Podcasts about Pittsburgh Pirates

The Cardinals extend manager Oliver Marmol, Tarik Skubal has high praise for Tigers' prospect Kevin McGonigle, and the World Baseball Classic is about to begin. Buster Olney and David Schoenfield discuss. Plus, the guys draft World Series hopefuls that have the best chances of unseat the Los Angeles Dodgers. Then, Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer stops by to talk about how his perspective on the WBC has changed, recruiting Alex Bregman, what to expect from Pete Crow-Armstrong after a tough second half of 2025, and why Michael Busch is one of the league's most underrated players. Later, Buster previews the Cleveland Guardians and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Finally, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 David Schoenfield 9:45 Non-Dodger Contender Draft 20:19 Cubs GM Jed Hoyer 37:01 Headlines 38:15 Cleveland Guardians preview 39:39 Pittsburgh Pirates preview 40:51 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEET Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cardinals extend manager Oliver Marmol, Tarik Skubal has high praise for Tigers' prospect Kevin McGonigle, and the World Baseball Classic is about to begin. Buster Olney and David Schoenfield discuss. Plus, the guys draft World Series hopefuls that have the best chances of unseat the Los Angeles Dodgers. Then, Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer stops by to talk about how his perspective on the WBC has changed, recruiting Alex Bregman, what to expect from Pete Crow-Armstrong after a tough second half of 2025, and why Michael Busch is one of the league's most underrated players. Later, Buster previews the Cleveland Guardians and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Finally, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 David Schoenfield 9:45 Non-Dodger Contender Draft 20:19 Cubs GM Jed Hoyer 37:01 Headlines 38:15 Cleveland Guardians preview 39:39 Pittsburgh Pirates preview 40:51 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEET Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Send a textWhat actually turns a struggling franchise into a contender? We dig into a people-first blueprint for the Pittsburgh Pirates that prioritizes player development, modern pitching, and a culture of humility and feedback over quick fixes. From the first conversation, the focus is clear: winning is hard everywhere, and sustainable success depends on great players supported by a smart, collaborative environment.We walk through why Pittsburgh is the right stage, how alignment with ownership sets the conditions for real investment, and why a player-centered philosophy can move the needle more than any single splash. You'll hear how development becomes a compounding engine when 200-plus players each improve a bit, and how that philosophy connects scouting, coaching, analytics, and high performance into one clear system designed to raise the entire roster's baseline. We also share lessons from Toronto on modern pitching: blending pitch design, biomechanics, and data with on-field translation so pitchers understand not just what to change, but why it works in-game.Culture ties it all together. Humility is treated as a performance tool—the base layer that makes learning possible—while active pursuit of feedback keeps blind spots from calcifying. We break down how to invite dissent, hire diverse thinkers, and give coaches and players a voice that actually shapes decisions. And when the team earns its shot? We talk about responsible risk, signaling belief at the right time, and making moves that push a good club toward October without sacrificing the future. If you care about how real baseball organizations win—through people, process, and clear-eyed choices—you'll feel the plan taking shape.If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with a Pirates fan who needs hope, and leave a quick review so more listeners can find us.THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!!!!www.holdmycutter.com

Join your host, Sarah Shockey, as she is joined by Aidan Rea and Owen Colwell to discuss Konnor Griffin and the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tyrese Maxey and the NBA, and Rowan Baseball's upcoming season. Tune in!

Konnor Griffin is on the cover of ESPN today. He went 0-2 today, but he is still having a good Spring Training. Donny Football makes his return from Penn State as he was our representative for their career fair. He talks about meeting people at PSU and being the face of the Fan talking to students. How many students knew Limits? Donny answers a few questions about Konnor Griffin.

2-27 PM Team 5pm Hour

2-27 PM Team Full Show

Paulie & Tony Fusco react to Fernando Mendoza's BONEHEAD move which has already ruined his career and will send him SINKING in the NFL Draft (although the Raiders will still probably be foolish enough to pick him). Also, they explain why MLB's foolish ABS system just totally screwed Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes and how it's ruined baseball forever. Plus, they show you the REAL SPORTS NEWS that you can only see on Facebook (and this show) and some very scary news surrounding former Eagles QB Donovan McNabb. Rate and review the pod 5-stars on Apple Podcasts bro. Shop the official Fusco Show merch store HERE bro.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pirates fans weigh in on how to extend Paul Skenes and/or Konnor Griffin. One caller thinks the salary cap/floor could be what helps the Pirates to keep both. We think the Pirates need to sign Konnor Griffin NOW!!

Is THIS the year the Pirates finally get back to the MLB postseason? Joe thinks the Pirates are the story of baseball. If you could sign Konnor Griffin or Paul Skenes to a long-term deal, who would you choose?

What could a Konnor Griffin extension look like? We think a Griffin extension could be 8-years, $150 million. Griffin could be the most impactful Pirates hitter in over 30 years. 

Mike Johnson, Ali Mac, and Beau Morgan continue to react to Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson challenging a strike three call using the new ABS Challenge system, Olson winning the challenge after the review revealed that the pitch had missed the outside edge of the plate by a tenth of an inch, talk about how Matt and the Braves are off to a hot start when it comes to winning challenges with the new ABS challenge system, and then close out hour three by answering people's questions about anything in the Morning Mailbag!

Pat Bostick shares how he's feeling about the Pirates with Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson after watching them through a few Spring Training games.

Pirates insider Jason Mackey from the PG joined the show. After taking a ball off the foot a couple days ago, Jason told us that Konnor Griffin is OK and just had a scheduled day off. Jason believes the deal for Griffin will be north of $100M if it gets done. Jason feels like Griffin's camp is also interested in a deal, but he can't say for certain that the Pirates will make an offer. Jason sees Griffin on the Opening Day roster as a 50/50 proposition right now. Jason, however, did give it a 60/40 chance that a deal gets done with Griffin. That deal would cap off one of the best off-seasons we've seen from the Pirates in recent memory. Jason indicated that the players already locked into the big-league club believe the hype in Griffin. Jason still expects the Pirates to bring in a left-handed starter before the real games begin.

Is Konnor Griffin going to be on the Major League roster? Griffin mashed two home runs against the Red Sox in spring training. The Penguins placed Sidney Crosby on injured reserve with a lower body injury and is expected to miss a minimum of four weeks. The NHL trade deadline is March 6th and Joe thinks the Pens may stand pat.

Paul Skenes has walked four batters in two innings. He will be joining Team USA at the World Baseball Classic. Joe is concerned about Skenes pitching in the WBC and Crowley wants to see Skenes be ready to go for Opening Day, not caring at all about the WBC.

Sidney Crosby said the hit that hurt him wasn't a dirty hit. He also said that he was close—much closer than he originally thought—to playing in the Gold Medal Game. We are VERY excited for the Pirates. Omar Khan said he expects Pat Freiermuth to be a big part of the offense. We hear what Khan said at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Trading Stuart Skinner and playing Sergei Murashov could be the best thing for the Pens. The Penguins' season may have been ruined by the Olympics. Joe and Bob are concerned about Paul Skenes pitching in the World Baseball Classic.

Steelers insider Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show joined the show. The Steelers have a strong indication that Aaron Rodgers will sign, but Mark thinks they don't want it out there to make headlines. NFL free agency begins March 11. Mark and Bob both think it's Pittsburgh or nothing because of last season with the Steelers. Adam Schefter said this has to be decided by mid-March. Jeff Patton of Baseball Card Castle joined the show.

Adam Crowley, Dorin Dickerson and Nicholas "Harry" Callas wonder whether or not the Pirates feel it is a worthy investment to give a contract extension to SS Konnor Griffin.

Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson can't stop listening to the crack of the bat when Pirates' SS Konnor Griffin hit his second home run in Tuesday's Spring Training game.

With Pirates' 19-year-old prospect SS Konnor Griffin likely to make his MLB debut during the 2026 season, Adam Crowley, Dorin Dickerson and Nicholas "Harry" Callas try to remember who the last Pirates' player was that made his debut at an age under 20 years old.

Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson how high the Pirates would be willing to increase the price to strike a contract extension with SS Konnor Griffin. Also, how could an extension help prepare the team for the end of the Paul Skenes era?

What Pittsburgh sports documentary do want to see created? We hear from Pittsburgh sports fans. We think some of the best opportunities are Troy Polamalu, Jack Lambert, Three Rivers Stadium, the 2013 Pirates, and many many more. 

Konnor Griffin is starting at shortstop and batting seventh today. Kevin thinks Griffin needs to leave no doubt. He is a 1-of-1 prospect, but will be ready sooner than we all expect. Kevin thinks Jones will be back in mid-to-late June. Kevin does not think MLB will have a salary cap in 2027.

Pirates' broadcaster Neil Walker comes on The Fan Hotline to share some memories he had being trained at second base in the preseason by the late Bill Mazeroski back in the early 2010s. Also, Neil shares what he's observed from the team through the first few games of Spring Training.

Adam Crowley, Dorin Dickerson and Nicholas "Harry" Callas assess which Pirates' players they feel more sure about and which players they still need to see more consistency from going into the 2026 season.

Adam Crowley, Dorin Dickerson and Nicholas "Harry" Callas wonder what we should expect from Pirates' manager Don Kelly this season as he goes into his first full season as manager of the team.

Former MLB pitcher Matt Clement joined the show. Matt said things have officially gotten interesting with how the Pirates will handle Konnor Griffin after 2 long home runs today against MLB caliber pitching. Ranger Suarez, one of the best LHP in baseball, allowed the first one, and Matt assured the guys he wasn't just ‘grooving' the pitches in there. How difficult is this situation going to be for the Pirates? Matt has noted before that he's a card collector, so he said he hopes everyone got their Griffin cards already. Could the Pirates have the next Mike Trout on their hands? Matt said he can't argue with the Pirates if they decide to send Griffin down for some final fine tuning before the season.

Send a textWhat if the true edge in baseball isn't in a spreadsheet but in a heartbeat? We sit down with baseball lifer Mike Berger to unpack a scouting philosophy built on live looks, instincts, and the human elements analytics can't quite capture. From the moment a prospect's poise surfaces under pressure to the quiet ways chemistry binds a clubhouse, Berger explains why the best scouts either agree with the model—or beat it.The stories run deep. We relive the under-the-radar chain reaction that brought Michael McKenry to Pittsburgh for $50,000 and later turned Jason Grilli from “washed up” to All-Star. We walk the shared halls of Three Rivers, connecting Steelers and Pirates lore, and trace Berger's family imprint on the franchise's identity—from the skull-and-crossbones to the smiling pirate inspired by Frank Gifford and a grandmother's babushka. Culture matters, he argues, because it shapes standards long before the first pitch.Leadership takes center stage through vivid moments: Adam Wainwright setting up a newcomer's locker and handing him the pregame meeting, a masterclass in humility and clarity. Then comes Barry Bonds—his interview as a hitting coach, his glove-to-barrel timing lesson born from Bobby Bonds, and the ripple effects on Stanton, Ozuna, and a soon-to-explode Christian Yelich. Berger makes the case that modern staffs win with range: the truth-teller who says it once with precision and the grinder who shows up at noon for flips and stays until the last swing.If you care about scouting, player development, and what really makes a team hum, this is your blueprint—equal parts Pittsburgh pride, clubhouse wisdom, and practical tools you can feel. Subscribe, share with a baseball friend, and leave a review to tell us the one moment that gave you chills.THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!!!!www.holdmycutter.com

Dr. Beckett tributes two recently deceased Pittsburgh Pirates favorites from his personal botyhood fandom: relief ace Roy (ElRoy) Face and Hall of Fame second baseman Bill Mazeroski. He reflects on the 1960 Pirates as his favorite team and explains why both players deserve more hobby respect. For Face, he highlights his signature forkball, how relievers of that era entered tie games and jams, his remarkable 1959 run (including winning 18 of 19), his military service, and his role in the 1960 World Series with three saves. Beckett also discusses Face's key and scarce cards, including his 1953 Topps high-number rookie, the rarely seen 1952 Fort Worth Cats card, and the very tough 1960 ElRoy Face Motel card, and comments on Face's late induction into the Pirates Hall of Fame in 2023 and his unlikely Hall of Fame chances. For Mazeroski, he recounts where he was when he heard Mazeroski's Game 7 walk-off home run on the radio, emphasizes Mazeroski's elite defense and double-play prowess, cites Bill James's praise of his defensive impact, and notes his career home run total and playing context at Forbes Field. He closes with additional audio from Hobby Hotline discussing Mazeroski's passing, his reputation with fans and signings, comparisons within the 1960 World Series, and the argument for valuing defense and signature career moments.   00:23 Tributes: 1960 Pirates & Two Legends 03:32 Roy Face Cards (RC, Minor League, Motel Card) 04:41 Roy Face Legacy: Hall of Fame Case 05:32 My Maz Memory: Hearing the Walk-Off on the Radio 08:30 Mazeroski Key Cards + Closing Thoughts 12:46 Hall of Fame Debate: Moment vs Career    

Bubba Chandler had a good first inning, but walked in one run on four pitches against the Yankees. Should the Penguins trade Stuart Skinner? What are the greatest moments in American sports history?

Pirates Hall of Famer and former Pirates broadcaster Steve Blass joined the show. Steve played with Bill Mazeroski and Roberto Clemente on some of the best Pirates teams of all time. Steve said that Maz was a great person and never changed himself. Steve remembers how great of a defender Maz was and how he helped Steve through so many hard moments.

Jack Hughes' goal was one of the best moments in American sports history, but nothing was like Bill Mazeroski hitting a walk-off home run in Game 7 of the World Series. Bob knew Maz pretty well and remembers moments with him. Maz helped Neil Walker learn second base. We listen to Maz's Hall of Fame speech at Cooperstown. 

In memory of former Pirates' 2B Bill Mazeroski who passed away over the weekend, Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson appreciate his walk-off home run in the 1960 World Series alongside some other moments in sports history that belong to Pittsburgh.

2-23 PM Team Full Show

Bubba Chandler did not have a good day at the office today against the Yankees. He had four walks in the first inning. It still seems like his control issues are there. Was Bill Mazeroski's home run in the 1960 World Series the most important moment in Pittsburgh Sports History?

2-23 PM Team 4pm Hour

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 3-0 to start Grapefruit League play after a huge day with two wins — one in Clearwater vs. the Philadelphia Phillies and the spring home opener vs. the Tampa Bay Rays. In this end-of-day Pirates podcast recap, Tyler and Doug break down everything they saw: standout performances, early spring takeaways, and what matters most as camp rolls on. Plus, we've got a one-on-one postgame interview from Duce Gourson, who went 1 for 1 with 2 BB and the full post-game press conference with Pirates manager Don Kelly. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Former Pirates pitcher and broadcaster Steve Blass joins the show to discuss the life and career of Maz. He was teammates with Maz and says that he didn't say much, but when he did, what he said has stuck with Steve to this day. Steve tells some awesome stories about Maz.

Former Pirates' pitcher A.J. Burnett comes on The Fan Hotline to talk with Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson about what he's experienced so far being with the team during Spring Training.

Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson revisit the likelihood of Pirates' prospect SS Konnor Griffin making the MLB Opening Day roster after some MLB insiders recently released their roster projections.

New Pirate second baseman Brandon Lowe joins the show! Does he have the Spring Training schedule memorized? He says that during his first Spring Training in professional ball, one player never made an out but was still sent to Low Single A. Konnor Griffin is turning some heads, Brandon says Griffin is handling the pressure like a 10 year veteran. He gave the two World Series home run balls that he hit to his dad. Who is harder to get a hit off of: Paul Skenes or Brandon's wife, who played softball at Maryland?

2-20 PM Team 3pm Hour

The Donny Football Debrief. Poni is highly offended that he was not invited to Donny's Bachelor Party. I defend Donny for not inviting the guys. I think they're on the older side of things. Poni and Mueller say they would cover most of the bills, which I don't think Donny wanted them to do.

2-20 PM Team 5pm Hour

Open Phone Friday

If the Pirates go 82-80, is it a good season? Mullsy does not think so. With the new additions and current best pitcher in baseball, they should aim for more than that. Mullsy needs 86 or more.

Who will have a better career: Marc Bugler or Will Howard, Brandon Lowe, and Fair Game with Nick Farabaugh

In this hour of Money Moves, Stormy Buonantony and Jonathan Von Tobel preview the 2026 season for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Plus, they preview tonight's NBA games.  Get instant access to expert picks, public betting splits data, and pro betting tools when you join VSiN pro. Grab your first month for only $9.99 or take 17% off an annual subscription when you use promo code: POD26. Click Here to get started.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.