The Pomp And Joe Show

Jeff Hathhorn thinks Kyle Dubas is going to try and be active to acquire a star. Jeff thinks the Pirates need two bullpen arms, even if one's a flyer on somebody. The Pirates truly value what Marcell Ozuna brings to their clubhouse. Jeff would be shocked if the Steelers move off Will Howard and thinks it's more likely they try to trade Mason Rudolph.

Geoff Hoffmann is hopeful that Mario Lemieux will be involved with the Penguins. Jeff Hathhorn said that Lemieux doesn't want to be involved day-to-day but wants to feel welcome at games and come when he wants. Mario disappeared with Fenway. Geoff Hoffmann said this is not an investment and they will do everything for the Penguins to win in Pittsburgh.

The Hoffmann Family is committed to winning and they care about spending money to make the team win. The Florida Everglades is going to be the new ECHL team and will unfortunately replace Wheeling. Tyler Kennedy identified Josh Anderson as a Tom Wilson like player. Josh Yohe reported that Kyle Dubas is "big game hunting." Will the Penguins make a big move? 

The Hoffmann's said they want Mario Lemieux involved. Tyler Kennedy joins and thinks the Hoffmann's hit the presser out of the park. TK has new teeth at Cranberry Dental! He also has new hair! Joe is willing to give up a first round pick and Ben Kindel for Jason Robertson. NHL players are more in control of where they want to go. TK thinks it's good for the NHL. Many players are leaving Canada to...

Joe has been very frustrated by the Pirates lack of success in extra innings. Paul in Washington wants Ben Cherington to be fired and he doesn't like Kelly. After a player has a big game, it feels like Don Kelly sits them like when Tyler Callihan was benched after hitting two homers! 

The Pirates are 40-40 but should be better than that. Who is in order to blame: Ben Cherington, Don Kelly, or the players?

What do Penguins fans want to see in the Hoffmann Family? Pens fans want to see the group involved, but hands off and not overstepping. Kyle Dubas' record as Penguins GM is mixed. The Pirates should be four games over .500 if they were healthier and had a good bullpen. 

Where are we with ownership? The Hoffmann's are taking over with the sun setting. The Hoffmann Family is welcoming back Mario Lemieux and Bob expects the Hoffmann's to put Mario in a "prominent position" and the welcome mat out. We are near the end of the Sidney Crosby era. The Penguins don't have prospects who are going to be stars. There are a ton of ifs.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Friday, June 24th, 2026

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: The Penguins have been officially sold to the Hoffmann's. The deal is for about $1.75 billion from Fenway Sports Group to the Hoffmann Family of Companies. How should we remember FSG? Poni suggested giving up Ben Kindel and a first-round pick for Jason Robertson. Why have the Steelers not retired Terry Bradshaw's No. 12? Marcell Ozuna is hitting .296 in Ju...

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Mark thinks the Steelers may have no choice but to cut Will Howard. In his initial projection, Mark has the Steelers keeping three quarterbacks with Howard being released. Mark thinks Mike McCarthy likes to change multiple things with his quarterbacks to match the tendencies he wants to see. Mark and Austin think Drew Allar is better than Sorsby. Mark thin...

Hour 3 with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Matt Clement: Matt likes the matchup for Bubba Chandler because the Mariners swing early. We all agree that Mitch Keller should have started the 7th, but didn't work. Matt said Cole Young is the best high school baseball hitter he has ever seen and beat the Pirates on a two-run homer! Matt Clement thinks the Red Sox may want a prospect outside the Pirates...

Hour 4 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Matt Clement thinks it would be 10 games under .500. It's a desperate time for the Pirates. Matt thinks when Konnor Griffin comes back, Jared Triolo is still going to be on the team. Bob just wants to see Henry Davis hit. Jason thinks Konnor Griffin could come back this weekend at PNC Park against the Reds. Oneil Cruz is still around 3-4 weeks out.

Pirates insider Jason Mackey joined the show. Jason thinks Konnor Griffin could come back this weekend at PNC Park against the Reds. Oneil Cruz is still around 3-4 weeks out. Braxton Ashcraft is fearless. Don Kelly and Bill Murphy had a long conversation with Mitch Keller and how he needed to throw more strikes.

Where would the Pirates need to be to go from a buyer to seller? Matt Clement thinks it would be 10 games under .500. It's a desperate time for the Pirates. Matt thinks when Konnor Griffin comes back, Jared Triolo is still going to be on the team. Bob just wants to see Henry Davis hit.

Matt Clement thinks the Red Sox may want a prospect outside the Pirates top five and another small piece they like for Aroldis Chapman. He thinks the Pirates will be around the race to be buyers and a Chapman trade could happen after the All-Star Break. Matt thinks that Matt Chapman would make sense. Robby Ray would be a great lefty to add.

Matt thinks Braxton Ashcraft vs. Bryan Woo is must watch baseball. Matt likes the matchup for Bubba Chandler because the Mariners swing early. We all agree that Mitch Keller should have started the 7th, but didn't work. Is 6 innings of three runs or less really a quality start?? Matt said Cole Young is the best high school baseball hitter he has ever seen and beat the Pirates on a two-run homer!

Mark Kaboly isn't that surprised that the NFL isn't holding a NFL Supplemental Draft. Brendan Sorsby will not be able to join the NFL until next year. Where will he play? Mark and Austin think Drew Allar is better than Sorsby. Mark thinks Allar is "head and shoulders" above Brendan Sorsby! 

Mark thinks the Steelers may have no choice but to cut Will Howard. In his initial projection, Mark has the Steelers keeping three quarterbacks with Howard being released. Mark thinks Mike McCarthy likes to change multiple things with his quarterbacks to match the tendencies he wants to see.

Why have the Steelers not retired Terry Bradshaw's No. 12? Marcell Ozuna is hitting .296 in June despite mostly singles. Brendan Sorsby was denied entry into the Supplemental Draft. Jeff Patton of Baseball Card Castle joined the show.

The Penguins have been officially sold to the Hoffmann's. The deal is for about $1.75 billion from Fenway Sports Group to the Hoffmann Family of Companies. How should we remember FSG? We remember how they alienated Mario Lemieux and the Hoffmann's are going to bring him back. FSG left the Penguins better than they found it. Poni suggested giving up Ben Kindel and a first-round pick for Jason Rober...

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey and Austin Bechtold, from Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey:

Hour 2 with Joe Starkey: Tom Brady said Aaron Rodgers is the best thrower of the football he's ever seen. It's hard to argue! Andrew Luck is one of the biggest 'what if's' in the NFL. When will the Steelers retire Terry Bradshaw's number? Are you interested in the World Cup?

Hour 3 with Joe Starkey: Soccer fans chimed in on why they like the game and the World Cup. Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now joined the show. Dan would be surprised if the Penguins don't make a move in the first round of the NHL Draft. The Penguins have the 23rd and 39th pick. Erik Karlsson being traded back to his home in Ottawa would make sense for him. Dan thinks it's 50/50 Rickard Rakell...