It’s lining up to be one of the busiest Pittsburgh sports weeks in recent memory.
Let’s run down the list of what’s going on:
Aaron Rodgers talks as Steelers begin mandatory minicamp:
The four-time MVP and Super Bowl champion (he beat the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV) will speak to the Pittsburgh media for the first time on Tuesday.
It will be interesting to hear what Rodgers says in his first comments in black and gold.
Other things to keep an eye out for during minicamp is if linebacker T.J. Watt shows (he’s looking for a new contract) and if the Steelers made any more moves, especially at wide receiver.
U.S. Open week at Oakmont:
Practice rounds began Monday at Oakmont and will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Championship rounds begin on Thursday and tickets are sold out for that.
200,000 people are expected to attend and that means planning ahead if you're going.
To reduce traffic, the USGA is encouraging fans to park at Hartwood Acres or Monroeville Mall and ride shuttle buses to and from the golf course.
Scottie Scheffler is the odds-on favorite to win, followed by Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy.
Oakmont has a Par 3 that is 299 yards, so don’t expect the winning score to be under par.
Locally, Seneca Valley High School Grad Matt Vogt, now a dentist living in Indiana, is playing the course he used to caddy at.
He was signing autographs on Monday after a practice round.
“I mean, where we're sitting right now is not far from where I just sat in the caddie yard waiting for people on the range, or we walked right up this path to the caddie shack, the porch right outside the clubhouse -- or outside the pro shop,” said Vogt. “Even as I just talk about it now, I get sentimental on it. This place means so much to me.”
Pirates go for four wins in-a-row:
The Pirates are coming off their first sweep of the year, three one-run wins against the cross-state rival Philadelphia Phillies.
There is something different about this current Pirates team under Manager Don Kelly.
They’re now .500 since Kelly took over and have a chance for more, starting a three-game series against the last place Miami Marlins at PNC Park.
Pirates’ pitcher Mike Burrows (1-1, 5.27 ERA) takes on Eury Perez, who hasn’t pitched in nearly two years after Tommy John surgery.
Penguins introduce new head coach Wednesday:
We’ll hear from Dan Muse for the first time since being named the successor after Mike Sullivan and the Penguins mutually agreed to part ways after the regular season ended.
Muse will speak to the media Wednesday morning from PPG Paints Arena.
It will be interesting to hear how Muse plans to go about things.
Mike Sullivan is a great coach but what he was doing behind the bench in Pittsburgh wasn’t working anymore.
Can Muse get Sidney Crosby and the Pens back to the postseason?