The Pomp And Joe Show

Hour 4 with Joe Starkey: Endy Rodriguez is putting things together, but his arm isn't completely back yet from injury. Michael thinks Rodriguez is good at blocking the baseball and should be better soon. Michael thinks the Pirates have to give Endy a chance to catch Paul Skenes. This date in sports history, June 30th.

This date in sports history, 6-30-2026

Endy Rodriguez is putting things together, but his arm isn't completely back yet from injury. Michael thinks Rodriguez is good at blocking the baseball and should be better soon. Michael thinks the Pirates have to give Endy a chance to catch Paul Skenes. He thinks a shift could be good. Michael thinks Konnor Griffin could hit as many as 40 home runs in his career.

What is with the Pirates pitching coach and his walk to the mound? It's not a good look when he slowly walks to the mound and the umpires might say something to him. Do you sit Paul Skenes for a game? What are your three Pirates wishes. Should the Penguins bring Ryan Shea back?

Serena Williams at age 44 is coming back to tennis. What are the greatest comebacks in Pittsburgh sports history? Mario Lemieux is obviously No. 1 after 3.5 years in retirement. Mario put up 76 points in 43 games. Joe thinks it was the biggest story he's ever covered. Sidney Crosby coming back from concussions. James Harrison retired and came back to the Steelers. Rod Woodson returned from a torn ACL to play in the Super Bowl. James Conner coming back from battling cancer was incredible.

The Penguins don't want to take Darnell Nurse's $9.25 million fully salary in a deal. Would you trade Rickard Rakell and two first round picks for Jason Robertson? Robertson wants $14 million.

Joey Porter Jr.'s market isn't set because Christian Gonzalez and others in Porter's draft class are going to get paid this year. Porter may wait to see what they get. Nick thinks it's fair that the NFL is holding out Brendan Sorsby right now.  The training camp battle between Allar and Howard will be interesting. Nick thinks Robert Spears-Jennings will be solid and a good special teams player.

Esmerlyn Valdez hit another home run and has homered in four in a row. Endy Rodriguez said he was waiting for his friend Chase Shugart to throw a sweeper. Would you trade Jared Jones for Aroldis Chapman? We ask AI how it would fix the bullpen. Joe would trade Jones. Jones has three years of control.

Even the Pirates wins can be frustrating. The Pirates came back from down 5-0 but the bullpen tried to give the game back until Endy Rodriguez hit a three-run homer. Rodriguez is becoming a big story for the Pirates. A fan calls in to complain about Rodriguez's defense.

The Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Monday, June 29th, 2026