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Here for every sports story that matters. 📲 https://t.co/02vuVDQ6gW | ❓ https://t.co/P8GZ83EnQT
Pittsburgh, PA
Joined December 2016
T.J. Watt was dejected. His family supported him if he wanted to quit football. He asked his dad what it would take to be a firefighter. Then he gave football one last shot. Now he can't be stopped. From @stephenjnesbitt: | #Badgers | #Steelers
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JuJu Smith Schuster is just 22. Is he ready for superstardom? . His mom thinks he is. And if fame changes him?. "I’ll whup his ass.”
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"We hear that in Philly, not Pittsburgh.". Evgeni Malkin and the Penguins are not happy with how fans treated Matt Murray. From @Real_RobRossi:
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The Penguins announce plans to pay PPG Paints Arena employees impacted by the NHL's decision to pause the season.
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"You know, the Steelers are good this year, so everyone should be happy.". Marc-Andre Fleury has been selected as The Athletic's Person of the Year in Pittsburgh. His love for the city and region was the biggest reason why: .
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Terry Bradshaw said he would have retired before leaving the Steelers. He doesn't understand Tom Brady's decision. "I don’t know what the hell Tom’s doing.". | @EdBouchette.
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A.J. Burnett will forever cherish his time with the Pirates, even the times he stole Bob Nutting's parking spot. | @RobBiertempfel
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Carl Hagelin, Bryan Rust and Conor Sheary broke down the details of playing on Evgeni Malkin's line. What's the first thing to remember?. "Just get out of the way.”. From @JoshYohe_PGH:.
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Breaking: Jung Ho Kang has been granted a U.S. work visa and will rejoin the Pirates in the coming days. From @RobBiertempfel:
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Just like Pittsburgh, Las Vegas has fallen for the charm of Marc-Andre Fleury. “I think it starts with his smile." . From @MAGodin:.
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When Sidney Crosby heard the Penguins were open to trading Evgeni Malkin, he shared just one message with the team's front office: . "It's me AND Geno.". From @Real_RobRossi's expansive feature on Malkin's summer in Moscow:
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"If somebody told me tomorrow if all I did was drive the team bus and we would win a Super Bowl, then I would drive the team bus and we would win a Super Bowl.". Vince Williams has a singular focus for the Steelers. From @MarkKaboly:
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Jaromir Jagr doesn't have many connections to the current members of the Penguins. That doesn't mean they don't recognize what he means to the franchise or hockey in general. "It's hard to explain how big of a deal he is. He's a god.”. From @JoshYohe_PGH:
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Across the continent, the Penguins awoke to news of a violent tragedy in Pittsburgh. They were quick to identify it as their city. “I’m so sad. I don’t even know what to say. I love Pittsburgh so much.". This story by @JoshYohe_PGH is unlocked:
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Kris Letang wants to retire with the Penguins. But he doesn't think he'll get that chance. GM Jim Rutherford is gauging interest, and Letang has told teammates he expects to be traded this offseason or coming season. From @Real_RobRossi:
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JuJu Smith-Schuster is acknowledged on the video board here at PPG Paints Arena as Queen's "Bicycle Race" is played.
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“I said, ‘This isn’t gonna be real popular, Howard, with them just winning the Cup.’. “He goes, ‘I don’t give a s---.'”. This is the inside story of the Pittsburgh Pigeon, the Penguins' drastic logo change in 1992. | @seangentille
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The Steelers defense deserves a lot of credit for carrying the team back to .500. But perhaps no one deserves more credit than Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt. From @EdBouchette:
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Alejandro Villanueva has been a lot of things. ✔️A college tight end. ✔️A combat veteran. ✔️A Pro Bowl tackle. Now, he's an MBA graduate from Carnegie Mellon's Tepper School of Business. @MarkKaboly on how he found a balance between football and school:
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Alexis Lafrenière on the Penguins would completely change the twilight years for Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. And it would cause a full-scale meltdown for the rest of the NHL. @seangentille examines the tantalizing possibilities:
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📢 We're excited to announce the addition of 3 talented journalists to @TheAthleticPGH team!.👉 @EdBouchette on Steelers.👉 @seangentille on all PGH teams.👉 @stephenjnesbitt with feature stories.
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"Flower has always been a little bit different. He's just a special kind of guy.”. Marc-Andre Fleury's return to Pittsburgh is special for his ex-teammates as well. From @JoshYohe_PGH: .
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Steelers may not hire GM to replace Kevin Colbert; Omar Khan and Brandon Hunt could split duties: Source
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Dave Parker might never get a call from the Baseball Hall of Fame. But if he does, he knows which hat he wants to wear. “I’m a Bucco. Always the Bucs. Always black and gold.”. From @RobBiertempfel:
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Joe Haden could have remained in sunny Southern California for offseason training. Instead, he came back to snowy Western Pennsylvania "to bond with my dudes, have a good time, and kick it.”. From @MarkKaboly:.
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"Score a five-on-five goal and I'll let you use the car Friday night."
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A few years ago, Rocky Bleier reached out to fellow veteran Alejandro Villanueva. "I thought I would be a year on the practice squad with the Steelers, go to Carnegie Mellon and that would be it for football. Rocky sort of believed in me a lot more.".
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On Tuesday, Sidney Crosby's actions said much more than his words ever could in the "best player in the world" debate. His teammates had plenty to say though. “He’s the best. He just is.”. By @JoshYohe_PGH:
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✔️Ben Roethlisberger thought he'd be drafted by the Giants.✔️The Steelers considered taking tackle Shawn Andrews.✔️Tommy Maddox got mad. The Steelers drafted their franchise quarterback 15 years ago today. But it was hardly a sure thing. By @EdBouchette:
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Troy Polamalu doesn't come around the Steelers anymore. It's not because he's angry. If anything, it's the opposite. From @MarkKaboly:
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Troy Polamalu is headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Might other Steelers fall victim to an anti-Steelers bias?. @EdBouchette explores:
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“He doesn't ever look nervous. But he was getting anxious just because I knew it meant so much for him to play in that game.”. Mario Lemieux returned from cancer 25 years ago today. @JoshYohe_PGH spoke with those who witnessed that night in Philadelphia:
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"I got sent over to Pittsburgh because they wanted some physicality in the playoffs, and then I got traded right before the playoffs, and now they’re gone and here we are.”. Via @RussoHockey, Ryan Reaves & the Golden Knights head to the Stanley Cup final:.
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"When he’s under control, he’s as good as anyone I’ve ever been around.”. Pitcher Alek Manoah could become the highest drafted player in West Virginia history. Will he be around by the time the Pirates pick?. By @RobBiertempfel:
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“That's our captain, right there.". Sidney Crosby found a way to rack up four points. He may have also found a new winger in Daniel Sprong:. From @JoshYohe_PGH:
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Even after trading for Derick Brassard, Jim Rutherford isn't done. He wants to add another center you might be familiar with. Matt Cullen. From @JoshYohe_PGH:.
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Meet Jennifer Bullano Ridgley, the Penguins VP of media relations whom Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin trust with most things off the ice. "I only listen to Jen," Malkin said. "You have to.”. From @Real_RobRossi:
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Phil Bourque went to visit Jaromir Jagr in the Czech Republic to help heal wounds that are more than a decade old. From @Real_RobRossi:
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The Penguins have held four of the Blackhawks skaters and the goaltender without a point.
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“Please, for the love of God, license Homefield.”. Last year, @HomefieldApparl had just $800 in its bank account and was fighting to survive. Now, it's one of the hottest brands in college sports. | @stephenjnesbitt | @seangentille
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If you missed the Penguins' presentation for Marc-Andre Fleury, here you go: .
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We'll be covering the Penguins soon with @JoshYohe_PGH & @SethRorabaugh. You can subscribe here for a 30 % discount:
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"Our city can overcome this, but everybody’s got to love, everybody’s got to care, and we’ll continue to do our part.". A day after unimaginable tragedy, the Steelers did their part to help Pittsburgh to heal. This story by @Real_RobRossi is unlocked:
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Felipe Vázquez is awaiting extradition to Florida after being arrested in his Pittsburgh apartment Tuesday morning.
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Le'Veon Bell opens up to @GaryMyersNY about leaving the Steelers. He doesn't regret leaving, but he regrets some of the things he did along the way, such as ignoring Ben Roethlisberger's texts.
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Twenty years ago, at the last Steelers game ever at Three Rivers Stadium, Washington's front office tried to muzzle Myron Cope. He replied by calling Dan Snyder a "boy billionaire" and telling him to "stick his head in a can of paint.". | @stephenjnesbitt.
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Vance McDonald struggled with the playbook and with injuries after being traded to the Steelers. He even had trouble getting to Pittsburgh after the deal. Now, he might be their secret weapon. "I know I'm comfortable in where I'm at.". From @MarkKaboly:
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“We tried to get him to stay. Oh, we tried hard.". @JoshYohe_PGH on Matt Cullen's lasting impact on the Penguins:
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Sprong doesn't even need a center to score.
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“He's really hard to stop right now.". Once again, Phil Kessel sparked the Penguins' offense in a much-needed win against the Lightning. From @JoshYohe_PGH:
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Penguins 7, Flyers 0. Matt Murray’s third consecutive postseason shutout.
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The Steelers might be tempted to blow things up and start a roster rebuild. Their best bet, @MarkKaboly writes, is to give Ben Roethlisberger one last shot.
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Baseball legend says the Dodgers hid Roberto Clemente in Montreal and hoped nobody would discover their minor league standout. But what's fact and what's fiction about the time the Pirates snagged their greatest star? . From @stephenjnesbitt:
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"You look around and you appreciate that there are only a few guys in the league like these guys. And we have three of them.”. Sidney Crosby, Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin are all making a case for the Hart Trophy. From @JoshYohe_PGH:.
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"I heard everything in the background, but I didn’t hear him.". After Trevor Irby was killed at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, his friends tried to carry on by honoring the Steeler fan the only way they knew how. A powerful read from @seangentille:
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“I'm upset because he started talking to me. I'm busy.". Evgeni Malkin had no time for Evgeny Kuznetsov in the late stages of the Penguins' loss Sunday. But he wanted to send a message to the Capitals. From @JoshYohe_PGH:.
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“I want to be there when they need me.”. The Pirates traded away some stars, but don't forget the one who stayed: . Felipe Rivero. From @RobBiertempfel:.
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“This is something that I believe has been blown out of proportion.". Jim Rutherford spoke with @PierreVLeBrun regarding Phil Kessel's future with the Penguins:.
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The night Ryan Reaves became a Pittsburgh Penguins favorite. A 12-part series by @JoshYohe_PGH:
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"I just look at a guy, I try to figure him out, see what he's doing well and what he isn't doing well. Then, I just go to work with him.”. Sergei Gonchar's decision to join the Penguins full time wasn't easy. But it's paid off immensely. Via @JoshYohe_PGH:.
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“I always dreamt of playing for Team USA, but up until a month ago that's all I thought it was — a dream.". Defenseman Cole Hults could become the first Penn Stater to play in the World Junior Championship. From @JulieRobenhymer:
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Sidney Crosby's goal was not universally embraced:
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"I should have been a Penguin forever. It would have been nice. But I’ll never get that chance again.”. His career and life were derailed by drugs. Now, Kevin Stevens has found a purpose (and sobriety) in aiding other recovering addicts. By @JoshYohe_PGH:
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“You look at the Steelers and Penguins and then you’ve got the Pirates. I’d be losing sleep trying to compete with those other two teams.”. David Freese had some frank thoughts on the state of the Pirates today. From @RobBiertempfel:.
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“We have the utmost confidence in the group that we have.". As he faces elimination, Mike Sullivan likes where his players are mentally. From @JoshYohe_PGH:.
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"I had goose bumps. It's a night I won't forget.”. @JoshYohe_PGH on Marc-Andre Fleury's return to Pittsburgh:.
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“Oh, he enjoys it. I don't think there's any doubt about it. He hears all the stuff people are saying. It makes him better.”. Another big game in Philadelphia by Sidney Crosby led the Penguins to a 5-1 triumph in Game 3. From @JoshYohe_PGH:.
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"Maybe Jack Johnson isn’t as good as I think he is. Maybe. But he’s not as bad as all of the anti-Jack Johnson people think he is.". Jim Rutherford has no interest in trading Jack Johnson away from the Penguins. From @JoshYohe_PGH:
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The Penguins wore patches on their jerseys Tuesday to recognize victims of Saturday's mass shooting. @Real_RobRossi detailed how they navigated the logistics of such an undertaking from seeking league approval to being respectful of Jewish traditions:
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“That’s definitely humbling to hear what he thinks of me as a person and a player.”. Andrew McCutchen appreciated Chris Archer’s kind words. From @RobBiertempfel:
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"That was just vintage Sid. Vintage. He just took over the game." . Sidney Crosby looked dominant in the third period and overtime as the Penguins beat the Flyers once again. From @JoshYohe_PGH:.
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“He is the best fullback in the world.". @MarkKaboly on Le'Veon Bell's unique relationship with Roosevelt Nix: .
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In a city full of bridges, Maurkice Pouncey is trying to build the most important one between the Pittsburgh Police and children. For his efforts, he has been selected as our 2018 Sportsperson of the Year. By @Real_RobRossi:
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James Harrison thinks his 100-yard interception return is the greatest play in Super Bowl history. What do you think?. | @EdBouchette | #Steelers.
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“It happens to them all the time, game after game. It doesn’t seem right, to be honest.”. Jim Rutherford isn't happy with the abuse Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have faced as of late. By @JoshYohe_PGH:
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Devin Bush had dreamed of playing in the NFL his entire life. He made the most of his first opportunity, and he made the Steelers look smart in the process. From @EdBouchette:
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"This season, he's taking it to another level. I feel like something's going to happen every time he has the puck.”. Evgeni Malkin is making his case for MVP. From @JoshYohe_PGH:.
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How have the Penguins kept Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin happy in Pittsburgh? . Former GM Ray Shero explains in a way that only he can.
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"We Got The Cup!" chants after the latest scrum. Those get interupted when Ryan Reaves is liberated from the penalty box and is cheered.
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“He’s liked me for a looooong time. Ask him about it.”. Neal Huntington had his eye on Chris Archer for quite a while. From @Ken_Rosenthal: .
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James Conner might be the starter, but it's getting harder and harder to keep Benny Snell off the field. @MarkKaboly has these 10 observations from Steelers training camp:
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“Me and Sully sat down in early September and he said he wasn't expecting me to be able to be on top of my game for the first few months. He was right.”. Kris Letang opens up on his struggles. From @JoshYohe_PGH:.
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"As long as the Steelers would like to come be with us in the summertime, they are most welcome. It’s year by year as we go. But we are friends. That’s the best way to put it.". @stephenjnesbitt on the Steelers and Saint Vincent College:
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"You don’t laugh at someone getting hurt. You shouldn’t do it.”. Tom Wilson drew the Penguins' ire in more ways than one after he injured another player, Zach Aston-Reese, with a violent hit. From @JoshYohe_PGH:.
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"Even when you think you have him defended well, that long reach of his, or his ability to find the open man, gets you every time. It's amazing to see what he's doing.”. Evgeni Malkin's Hart Trophy campaign continues. From @JoshYohe_PGH: .
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“It’s been too damn long, 40 years.”. The Pirates haven't won (or played in) the World Series since 1979. How can they return by spending as little as they do?. By @RobBiertempfel:
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"Phil likes to whine and moan about things that aren't even important. It's great.". The only people who appear to like Phil Kessel more than Penguins fans are his teammates. From @JoshYohe_PGH:.
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Barry Bonds opens up about the Pirates: On Jim Leyland, clubhouse pranks, Sid Bream and his exit. "What put the bad taste in our mouth was the fact that the team wasn’t bringing us back to keep going. We loved playing for Pittsburgh.". | @stephenjnesbitt
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How did Marc-Andre Fleury play a role in helping the Penguins land Derick Brassard?. @JoshYohe_PGH recaps a long day (and there was a game too) for the Penguins and Jim Rutherford: .
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"You play your heart out on every single shot. That's what I tried to do.”. Matt Murray made an emotional return to the lineup in a 5-2 win against the Sharks Tuesday. From @JoshYohe_PGH:.
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Over several days in Moscow this summer, Evgeni Malkin opened up in ways he never has before. He was lost last season. He was lonely. He lashed out and fought with those closest to him. So, he committed to change. @Real_RobRossi on Malkin's rebuild:
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In some ways, Evgeni Malkin was more alone in Pittsburgh at age 32 than when he first arrived at age 20. From @Real_RobRossi: #Penguins
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The Steelers are still negotiating with Joe Haden but have no plans to sign Javon Hargrave, Bud Dupree or Sean Davis before the season. From @EdBouchette:
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"I wanted to play hockey, not just practice hockey.". After failing to fit in with Miami, defenseman Trevor Hamilton has made the most of a second chance with Penn State. From @JulieRobenhymer:.
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Josh Gibson's gravestone in Pittsburgh's Allegheny Cemetery simply reads "LEGENDARY BASEBALL PLAYER." . It's always been true. And Wednesday, finally, he became a major leaguer, too. | @stephenjnesbitt | @RobBiertempfel
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