Pittsburg, PA
Hockey nights in Pittsburgh will always belong to legendary broadcaster Mike Lange
PITTSBURGH — All around PPG Paints Arena on Saturday afternoon there were signs of the respect Mike Lange commanded.
Commemorative stickers on the black clothing worn by Penguins personnel. His most famous goal calls on posters held by fans. Pictures and videos on the video boards between breaks. A couple of makeshift memorials. Tears during a pregame ceremony featuring Lange’s two sons and their families, some of his former broadcast partners, and the Penguins’ famous Big Three of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.
Pittsburgh 💛’s Mikey. pic.twitter.com/ZpFZDpYCZE
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 22, 2025
And fittingly, as if equal parts a nod to one of Lange’s most-quoted goal calls and his first 15 seasons calling games for a woeful franchise, Penguins goalies spent the day being beaten “like a rented mule.”
The only thing missing was Mario Lemieux, and that was by request.
Lemieux was in the building — that itself a rare occasion these days — but asked to remain in the shadows. He didn’t want to take away any of the moments that honored his late friend.
Lange, who died Wednesday, hadn’t called a Penguins game since the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs. But if the past few days, especially Saturday, proved anything, it was that Lange cast an everlasting shadow over a city and its hockey team.
The voice of Penguins hockey for nearly 50 years, Lange was more than an influential and beloved play-by-play announcer with a flair for the dramatic. He was the first person to make the Penguins cool in Pittsburgh—and you didn’t need to be there from the start to believe it.
Some things are bigger than hockey. Thanks for everything, Mike Lange 💛 pic.twitter.com/7eaDRfgtv8
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 22, 2025
However, when Lange arrived in Pittsburgh in 1974, nobody, least of all himself, would have believed he’d become as synonymous with the Penguins as their greatest players.
It’s a step too far to say Lange kept the Penguins going long enough for Lemieux to arrive 10 years later and save the franchise, only for Crosby to resuscitate it two decades after that. Lange kept the franchise relevant until “Super Mario” and “Sid the Kid” took turns transforming it from beleaguered and bankrupt into a five-time Cup champion.
Calling games for KDKA-AM, a historic radio station with a powerhouse signal, Lange landed in Pittsburgh after Roberto Clemente’s death and Franco Harris’ “Immaculate Reception,” arriving with little-to-no fanfare for a franchise that felt like an outcast. The Penguins had nothing comparable to offer and didn’t even wear Pittsburgh’s black and gold colors the first time “heeeeeee shoots and scores” echoed out of radios in and beyond Western Pennsylvania.
Lange was the heartbeat of hockey until Lemieux became the heart and Crosby the soul of the Penguins. He was the reason to listen until those icons became the reason to watch.
The broadcasting gods blessed Lange with gifts similar to the ones the hockey gods bestowed upon Lemieux and Crosby. All three men had eagle eyes, preternatural instincts, and — to borrow from a Lange goal call — “more moves than Mae West.”
Picture a prime Lemieux weaving through opposition skaters before embarrassing a goalie. Think of Crosby churning out of a corner and dragging defenders before dishing a puck to an open teammate.
Hearing Lange was the equivalent.
His goal calls are as iconic as the unforgettable moments of Lemieux and Crosby, not to mention Malkin and Jaromir Jagr. But Lange was more than a collection of highlights, rather he was a soundtrack to the best and worst of a star-crossed franchise that captured his heart as completely as he held the attention of its fans.
He was distinct, definitive and defiant.
Who dares Lord Stanley to “give me the brandy” within seconds of the Penguins’ winning the Cup? Who describes a goalie as having his pocket picked “like he was walking down Fifth Avenue”? Who gets away with turning Turtle Creek into “Turtle Crick” to rhyme it with “Arnold Slick”? Who nicks “Elvis has just left the building” to sign off on regular-season victories only to swap “Elvis” with “the New York Rangers” at the end of arguably the Penguins’ most emotional postseason series?
Only a fearless, unapologetic original.
A tribute to Mike Lange at PPG Paints Arena featured his iconic headset. (Rob Rossi / The Athletic)
At the end of his legendary run, Lange, a chain smoker, had switched from cigarettes to vapes. Between periods, he’d leave the radio booth and find a place in every arena where he could take a hit — the nicotine somehow adding a sweetness to his voice.
His hideout at the old Civic Arena, affectionately known as The Igloo, was a small room with a small crack in the steel-domed roof. When the Penguins moved to their current arena, Lange needed a new spot where anybody who might see him would look the other way.
He found it on the catwalk. Perched from PPG Paints Arena’s highest spot, he’d create clouds while looking down upon the latest Penguins generation of fans and players — none of whom may have existed without him.
That catwalk is from where the Penguins’ five championship banners and three retired numbers hang, and that’s the company Lange deserves to keep.
(Top photo of a view from the ice during the ceremony honoring Mike Lange: Joe Sargent / NHLI via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have had a strong showing so far in the Grapefruit League, but suffered a surprising defeat.
The Pirates lost 3-2 to the St. Louis Cardinals at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla., taking just their third defeat in Spring Training so far, dropping to 9-3 in the Grapefruit League.
Pittsburgh saw their five-game winning streak come to an end, but they are still level with the New York Yankees at the top of the Grapefruit League standings.
This game also came after the first off day for the Pirates on March 4 and a 7-1 win over Team Colombia in an exhibition at LECOM Park on March 3.
How the Pirates Fell to the Cardinals
Pirates right-handed pitcher Mitch Keller made his third start in the Grapefruit League and threw three scoreless innings, before giving up a solo home run to Cardinals third baseman Nolan Gorman on a slider down in the zone, putting the road team up 1-0 in the top of the fourth inning.
That represented the first run that Keller gave up all Spring Training and Pirates left-handed relief pitcher Derek Diamond came in for him after he gave up a single to Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker.
Keller has just a 1.23 ERA over 7.1 innings for the Pirates in the Grapefruit League, a good start for the veteran on the starting rotation.
St. Louis loaded the bases against Pirates left-handed relief pitcher Evan Sisk in the top of the fifth inning with three walks, but Sisk struckout top prospect in shortstop JJ Wetherholt and forced Gorman into a double play to keep it a one-run game.
Pirates right-handed relief pitcher Chris Devenski gave up a run in the top of the sixth inning, as he walked second baseman Ramón Urías, who stole second base, then gave up a single to catcher Pedro Pagés, doubling the Cardinals’ lead at 2-0.
The Pirates tied the game up at 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, as shortstop Alika Williams hit a two-run home run off of Cardinals left-handed pitcher Quinn Mathews.
Pirates right-handed relief pitcher Cam Sanders gave up the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth inning, hitting leadoff batter Joshua Baez with a pitch and then giving up a single to pinch-hitter Jimmy Crooks to make it 3-2.
Right fielder Ryan O’Hearn had a strong showing for the Pirates in the loss to the Cardinals with two hits in two at-bats. He is now slashing .462/.563/.769 for an OPS of 1.332 in six Grapefruit League games.
Outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia had a hit off the bench for the Pirates, as he is now slashing .533/.611/.733 for an OPS of 1.344 in seven games.
Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates!
Pittsburg, PA
As his polarizing Pitt career winds down, a banged-up Cam Corhen has saved his best for last
Along with the best football prospects the season has to offer, the NFL Draft promises to bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to Pittsburgh from April 23 to 25.
If the turnout approaches that of Detroit in 2023, those descending on the North Shore and Downtown could reach 700,000 over the three days. For reference, that’s more than 10 times Acrisure Stadium’s 68,400 seats, and more than double the city’s roughly 308,000 residents.
Where will they stay? How will they get around?
Event planners at VisitPittsburgh say the city is up to the task.
“They picked us out of several cities because we have the infrastructure,” said Perry Ivery, general manager of the Oaklander Hotel and board chair of VisitPittsburgh.
Last year, Wisconsin’s Green Bay comfortably accommodated a unique visitor count three times its 106,000 population, according to residents and local leaders.
Rooms Enough?
Ivery said there are some 26,000 hotel rooms across the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area, the bulk of which are concentrated in and around Downtown.
Even if each room holds two to four people, the total still appears to fall short. But Ivery said many attendees will be locals, whether from Pittsburgh, surrounding counties or neighboring states within a day’s drive.
Plus, a high proportion of out-of-town guests could have Pittsburgh roots and a free bed to claim in a family home, he added.
There are also around 3,500 units available for short-term rental in and around Pittsburgh through platforms like Airbnb and VRBO.
“We’re all working together to make sure everybody has a great hospitality experience in the City of Pittsburgh,” Ivery said.
Infrastructure from roads to parking, and bus and light rail routes, will also feel the strain.
Strain on the Train?
Pittsburgh Regional Transit normally services around 100,000 riders on an average weekday, across its entire network. Spokesperson Adam Brandolph said the agency is prepared for the transit demands of what’s expected to be the biggest event the city has hosted.
“We’re confident that we’ll be able to meet the needs of visitors to the draft as well as daily riders,” he said, noting “no major closures or detours” are planned for the event other than the University Line project, which may see less construction during that week.
Brandolph said the agency is finalizing plans and intends to make more information public soon.
A spokesperson for VisitPittsburgh said a local committee is working with a range of stakeholders including transportation agencies, engineering partners and local government “to deliver a coordinated and comprehensive plan for the region.”
“This includes collaboration with public transit agencies on adjusted service plans, clearly marked detour routes, designated rideshare zones and proactive communication with residents, businesses and commuters,” said Alex Kenzakoski, communications director for VisitPittsburgh.
“Our shared goal is to minimize disruption, keep the region moving and make travel as predictable and seamless as possible for both fans and locals.”
Kenzakoski said details on road closures, transit adjustments and travel guidance will be made known ahead of the draft, and encouraged fans to download the NFL OnePass app for transportation information and updates.
Ivery said a successful draft week execution could line Pittsburgh up for future hosting prospects.
“There’re going to be folks that come in that have never been to Pittsburgh … This is a case to showcase our town, and our hotels,” he said.
“We’re friendly, we have grit, we’re very excited to showcase that we can do large-scale activities.”
This story first appeared in Pittsburgh’s Public Source. Read the original here.
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