The Pomp And Joe Show

Hour 4 with Joe Starkey and Jeff Hathhorn: Geoff Hoffmann is hopeful that Mario Lemieux will be involved with the Penguins. Jeff said that Lemieux doesn't want to be involved day-to-day but wants to feel welcome at games and come when he wants. Mario disappeared with Fenway. Geoff Hoffmann said this is not an investment and they will do everything for the Penguins to win in Pittsburgh. Jeff Hathhorn thinks Kyle Dubas is going to try and be active to acquire a star. Jeff thinks the Pirates need two bullpen arms

Jeff Hathhorn thinks Kyle Dubas is going to try and be active to acquire a star. Jeff thinks the Pirates need two bullpen arms, even if one's a flyer on somebody. The Pirates truly value what Marcell Ozuna brings to their clubhouse. Jeff would be shocked if the Steelers move off Will Howard and thinks it's more likely they try to trade Mason Rudolph.

Geoff Hoffmann is hopeful that Mario Lemieux will be involved with the Penguins. Jeff Hathhorn said that Lemieux doesn't want to be involved day-to-day but wants to feel welcome at games and come when he wants. Mario disappeared with Fenway. Geoff Hoffmann said this is not an investment and they will do everything for the Penguins to win in Pittsburgh.

The Hoffmann Family is committed to winning and they care about spending money to make the team win. The Florida Everglades is going to be the new ECHL team and will unfortunately replace Wheeling. Tyler Kennedy identified Josh Anderson as a Tom Wilson like player. Josh Yohe reported that Kyle Dubas is "big game hunting." Will the Penguins make a big move?

The Hoffmann's said they want Mario Lemieux involved. Tyler Kennedy joins and thinks the Hoffmann's hit the presser out of the park. TK has new teeth at Cranberry Dental! He also has new hair! Joe is willing to give up a first round pick and Ben Kindel for Jason Robertson. NHL players are more in control of where they want to go. TK thinks it's good for the NHL. Many players are leaving Canada to play in warmer weather and also no state tax.

Joe has been very frustrated by the Pirates lack of success in extra innings. Paul in Washington wants Ben Cherington to be fired and he doesn't like Kelly. After a player has a big game, it feels like Don Kelly sits them like when Tyler Callihan was benched after hitting two homers!

The Pirates are 40-40 but should be better than that. Who is in order to blame: Ben Cherington, Don Kelly, or the players?

What do Penguins fans want to see in the Hoffmann Family? Pens fans want to see the group involved, but hands off and not overstepping. Kyle Dubas' record as Penguins GM is mixed. The Pirates should be four games over .500 if they were healthier and had a good bullpen.

Where are we with ownership? The Hoffmann's are taking over with the sun setting. The Hoffmann Family is welcoming back Mario Lemieux and Bob expects the Hoffmann's to put Mario in a "prominent position" and the welcome mat out. We are near the end of the Sidney Crosby era. The Penguins don't have prospects who are going to be stars. There are a ton of ifs.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Friday, June 24th, 2026