LeBron changing teams…Pirates are iffy…Serena’s back…
:10—Soccer? Soccer? Alright boys and girls, you wanna talk soccer, AKA “football,” Here we go. Here’s your current breakdown on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. And in case you don’t know, and I am sure you don’t, this historic month-long championship features a record 48 international teams playing 104 matches across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico! The World Cup is now in its round of 32 knockout phase, which runs from June 28 to July 3. Now look, that’s all I got for now. Check back with me via your Pittsburgh Courier, and I’ll have more info…that you could have Googled just like I did! (Wait…say what?)
:09—This one goes out to my partner Zik, for his son (yeah, you know who you are). Here comes your boy again, “The Lone Stranger,” riding around shopping his skills to whatever team he thinks can get him another ring and closer to Michael Jordan—6, and Kobe Bryant —5. Sorry to tell ya, LeBron, but you’ll be stuck on 4 and the Golden State Warriors and Steph Curry will not be your salvation!
:08—What am I talking about, you ask? LeBron will try to leave the Lakers for one of the following teams: Cleveland Cavs, Miami Heat, or Golden State Warriors. As a matter of fact, the GSW are putting together a game plan to add LBJ and Anthony Davis to the team with Draymond Green! (Don’t ask me how I know…if I told ya, I’d have to kill ya!) But trust me, none of those options gets him closer to a ring, including linking up with Giannis Antetokounmpo, AKA “The Greek Freak.” Plus, keep in mind, if and when he ever goes, the deal has to include his luggage…oops, my bad…I mean his son “Bronny!” C’mon man, sad…very sad!
:07—I, like you, admittedly wanted to give the Pittsburgh Pirates all the love and support possible. But just like “an old flame,” they are set to break our hearts again. #1. The real killer—the worst bullpen in baseball. #2. A catcher who can catch a Major League game, but Henry Davis can’t hit! #3. And it hurts me to say this, but superstar Paul Skenes has taken 7 losses and gone 0-5 over his last eight starts and has an individual record of 6-7! This, ladies and gentlemen, is not what Cy Youg winners are made of. #4. To which, he’s pitched well enough to win, but doesn’t have the team behind him to back him up. Lastly, #5. Through no fault of their own, injuries have reared its ugly head again. Oneil Cruz out with fractured left hand, Spencer Horwitz out with hamstring pull, Wilber Dotel and Chris Devenski out due to minor injuries.
:06—There is no local NBA report…because we don’t have an NBA team??????
:05—But we do have a hockey team. And it looks like the big three will be back to tease us again. That being Sid “The Kid” Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang. (See, I know stuff!)
:04—We now have the biggest news in tennis we’ve had in quite some time: the return of the greatest female tennis player of all-time. Serena Williams returns to glory at Wimbledon at the young age of 44. Thus, the start of the grass court grand slam. LET’S GO SERENA, SHOW THE WORLD HOW TO “ACHIEVE GREATNESS!” (See what I did there?)
:03—And just to prove to you that you’re not standing still and time is racing along without you…your Pittsburgh Steelers start training camp Tuesday, July 28. First practice open to the public, Wednesday, July 29. Bet your last money, honey…Debbie Coleman will be there. (By the way, shut up about it. I told you Aaron Rodgers would be back as the quarterback. Like I said repeatedly, I’ll take the only 4-time MVP in NFL history every day of the week. I wouldn’t care if he’s 50!)
:02—This is really not sports—it’s really me taking up space to fill up the column (don’t tell Mr. Doss or Rob Taylor). But the UFC Freedom semi-professional mixed martial arts event held at the White House recently by “YOU KNOW WHO” was a blip on the sports wall of importance. While I credit the participants for the strength and talent to do what they do, the program did little to unite the country for its holiday celebration.
:01—This just in. Lock it down. The 52nd annual Connie Hawkins Summer Basketball Reunion is set for Saturday, August 15, 6 to 10 p.m., at the new Noblemen’s club in Penn Hills. Come one, come all, Summer League Basketball players and coaches. More details soon!
:00—GAME OVER.
