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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 02.27.25
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Jim From Ambridge
12:59
Jason, how does Major League Baseball continue to let Pirates' ownership off the hook?
Jason Mackey
1:00
Short answer: I don't know. But I would sure hope MLB is provided an accounting of revenue sharing funds distributed and where those go. I get why they wouldn't make that public -- and don't -- but the league should at least see it, especially when it's not going back into major league payroll.
Ice Cream Man
1:00
Favorite Flavor? Dip n Dots Guy?
Jason Mackey
1:02
I'm OK with Dippin' Dots. It is the ice cream of the future, you know. ... Favorite flavor ... man, anything creme brulee. Same for cinnamon-ish, salted caramel, that sort of thing. ... There's an ice cream place on AMI in Florida, near the Bridge Street Tavern, that has a sugar cookie ice cream. It's unreal. Also love -- this is random -- Trader Joe's cookie butter ice cream. I could eat a whole carton of that.
34russellhof
1:02
Jason, not really a question, I grew up a baseball fan in the mid 60's and 70's mostly listening to Bob Prince, the Possum and Nellie King on the radio. Richie Hebner was my favorite ball player for many reasons, but if you get a chance he did an interview in 2014 on you tube about his career. I recommend people to listen about this 20 year old who played with and against legends.
Jason Mackey
1:02
Okey doke. Thank you for that.
PhilinCT
1:02
As always Mr Mackey, thanks for the time and opportunity to pick your brain and get your insights. In this, my favorite time of year, foolish optimism (i.e. spring training), what is the likelihood of the following: Hayes plays 120+ games, Suwinski hits 15+ HRs at the major league level, H. Davis plays in 80+ games, Keller gets 13+ wins, Bednar gets 25+ saves? Thanks again.
Jason Mackey
1:03
Oooh, good one. I like this. I'll say Bednar. I can't predict health. Suwinski, could go either way. Davis has been spotty. Bednar has saved 25+ plenty. His issues last year are solvable -- and he's done that thus far.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
1:03
When do the Pens raise the white surrender flag on the season and bring up the youngsters especially in goal as Blomqvist and Ned are not the long-term answer
Jason Mackey
1:04
Well, should be very soon. But I'm not sure it would be Murashov. He's so young. Is he ready? I'm not qualified to answer. That said, they need to use these minutes differently.
Ryan
1:04
Good afternoon Jason with free agency starting a week from Monday do the Steelers bring back fields Roberts Warren and Skrowronek i think they should Skrowronek played good special teams when he was active
Jason Mackey
1:05
I think they'll bring back Ben Skowronek, yes. Easy one there. I'm gonna go Wilson over Fields. I don't like it. It's not what I would do. But you asked what I think they will do.
Kicker
1:05
Will Better Call Ben Sauls get drafted?
Jason Mackey
1:05
Ha. Yes. In the sixth round as a matter of fact.
Ethan
1:05
What does Dewey Robinson's role look like throughout the season, and how much of an impact has he had on the Pirates suddenly becoming a factory for producing young pitching?
Jason Mackey
1:06
Dewey travels a bunch -- Florida, Greensboro, Altoona, Indy, Pittsburgh. Just one bit loop. Watches guys throw. Checks in on what they're doing. Talks about mechanics, various checkpoints. ... And he's had a lot. He's recommended new tech. Different approaches. Dewey isn't alone, but he has absolutely had an impact.
Pens Guest
1:06
I’m all for the big 3 retiring as Penguins. My thought for next year would be to move Malkin to 3rd line center. With the cap going up, the Pens should be able to find a capable 2nd line center.  Let Malkin play with Tomasino (or Bunting) and cycle through WBS prospects.   Sid still has Raks and Rust.  The 2nd line needs a lot of work though. Would moving Malkin to the 3rd line help with forward depth?  Thus doesn’t change defensive or goaltending woes though. Thank
Jason Mackey
1:07
I don't like it. They need someone with more of a defensive conscience there. But I think you're on the right track. I would like them to deploy Geno with someone who can skate, who can benefit from what Malkin can still do well: vision and passing. If the other guy can finish, it could be a solid combo and leverage the skills Malkin still has. But they need him to be carrying the puck less.
Leonard
1:07
Hey Jason, enjoy your chats.  With all the talk about the Steelers signing a free agent or trading for a quarterback or receiver, what other players are out there that the Steelers may pursue via trade or free agency?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
1:08
A lot. I'll concentrate on corner and WR, because I think they're the two most likely spots:
Byron Murphy (dream)
D.J. Reed
Charvarius Ward

Wide receiver
Amari Cooper
Deebo Samuel
Tyler Boyd
Chris Godwin
DeAndre Hopkins
Courtland Sutton
Katman
1:09
Pick one:
Bubba Chandler's first start will be:
A. May 20
B. Post A/S break
C. September
Jason Mackey
1:09
May 20 or earlier depending on how he pitches this spring.
Wayward
1:09
Jason, what is your early take on how Jack S has looked?  I think if he goes back to being semi-productive it could go a long way to help this offense.
Jason Mackey
1:09
Very good. I've liked what I've seen. Again, I've said to yinz a bunch, he might stand to benefit the most from the end of the Andy Haines Era.
Leemarvinwannab
1:09
Couldn't Pitt buyout the coach, then give Andy Toole a prove it contract for 3 years for 1mil a year? JUST ASKIN.
Jason Mackey
1:10
I think you're Yinzering this situation just a tad.
1:11
But I do have a great deal of respect for Andy. Wouldn't shock me at all if he left RMU after this, though he is very happy here. I just think he's a better coach than sticking at RMU forever. Could it be Pitt? I don't see why not, although Capel's buyout at this point is pretty darn prohibitive.
Seven
1:11
Hi Jason. Of the three pro teams here, the only one I have much faith in having a successful rebuild in the relatively near future is the Penguins. The Steelers and ARII either don't want to or don't recognize the need to make major changes and cling to the success of 50 years ago. The Pirates might have the one of the best pitching staffs they ever have had, but they will do little because Nutting sits on his purse like an anchor. At least the Pens are beginning a rebuild and putting together the potential draft pieces to be a NHL power again. Your thoughts?
Jason Mackey
1:13
I see pathways out for all three, honestly. Whether they take them or not is another story. But the Pirates ... they don't have to spend a ton. If they can get this young pitching to come through and hit even a little bit more, it could work. The Steelers have an important two months. The Penguins have a bunch of picks over the next 3 years, many of them premium selections.
Yuri
1:13
Hello Jason.  Jason, is it true that Tommy Pham’s walk up song will be “We are Pham-a-Lee?”😄
Jason Mackey
1:13
I find that hard to believe.
Seven
1:13
Jason, you often cite your belief that the Pirates can be significantly better this year because they were 56-54 two-thirds of the way through the 2024 season. I'm not sure why you put so much faith in a midseason record. It does indicate that there is some talent on the team, but the Steelers were 10-3 at one point and everyone knows what happened then. To me, good teams know how to finish when the games mean much more late in the season.
Jason Mackey
1:14
I don't disagree with you. But we're talking about 62-76% of seasons. That's not a statistically insignificant number. So me saying everything isn't terrible because they played over .500 for 62% of the season ... I don't see how that's wrong.
Seven
1:15
And Jason, you don't have defend a word you ever wrote for this publication. You are a pro's pro. I spent 38 years in the business and you are what a journalist should be about.
Jason Mackey
1:15
I appreciate that. I don't know. I just felt like sharing that. There's no vitriol. It's what I signed up for, and I love my job. Just kinda wanted to explain my side.
Q
1:15
What would be more exciting in your opinion: The NFL Draft hosted in the Burgh or All Star Weekend at PNC Park?
Jason Mackey
1:16
I'll say the NFL draft, only because I've never been to one.
Hannah
1:16
Hey Jason, what’s your opinion about why it seem most of our local teams get off to good start and then fall apart at the end of games?
Jason Mackey
1:17
I'm not sure, Hannah. If I had that answer, I think I would bottle it and sell it. But it is weird, no? Probably just being incomplete in some cases. Others, I think it's being too stubborn and predictable and the rest of the league figures you out. But the truth is that there's probably not one magical reason that lumps all of them together.
Momo
1:17
Is Henry Davis this generation's Chad Hermanson?
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