Category: Sports

Swedish Winger Carl Hagelin Retires from the NHL Because of an Eye Injury

(AP) Carl Hagelin has decided to retire from the NHL at age 35, citing an eye injury that has kept him out of game action for nearly a year and a half.

Hagelin has not played since taking an errant stick to his left eye during Washington Capitals practice on March 1, 2022. He underwent surgery, and the team immediately deemed it a serious injury with concern about Hagelin’s quality of life outside hockey.

The smooth-skating Swedish winger also had hip resurfacing surgery this past February. That followed arthroscopic surgery in October, which was an attempt to solve a chronic left hip injury.

Hagelin announced his decision in an Instagram post Wednesday, calling his career an amazing ride that ends here.

“Unfortunately my eye injury is too severe to keep playing the game I love,” he posted. “I want to thank all my amazing teammates, doctors and other staff members that I’ve met and played with throughout the years.”

Hagelin retires having won the Stanley Cup twice with the Pittsburgh Penguins, back to back in 2016 and 2017.

A sixth-round pick of the New York Rangers in 2007, Hagelin impressed them during four years at the University of Michigan to earn a roster spot in the minors. He played only 17 games in the American Hockey League before getting called up to the NHL and lasted there for more than a decade.

Since making his debut in 2011, Hagelin played 854 regular-season and playoff games over 11 seasons with the Rangers, Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, Penguins and Capitals.

Oviedo Pitches 2-Hitter for First Complete Game, Leads Pirates over Royals 5-0

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Johan Oviedo pitched a two-hitter for his first complete game in 53 major league starts, Ke’Bryan Hayes had four hits and Zack Greinke lost his ninth consecutive decision in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 5-0 win and the Kansas City Royals on Monday night.

Oviedo (8-13) struck out five and walked two while throwing a career-high 112 pitches.

“He was on point the entire game,” Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton said. “When he got behind he was able to execute..”

It was just the 28th complete game in the major leagues this season and the first complete game in 150 professional starts for the 26-year-old right-hander dating to 2016. Oviedo had never before gotten an out in the eighth inning, must less pitch the ninth.

“I was trying not to think about anything,” Oviedo said. “I was very excited. I tried to just check my mind and make good pitches.”

Catcher Endy Rodríguez lobbied Shelton and pitching coach Oscar Martin to allow Oviedo to finish.

“Going into the ninth, I didn’t plan on pitching him, because he was at 97,” Shelton said of the pitch count. “I figured that was good. Endy Rodríguez made a pretty strong push. He kept saying, ‘Let’s go, he’s fine.’ … I figured: young catcher feeling it. We were hitter by hitter, but it was good for Endy and good for Ovi.”

Pittsburgh won at Kansas City for the first time since Aug. 20, 2015.

Kansas City (41-92) didn’t advance a runner past first base. The Royals were blanked for the 14th time this season and held to two hits or fewer for the eighth time.

“We didn’t put too many good swings on him,” Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said.

Greinke (1-13) gave up two runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings, dropping to 0-9 in 17 starts since beating Baltimore on May 3. The 39-year-old right-hander is tied with Oviedo, Kyle Freeland and Rich Hill for second in the majors in losses, trailing only teammate Jordan Lyles at 15. Grienke had only one 1-2-3 inning.

“He was a little bit off with his command,” Quatraro said. “It’s amazing how he can compete and get out of trouble. There’s a reason he’s been doing this for as long as he has.”

Hayes singled in the first, hit an RBI double in the third for a 2-0 lead, singled in the fifth to chase Greinke and singled in the seventh against Taylor Hearn. Hayes is hitting .438 (21 for 48) since Aug. 9 with four doubles, four home runs and eight RBIs.

“I’ve been putting good at-bats together and hitting the ball hard,” Hayes said. “We were able to find some holes. It feels good whenever you can find a hole.”

Alfonso Rivas hit a run-scoring double-play grounder in the second first after Rodríguez’s leadoff single and walks to Jack Suwinski and Liover Peguero.

Andrew McCutchen and Joshua Palacios had RBI singles in the seventh off Hearn. and Rivas doubled in a run in the eighth against Jackson Kowar.

Pittsburgh Steelers connect with Gaelic games to grow fan base in Ireland

A view from outside Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. It’s the home of the Gaelic Athletic Association which has teamed up with the Pittsburgh Steelers as the NFL team tries to expand its fan base in Ireland. The Steelers played a preseason game in Croke Park in 1997 and might stage a regular-season game there in the future. (AP Photo/Ken Maguire)

DUBLIN (AP) — The Irish economy is getting a boost from the Notre Dame football game in Dublin. The Pittsburgh Steelers are benefitting, too. The NFL team has front-office representation in Dublin this weekend supporting American football initiatives and gathering intel on the Irish market now that it has marketing rights for Ireland and Northern Ireland as part of the NFL’s push to expand its audience. The team has joined forces with the powerful Gaelic Athletic Association with an eye toward a regular-season game at Croke Park in the future. Daniel Rooney, the Steelers’ director of business development and strategy, is attending Saturday’s game and has been meeting with key stakeholders.

Beaver Falls Opens Up Season With 28-7 Victory Over Blackhawk

A new season of football on Beaver County Radio kicked off from Reeves Field with the Beaver Falls Tigers winning over the Blackhawk Cougars by a score of 28-7 in Week 0 action.

The first game for new Blackhawk head coach Pat Feeley saw his Cougars fall 28-0 by halftime, but hold the Tigers scoreless in the second half while generating a touchdown among several scoring chances of their own. Still, Nick Nardone and the Beaver Falls Tigers, seeking their fourth straight trip to the WPIAL Championship, used the strength of their offensive line to win the battle of 15010.

Robert Mangino, Bruce Frey, and Mike Azadian had the call, and you can watch the game in its entirety on our Facebook feed below:

Links to watch Blackhawk vs. Beaver Falls Friday night on Beaver County Radio!

High School Football is back for a 75th year on Beaver County Radio!
99.3 and 95.7 FM along with 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA and beavercountyradio.com‘s Robert Mangino and Bruce Frey will have the call from Geneva College with sideline reports by Mike Azadian in this 2023 WPIAL Week 0 game as the Blackhawk Cougars and the Beaver Falls Tigers battle for the 15010 zip code!

You can watch our live stream video broadcast on Facebook Live, Youtube, and Twitch, or listen on-air or on our streaming apps! Coverage kicks off with pregame at 7:00pm and and kickoff is set for 7:30pm. Don’t miss the action, tune in!
To watch the live stream:   
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/beavercountyradio
Youtube (Try it on your smart TV!): https://www.youtube.com/@beavercountyradio
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/beavercountyradio
Listen on-line via beavercountyradio.com:

You can also download our free apps: 

Keuchel has perfect game broken up in 7th as Twins beat Pirates 2-0

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel celebrates with his team in the seventh inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Dallas Keuchel carried a perfect game into the seventh inning before allowing a double to Pittsburgh’s Bryan Reynolds, and Edouard Julien drove in a pair of runs for the Minnesota Twins in a 2-0 win against the Pirates. Keuchel was making his third start in the majors this season. He was pulled after allowing Reynolds’ hit on his 85th pitch of the game. Minnesota has won five of seven and extended its lead in the American League Central to six games over Cleveland. Pittsburgh right-hander Osvaldo Bido gave up two runs in 3 1/3 innings.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton ejected along with 2 coaches for arguing strike zone vs Reds

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton right, argues with home plate umpire Nic Lentz, left, after being ejected during the sixth inning as his team takes on the Cincinnati Reds in the second baseball game of a doubleheader in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pirates manager Derek Shelton, bench coach Don Kelly and pitching coach Oscar Marin were ejected by plate umpire Nic Lentz during the same at-bat for arguing ball/strike calls in the sixth inning of a doubleheader nightcap against Cincinnati Reds. Pittsburgh led 4-3 when Luke Maile walked with two outs, loading the bases. After the ejections, TJ Friedl hit an inning-ending flyout off Cody Bolton. Third base coach Mike Rabelo took over as acting manager.

New Brighton Native Evan Ashton Promoted to Business VP For XFL’s San Antonio Brahmas

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Aug. 7, 2023) – The XFL today announced that Evan Ashton has been promoted to Vice President of Business and Event Operations for the San Antonio Brahmas where he will oversee the team’s business performance and activations to elevate awareness, drive fan and community engagement, and execute gameday experiences based on the League’s strategic plans.

A native of New Brighton, Pennsylvania, Ashton earned a bachelor’s of science degree in business administration and sports management from Robert Morris in 2008.

“The XFL is a league of opportunity and we’re excited to continue to build our brand in San Antonio by moving Evan into this role to lead our business and event operations,” said Brooke Campbell, XFL’s Senior Vice President of Team Services. “Evan made an impact in year one for the Brahmas, and we’re hoping he can continue the momentum in San Antonio as we gear up for an exciting 2024 season.”

“Our business team accomplished so much in our first season, and I’m looking forward to keeping that momentum going,” Ashton said. “When I came to San Antonio five years ago, it quickly became my home. I’m proud to be part of the rich culture San Antonio has. This is a great city with so many great community leaders. We’re going to continue to integrate the Brahmas into the community, provide an exciting game environment for all and build lasting partnerships.”

Ashton served as Director of Sponsorships for the Brahmas during the team’s inaugural season.

Ashton has more than 15 years of experience working in sports highlighted by stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints, San Antonio Commanders and San Antonio Spurs Sports & Entertainment. He served as a senior account executive for the San Antonio Rampage and San Antonio FC while with the San Antonio Spurs Sports & Entertainment. Ashton was the Vice President of Corporate Partnerships for the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football league. Prior to joining the Commanders, he spent two years as a senior account executive for corporate partnerships with the New Orleans Saints. Ashton worked five years in minor league baseball with Hardball Capital where he worked with the Columbia Fireflies and Fort Wayne TinCaps. He was the vice president of corporate partnerships for the Fireflies and corporate partnerships manager for the TinCaps. Ashton got his start in sports working for his home-state Pittsburgh Steelers, where he worked multiple internships and was an associate for the team’s marketing, youth football and training camp initiatives.

Mangino to Join Beaver County Radio. Sports Broadcast Teams Announced.

(Photo provided by Robert Mangino)

Story by Beaver County Radio Staff,  August 10, 2023 

(Brighton Twp., Pa) Beaver County Radio is proud to announce that longtime veteran broadcaster Robert Mangino will be joining our high school football broadcast team this fall. Mangino will be the lead play by play man for Beaver County Radio’s Friday Night Game of the Week. He will be joined in the booth by longtime Beaver County Radio Broadcaster Bruce Frey who will be on color commentary. Beaver County Radio’s Mike Azadian will provide the sideline report.

Mangino has been a radio talk show host for 27 years. The last 13 years at KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh, Prior to that he hosted at 570 WKBN in Youngstown and 1200 WKST in New Castle.

General Manager Frank Sparks also announced changes to the remainder of the sports broadcast team. Saturday High School Football Broadcasts will be anchored by veteran broadcaster Mike Azadian. Geneva College Football game broadcasts will be anchored by Bruce Frey. Frey will be joined on color commentary by longtime time New Brighton AD Joe Ursida for home games and veteran national sports writer and longtime sports writer for the Beaver County Times John Perrotto will be on color commentary for the away games.  Azadian will also anchor the popular Coaches Corner show on Wednesdays at 7PM. Finally Frey will anchor the Falconi’s Moon Twp. Ford Wrap up Show on Friday nights after the game.

Sparks went on to say that “we have just been piecing things together since the untimely death of Beaver County Hall of Fame and Beaver County Radio Legendary Broadcaster Bob Barrickman.” “He went on to say that we really miss Bob and we could never replace him but we do need to move on while we continue to remember Bob’s legacy.” “It will be nice to have some stability in broadcast teams.”

Beaver County Radio will broadcast all games on 95.7 and 99.3 FM along with 1230 WBVP and 1460 WMBA. The games will be live audio streamed on our website at beavercountyradio.com and on the St. Barnabas Radio Network APP. The Friday Game of the week will be heard on all Beaver County Radio outlets and will be video streamed on our Facebook Page and You Tube Channel.

 

 

With 6 weeks until NHL training camps open, some teams may not be done making moves

Newly acquired Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson holds his first meeting with reporters in Pittsburgh since being traded from the San Jose Sharks, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Kyle Dubas doesn’t expect the Pittsburgh Penguins to make any more moves before the 2023-24 NHL season opens after completing the biggest trade of the summer. The Penguins dealt players and picks to two different teams to get three-time Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Erik Karlsson. But the rival Washington Capitals are among those still looking to wheel and deal in the six weeks left before training camps open. General manager Brian MacLellan says the Capitals are still looking for a top-six forward. Trading away Evgeny Kuznetsov remains a possibility.