The Pomp And Joe Show

Joe and Bob like that this year's Penguins are physical and stand up for Sidney Crosby. UConn plays Michigan in the national championship. The tournament is talking about going to 76 TEAMS.

It feels like things are different in our sports. The Pirates have a different feeling, the Steelers are hosting the draft, and the Penguins are going back to the playoffs. Kyle Dubas has pushed a ton of the right buttons. Joe thinks, "the fog truly has lifted" for our teams.

The Penguins are in a great place to get to the playoffs. Jay thinks the soft goal is what gets to goaltenders and teams, and the Penguins need to prevent it. Jay thinks Egor Chinakhov is the Penguins third most important and impactful forward after Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. He thinks Erik Karlsson has been the third-best defensemen in hockey right now.

The best third round picks in Steelers history, presented by our friends at Edgar Snyder and Associates. The list is led by the greatest cornerback in franchise history and a game changer in Pittsburgh for over 40 years.

Evgeni Malkin will average a point per game for the 16th season. How much longer could Malkin play? Bob would sign Malkin to a two-year deal. Would you rather the Penguins to play the Flyers, Islanders, or Blue Jackets? It would be fascinating to see the Penguins-Flyers.

Dan Zangrilli thinks Oneil Cruz's season will be a seven-game swing. The Pirates are on a five game winning streak. Dan thinks we know what they're going to get from Brandon Lowe and Ryan O'Hearn, but it's important for Cruz to carry the offense. Dan was surprised the Pirates called up Konnor Griffin.

When is Konnor Griffin's contract going to be official? We hear from optimistic Pirates fans. Henry Davis has turned into a great defensive catcher and we hear from fans that are very excited. Evgeni Malkin has embarrassed moving to the wing and has benefitted him. It was a great moment to see Evgeni Malkin's hat trick.

Are we finally getting out of the dark ages of Pittsburgh sports? The Pirates swept the Orioles and the Penguins swept the Panthers. The Penguins are going to the playoffs and the Pirates are off to a hot start!

It’s a great time to be a fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Konnor Griffin is with the Pirates and reportedly signing a large extension with the Bucs opening PNC Park for the 2026 season. Also, what happened at the NFL owner meetings?

Jonathan Mayo joins to discuss the decision with calling up Griffin now, Griffin's best quality, him being the best position player prospect since Bryce Harper, his homer potential, if the Pirates took the best player in each of the past three drafts.

Konnor Griffin is batting 7th today. Is there any chance the team can keep Skenes long-term too? If not, will they start thinking about trading him down the road? We listen to Griffin's press conference from this morning and the guys react.

What are fair expectations for Griffin? Where does this rank among anticipated debuts? Will he win ROY? Will Griffin ever regret this reported deal? Should Ron Cook get a statue?

Konnor Griffin's dad, Kevin, joins the show! He talks about how he might react when he sees his son take the field today. Where should Griffin bat?

Steve Blass joins to discuss Konnor Griffin's debut, his excitement for today and the season.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Thursday, April 2nd, 2026

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani: The Penguins are playing with a lot of confidence and are close to clinching a playoff spot. BREAKING: The Pirates are promoting top prospect Konnor Griffin. The Pirates are promoting No. 1 prospect Konnor Griffin to the majors. Pittsburgh Pirates insider Jason Mackey still thinks a deal can get done and both sides like each other.

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani; Building our Pirates lineup with Konnor Griffin. Bob would bat him later in the lineup. Matt would be absolutely shocked if the Pirates don't agree to a long-term extension with Konnor Griffin. Matt thinks the Pirates will bat Griffin later in the lineup to start, around the 6th or 7th spot. Penguins analyst Jay Caufield joined the show. The Penguins have been one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. It is important for the Pens future to bring back Anthony Mantha and Yegor Chinakhov.

Hour 3 with Bob Pompeani: Former MLB General Manager Jim Bowden thinks the Pirates will announce a Konnor Griffin extension prior to the home opener. Mark thinks Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers sure talk a lot for a coach-player relationship where the player isn't even signed to the roster. The Bengals are signing Kyle Dugger.

Hour 4 with Bob Pompeani and Jeff Hathhorn: Jeff thinks Konnor Griffin being promoted is tied to a contract extension. Jeff would eventually bat Griffin leadoff. We all predicted 85 wins and our win total doesn't change, but could go up if they add a third baseman or depth pitcher. Stuart Skinner is starting for the Penguins tonight against the Lightning.

We want to see the Pirates put a consistent lineup out there with Konnor Griffin. Jared Triolo has a better glove, but Nick Gonzales is hitting over .300. The Pirates lineup is significantly better than last year and puts players in a good position to be successful.

Jeff thinks Konnor Griffin being promoted is a marriage with a contract extension. Jeff would eventually bat Griffin leadoff. We all predicted 85 wins and our win total doesn't change, but could go up if they add a third baseman or depth pitcher. Stuart Skinner is starting for the Penguins tonight against the Lightning.

Mark unsurprisingly throws cold water on Konnor Griffin being called up. Mark thinks Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers sure talk a lot for a coach-player relationship where the player isn't even signed to the roster. The Bengals are signing Kyle Dugger. Do we have a Rodgers timeline??

Former MLB General Manager Jim Bowden thinks the Pirates will announce a Konnor Griffin extension prior to the home opener. Would the Pirates make this move if they don't have an extension agreed to? Griffin hit over .400 in his only week in Indy.

Matt would be absolutely shocked if the Pirates don't agree to a long-term extension with Konnor Griffin. Matt thinks the Pirates will bat Griffin later in the lineup to start, around the 6th or 7th spot. Matt thinks the Pirates will sandwich Griffin in the lineup in between two left handers. Penguins analyst Jay Caufield joins before the Penguins play a big game in Tampa Bay tonight.

Building our Pirates lineup with Konnor Griffin. What does the future look like for Oneil Cruz? Bob would bat him later in the lineup.

The Pirates are promoting No. 1 prospect Konnor Griffin to the majors. Jason still thinks a deal can get done and both sides like each other. Jared Triolo adds defensive value on the bench bouncing around. Jason doesn't think Griffin was in a great place at the start of the year and was not being himself. Griffin corrected the mistakes he was making at AAA.

The Penguins are playing with a lot of confidence and are close to clinching a playoff spot. Bob thinks the Penguins would be fine playing a playoff series beginning on the road. BREAKING: The Pirates are promoting top prospect Konnor Griffin.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani (10-1pm) and Austin Bechtold (1-2pm) from Wednesday, April 1st, 2026

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani: Oneil Cruz had three hits, including two home runs, against Cincinnati on Tuesday. Jake Mangum has been receiving a lot of fanfare and improved in his late 20s. Jason thinks Cruz is capable of the same thing. Brandon Lowe and Ryan O'Hearn are both not in the lineup today and Jason doesn't really agree with it, but the Pirates are trying to give guys rest days. We hear what Mike McCarthy had to say at NFL owners meetings.

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani: The Penguins dominated the Red Wings on Tuesday. Anthony Mantha scored his 30th goal of the year. The Penguins won on back-to-back nights against two playoff threats and dominated both. Erik Karlsson is playing phenomenal. Jeff Patton of Baseball Card Castle joined the show.

Hour 3 with Bob Pompeani and Matt Clement: Cruz and Bryan Reynolds collided with each other on a ball that should have been Cruz's. Bubba Chandler has electric stuff. Matt thinks the sky's the limit, but there are going to be days like this. We think the Pirates should blow Konnor Griffin away with a contract. Matt Clement thinks Paul Skenes is waiting to see what Tarik Skubal gets.

Hour 4 with Austin Bechtold: The Pirates rotation is in a great spot. Paul Skenes started out with a much better outing than on Opening Day. Matt Clement discusses what it's like to play on Opening Day/home opener. Braxton Ashcraft allowed two runs over six innings on Monday. Ashcraft has the potential to be the Pirates No. 2 starter and Matt Clement thinks it could end up rotating between Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler, and Mitch Keller.

Braxton Ashcraft allowed two runs over six innings on Monday. Ashcraft has the potential to be the Pirates No. 2 starter and Matt Clement thinks it could end up rotating between Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler, and Mitch Keller.

The Pirates rotation is in a great spot. Paul Skenes started out with a much better outing than on Opening Day. Matt Clement discusses what it's like to play on Opening Day/home opener. Oneil Cruz started poorly the first four games, but has three home runs in his last four at-bats. We dive into the Pirates hitters and lineups. How players navigate their spot in the lineup.

The Mariners signed shortstop Colt Emerson to a long-term contract extension worth $95 million. Emerson has yet to make the major leagues. We think the Pirates should blow Konnor Griffin away with a contract. Matt Clement thinks Paul Skenes is waiting to see what Tarik Skubal gets. He thinks the deal could be $400 million.

Cruz and Bryan Reynolds collided with each other on a ball that should have been Cruz's. Bubba Chandler has electric stuff. Matt thinks the sky's the limit, but there are going to be days like this. Jared Triolo is a lighting rod the fan base isn't happy with.

Bob and Austin would still pick a wide receiver in the first round. We hear what Mike McCarthy had to say about wide receivers and big plays. We hear from Steelers fans that want to see the Steelers build up their offensive line. It's a deep receiver draft. McCarthy said that Kaleb Johnson has a clean slate. The Steelers signed two running backs in free agency.

Oneil Cruz had three hits, including two home runs, against Cincinnati on Tuesday. Jake Mangum has been receiving a lot of fanfare and improved in his late 20s. Jason thinks Cruz is capable of the same thing. Brandon Lowe and Ryan O'Hearn are both not in the lineup today and Jason doesn't really agree with it, but the Pirates are trying to give guys rest days. Bubba Chandler pitched 4.1 no-hit innings but walked six.

Who do you want the Penguins to play in the first round? Right now the Pens would play the Islanders. Tyler Kennedy thinks Columbus has a deep roster and would rather play the Islanders. He thinks Carolina and Boston are bad matchups. Penguins awards. Jeff Patton of Baseball Card Castle!

Stanley Cup Champion Tyler Kennedy joined the show. The Penguins dominated the Red Wings on Tuesday. Anthony Mantha scored his 30th goal of the year. The Penguins won on back-to-back nights against two playoff threats and dominated both. Dan Muse and Kyle Dubas should be up for awards.

Pomp & Joe Show 3-31-26

Michael McKenry discusses Pirates 1-3 start

Sean Gentille reacts to Pens win in Long Island

Nick Farabaugh from the NFL Owner's Meetings

Austin "City Limits" Bechtold and Nicholas "Harry" Callas wonder why the Pirates are continuing to show so much faith in SS Jared Triolo despite all of his struggles.

Austin "City Limits" Bechtold reacts to the Penguins' crucial win over the New York Islanders on Monday.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Monday, March 30th, 2026

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Was Braylon Mullins' shot for UConn to beat Duke better than Christian Laettner's shot? The Penguins have a de facto playoff game tonight against the Islanders. Stanley Cup Champion Jay Caufield joins and thinks the Penguins will beat the Islanders.

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Oneil Cruz. Cruz made two errors on Thursday, not scored errors, and Bob thinks engagement has been a problem for Cruz. Joe wonders if Cruz was benched Saturday. Konnor Griffin is still a significant story. We dive into big golf and NHL storylines.