Category: Sports

Former Pirate Josh Harrison to Nationals after release from Phils

Josh Harrison to Nationals after release from Phils
By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Sports Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Utility player Josh Harrison has signed a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals less than a week after he was released by the Philadelphia Phillies. The Nationals added the 33-year-old Harrison to their 30-man active roster Monday. To make room, catcher Raudy Read was optioned to Washington’s alternate training site in Fredericksburg, Maryland. Harrison is a right-handed hitter and a two-time All-Star who has started games at second base, third base, shortstop and both corner outfield spots during his nine years in the majors. He played his first eight years with the Pirates and spent part of 2019 with the Tigers.

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.

Phil Bourque Talks About The Penguins & The 2020 Cup Playoffs With Matt Drzik

Usually the summertime for the National Hockey League means respite, reorganizing, and the frenzy of free agency that shakes up the rosters of all 31 NHL teams.

But in 2020, where everything in life has become unusual, 24 teams–including the Pittsburgh Penguins–are getting ready for a playoff run like never before.

Penguins color commentator (and two-time Stanley Cup champion) Phil Bourque talked to Matt Drzik on AM Beaver County to talk about the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, which begin August 1 and will include Game 1 of the best-of-5 series between the Pittsburgh Penguins (the #5 seed in the Eastern Conference) and Montreal Canadiens (#12).

Bourque spoke about the notion of this Cup run being tougher than any other in history, as the Pens will need 19 wins in order to hoist Cup #6 in franchise history. Phil also analyzed the return of Sidney Crosby to practice, the seemingly unending goalie controversy between Matt Murray and Tristan Jarry, and which player he believes will be the “x-factor” (for better or worse) for the Penguins as they traverse to Toronto for the playoffs.

Beaver County Radio will have all the coverage of the Pens’ playoff push, and Game 1 between Pittsburgh and Montreal will come your way on August 1; puck drop is set for 8:00 PM.

To hear the full interview with Matt and “The Ol’ 29er”, click on the player below!

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