The Fan At Night

2-18 Austin Bechtold 6pm hour

Jeff Hathhorn joins the show! Jeff reacts to the news that Mike Wagner has passed away. He was a key member of the Steelers defense during their Super Bowl victories in the early 1970s. Jeff says he has no issues with NHL players in the Olympics and that Crosby earned the right to represent his country. What can Pitt Basketball do to get out of its current slump?

Sean Gentile joins the show! What did he think of the Sidney Crosby injury at the Olympics today? He says that Crosby has always had upper body issues and has been "lucky" regarding lower-body injuries like an MCL and others. Sean and Austin discuss NHL players at the Olympics. Sean reacts to Team USA and Canada both having issues with teams they should have beaten in regulation. Tom Fitzgerald sh...

Kevin Gorman joins the show from Bradenton! Konnor Griffin continues to impress in Spring Training. How has Griffin handled the expectations so far as the top prospect in all of baseball? Should the Pirates lock Griffin up long term? Gorman does not know what the financials look like in a potential extension.

Sidney Crosby gets hurt in the Olympic Games. There is now a discussion about whether NHL players participating in the Olympics is a good thing. (Spoiler alert: yes, it is a good thing). Kevin Fiala was hurt earlier in the tournament and will miss the regular season but this was not discussed. In 2018 and 2022, NHL players fully intended to participate in the Olympic Games despite the known risks....

Dan Kingerski; Pittsburgh Hockey Now joins! Dan and Josh discuss the Winter Olympics, before transitioning to the Penguins, their remarkable first portion of 2026, and how they can keep up the momentum going forward.

Colin Beazley; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette joins! The guys thoroughly discuss this new-look Pirates team, and how the pitching staff could shake out. They also get into the possibility of Konnor Griffin making the Opening Day roster, as well as the long-term outlook for MLB and the potential lockout, with Tony Clark resigning from MLBPA.

Alan Saunders; Pittsburgh Steelers Now joins! The guys briefly discuss the Joey Porter-Ben Roethlisberger beef, before they transition to the NFL draft. Is Ty Simpson a real possibility? Can the team pay something wild for Malik Willis, potentially?

Calls on the Bucs; One caller predicts 89 wins for the Buccos! Does that get Ben Cherington Executive of the Year?

Josh starts with the Bucs; He wishes the team (on paper) this year is the one who was playing over recent seasons when Josh was hosting Bucco Talk and some postgame shows n'at. Josh credits Ben Cherington for making notable moves this offseason, and snagging some big-enough names who the team wouldn't have pursued over previous seasons. JR also notes that the team will have Paul Skenes and Konnor...

Nick Farabaugh joins the show! Nick doesn't think Tyreek Hill makes sense for The Steelers. Some of the Free agent options for the Steelers. Nick doesn't like Tanner Mckee :(. Nick talks about the Joey Porter and Big Ben feud/drama.

The Athletic NHL Writer Sean Gentille joins the show! Sean talks about USA Men's Hockey, and if they can win the gold. Has Gavin Mckenna hurt his draft stock?

Jason Mackey joins the show! Jason says how he will remember Jack Suwinski. Jason also thinks Jack will get signed soon, "there is a good baseball player in there". Jason has Konnor Griffin starting the season in AAA. Jason thinks the biggest strength is the bullpen. Jason says Mason Montgomery has stood out so far. 

Jack and producer Joel Nelson go over the top free agent wide receivers for the offseason, and which we'd want on the Steelers.

Nick Farabaugh; PennLive.com joins! The guys discuss the Porter-Roethlisberger stuff, before transitioning to the Steelers' new coaching staff under Mike McCarthy, and all the different things they'll bring to the table, and all of the different details involved. The guys also discuss which Steelers could return, and who may be moving on in free agency.

Jack believes Konnor Griffin should start 2026 with Indianapolis. Jack wants Griffin to permanently remain with the Pirates after his initial call-up, and not risk having Griffin on the opening roster only to struggle and get sent down.

Colin Beazley; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette joins! The guys discuss pitchers and catchers reporting, as well as Oneil Cruz and Konnor Griffin being dahn at camp, and what Colin's seen from them. The guys also discuss the chances of the team getting Nick Castellanos, before transitioning to if the Bucs can snag Mark Vientos from the Mets. The guys also discuss how the Bucs' bullpen could shake out, espe...

Nick Castellanos was let go by the Phillies today; Should the Pirates go after him? Where would he play, considering he hasn't played third base since 2016?

RIP Elroy Face. Jack reflects on Face's legacy, on and off the field. Jack then transitions to the Steelers and Joey Porter's comments regarding Ben Roethlisberger. How much under Mike McCarthy could be similar to how Mike Tomlin ran things? Also, what might a Joey Porter Jr. contract extension look like?

Steelers correspondent Mark Kaboly from The Pat McAfee Show joins! The guys discuss the QB situation, everything that could lead up to the team's decision at QB, and if Aaron Rodgers is the guy. Mark thinks Rodgers either returns to Pittsburgh or calls it a career. The guys also discuss the futures of Cam Heyward, Nick Herbig, Chris Boswell, Jalen Ramsey, etc.

More Super Bowl thoughts, and where the Steelers are in comparison to Seattle and New England. Donny emphasizes drafting and developing, something the Seahawks have done very well under GM John Schneider. There are many names on Seattle's team who football fans may not have known of until this postseason, who made impacts all season long for Mike McDonald's squad. Donny also highlights New England...

Paul Steigerwald joins the show! Paul has high praise for Dan Muse. Paul compares Dan to past Penguin Head Coaches like Eddie Johnson. Paul says unless they get any serious injuries, he sees the Penguins being a playoff team. Should the Pens buy or sell at the deadline? Jason talks about Craig Patrick.

Jason thinks the Tarik Skubal situation means Paul Skenes could be traded before his contract expires. Jason sees pitchers as a more riskier long term bet. Jason thinks The Pirates have 3 years left with Skenes. Sportsnet Pittsburgh Micheal McKenry joins the show! McKenry says the Pirates are doing a lot of "maybes". McKenry wants a big splash at Starting Pitcher. The name Micheal throws out, Max...