The Pomp And Joe Show

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Donny Football and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Friday, July 17th, 2026

Hour 1 with Donny Football and Tyler Kennedy: TK thinks something would have been done by now if the Penguins were trading for Jason Robertson. Should the Penguins put all three Russians on the same line? Kennedy thinks the NHL is "watering the product down' with the schedule by going to 84 games.

Hour 2 with Donny Football: Ray is watching Jaylen Warren vs. Ricco Dowdle and Germie Bernard vs. Roman Wilson. More than anything, people want to know about Will Howard and Drew Allar. Ray thinks Drew Allar could exceed expectations and play well, but is seen as the No. 4 QB. Primanti's dropped off sandwiches and pickle bread today! The NHL released its schedule yesterday and a couple of hours later, MLB released its schedule.

Hour 3 with Donny Football: Will the Pirates be buyers or sellers? We think they will be buyers. Donny thinks Mason Miller is unrealistic. Donny is not trading Seth Hernandez. Can Paul Skenes return to his elite status? The Padres are open to trading Mason Miller. Could Miller actually be traded home to the Bucs? CBS Sports and FanGraphs thinks the Pirates will be the final Wild Card. Chuck in Uniontown calls the show.

Hour 4 with Donny Football: Pirates broadcaster Bob Walk joined the show. Jared Jones is turning a corner after making eight starts. Bob thinks, at some point, the Pirates will use Jared Jones like their other starting pitchers with pitch count. Esmerlyn Valdez has been a great surprise for the offense. Pirates and Guardians on schedule to play to start the second half.

Pirates and Guardians on schedule to play to start the second half. Jared Jones starts for Pittsburgh, Gavin Williams for the Guardians. Jones hasn't been that good so far in night games.

Pirates broadcaster Bob Walk joined the show. Jared Jones is turning a corner after making eight starts. Bob thinks, at some point, the Pirates will use Jared Jones like their other starting pitchers with pitch count. Carmen Mlodzinski's usage has been up and down but the Pirates are using him in long relief, instead of just one inning. Bob thinks Esmerlyn Valdez has been a great surprise for the offense.

The Padres are open to trading Mason Miller. Could Miller actually be traded home to the Bucs? CBS Sports and FanGraphs thinks the Pirates will be the final Wild Card. Chuck in Uniontown calls the show.

Will the Pirates be buyers or sellers? We think they will be buyers. Donny thinks Mason Miller is unrealistic. Donny is not trading Seth Hernandez. Yahoo Sports thinks it would take a top 100 prospect to acquire Luke Weaver, plus two relievers who could backfill Weaver next season. Can Paul Skenes return to his elite status? Can the offense keep this up? What will Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz look like they they're back? What happens with the young pitchers? 

Primanti's dropped off sandwiches and pickle bread today! The NHL released its schedule yesterday and a couple of hours later, MLB released its schedule. We were stunned baseball announced its schedule on the same day as the NHL. They announced it months before they usually do and we don't even know if there will be baseball in 2027.

Steelers reporter Ray Fittipaldo is watching Jaylen Warren vs. Ricco Dowdle and Germie Bernard vs. Roman Wilson. More than anything, people want to know about Will Howard and Drew Allar. Ray thinks Drew Allar could exceed expectations and play well, but is seen as the No. 4 QB. Ray thinks Will Howard will start and play close to the whole first half to start the preseason.

Tyler Kennedy thinks the NHL is "watering the product down' with the schedule by going to 84 games. He thinks teams will rest players and more injuries will occur. TK thinks there will be "load management" in the NHL now with 84 games. 

Stanley Cup Champion Tyler Kennedy joined the show. The smoke in the air from Canadian wildfires is making "dangerous" conditions on peoples health. The Pirates are scheduled to play in Cleveland tonight. Cleveland's air has gotten better. TK thinks something would have been done by now if the Penguins were trading for Jason Robertson. Should the Penguins put all three Russians on the same line?

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Jeff Hathhorn and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Thursday, July 16th, 2026

Hour 1 with Jeff Hathhorn: Jeff lists multiple Pirates who have played in the Futures Game that didn't go on to have an MLB career or a very notable career. Should the Pirates consider trading Edward Florentino? Fans continue to tell us they would trade Oneil Cruz for Mason Miller and Tomcat wants Michael King. We hear from fans!

Hour 2 with Jeff Hathhorn: MLB insider John Perrotto joined the show. The Guardians pitch well, especially in their bullpen. Their offense doesn't have much power. Mitch Keller has a 5.13 ERA in his career in the second half. John suggests the Pirates put Mitch Keller in the bullpen to try to get right and find what he needs to get on track. Oneil Cruz was hustling better and more engaged when he was healthy. John thinks Cruz could take off and doesn't want to trade him. How much blame should Bill Murphy get for the Pirates' poor pitching?

Hour 3 with Jeff Hathhorn: The Fanys Awards, with Jeff Hathhorn and Austin Bechtold. Our Pittsburgh awards over the past year. Going Low golf analyst Craig Mankins joined the show. The Open Championship is underway, and Jeff's team is doing better than Austin's and Mullsy's fantasy teams. Craig said it's difficult playing overseas with the way the courses are designed. 

Hour 4 with Jeff Hathhorn: Steelers insider Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show joined the show. Lamar Jackson was named the 69th best player in the NFL. We dive into training camp and more talk about Aaron Rodgers and others. What are we looking for? Mark Kaboly thinks the big story at training camp will be how much of a step Will Howard has taken this season.

Mark Kaboly thinks the big story at training camp will be how much of a step Will Howard has taken this season.

Steelers insider Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show joined the show. Lamar Jackson was named the 69th best player in the NFL. We dive into training camp and more talk about Aaron Rodgers and others. What are we looking for?

Going Low golf analyst Craig Mankins joined the show. The Open Championship is underway, and Jeff's team is doing better than Austin's and Mullsy's fantasy teams. Craig said it's difficult playing overseas with the way the courses are designed. 

The Fanys Awards, with Jeff Hathhorn and Austin Bechtold. Our Pittsburgh awards over the past year.

Baseball proposed a $171 million salary floor. The media rights deal is going to go up and teams will have significantly more money. How much blame should Bill Murphy get for the Pirates' poor pitching?? 

MLB insider John Perrotto joined the show. The Guardians pitch well, especially in their bullpen. Their offense doesn't have much power. Mitch Keller has a 5.13 ERA in his career in the second half. John suggests the Pirates put Mitch Keller in the bullpen to try to get right and find what he needs to get on track. Oneil Cruz was hustling better and more engaged when he was healthy. John thinks Cruz could take off and doesn't want to trade him.

Endy Rodriguez and Jake Mangum have made impacts on the team, but are not dependable starting players. Rodriguez has a chance to. Fans continue to tell us they would trade Oneil Cruz for Mason Miller and Tomcat wants Michael King. Austin doesn't want to trade from the Major League roster.

Jeff lists multiple Pirates who have played in the Futures Game that didn't go on to have an MLB career or a very notable career. Should the Pirates consider trading Edward Florentino? We think he should be the headliner of a big deal but Seth Hernandez is off the table. The Pirates need to trade prospects. We hear from Bucco fans.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Jeff Hathhorn and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Wednesday, July 15th, 2026

Hour 1 with Jeff Hathhorn: Anthony Mantha signed a two-year, $4.75 million per year contract with New Jersey. Could the Penguins acquire Jason Robertson because it could cost Ben Kindel and two or three first-round picks. Jeff Patton of Baseball Card Castle joined the show.

Hour 2 with Jeff Hathhorn: The Brewers are trading for Lance McCullers. Should the Pirates trade for Josh Hader? He is signed through 2028. Steve Yzerman is stepping down as Red Wings GM. What's your Pirates lineup with Oneil Cruz, Spencer Horwitz, and Endy Rodriguez back? Mullsy joins the show for a The Open fantasy draft.

Hour 3 with Jeff Hathhorn: Matt thinks the Pirates are in a good place going into the second half of the season. Matt thinks Ryan O'Hearn is in charge of the culture. The Pirates are two games back and have a ways to go to get to the postseason. How do the Pirates become more consistent?

Hour 4 with Jeff Hathhorn: Matt Clement's son Madden was drafted by Kansas City in the 15th round. Matt was lost in the draft this year with slot values and other places. Pirates insider Jason Mackey joined the show. Paul Skenes and Braxton Ashcraft are very good friends. They were both very frustrated that no one from the offense was named an All-Star. Paul Skenes is ok with the velocity being down and doesn't think it's hurting his pitching.

Pirates insider Jason Mackey joined the show. Paul Skenes and Braxton Ashcraft are very good friends. They were both very frustrated that no one from the offense was named an All-Star. Paul Skenes is ok with the velocity being down and doesn't think it's hurting his pitching. Skenes likes helping Jones, Ashcraft, and others, and is in a good place. Jason expects the Pirates to be very active at the deadline. 

Matt Clement's son Madden was drafted by Kansas City in the 15th round. Matt was lost in the draft this year with slot values and other places. Butler baseball native David Leslie from Pitt pitched at Grove City before transferring, and was drafted.

The Pirates are two games back and have a ways to go to get to the postseason. How do the Pirates become more consistent? Starting pitching has to be consistent. "It's not even a question" the Pirates are the best team of the Pirates, Cardinals, Nationals, and Marlins in the wild card race.

MLB analyst Matt Clement joined the show. Matt thinks the Pirates are in a good place going into the second half of the season. Ryan O'Hearn is in charge of the culture. Matt thinks Esmerlyn Valdez is never going to have more value than now but would be an awful look for the Pirates. The starting pitchers have underperformed, but Matt doesn't see that continuing in the second half.

Are we wrong for not caring enough about Team USA at the World Cup? Mullsy joins the show for a The Open fantasy draft.

The Brewers are trading for Lance McCullers. Should the Pirates trade for Josh Hader? He is signed through 2028. Steve Yzerman is stepping down as Red Wings GM. What's your Pirates lineup with Oneil Cruz, Spencer Horwitz, and Endy Rodriguez back? No one saw Esmerlyn Valdez's success coming and if it was going to be anyone, we thought The Password would be the star player.

George Pickens said at Cowboys mandatory minicamp that he's focused on football. He is letting his agent handle his contract and is currently on the franchise tag to make $27 million. Today is the deadline to get a contract done. Jeff Patton of Baseball Card Castle joined the show. The General has a Dave Parker rookie card!! The General has an Esmerlyn Valdez card!

Anthony Mantha signed a two-year, $4.75 million per year contract with New Jersey. The Penguins home opener will be Saturday, October 3rd against Montreal. Pitt football and Penn State football will both play Friday games that week!

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Jeff Hathhorn and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Tuesday, July 14th, 2026

Hour 1 with Jeff Hathhorn: The Pirates are 50-47 at the All-Star break. They are two back in the wild card and will have a ton of momentum going into the second half! Ryan O'Hearn provides the Pirates a veteran leader who has been a monster addition. What Esmerlyn Valdez has done for the Pirates is significant. We hear from Pirates fans on what they would do at the deadline!

Hour 2 with Jeff Hathhorn: pencer Anderson is going to get a chance to be a starter. Nick doesn't think Gennings Dunker is ready to be a starting guard. Mike McCarthy is a pass over run coach. Chris Boswell is the highest paid Steeler at his position. There are disagreements with the MLBPA over hotels, tickets, and mandatory events to attend that is jeperdizing players playing in the Olympics. MLB would play the HR Derby, All-Star Game, and shut down for two weeks to play the Olympics in LA.

Hour 3 with Jeff Hathhorn: A salary floor is as important as a cap. MLBPA Director Bruce Meyer and Commissioner Rob Manfred spoke about the state of baseball. They disagree on a ton. Jeff thinks there will be a lockout, but owners will cave. He doesn't know if owners as that invested to go without baseball for a year to gain a cap and floor. 

Hour 4 with Jeff Hathhorn: Michael on the offense "This team's more talented" than the 2013 Pirates. Michael thinks Esmerlyn Valdez's zone awareness is what makes him very good. His power is immense. Michael thinks adding Jacob Gonzalez, it will allow Jared Triolo to play a little bit more third base and Triolo bounces around. Who is one player you wish you could watch in the MLB All-Star Game?

The MLB All-Star Game is tonight in Philly. Who is one player you wish you could watch in the MLB All-Star Game?? Austin wants to see Roberto Clemente. Jeff picks Tony Pena.

Pirates analyst Michael McKenry joined the show. Michael on the offense "This team's more talented" than the 2013 Pirates. Michael thinks Esmerlyn Valdez's zone awareness is what makes him very good. His power is immense. Michael thinks adding Jacob Gonzalez, it will allow Jared Triolo to play a little bit more third base and Triolo bounces around.

Jeff thinks there will be a lockout, but owners will cave. He doesn't know if owners as that invested to go without baseball for a year to gain a cap and floor. 

A salary floor is as important as a cap. MLBPA Director Bruce Meyer and Commissioner Rob Manfred spoke about the state of baseball. They disagree on a ton. 

There are disagreements with the MLBPA over hotels, tickets, and mandatory events to attend that is jeperdizing players playing in the Olympics. MLB would play the HR Derby, All-Star Game, and shut down for two weeks to play the Olympics in LA. Only six teams will qualify for the Olympic Games. The MLBPA is seeking "fair treatment" for the financial value they bring to the Olympic Games.

Spencer Anderson is going to get a chance to be a starter. Nick doesn't think Gennings Dunker is ready to be a starting guard. Mike McCarthy is a pass over run coach. Chris Boswell is the highest paid Steeler at his position. Boswell is a top three kicker in the game and the best player the Steelers have at his position across football. The best case scenario is Will Howard beats out Mason Rudolph.