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I am a journalist and communications professional with over two decades experience in the Pittsburgh region. I deliver creative and unique high-quality content for readers of all audiences.
PITTSBURGH - On a recent spring morning, Mike Sullivan stood stoically at center ice at PPG Paints Arena shouting instructions to his players. Through his thick New England accent, Sullivan was dropping R's -- "skate hahd!" "fastuh!"
PHILADELPHIA -- Yep, Jake Guentzel was that kid. That June day in Newark six years ago, the then-18-year-old rink rat sat in the stands for the second day of the NHL Draft. Sporting his best suit and tie, with his mom, Sally, and his dad, Mike, Guentzel waited, then waited some more.
LAS VEGAS -- If you squinted hard enough Tuesday night, and could somehow look past the unfamiliar grey jersey, you'd swear it might be PPG Paints Arena or maybe across Centre Avenue at the old Igloo. Alas, Las Vegas isn't Pittsburgh, as if the neon lights of the casinos and the Elvis impersonators weren't reminder enough.
PITTSBURGH - On Tuesday night, Martavis Bryant posted two photos to his Instagram account.One showed the Steelers suspended wide receiver training in Nevada, where he has spent the past year in exile from the NFL.
Given the choice of playing in the Olympics or the World Cup of Hockey, it's no debate. Sidney Crosby and Jack Johnson, two past Olympians and participants in the 2016 World Cup, said they'll take the Winter Games every time. However, both consider the World Cup an "honor" and an "awesome" experience.
Up in Boston they say that before there was Tom Brady or Drew Bledsoe or Steve Grogan or Jim Plunkett, there was Babe Parilli.In Beaver County, they say much the same.Before there was Joe Namath, the greatest quarterback that this small corner of western Pennsylvania ever produced, there was Rochester's Vito "Babe" Parilli.On Saturday, the New England Patriots announced the death of Parilli at age 87 in Denver after a lengthy illness.
Without question, Jameson Taillon is the ace of the Pirates pitching staff. So is Joe Musgrove. And Trevor Williams. And Chris Archer. And Ivan Nova. And in their mind's eye, each of them is. And that's how Clint Hurdle views his starting rotation.
As a heavy downpour fell late Sunday afternoon, a bolt of lightning flashed through the skies above PNC Park. At that precise moment, Josh Bell struck Dan Jennings' 89.4-mph four-seam fastball, absolutely crushing a line drive, sending it through the raindrops and deep into center field and, most importantly, over the head of Milwaukee's Lorenzo Cain.
Dale Lolley and Chris Bradford talk about the Steelers' arrival at training camp, avoiding distractions about Le'Veon Bell, Eli Rogers' return to the team, and where the backup quarterbacks stand.
BOSTON -- " John Havlicek, good ballplayer," Mike Sullivan mused as he looked up at a large mural outside the Penguins' dressing room at TD Garden on Friday. Sullivan of nearby Marshfield, Mass., proud alumnus of Boston University and a former head coach of the Bruins, certainly knows his New England sports history.