplish with his slew of NHL draft picks in upcoming lotteries? Our duo tackles those topics, then looks back on Paul's career as a broadcaster. How did it come to be after he started as the team's director of marketing? What was his relationship with Mike Lange? And what are his memories of the late play-by-play legend? What are his favorite stories from past Stanley Cup runs? When does he plan to retire? And which players does he put on the Mount Rushmore of Penguins hockey next to names like Crosby, Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr?

Jason thinks this is probably it for Evgeni Malkin after next season. Will the Penguins target next season as a bridge year or a year to try and win the Stanley Cup? Kris Letang is probably going to still play after having surgery to repair a small hole in his heart. Jason would not trade Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. The Penguins have $24 million in cap space.

Hour 2 with Jason Mackey: Ray doesn't think the Steelers were put off by Aaron Rodgers' comments and the Steelers already knew a lot of Rodgers' thoughts. Ray thinks the Steelers will go DL in the first round, but anything is in play. Ray is not ruling out Shedeur Sanders or Jaxson Dart. "All signs are pointing to them taking a quarterback." Will the Penguins target next season as a bridge year or a year to try and win the Stanley Cup?

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Jason Mackey, from Friday, April 18th, 2025

Host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey to discuss the Steelers' interest in running backs ahead of the NFL draft. What should we make of the fact that nine of the team's 30 pre-draft visitors play the position? How much belief should OC Arthur Smith have in internal options like Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell? Will GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin look to make a big splash and take a projected Day 1 option like Omarion Hampton to replace Najee Harris as a 1,000-yard caliber back? Or will they look to Days 2 and 3 with an eye toward building depth in the form of names like DJ Giddens, Bhayshul Tuten, Dylan Sampson, Ollie Gordon II, Jaydon Blue, Kaleb Johnson, RJ Harvey and TreVeyon Henderson?

Hour 1 with Jason Mackey and Tyler Kennedy: There truly is no such thing as a meaningless game as players always have something to play for and end on a positive note. Tyler Kennedy thinks Sid is as good of a person as he is as a player. TK doesn't think Erik Karlsson is going anywhere and the Penguins need to do something to get him playing like a team player and good player again.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Jason Mackey, from Thursday, April 17th, 2025

On his weekly Saturday Conversations podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey welcomes KDKA-TV's Rich Walsh to tackle some hot Pittsburgh sports topics and learn more about Rich's career in television. On the football front, Rich explains why he doesn't want the Steelers to reach for a QB like Jaxson Dart in the NFL draft and gives his thoughts on keeping George Pickens next to DK Metcalf vs. trading him for an opportunity to get back into the second round. Then our duo tackles the Pirates' slow start and Penguins GM Kyle Dubas' chances of turning the team around before Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin retire. Later, Jason learns about Rich's journey from growing up in Penn Hills to becoming a key piece of KDKA's sports coverage team; what a day in the life of a TV sports anchor looks like and how that's changed over the years; and the nuance of the medium that Rich has learned through time.

In this hour, Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson have Jason Mackey on to talk about the latest in sports. April 11, 2025, 9:00 Hour

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to react to the week in Pittsburgh sports news. Is Aaron Rodgers delaying his deal with the Steelers out of fear of losing his job like Kirk Cousins did to Michael Penix Jr. with the Atlanta Falcons last season? As Fox Sports insider Jason McIntyre has speculated? What should we make of Justin Fields' comments to reporters, in which he said he didn't feel "comfortable" with Mike Tomlin and the Steelers following his midseason benching in favor of Russell Wilson? How seriously should the GM Omar Khan be taking Shedeur Sanders as a draft option? Whether or not Rodgers signs? And was T.J. Watt being cryptic in an Instagram post in which he gave a peace sign? Or are fans and observers looking too far into it and what it means for his future with the Steelers? Our duo tackles those questions and more. In the second and third segments, airing on the Post-Gazette's new Pirates YouTube channel, the guys give their thoughts on a busy week for the Pirates on and off the field. How much criticism does team president Travis Williams deserve for the Bucco Bricks fiasco, the bungled tribute to Roberto Clemente, attendance issues and the state of PNC Park? Are the problems with the Pirates as a business eclipsing their shortcomings on the field? And how much is owner Bob Nutting paying attention to his club's issues amid relentless chants for him to "sell the team" that started at the home opener last weekend and have not subsided? Our duo tackles those questions, then analyzes on-field performance in the second segment. Should we worry about a small dip in Paul Skenes' velocity in his worst start as a Pirates on Tuesday in a loss to the Cardinals? Are Justin Lawrence, Denis Santana and Caleb Ferguson the answers manager Derek Shelton has been looking for in the bullpen following struggles from David Bendar and Colin Holderman in high-leverage roles? Should we be more encouraged or discouraged by Ke'Bryan Hayes' start to the season offensively? How much grace will veterans Tommy Pham and Adam Frazier get amid their struggles? And how important does Andrew McCutchen remain to this lineup? If you haven't already, subscribe to the sports department's YouTube channels so you don't miss a video with our reporters, columnists and their special guests.