The Pomp And Joe Show

It's a Paul Skenes day, but it doesn't feel like it used to. Skenes Day isn't what it used to be but it's also a unique thing other teams don't have. Matt shares his journey through the minor leagues and being sent down to other leagues and levels before he made the Major Leagues.

Should the Pirates consider trading Esmerlyn Valdez for pitching? Is the complete opposite of so many years where we want the Pirates to trade hitting for pitching. Would you listen on Oneil Cruz? Matt would listen but doesn't want to trade him. Matt thinks Cruz will make more money than we all expect. Could Valdez turn into a diamond in the rough?

61. Fake or real tree? 62. Do the Pirates win a playoff series if they make it 63. Will JPJ be the highest paid corner? 64. Hot dogs or hambergers? 65. Are fireworks overrated? 66. Are drone shows better than fireworks?? 67. 7 potential All-Stars who could switch teams 68. Big Ben or Terry Bradshaw 69. Is Penn State going to Adidas helpful 70. Best college basketball coach at Pitt this century 71....

71 topics: 21-43, Joe Starkey and Austin Bechtold discuss Pittsburgh sports topics.

2. Harry Callas hasn't brushed his teeth since Saturday. 3. Has Jared Triolo earned some playing time? 4. Endy Rodriguez is now 0-14 against lefties 5. Why are there words with silent letters? 6. Billy Cook was in the lineup last night, why though? 7. Is Konnor Griffin the Pirates everyday leadoff hitter?

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey and Austin Bechtold, from Tuesday, June 30th, 2026

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey: Even the Pirates' wins can be frustrating. The Pirates came back from down 5-0 but the bullpen tried to give the game back until Endy Rodriguez hit a three-run homer. Esmerlyn Valdez hit another home run and has homered in four in a row. We ask AI how it would fix the bullpen.

Hour 2 with Joe Starkey: Joey Porter Jr.'s market isn't set because Christian Gonzalez and others in Porter's draft class are going to get paid this year. The training camp battle between Allar and Howard will be interesting. The Penguins don't want to take Darnell Nurse's $9.25 million fully salary in a deal. Would you trade Rickard Rakell and two first round picks for Jason Robertson? Robertson...

Hour 3 with Joe Starkey: What are the greatest comebacks in Pittsburgh sports history? Mario Lemieux is obviously No. 1 after 3.5 years in retirement. Mario put up 76 points in 43 games. Joe thinks it was the biggest story he's ever covered. Sidney Crosby coming back from concussions. James Harrison retired and came back to the Steelers. Rod Woodson returned from a torn ACL to play in the Super Bo...

Hour 4 with Joe Starkey: Endy Rodriguez is putting things together, but his arm isn't completely back yet from injury. Michael thinks Rodriguez is good at blocking the baseball and should be better soon. Michael thinks the Pirates have to give Endy a chance to catch Paul Skenes. This date in sports history, June 30th.

This date in sports history, 6-30-2026

Endy Rodriguez is putting things together, but his arm isn't completely back yet from injury. Michael thinks Rodriguez is good at blocking the baseball and should be better soon. Michael thinks the Pirates have to give Endy a chance to catch Paul Skenes. He thinks a shift could be good. Michael thinks Konnor Griffin could hit as many as 40 home runs in his career.

What is with the Pirates pitching coach and his walk to the mound? It's not a good look when he slowly walks to the mound and the umpires might say something to him. Do you sit Paul Skenes for a game? What are your three Pirates wishes. Should the Penguins bring Ryan Shea back? 

Serena Williams at age 44 is coming back to tennis. What are the greatest comebacks in Pittsburgh sports history? Mario Lemieux is obviously No. 1 after 3.5 years in retirement. Mario put up 76 points in 43 games. Joe thinks it was the biggest story he's ever covered. Sidney Crosby coming back from concussions. James Harrison retired and came back to the Steelers. Rod Woodson returned from a torn...

The Penguins don't want to take Darnell Nurse's $9.25 million fully salary in a deal. Would you trade Rickard Rakell and two first round picks for Jason Robertson? Robertson wants $14 million. 

Joey Porter Jr.'s market isn't set because Christian Gonzalez and others in Porter's draft class are going to get paid this year. Porter may wait to see what they get. Nick thinks it's fair that the NFL is holding out Brendan Sorsby right now.  The training camp battle between Allar and Howard will be interesting. Nick thinks Robert Spears-Jennings will be solid and a good special teams player.

Esmerlyn Valdez hit another home run and has homered in four in a row. Endy Rodriguez said he was waiting for his friend Chase Shugart to throw a sweeper. Would you trade Jared Jones for Aroldis Chapman? We ask AI how it would fix the bullpen. Joe would trade Jones. Jones has three years of control.

Even the Pirates wins can be frustrating. The Pirates came back from down 5-0 but the bullpen tried to give the game back until Endy Rodriguez hit a three-run homer. Rodriguez is becoming a big story for the Pirates. A fan calls in to complain about Rodriguez's defense. 

The Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Monday, June 29th, 2026

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: This is the time when we'll know who the Pirates will be. The Pirates are one of the best teams in baseball before the seventh inning. The Brewers are 37-18 after a .500 first month. What is going to happen. Matt thinks the Pirates could trade their comp pick for a reliever. Joe would keep Gregory Soto as the closer for now and doesn't trust anymore. Bob w...

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: What road will the 2026 Pittsburgh Pirates take? The Brewers are on pace for over 100 wins! One fan didn't like Jared Jones' demeanor after walking off the mound following a balk, wild pitch, and error. Dave in Chalk Hill wonders if they should trade Jared Jones for Chapman. The Pirates have lost Paul Skenes' last EIGHT starts. The velocity is down and his...

Hour 3 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Joe thinks the Pirates give Mitch Keller too big of a leash and keeps him in too long. Bob thinks Braxton Ashcraft is going to be picked as a replacement in the ASG. Joe doesn't think Paul Skenes DESERVES to be in the All-Star Game. Is Brandon Lowe going to be back next year? 

Hour 4 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: The Penguins drafted the Ruck brothers on Friday and Saturday. Kyle Dubas said he has learned from big moves he's made. He's learned from overdoing things in free agency. Dubas said it's a shifting landscape and that building their next roster might be more of a "brick by boring brick" style. This date in sports history. In 1977, Willie Stargell hit his 40...

This day in sports history, June 29, 2026.

The Penguins drafted the Ruck brothers on Friday and Saturday. Kyle Dubas said he has learned from big moves he's made. He's learned from overdoing things in free agency. Dubas said it's a shifting landscape and that building their next roster might be more of a "brick by boring brick" style.