2 MLB games postponed as Marlins deal with virus outbreak

2 MLB games postponed as Marlins deal with virus outbreak
By STEVEN WINE AP Sports Writer
MIAMI (AP) — Two major league games scheduled for Monday night have been postponed as the Miami Marlins deal with a coronavirus outbreak that stranded them in Philadelphia. The Marlins’ home opener against Baltimore was called off, as was the New York Yankees’ game at Philadelphia. The Yankees would have been in the same clubhouse the Marlins used last weekend. Major League Baseball announced the cancellation of both games about 7 1/5 hours before the scheduled first pitch, saying additional COVID-19 testing was being conducted.

Bucs Beat Cards. Shelton Gets First Win as Major League Skipper

By JEFF MELNICK Associated Press
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Pittsburgh’s Derek Shelton staged baseball’s first major, socially distanced umpire argument, then got his first victory as a big league manager as the Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1. Shelton came out to argue with plate umpire Jordan Baker in the third inning after pitcher Derek Holland was ejected from the dugout for arguing balls and strikes. Shelton pulled a gaiter over his face as he left the dugout, and Baker pulled a face mask out of his pocket and held it to his face as Shelton argued from about six feet away. Baker let Shelton say his peace, and the first-year skipper was not ejected.

Cards beat Bucs 5-4 in opener

By STEVE OVERBEY Associated Press
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jack Flaherty pitched seven solid innings, Paul DeJong hit a two-run homer and the St. Louis Cardinals opened the season by beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4. Tyler O’Neill and Dexter Fowler added solo homers for St. Louis in the first game of an unprecedented 60-game season shortened due to the coronavirus pandemic. Flaherty, who went 7-2 with an 0.91 ERA over his final 15 regular season starts last year, did not give up a run until Jacob Stallings hit two-out, two-run single just under the glove of first baseman Paul Goldschmidt in the seventh.

Nick is Back as the Quips Boys Basketball Coach

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Nick Lackovich was hired as the Quips basketball coach  by the Aliquippa School Board last night.

Athletic Director Brandon LeDonne said this morning  5 candidates were interviewed prior to last night’s special meeting, and 2 candidates, one of them being  Lackovich , were presented to the board.
LeDonne said Coach Lackovich was ecstatic when he was approved.” He’s an Aliquippa guy, he’s passionate about being the basketball coach.”
Six letters of interest and resumes have been received for the girls basketball coaching position, he said.

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.