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First Call: Dan Marino honors Tony Siragusa; Andrew McCutchen's big night; Pirates position player's outing on the mound | TribLIVE.com
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First Call: Dan Marino honors Tony Siragusa; Andrew McCutchen's big night; Pirates position player's outing on the mound

Tim Benz
Tim Benz
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AP
Baltimore Ravens lineman Tony Siragusa holds up the Super Bowl trophy as he carries his daughter, Samantha Rose, on his shoulders during festivities celebrating the Ravens Super Bowl victory over the New York Giants, at Baltimore’s City Hall plaza Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2001.

Thursday’s “First Call” shares memories of former Pitt Panther Tony Siragusa. A Pirates position player has an interesting experience on the mound. Andrew McCutchen has a big night in Milwaukee. And we check in on a few former Pirates who had up-and-down starts with their new teams.

Brutal day in Baltimore

No team should have to go through what the Baltimore Ravens went through Wednesday. The franchise endured the news that outside linebacker Jaylon Ferguson died at the age of 26.

Via ProFootballTalk.com, “Baltimore Police said that officers responded to a call regarding a questionable death in a home in Baltimore’s Harwood neighborhood on Tuesday night. When they arrived, officers found Ferguson unresponsive and receiving treatment from medics. … Police said there were no signs of foul play or trauma at the scene. They also said that a medical examiner will provide a cause of death after examining Ferguson’s body.”

Later in the day, it was announced that Super Bowl XXXV champion Tony Siragusa had died in his sleep Tuesday night. He was 55.

After a successful 12-year career with the Ravens and Indianapolis Colts, the Pitt alum also carved out a successful media career calling games and as a sideline personality on network television.

Dan Marino tweeted out this message and photo with his fellow Panther.

This interview between Siragusa and Howard Stern made the internet rounds yesterday, given the irony of how Siragusa described his own father’s death. He also passed away at a young age (48), while Siragusa held him in his arms.

“Goose” retired with 564 career total tackles, 22 sacks and nine fumble recoveries in 169 games.

Special K

Pirates position player Diego Castillo had to pitch during the Pirates’ 14-5 blowout loss to the Chicago Cubs Wednesday.

And his outing was … interesting. On the one hand, Castillo got a strikeout of Cubs relief pitcher David Robertson.

But he also allowed a grand slam to Alfonso Rivas.

In all, Castillo threw 33 pitches allowing four earned runs on the grand slam. At least Castillo had a homer of his own early in the game. It was his fifth of the year.

Cutch is clutch

Former Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen came up big for the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday night. He hit his fifth home run of the season off of Adam Wainwright of the St. Louis Cardinals.

That cut the Cardinals’ lead to 3-2. Cutch would eventually give Milwaukee a 4-3 lead with a double.

Unfortunately for Milwaukee, though, the Cardinals came back to win 5-4. St. Louis has a one-game lead over the Brewers now in the National League Central. After their loss to the Cubs Wednesday, the Pirates are 10 ½ games back in third place.

Ex-Pirates pitchers

The Tampa Bay Rays continue to take things slow with former Pirates first-round draft choice Shane Baz.

The young right-hander pitched 4 ⅔ innings (78 pitches) Wednesday night. He allowed two walks, four hits and one earned run against the New York Yankees. The only run he allowed was a homer by Aaron Judge.

Baz totaled six strikeouts. His ERA is now 4.15. The Yankees won the game 5-4. Baz had a no-decision. Another ex-Pirate, Clay Holmes, got the save for New York. It’s his 12th of the season.

Meanwhile, Colorado Rockies starter Chad Kuhl got roughed up. He allowed four earned runs in five innings against the Miami Marlins. Miami went on to win 7-4. Kuhl falls to 4-5, and his ERA jumped from 3.69 to 3.95.

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.

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Categories: MLB | NFL | Pitt | Sports | Breakfast With Benz
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