Columns
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2.8K52DK'S GRINDKovacevic: With backs to wall, Pirates collectively claw one out
in St. LouisPOSTED: 4:09 AM WednesdayThese Pirates have looked lousy since the All-Star break. They’ve even looked lethargic, for the first time all summer. They haven’t quit.
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10.7K84PiratesExclusive: So, Cervelli and I talked it out ☕
in St. LouisPOSTED: 11:02 PM TuesdayThere are few professional relationships I've valued over the years more than the one with Francisco Cervelli. I'm delighted to share it's very much intact.
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5.7K120DK'S GRINDKovacevic: Dickerson’s pair of muffs paint gloomy picture
in St. LouisPOSTED: 2:46 AM TuesdayCorey Dickerson's two pivotal muffs in left field cost the Pirates in a 7-0 loss to the Cardinals Monday night at Busch Stadium.
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12.9K126DK'S GRINDKovacevic: On Cervelli’s reversal
in Strip DistrictPOSTED: 11:04 PM SaturdayIn a life of sports journalism, I've never once been accused of misquoting anyone. Or using something that was off the record.
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10.2K112DK'S GRINDKovacevic: Can’t deny real contention ☕
at PNC ParkPOSTED: 12:48 AM July 8, 2019The Pirates are 2.5 games out of first place in the Central Division at the All-Star break, and it no longer looks like a mirage.
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11.5K162DK'S GRINDKovacevic: Sullivan’s toughest task begins ☕
at PPG Paints ArenaPOSTED: 1:02 AM July 6, 2019Now that the Penguins and Mike Sullivan have put pen to paper on a contract extension, he can again become what he espouses of his players.
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8.4K154DK'S GRINDKovacevic: Conjuring up some summer magic ☕
at PNC ParkPOSTED: 1:58 AM July 4, 2019Elias Diaz buried his heels into the batter's box with the Pirates down a run, three outs to burn, facing one of baseball's most renowned closers. He worked a full-count...
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6.5K89DK'S GRINDKovacevic: Plantar fasciitis on Maddon’s brain? ☕
at PNC ParkPOSTED: 1:03 AM July 4, 2019Joe Maddon sure didn't seem like the smartest manager in baseball in burying the Cubs in their 6-5 loss to the Pirates.
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7.4K86DK'S GRINDKovacevic: Nothing about Bell’s summer blast is solo anymore ☕
at PNC ParkPOSTED: 12:04 PM July 2, 2019Josh Bell hit three more home runs in the Pirates' 18-5 crushing of the Cubs Monday night at PNC Park.
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9.6K276DK'S GRINDTuesday Takes: Buzzkill between city, Bell ☕
at PNC ParkPOSTED: 12:03 PM July 2, 2019I get it. Everyone hates the owner. Or the front office. Or both. I also get this: Josh Bell is booming his way toward a baseball season for the ages.
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18.4K207DK'S GRINDKovacevic: Don’t act like Phil was only problem ☕️
at PPG Paints ArenaPOSTED: 11:43 PM June 29, 2019It's a terrific trade from the Pittsburgh perspective: The Penguins move Phil Kessel, a problem, within the constraints of a limited no-trade clause, another problem.
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8.0K60DK'S GRINDKovacevic: Emphasizing excitement over top picks ☕
in Cranberry, Pa.POSTED: 3:46 PM June 27, 2019Samuel Poulin and Nathan Legare, the Penguins' top two picks in the NHL Draft, both impressed again on the first day of development camp.
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11.3K138DK'S GRINDKovacevic: Are Pirates alive? They think so ☕
in Strip DistrictPOSTED: 12:40 PM June 25, 2019"Man, we needed that." This was Josh Bell. He and I were talking after the Pirates' spectacular Sunday double-upending of the Padres at PNC Park.
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9.8K110DK'S GRINDKovacevic: Why Penguins rightly prioritize character ☕
in Vancouver, British ColumbiaPOSTED: 1:18 AM June 23, 2019It's been three decades since the Canadiens won their 24th and most recent Stanley Cup, and it's been nearly as long since the Nordiques bid au revoir to Quebec.
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22.1K139DK'S GRINDKovacevic: Rutherford just laying down law ☕
in Vancouver, British ColumbiaPOSTED: 9:12 PM June 22, 2019The Penguins won't trade Evgeni Malkin or Kris Letang.
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7.9K50DK'S GRINDKovacevic: How will Penguins keep pace with Hughes/Kakko? ☕
in Vancouver, British ColumbiaPOSTED: 10:24 PM June 21, 2019The only thing cooler than Jack Hughes' oversized, oblong shades on this Thursday afternoon was the setting.
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9.3K208DK'S GRINDKovacevic: Three things Penguins must do here
in Vancouver, British ColumbiaPOSTED: 3:37 AM June 20, 2019There are two completely distinct occurrences transpiring over the two days on any NHL Draft. The draft. The stuff people care about.
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9.2K173DK'S GRINDKovacevic: Harold’s laugh, Trout’s scout, hockeytown, Brownout ☕
in OaklandPOSTED: 7:02 PM June 18, 2019Remember Harold Ramirez? He lasered a three-run home run and a double Sunday, one that might not have climbed more than a couple dozen feet off the ground.
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19.6K316DK'S GRINDKovacevic: A fine return, indeed, for Maatta ☕
in MonroevillePOSTED: 5:30 PM June 16, 2019The Penguins traded Maatta to the Blackhawks for right winger Dominik Kahun and a fifth-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.
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7.2K46DK'S GRINDKovacevic: Who’s the real James Washington? ☕️
at Rooney ComplexPOSTED: 1:53 PM June 14, 2019James Washington doesn't make much sense. He stands 5 feet 11, probably with spikes included, but he's stamped as being a high-point receiver in the NFL.
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7.8K130DK'S GRINDKovacevic: Camp Kumbaya, worst rainout ever, trusting J.R. on Phil ☕️
at Rooney ComplexPOSTED: 1:53 AM June 12, 2019As Mike Tomlin wonderfully worded it Tuesday upon the opening of minicamp, "We're all undefeated, untied, un-scored-upon this time of year.
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6.8K127DK'S GRINDKovacevic: Don’t like the losing bullpen formula? Change it ☕
in MilwaukeePOSTED: 11:40 PM June 9, 2019"We’ve had number of games where we were trailing, 4-2, our starter gets knocked out in the fifth, we go to our middle relievers and, next thing you know, the...
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4.6K25DK'S GRINDKovacevic: Is Kang at shortstop realistic? ☕
in MilwaukeePOSTED: 11:30 PM June 9, 2019Jung Ho Kang smoked a baseball 457 feet Sunday at Miller Park and barely batted an eyelash upon emerging from the box.
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6.4K28DK'S GRINDKovacevic: Moran following Bell/Reynolds script ☕
in MilwaukeePOSTED: 12:35 PM June 9, 2019Colin Moran's homered in both games of the Pirates' series here at Miller Park, three times in his past four games, five times in his past nine games.
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4.3K79DK'S GRINDKovacevic: Coincidence or not, Lyles not same since 12K gem ☕
in MilwaukeePOSTED: 12:27 PM June 9, 2019Jordan Lyles needed 92 pitches to last all of three innings for the Pirates, and that's kind of how it's been going for him of late.
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10.6K203DK'S GRINDKovacevic: How does front office just watch? ☕
in MilwaukeePOSTED: 11:59 PM June 7, 2019Rookie Davis, the latest in the Pirates' long line of ineffective minor-league help, lasted three innings in a loss to the Brewers.