Pirates Can't Have Nice Things

Pirates Can't Have Nice Things

Joe and Justin are back for another episode of Out of Town Yinzers — two lifelong Pittsburghers now living out of town, still bleeding black and gold. This week they try to stay positive about the Pirates even as Konnor Griffin injury news breaks minutes before recording, then dig into an NFL roster ranking debate for the Steelers, a Penguins draft and free agency check-in, and Pitt football's biggest offensive storylines heading into camp. IN THIS EPISODE: PIRATES - Konnor Griffin injury news breaks right before taping — the guys react to a potential month-long absence for one of their most exciting players - The case for optimism: Pittsburgh has gone from 30th in runs scored last season to 3rd in baseball this year - Why the bullpen, not the lineup, is the fix — and why a trade deadline addition feels likely - The tough NL landscape and why the schedule eases up after the All-Star break - MLB Draft preview: the Pirates pick 5th with four picks in the top 50 and the most bonus pool money in baseball — Vahn Lackey, Jackson Flora, and Eric Booth Jr. highlighted as names to watch - How potential CBA changes could affect the way teams draft high schoolers going forward STEELERS - Reacting to an ESPN roster ranking that has Pittsburgh 19th overall — Joe argues the roster (outside of quarterback) stacks up with almost anyone in the league - Position-by-position debate featuring DK Metcalf, Darnell Washington, and Zach Frazier as legitimate top-tier pieces - How much the quarterback spot alone is dragging down the overall grade - Training camp storylines to watch: the wide receiver room, the tackle competition, and the new-look offense under Mike McCarthy PENGUINS - A recap of the NHL Draft, including the Penguins landing twin prospects, and what it signals about the front office's draft philosophy - Free agency so far: re-signing key young players and adding Andrei Kuzmenko rather than chasing big outside names - A surprising trade that shook up the blue line, plus lingering trade rumors involving Edmonton - Weighing whether Pittsburgh should get aggressive with an offer sheet, using the Flyers' pursuit of an Anaheim defenseman as the jumping-off point PITT FOOTBALL - Why the Kade Bell hire may have saved Pat Narduzzi's job, and what year three under him should reveal - Quarterback development as the single biggest storyline of the season - Question marks at wide receiver after losing key contributors, and which names could step up - The offensive line as the swing factor for the whole offense Like, subscribe, and help us reach our next subscriber milestone! New episode next week. #Pirates #Steelers #Penguins #PittPanthers #Pittsburgh #MLB #NFL #NHL #CollegeFootball

Pirates All Start Surge + Larry Fitz WVU Hatred

Welcome back to Episode 26 of the Out of Town Yinzers podcast! Joe and Justin are back to talk Pittsburgh sports from afar. This week, the guys celebrate a massive surge from the Pirates heading into the All-Star break, break down recent trade and draft movements, preview the biggest upcoming Steelers training camp battles, and question if the Penguins are trapped in NHL purgatory. * Pirates Hot Streak & Playoff Expectations: The Buccos went 4-2 over their last two series, including a dominant sweep of the Brewers. With the bats heating up, is it officially playoffs or bust? * 07:15 – Futures Game & Trade/Draft Analysis: Discussing Seth Hernandez hitting 101 MPH in the Futures Game. Plus, an honest review of the Jacob Gonzalez trade and the selection of LSU outfielder Derek Curiel. * 21:58 – Steelers Training Camp Battles: Sizing up the offense before camp kicks off. Who takes the Right Guard spot out of Spencer Anderson, Dunker, and Hoffman? Then, a deep dive into the WR3 battle—can Jeremy Bernard win Aaron Rodgers' trust early, or will veteran Ben Skowronek get the nod for Week 1? * 31:29 – Penguins Roster Evaluation: Going line-by-line through the post-free-agency roster. The guys discuss a promising young goalie tandem but voice major concerns over a messy defensive rotation that feels stuck in neutral. * 39:50 – Pitt Football & Backyard Brawl Trash Talk: Reacting to Pitt legend Larry Fitzgerald's hilariously out-of-character digs at West Virginia during his appearance on Pardon My Take. * 42:44 – Nostalgia Lane (Favorite Road Stadiums): The guys share their favorite sports environments outside of Pittsburgh, including bucket-list experiences at Ohio State's Horseshoe, Michigan's Big House, old Yankee Stadium, and Notre Dame. 📢 Join the Community: If you're loving the show, please like, subscribe, and help push us past our goal of 100 subscribers! Drop your predictions for the Pirates' second half of the season in the comments below!

Pirates Find Ways to Lose + AFC North Defense Rankings

Welcome back to another episode of Out of Town Yinzers! This week, Joe and Justin navigate the summer lull in Pittsburgh sports by digging into the trenches of the front office, roster rankings, and pure local nostalgia. From analyzing a heartbreaking stretch of Pirates baseball to ranking every single position group on defense across the AFC North, we leave no stone unturned. Plus, we look at the Penguins' massive $37M cap space flexibility, celebrate an old friend winning the Stanley Cup, and round things out with a definitive ranking of Kennywood's iconic roller coasters. Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode! Drop your own AFC North defensive rankings in the comments below! * 00:10 – Pirates Midway Breakdown & Bullpen Blues: Are the wheels falling off a .500 team? We react to historic, agonizing 9th-inning losses, Paul Skenes throwing gems without getting the run support, and why the bullpen desperately needs reinforcements before the All-Star break. * 09:01 – Steelers Offseason & AFC North Defensive Rankings: Breaking down the fresh energy surrounding the Steelers' new-look coaching staff. We rank the entire division from top to bottom across every defensive level: Edge, Interior Defensive Line, Off-Ball Linebackers, and the Secondary. * 23:55 – The Miles Garrett Blockbuster & Herbig’s Deal: Reacting to the massive news of Miles Garrett being traded to the Rams (and a potential Aaron Donald un-retirement?). Plus, our thoughts on Nick Herbig's massive new contract extension. * 28:07 – Penguins Draft & Trade Rumors: With over $37 million in cap space and an incredibly weak free-agent class, is Kyle Dubas about to go "big game hunting" via trade? We discuss potential roster turnover, moving core pieces, and the Darnell Nurse rumors. * 34:19 – Jordan Stahl Nostalgia & The Conn Smythe: Celebrating former Pen Jordan Stahl lifting the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes. We look back at his infamous wedding-day trade and how it secretly paved the way for Pittsburgh's back-to-back Cups years later. * 40:36 – Pitt Athletics & The New NIL Era: Digging into the new JMI Sports initiative to streamline player payouts. Plus, we discuss why moving the West Virginia basketball game to PPG Paints Arena is a necessary economic evil in modern college sports. * 45:15 – Nostalgia Segment: Kennywood Is Open! Wrapping up the show with a summer classic. We rank our favorite childhood rides—from the Racer and Thunderbolt to Noah's Ark and the Exterminator—and reminisce about the glorious days of packing full coolers into the park. #PittsburghSports #Steelers #Pirates #Penguins #PittPanthers #AFCNorth #Kennywood

Pirates' Panic & AFC North Power Rankings

It might be the offseason for some, but the Pittsburgh sports landscape never rests! In this episode, Joe and Justin wrap their heads around a turbulent week for the Pirates, break down how the Steelers’ offense stacks up against the rest of the AFC North, check in on a thrilling baby Penguins playoff run, and discuss the latest roster shakeups and recruiting wins for Pitt basketball and football. * The Atlanta Sweep: After a hot streak, reality hits hard with a sweep by the Braves and another brutal bullpen collapse. * The Injury Bug: Deep concerns over Connor Griffin’s elbow specialist visit, alongside updates on Cruz and Lau. * Cherington's Roster: Is Ben Cherington building a playoff contender or playing with a fundamentally flawed bullpen? The guys go position-by-position to rank the Steelers' offense against their division rivals: * Quarterbacks: Joe and Justin debate Burrow vs. Lamar at the top, leaving the Steelers in the tier below. * Running Backs & Wide Receivers: Why the Steelers' depth puts them in a strong position, and whether the gap to Cincinnati's wideout room is closing. * Tight Ends & O-Line: A look at Darnell Washington's unique role and contract extension, plus a breakdown of the massive investments made along the offensive line. * The Baby Pens: Direct from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the young guys are making a deep Eastern Conference Finals run, giving the front office a great look at future cornerstones like goalie Sergei Murashov. * The Dylan Larkin Hypothetical: What would it actually cost to bring high-end talent like Larkin to Pittsburgh? * Basketball: AD Alan Green notes a massive, unexpected investment in the roster. With a near-total turnover, it's officially "Tournament or Bust" for Capel. * Football: A massive June recruiting weekend brings in 12 commitments as Pitt expands its recruiting footprint deeper into Georgia. Teaser for Next Time: Stay tuned until the end to hear about a future nostalgia segment where Joe claims Justin’s dad was ready to adopt him as the favorite son! Don't forget to like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Episode Breakdown🏴‍☠️ Pirates: Highs, Lows, and Health Woes🏈 Steelers: AFC North Offensive Position Rankings🐧 Penguins: AHL Playoff Run & Trade Rumors🡠 Pitt Panthers: New Eras & Recruiting Sprees

AFC North Draft Grades, Pirates Pitching Fixes, & Malkin's Return!

Welcome back to Out of Town Yinzers! This week, Joe and Justin are putting a final bow on the NFL draft with a deep dive into our AFC North division foes. Did the Browns, Bengals, and Ravens actually nail their picks? Plus, we ride the rollercoaster of the Pirates' recent stretch. The bats might be hot and cold, but the starting pitching is legit. We break down why Braxton Ashcraft is arguably the most underrated pitcher in the majors right now, and how the rotation should look once Jared Jones returns to the big league club. We also celebrate Geno Malkin's return to the Pens on an absolute bargain deal, tip our caps to Pitt Baseball's massive, dramatic walk-off home run, and play a fun hypothetical game: if the Pirates didn't exist, which AL and NL teams would we root for? If you're enjoying the pod, please take a second to Follow and leave us a 5-star rating on Spotify! It helps us grow the show. We are taking next week off, but we'll see you in two weeks with more Pittsburgh sports talk. Episode Chapters: (00:10) - Intro & AFC North Draft Grades (18:54) - The Pirates Rollercoaster & Underrated Pitching (33:32) - Evgeni Malkin’s Bargain Extension with the Pens (38:39) - Pitt Baseball’s Epic Walk-Off Homer (43:55) - Hypothetical Fandom: Picking AL/NL Teams (50:17) - Outro & Wrap-Up