With Christmas only a few days away, this week’s column is an open letter to Santa, one that serves as a collective wish list for Pittsburgh sports fans. Read it here:

This isn’t just a rough stretch for the Penguins. The inability to hold a lead has become this team’s identity, one that's quickly ruining the season. That, along with some Pitt, Penn State and and college football thoughts in this week's column:

Tonight's Army-Navy game marked the final chapter in Eli Heidenreich and Alex Tecza's football journey. Trailing late in the second half, the Mt. Lebanon duo made sure their story had a happy ending. Read our third and final part of the series, here:

“From the boys to the moms to the dads, they all really did save me.” Part 2 of our series on Navy's Eli Heidenreich and Alex Tecza tells the story of a unique support community built through their football journey. Read it here:

This area has produced plenty of great football stories, but none quite like the journey Navy standouts Eli Heidenreich and Alex Tecza have traveled together. Our first story of a three-part series on the Mt. Lebanon duo:

“It’s stuff like this that will keep him motivated to press on and never give up.” Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry recently teamed up with "So Many Angels" to give a young fan an experience he'll never forget. My story:

This year’s Ohio State-Michigan game follows last year’s infamous postgame fight over a flag. I spoke with Steelers rookies Will Howard and Jack Sawyer about that day, and how it shaped their national championship team moving forward. My story:

This week’s column ledes with Riverhounds SC, our city’s newest champion. It also includes some lWPIAL finals, Pitt, Penguins, Steelers and Pirates thoughts. Read it all here:

Steelers radio broadcasts have long been a part of the franchise’s lore, but few understand the process behind each game's call. Last week, I spent extended time with the crew to gain an inside look at their preparation. My story from the booth:

Pat Narduzzi got exactly what he deserved Saturday afternoon -- but Pitt can still prove him right. I discuss that, along with Aliquippa football, the Riverhounds, Paul Skenes and the Steelers in this week's "weekend thoughts." Read it all here:

“I think about puck; they handle everything else.” My story on how the Penguins go about making life off the ice as easy as possible for their new players:

On today’s @BuccoTerritory we discuss this year’s NL Cy Young winner; What he’s already done for the Pirates and how they can help him achieve more. Watch/listen here:

Pitt's Saturday showdown against Notre Dame marks the 50-year anniversary of perhaps the most significant individual performance in program history, one that took the Panthers to another level. My story that looks back on Tony Dorsett's historic day:

Pittsburgh’s professional sports teams have failed to surprise us much over the last few years. Can the Penguins buck that trend? That, along with some Riverhounds, Steelers, ACC and WPIAL football thoughts in this week’s column. Read it all here:

“This made me into a soldier.” For this week’s enterprise story, I spoke with Jay Timmons and Lincoln Hoke to get an inside look at what life is like for a WPIAL football star who is also the son of a Pittsburgh Steeler. Read it here:

I had some strong opinions about the Dodgers over the weekend. I wrote about them in this week’s column, which also includes thoughts on Pitt, Penn State, Ben Kindel and the Steelers defense. Read it all here:

During the 2020 NFL season, TJ Hess was responsible for deciding how a sold out Acrisure Stadium would react on game day. For one year, he was the voice of a voiceless Steeler Nation. His story remained private, until now. Read about it here:

Every Monday I will be writing a "weekend thoughts" column that aims to hit on a multitude of Pittsburgh sports topics. Here is my first one, which ledes with what I believe to be the best route the Steelers can take to turn their 2025 season around:

Andrew Fillipponi is one of the premier names in Pittsburgh sports media. Some love him, others loathe him — and he wouldn’t have it any other way. My profile on the man behind the microphone:

Career update ... Today marks the end of my time on the Pirates beat. I'm excited to announce that I've been promoted to be the Post-Gazette's sports enterprise reporter. What exactly will this new role look like? I explain everything, here:

My end of season Pirates report card for 2025:

I was given the opportunity to write some thoughts on today’s news. Here is what I had to say about the first day of the Pirates 2025-2026 off season:

“We laugh at all of this [expletive] behind closed doors. ... It’s just a bad organization.” The Pirates' 2025 season was frustrating for many, including those on the team. A few players explained why they believe things went wrong. Our exclusive story:

“Another year of the same nonsense.” I might need an extra session with my therapist after writing this. Nonetheless, here is our recap of the Pirates 2025 season.

Rather than a mailbag, I spent some time this week listing my superlatives for the Pirates' 2025 season. You can check them out here:

The MiLB regular season is officially over. Here are the five Pirates prospects who I believe made the most of their 2025 campaigns:

“It's going to take a lot of guys taking a look in the mirror." Paul Skenes had a lot to say yesterday. Fans should hope the entire organization took his words to heart. Read more on this in my final “Off the Bat” column of the season:

Bubba Chandler committed to play football for Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers five years ago, but chose pro baseball instead. The two still remain close. My story on their unique relationship:

“We’re trying to win on the North Shore. That’s the ultimate goal. But that starts with winning here.” My story from a fun night in Altoona:

Rafael Flores, the Pirates No. 8 prospect, is a major leaguer. Our notes and analysis on the move:

Plenty of people have played a role in Konnor Griffin’s 2025 breakout campaign. One of them is Derek Berg, a 10th round pick who became Griffin's "big brother" in his first year away from home. My story on their unique relationship, here:

What will the future look like for Oneil Cruz? Is Ben Cherington still on the hot seat? I discuss that and more in this week’s mailbag:

“If anybody was asking me, he’s got my vote, for sure.” This week, I spoke with a handful of Pirates players about manager Don Kelly. Their thoughts were overwhelmingly similar. Read why they believe he’s the right man going forward, here:

Another month of baseball is in the books. Check out my Pirates report card for August, here:

Isiah Kiner-Falefa has been placed on outright waivers. He is 81 plate appearances shy of a $250K bonus. He is still on the Pirates' roster and can be for the remainder of the season, if not acquired by the end of the weekend. More details here:

11 years ago, Konnor Griffin was in a serious accident that nearly cost him his eye. He’s now baseball’s No. 1 prospect and the Pirates’ shortstop of the future. Last week, I went to Mississippi to learn his story. Read about his journey here: 🔗: www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirat...

Could Konnor Griffin make the big-league club out of camp next year? I discussed that and more in this week’s mailbag. Read it all here:

The Pirates added three new members to their team Hall of Fame yesterday. Who will be next? I make a case for 10 different candidates in this week’s “Off the Bat”:

He grew up playing on a ball field his father built in their back yard. His competitive edge was created by a pair of older sisters that loved "beating his ass." That and more led to the creation of Bubba Chandler. My story on Pittsburgh's new arm:

Bubba Chandler will join the Pirates Friday, in Pittsburgh. My analysis on Chandler’s long awaited promotion:

Did Andrew Heaney deserve a demotion to the bullpen? Or was it another case of the Pirates being cheap? I discussed the situation on our YouTube channel. Check out my thoughts here:

“You don’t top this.” This past weekend, @DanZangrilli checked off a bucket list item, getting to call a Pirates game from Wrigley Field. My story on his journey from Brookline to the big-leagues:

Konnor Griffin is heading to Double-A Altoona. My analysis on the game's top prospect taking his next step to the major leagues:

Konnor Griffin, the top prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline and Baseball America, is heading to Double-A Altoona. Story here:

Three of the four Pirates minor league affiliates entered the weekend in first place. But what does team minor league success actually mean? I discuss this and more in this week’s “Off the Bat”:

Andrew Heaney has been moved to the bullpen. It was a move he seemed to anticipate, per a conversation we had a few weeks back in Denver. More on this, here:

The Pirates pitching staff has struggled this month, and things might get even more difficult this weekend. My story on some upcoming hurdles, along with a few roster moves:

ICYMI: Ben Cherington discussed the potential promotions of Bubba Chandler and Konnor Griffin this afternoon, on his radio show. More on that here:

"I’ve been ready and know I can help the big-league team." Despite some recent struggles, Bubba Chandler still belongs in the big-leagues. The time to promote him is now. I explain why in this week’s ‘Off the Bat’:

Ke’Bryan Hayes returned to the Steel City this afternoon. Read what he had to say about his time in Pittsburgh, here: