MLB: Pirates GM won’t commit to John Russell coming back

Pirates fire Double-A Manager *The Pirates today fired Altoona Curve manager Matt Walbeck who led Altoona to their first championship and was named Eastern League Manager of the Year. Walbeck is regarded as one of the top up and coming coaches in the minors. The move is a major mistake by the organization and the Pirates to no surprise are giving no reason for the firing. The Altoona Mirror has provided some great coverage of the situation. Here’s the latest from the Mirror: By Corey Giger: Winning the Curve’s first championship and being named Eastern League Manager of the Year wasn’t enough for Matt Walbeck to keep his job. The Pirates informed Walbeck late Wednesday night that he would not

Battle for No. 6 spot: Despres getting more confident, comfortable

Despres performing above expectations Word out of Pens headquarters today is that Simon Despres remains in camp because management is seriously considering him as an option for their No. 6 defenseman spot. I was told if the Penguins weren’t still weighing the option, he would have been sent back to juniors on Wednesday and is not being kept around just for the experience. While the 9-game window has always been a thought, apparently the Penguins initial plan was to have Despres spend a week in camp, play one preseason game, then be sent back to juniors. In the eyes of management he’s been that good through two games and the Penguins initial plan has been changed. When you see higher

Tangradi says he can be that net front presence “player” the Penguins lack

1-on-1 interview with Eric Tangradi I sat down with Eric Tangradi after practice and we touched base on several subjects. I asked Eric if he feels he can be that “Ryan Malone” type of player the Penguins have missed and an interesting topic we spoke about is the impact assistant coach Tony Granato has had on him. I’ve noticed Granato working with Tangradi on the side during the past couple practices and Tangradi told me Granato has taking him under his wing. Tangradi on his performance in camp: “So far i think I’ve done a pretty good job, I’m still pretty nervous about what’s going to happen in the next couple days, ” Tangradi told Inside Pittsburgh Sports. “You know

Thursday’s practice Report: Jeffrey brings defensive minded presence to Malkin’s line

Pens Practice Report The Penguins returned to the ice this morning after having an off-day on Wednesday. HBO was in the building filming for their 24/7 program which will run for 6 weeks on Wednesday’s. With the roster being reduced to 30, the competition will really pick up this weekend and the Penguins had some interesting line combo’s today. Forwards Line 1: Kunitz – Crosby – Dupuis Line 2: Malkin – Comrie – Jeffrey Line 3: Cooke – Talbot – Asham Line 4: Tangradi – Letestu – Kennedy Line 5: Rupp – Adams – Godard The Penguins D-pairs included: Martin – Letang Goligoski – Michalek Despres – Lovejoy Engelland – Hutchinson Notes: Defenseman Brooks Orpik did not practice and neither

Staal says no timetable for return

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jordan Staal has kept a low profile but spoke today with the media. Staal who is battling a foot infection was in a walking boot and remains out for several weeks. He says the injury has been extremely frustrating and that there is no timetable for a return. Staal also said he is not close to skating. “I’m not really sure,” Staal said when asked about a timetable for a return. “There’s been a lot of ups and downs with this foot….I can’t really put a finger on when I’ll be back.” As we first reported last Saturday, word is Penguins management does not expect Staal back until the holidays. Contacts I spoke with last weekend told

Wednesday’s Steelers – Ravens Injury Report & more notes

Steelers Practice Notes Today the Steelers went through an extremely light workout in their first of three practices this week. The past two weeks the Steelers have adapted a different approach with walkthroughs on Wednesday’s and having only one hard practice on Thursday’s. Head coach Mike Tomlin believes the new approach will keep his team more fresh and for now he’s going to stick with the new schedule. It’s a new practice format that gives veterans such as Hines Ward and James Farrior an opportunity to participate when in the past they have sat out Wednesday practices that are considered regular practices. *On the injury front, Trai Essex (ankle) and Chris Hoke (knee) did not practice. Hoke has not been

Pens reduce roster by 11: Sterling put on waivers

The Pittsburgh Penguins have reduced their roster by 11 players, the team announced this morning. Forwards: Chris Conner, Nick Johnson, Brett Sterling, Joe Vitale, Tim Wallace; Defensemen Robert Bortuzzo, Corey Potter, Brian Strait and Steve Wagner; Goaltenders Brad Thiessen and John Curry. Sterling, Wallace, Potter, Curry, Conner and Wagner will all have to clear waivers by 12:00 p.m. on Thursday to be reassigned to Wilkes Barre/Scranton. The transaction leaves 30 players on the Penguins’ roster: 18 forwards; 10 defensemen; and two goaltenders. There are no surprises on the list, although some believed Brett Sterling would make it through the next round of cuts but I was never buying into talk that he was going to make the team. There was

NHL: Does Lovejoy fit into the Penguins plans for No. 6 spot?

Through four preseason games, the battle for the No. 6 and No. 7 defensemen spots will continue into game No. 5 and likely game No. 6. Defenseman Ben Lovejoy has not established himself above the rest and there have been whispers over the past couple days that he might not fit into what the Penguins are looking for out of their No. 6 defenseman. If Lovejoy doesn’t win the No. 6 spot, being sent to Wilkes Barre can’t be ruled out. Lovejoy is in the first year of a three year deal but the first year of the deal is a two-way contract. If he’s also unable to win a regular spot, his future with the team beyond this season

Bylsma on Tangradi & Malkin

The buzz after the game centered around top forward prospect Eric Tangradi. With roster cuts coming on Wednesday, the Penguins face a difficult decision regarding Tangradi and there are believed to be mixed opinions in the organization on whether the best move long-term for Tangradi and the team is to give Tangradi more seasoning in the minors What the the Penguins have wanted to do during camp was to give Tangradi the experience of playing with a Malkin or Crosby and see how he responded. From what Dan Bylsma said on Tuesday, Tangradi has earned an A+ in that area. Following the game Bylsma spoke at length about Tangradi and praised Tangradi’s ability to know his role. Bylsma also spoke

Preseason Game 4 Wrapup: Jeffrey, Letestu impressive in win

Post-Game Observations & Analysis Pens stay undefeated: The Pittsburgh Penguins are off to a 4-0 start in the preseason defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 on Tuesday night at the Consol Energy Center. The team got goals from Evgeni Malkin, Dustin Jeffrey, Max Talbot and Nick Johnson. Goaltender Brent Johnson made 21 saves in the win. It was again another team effort and head coach Dan Bylsma was very encouraged in that his players are starting to understand how he wants them to play. “I liked a lot of things about the game, head coach Dan Bylsma said. “From individuals and from our team, I like looking up at the end and seeing 40 shots to 20 or so..39. Their {Chicago}