The Pomp And Joe Show

Sports Director Jeff Hathhorn joins!! Jared Jones was efficient and in command against Atlanta. Jeff thinks the Pirates should have saved Carmen Mlodzinski for Jared Jones' outing after going up by a significant amount. Jeff thinks the offense isn't going to be the same with these injuries. Jeff Passan thinks Garrett Whitlock is the best match for the Pirates but Luke Weaver is the dream match. Mitch Keller is struggling against lefties.

The Anaheim Ducks MATCHED Leo Carlson's contract offer from Philadelphia and signed him to a five year deal, worth $18 million! Joe thinks this is a way for the Penguins to bring in a star and would try to acquire Connor Bedard.

Jackson Flora out of UC Santa Barbra might be the Pirates pick at No. 5 and could be in the majors in a year, but not as fast as Skenes. Eric Booth Jr. is a young high school outfielder, but shouldn't be expected to get here as quick as Konnor Griffin. Catcher Vahan Lackey is an interesting name, but it doesn't sound like he will be there for the Pirates. Jonathan would not trade Seth Hernandez and would only think of it if the Pirates were one player away from going to the World Series.

Are you ok with the Pirates trading Joey Bart, who hit the game-winning home run, and keeping Henry Davis? We all would rather keep Davis. Bart isn't having a good season. We hear from Jared Jones after throwing six perfect innings. Jones said he was just joking with Don Kelly when he tried to run down the dugout steps after the sixth inning. Joe thinks Jones has been great over his last two games.

Joe thinks this could be a sign of great things for Jared Jones and people should be happy. One caller points out that the All-Star break is coming up and Jones will have more rest. Joe was completely fine with Carmen Mlodzinski being used for two innings when the Pirates were up five, and then eight runs. Bob and Austin disagree and think the Pirates should be using Mlodzinski better.

MLB analyst Matt Clement joined the show. Matt "it was the easy right move" to pull Jared Jones and thought it was a non-story, at the time. Jones had only pitched into the fifth once in the last month. Matt thinks this is too early coming off Jones' injury to take that risk. Matt thinks the Pirates might be slowly building Jones into a reliever for later in the season.

Jared Jones was pulled from the game with a perfect game. Joe thinks the bigger problem was that the Pirates didn't score one run. He defends the Pirates decision. We all would have given Jones another inning. Joe thinks people should be more mad about the offense and the bullpen not coming through for Jones.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Wednesday, July 8th, 2026

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Ryan O'Hearn put together one of the best games in Pirates and MLB history with three home runs and a Pirate record 10 RBIs. What's the greatest individual performance you've ever seen in person? Pitt historian Sam Sciullo joined the show. Sam was at the game that Tony Dorsett ran for 303 yards against Notre Dame. Penguins historian Paul Steigerwald joined the show. Steigy was on the broadcast with Mike Lange when Mario Lemieux scored five goals five ways.

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: High school sports reporter Mike White joined the show. Mike shares some of the best performances in WPIAL sports history. Steelers insider Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show joined the show. Everything is different with camp with Mike McCarthy as head coach. The staff and players must get up to speed quickly. Mike Tomlin training camps were physical, at least at the start, but Kaboly wonders if McCarthy will even have players tackling.