WILL GRAVES

AP Sports Writer
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in Pittsburgh, Saturday, April 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cleveland’s Manzardo takes Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes to the river as Guardians beat Pirates 3-0
Cleveland’s Kyle Manzardo spoiled Paul Skenes’ bobblehead day, taking the young Pittsburgh Pirates ace deep in the Guardians’ 3-0 victory.
 
Cleveland Guardians fan Andy Lewis of Elyria, Ohio, holds his Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes bobblehead before a baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cleveland Guardians, with Pirates' Paul Skenes pitching, in Pittsburgh, Saturday, April 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Giddy demand over Paul Skenes’ bobblehead morphs into frustration following another Pirates loss
Paul Skenes doesn’t just make baseballs go fast. Turns out the Pittsburgh Pirates’ young ace can make merchandise fly off the shelves too.
 
Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) and Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) skate during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Ovechkin adds to record goal total, Crosby dazzles as Penguins top Capitals 5-2 in season finale
Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin put on a show in the regular-season finale, showcasing their greatness in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals.
 
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, right, talks with his defensive coordinator Teryl Austin as they watch defensive line drills at Alabama's NFL football pro day, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Steelers don’t have a QB of the future. Finding one in the 2025 NFL draft is far from a sure thing
The Pittsburgh Steelers have plenty of questions as they prepare for the NFL draft. The Steelers, who have the 21st overall pick, don’t have a long-term answer at quarterback.
 
Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) get a shot past Washington Capitals goaltender Clay Stevenson, left, for a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Amid another lost season for the Pittsburgh Penguins, the fire that drives Sidney Crosby still burns
The drive that fuels Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby is burning as bright as ever, even as his team struggles. The Penguins will miss the playoffs for a third straight year despite Crosby averaging over a point per game at age 37.
 
LSU's Aleah Finnegan competes on the floor exercise during the NCAA women's gymnastics championships in Fort Worth, Texas, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
LSU brings joy and confidence to its quest to repeat at the NCAA women’s gymnastics championships
The LSU women’s gymnastics team is ready to defend its national title. The Tigers ended their long pursuit of an NCAA championship last spring when they finally broke through after finishing runner-up four times over the years.
 
President Donald Trump holds a football during the Commander-in-Chief trophy presentation to the Navy Midshipman football team in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Trump kept his promise to order a ban on transgender female athletes. Court fights have arrived
President Donald Trump’s executive order to ban transgender female athletes from competition delivered on a promise he made on the campaign trail.
 
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Dennis Santana, right, celebrates with catcher Henry Davis, left, after getting the final out of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, April 14, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Paul Skenes and Henry Davis, taken 1st overall two years apart, make MLB history
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes and catcher Henry Davis made Major League history in a 10-3 win over Washington. Skenes and Davis became the first players taken first overall in the MLB draft to serve as battery mates.
 
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, April 14, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Paul Skenes and Henry Davis make history as Pirates snap skid in 10-3 win over Washington
Paul Skenes bounced back from the worst start of his career and teamed up with catcher Henry Davis to make a little history as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat Washington 10-3.
 
Pittsburgh quarterback Eli Holstein (10) looks to throw during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed, File)
Pitt QB Eli Holstein, offensive coordinator Kade Bell are on the same wavelength entering year 2
Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein and offensive coordinator Kade Bell say the sailing has been much smoother during their second spring together. Holstein was one of the more than a half-dozen quarterbacks the Panthers had on the roster a year ago.
 
Brody Penn of Ohio State Club Gymnastics team warms up on the balance beam at the 2025 NAIGC national competition in Pittsburgh, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
‘Why can’t I do that?’ Men on balance beam. Women on rings. In one gymnastics group, anything goes
A rapidly growing gymnastics organization is putting a new spin on the sport. Athletes who compete for the National Association of Intercollegiate Gymnastics Clubs are allowed to perform on whatever men’s or women’s event they like, regardless of their gender identity.
 
Raiden Hung, of Jurassic Gymnastics in Boston, relaxes after competing on the uneven bars at the 2025 NAIGC national competition in Pittsburgh, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Trans athletes are under more scrutiny than ever. Some have found a safe space in gymnastics
As the rhetoric around transgender athletes grows more heated, one organization is trying to create a safe space.
 
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Paul Skenes doesn’t plan to lose any sleep after a rare shaky start in a loss to St. Louis
Pittsburgh Pirates star Paul Skenes endured the roughest outing of his brief career in a 5-3 loss to St. Louis. The 22-year-old reigning National League Rookie of the Year gave all five runs, the most he’s surrendered in 26 big-league starts.
 
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pirates ace Paul Skenes allows a career-worst five runs in loss to St. Louis
Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes was knocked around a bit by the St. Louis Cardinals, allowing a career-high five runs in a 5-3 loss at frigid PNC Park.
 
New York Yankees' Trent Grisham, right, celebrates with Oswald Peraza, left, after hitting a 3-run home run off Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Bailey Falter during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Trent Grisham homers twice as Yankees surge past reeling Pirates 10-4
Trent Grisham homered twice, including a three-run shot to fuel a six-run fifth-inning rally, and the New York Yankees beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-4.
 
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes delivers to the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Paul Skenes says blame for the Pirates’ poor start lies with the players, not management
Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes says it’s on the players and not management for the club’s early-season funk. The Pirates are at the bottom of the NL Central thanks in large part to poor hitting and shoddy performances by the bullpen.
 
New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, left, celebrates with Ben Rice after hitting a two-run home run off Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Tim Mayza during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Judge matches Ruth with 321 homers in first 1,000 Yankees games in 9-4 win over struggling Pirates
Aaron Judge marked his 1,000th game by hitting his sixth homer of the season and the New York Yankees beat Pittsburgh 9-4 in the Pirates’ home opener.
 
FILE.- Pittsburgh Pirates owner Bob Nutting stands on the field before a baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Miami Marlins, Sept. 10, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed, File)
As fan angst bubbles up, the struggling Pirates are trying to stay the course
The baseball season is a week old. Some fans in Pittsburgh, however, have already seen enough. A plane carrying a banner urging Pirates owner Bob Nutting to sell the team flew over PNC Park ahead of Pittsburgh’s home opener against the New York Yankees.
 
Duke forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after dunking during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Baylor, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Players rocking T-shirts are everywhere in March Madness. Why? ‘It’s part of that dripper vibe’
From Duke’s Cooper Flagg to UCLA star Lauren Betts, players across March Madness are rocking T-shirts underneath their jerseys. Some players chose the look for fashion. Others chose it for function.
 
Alabama center Clifford Omoruyi dunks in the second half against Saint Mary's in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Alabama rolls by Saint Mary’s 80-66 to reach the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 for a 3rd straight year
Alabama thundered past Saint Mary’s 80-66 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Crimson Tide reached the Sweet 16 for a third consecutive year behind a steady stream of alley-oop dunks that caught the Gaels flat-footed.
 
Saint Mary's guard Augustas Marciulionis drives to the basket in the first half against Vanderbilt in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Augustas Marciulionis grew up a son of hoops royalty. The Saint Mary’s star is carving his own path
Saint Mary’s guard Augustas Marciulionis is used to pressure. Marciulionis is the son of basketball Hall of Famer Sarunas Marciulionis, the first player from Lithuania to make it to the NBA.
 
Michigan State forward Coen Carr (55) defends Bryant guard Earl Timberlake (0) in the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Bryant guard Earl Timberlake gives the Bulldogs their One Bloody Moment in March Madness
Bryant guard Earl Timberlake left a piece of himself on the floor for the Bulldogs in their NCAA Tournament loss to Michigan State.
 
Saint Mary's guard Jordan Ross (2) drives to the basket past Vanderbilt guard Chris Manon, second from right, and guard Jason Edwards in the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Jordan Ross keys rally to help Saint Mary’s beat Vanderbilt 59-56 in March Madness
Saint Mary’s guard Jordan Ross keyed a second-half rally while star Augustas Marciulionis dealt with foul trouble, and the seventh-seeded Gaels fended off 10th-seeded Vanderbilt 59-56 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks out over the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Oct. 6, 2024 in London. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano, File)
Aaron Rodgers meets with the Pittsburgh Steelers and leaves without signing, AP source says
Aaron Rodgers has met with the Pittsburgh Steelers. A person familiar with the meeting tells The Associated Press that Rodgers visited on Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting was not made public.
 
Alabama guard Mark Sears, right, goes to the basket as Robert Morris guard Kam Woods, left, defends in the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Mark Sears and Alabama survive scare and beat 15th-seeded Robert Morris 90-81 in March Madness
All-America guard Mark Sears scored 19 of his 22 points in the second half and second-seeded Alabama pulled away late to escape 15th-seeded Robert Morris 90-81 in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
 
New Mexico Head coach Richard Pitino celebrates his team's Mountain West title after beating UNLV in an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, March 7, 2025, in Albuquerque, N.M. Also pictured, at right, is New Mexico guard Tru Washington. (AP Photo/Eric Draper)
Richard Pitino and Phil Martelli Jr. bring a deep appreciation of their famous dads to March Madness
New Mexico coach Richard Pitino and Bryant coach Phil Martelli Jr. are no strangers to March Madness. Both grew up the sons of famous coaches. Richard Pitino’s father Rick won a national title at Kentucky and currently has a resurgent St.
 
Robert Morris head coach Andrew Toole celebrates in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Horizon League tournament against Youngstown State in Indianapolis, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Most coaches use schools like Robert Morris as a launching pad. For Andy Toole, it’s become home
Robert Morris coach Andy Toole is in no hurry to leave the Colonials. The 44-year-old Toole has guided Robert Morris to the NCAA Tournament for a third time in his 15 seasons. The 15th-seeded Colonials face second-seeded Alabama in the first round.
 
Pittsburgh Steelers newly signed free agent wide receiver D.J. Metcalf meets with reporters during an NFL football news conference in Pittsburgh, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Fresh off a whirlwind week, DK Metcalf isn’t worried about who will throw him the ball in Pittsburgh
DK Metcalf may never have a bigger week in his life. And the two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver knows it. On Sunday, Metcalf agreed to a trade from Seattle to Pittsburgh that included a new five-year contract worth $150 million.
 
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay Jr. in action against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
Steelers sign former Eagles cornerback Darius Slay to 1-year deal, AP source says
Darius Slay is heading to the other side of Pennsylvania. The veteran cornerback, who won a Super Bowl with Philadelphia last month, is signing a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers a person with knowledge of the agreement tells The Associated Press.
 
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) blocks a shot by Vegas Golden Knights' Tomas Hertl (48) with Matt Grzelcyk defending during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
A stint in the minors forced Pens’ goalie Tristan Jarry to hit the reset button. It may have worked
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry is off to a strong start in his return to the NHL. Pittsburgh demoted the two-time All-Star to the minors in mid-January after a string of poor performances.
 
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