The Pomp And Joe Show

Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey examine the best second round picks made by Pittsburgh's pro football organization.

Is this a successful season for the Pens if they lose in the first round to the Flyers. Have expectations changed for the Penguins? The Penguins will, more than likely, host Philadelphia this week.

Pirates World Series champ Phil Garner has passed away at 76. We remember Phil Garner. Garner had been fighting cancer. Garner managed the Astros and helped take them to the World Series. We think the 1979 We Are Familee Pirates were one of the most incredible stories with dynamic players but no 15 game winners or 100 RBI guys.

Marcell Ozuna sticks out like a sore thumb. Ozuna has been a bad April hitter over his career and went 4-63 in 2023 the season he hit 40 home runs. Dan thinks Konnor Griffin is still having issues with fastballs. Dan thinks the Pirates are in the market to acquire another starter. Despite this, they are in first place in the division.

If the Penguins lose to the Flyers, it will be because of goaltending. Bob points to the Penguins giving up the second-most shorthanded goals in the NHL. Is Rory McIlroy vs. Scottie Scheffler the new golf rivalry? Bob said it's hard to go back to back, but Rory has found a new era. Scottie has one round that hurts him that has prevented him from winning. Is Rory a top five golfer ever?

The Penguins were swept by the Capitals this weekend as Alex Ovechkin was honored in what may be his final season. Alex Ovechkin waved off the Penguins from getting in line to shake his hand after the Caps beat the Penguins. Joe and Bob think that Ovechkin will retire. Joe wants to see the Flyers in the playoffs. The Penguins are the most unlikely playoff team since...? Bob points towards the 2016 Penguins.

Pittsburgh sports is on a big upswing, the Penguins are back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Pirates have signed Konnor Griffin and the NFL Draft is only a couple weeks away!

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey and Austin Bechtold, from Friday, April 10th, 2026

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey: Is this the most improbable Pittsburgh sports team to make the playoffs? Joe thinks the Penguins shocked themselves. Joe doesn't think Kyle Dubas would have even predicted these great things have happened. No one could have seen 30 goals from Anthony Mantha, or Justin Brazeau to have a strong year, or rookie Ben Kindel to be a stud, or Evgeni Malkin to find it again and have a great season. The 1989 Steelers were also one of the biggest surprises.

Hour 2 with Joe Starkey: Will the Steelers find a way to keep Nick Herbig? Ray thinks the Steelers may be able to get a second or third for Alex Highsmith but Ray would rather keep him. Ray doesn't think you can get enough value for Watt. Tyler Kennedy and Poni would rather play the Islanders than the Flyers. Joe and Austin want to play the Flyers and thinks it would be great entertainment.