Category: Saturday Sports Slam

Shelton Brings Positivity and Grit to Pirates

By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — First-year Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton will have a homecoming of sorts when the club opens the 2020 season in St. Louis. Shelton grew up in southern Illinois and his parent’s first date was to a St. Louis Cardinals game. The former minor league catcher spent 14 seasons as a major league assistant before the Pirates hired him to replace Clint Hurdle last fall. The 49-year-old Shelton has won his players over with his upbeat attitude and his focus while trying to manage in the middle of a global pandemic.

Cleveland Indians to Meet with Native Americans on Potential New Name

Indians to meet with Native Americans on potential new name
By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians will consult with Native American leaders as they consider changing the name of their franchise for the first time since 1915. Owner Paul Dolan gave more details on the steps the team is taking taking toward a potential name change amid a national movement to remove racist symbols and monuments. Earlier this week, Dolan met with Cleveland’s players and manager Terry Francona to discuss their views on a potential name change as well as other issues such as social justice and race relations. Dolan said the team will meet with Native American groups in “the coming weeks.”

Former Steelers Pro Bowl lineman Carlton Haselrig dies at 54

Former Steelers Pro Bowl lineman Carlton Haselrig dies at 54
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Carlton Haselrig, a Pro Bowl right guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the early 1990s who is also the only wrestler in NCAA history to win six individual national championships, has died. He was 54. Pat Pecora, who coached Haselrig to heavyweight division championships at both the NCAA Division II and Division I levels in the 1980s at the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown, said Haselrig had been in declining health in recent years. The school said in a statement that Haselrig’s death was due to natural causes. Haselrig started 47 games in the NFL before his career was cut short due to off-the-field issues.

Blue Jays at PNC Park? Not So Fast. PA Department of Health Dept. Says No!!

TORONTO (AP) — The state of Pennsylvania won’t allow the Toronto Blue Jays to play at PNC Park in Pittsburgh amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Pennsylvania Department of Health made the announcement Wednesday.

“In recent weeks, we have seen a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in southwestern Pennsylvania,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “To add travelers to this region for any reason, including for professional sports events, risks residents, visitors and members of both teams. We know that this virus does not discriminate, and can even make professional athletes very sick. We are committed to protecting the health and well-being of all Pennsylvanians.”

Earlier, two other officials said an agreement to share the stadium with the Pirates was pending state approval. Canada denied the Blue Jays’ request to play in Toronto because the regular-season schedule would require frequent travel back and forth from the United States, where COVID-19 cases are surging. Canada has flattened the epidemic curve.

Stay tuned to Beaver County Radio as this story continues to develop

Pirates Game Moved up to 5:05 PM Due to Weather Concerns

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Tonight’s final exhibition game between the Pittsburgh  Pirates and Cleveland Indians is being moved from 7:05 to 5:05 pm due to weather concerns.

The game will no be televised and and can be heard on the Pirates Radio Network and on Beaver County Radio 1230 WBVP , 1460 WMBA, and 99.3 FM.

Ben’s back: Roethlisberger’s return to hit full go at camp

Ben’s back: Roethlisberger’s return to hit full go at camp
By The Associated Press undefined
The Pittsburgh Steelers will stay at home during training camp for the first time in 54 years. The team opted not to train at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. All eyes will be on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger as he returns from a right elbow injury that ended his 2019 season at halftime of Week 2. The team focused on giving Roethlisberger more playmakers in 2020, drafting wide receiver Chase Claypool and signing tight end Eric Ebron in free agency. Roethlisberger drew raves from teammates during informal workouts but coach Mike Tomlin hasn’t seen Roethlisberger throw a pass in 10 months.

No Canada: Blue Jays barred from playing games in Toronto

No Canada: Blue Jays barred from playing games in Toronto
By ROB GILLIES Associated Press
TORONTO (AP) — The Blue Jays won’t play their home games in Toronto this year because Canada’s government doesn’t think it’s safe for players to travel back and forth from the United States amid the coronavirus pandemic. Canada has flattened the curve of virus infections, while the U.S. is one of the world’s hardest-hit countries. Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said Saturday the federal government had denied the Blue Jays’ request to play at Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays’ spring training facility is in Florida, which is a virus hotspot. The team has been examining the possibility of playing in Buffalo, New York.

Busch disqualified after Xfinity win, Cindric 3rd win in row

Busch disqualified after Xfinity win, Cindric 3rd win in row
By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Sports Writer
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Kyle Busch celebrated a 10th NASCAR Xfinity win at Texas and then had it taken away when he failed postrace inspection. Busch finished nearly a second ahead of Austin Cindric, who was declared the winner. That gives Cindric three wins in a row after winning both races last weekend at Kentucky. NASCAR said Busch’s No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota was disqualified because the left rear was too low. Busch came back through the field three times in the race. He built a 3.3 second-lead before a final caution flag set up a two-lap sprint to the checkered flag.

Musgrove to start opener, Polanco and Kela likely out for Pirates

Musgrove in, Polanco and Kela likely out for Pirates
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Joe Musgrove will be the opening day starter for the Pittsburgh Pirates when the club opens the 2020 season in St. Louis. First-year manager Derek Shelton credited Musgrove for the way he’s embraced a leadership role in recent months for a rotation missing Jameson Taillon and Chris Archer. While Musgrove is eager to make it the first opening day start of many, the Pirates will likely begin the season without closer Keone Kela and right fielder Gregory Polanco. Polanco has tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus while Kela is dealing with an undisclosed health issue.

Penguins voluntarily sideline 9 players as NHL camps open

Penguins voluntarily sideline 9 players as NHL camps open
By JOHN WAWROW AP Hockey Writer
The Pittsburgh Penguins have opened training camp after voluntarily sidelining nine players who may have had secondary exposure to a person testing positive for COVID-19. The Penguins did not reveal which players were held out. The players will not be allowed to practice until they are deemed safe following further test results based on NHL protocols. All teams opened camps Monday in preparation for the 24-team playoffs, scheduled to open in two hub cities — Toronto and Edmonton, Alberta — on Aug. 1.