On Sports: A less controversial Pitt-Steelers news crossover; Penguins Cup-iversary – TribLIVE.com

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In Friday’s “On Sports,” Pitt and the Steelers shared a headline far less controversial than last time, when Beanie Bishop had Panthers and West Virginia fans (with the Steelers caught in between) at each other’s throats.
Additionally, the Penguins passed the anniversary date of two of their Stanley Cup titles.
We also revisit the aftermath of Andrew McCutchen’s 241st homer with the Pirates. McCutchen’s blast at PNC Park yielded some memories after the game, as he met the fan who found the home run ball that moved him past Roberto Clemente on the Pirates’ all-time homers list, as well as spent time with the Clemente family.
Greene & the Steelers brass
The last Pitt-Steelers crossover news event was chock full of controversy, as cornerback Beanie Bishop showcased his disdain for the Panthers program by wiping his cleats on their logo within UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side.
But Thursday featured a far less passion-flaring moment featuring the university and NFL franchise, as Pitt athletic director Allen Greene met with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, general manager Omar Khan and owner Art Rooney II.
The Steelers conducted their final minicamp practice Thursday, with training camp now roughly six weeks away.
Greene, on the South Side, popped over to the Steelers’ session for a brief hello.
Blue and Gold ???? Black and Gold
Appreciate the hospitality, neighbor.#H2P » @steelers @AGreeneIV @CoachTomlin pic.twitter.com/iob3UlqUZX
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) June 12, 2025

No shots appeared to be fired in the direction of West Virginia this time around.
Cup-iversary
Their play over the last three seasons has suggested the Penguins could be light years away from capturing a sixth Stanley Cup championship.
But June 12 offered a reminder of better times, as it was on that day that the club won both the 2009 and 2016 Stanley Cup.
On June 12, 2009, the Penguins triumphed over the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena, winning Game 7, 2-1, to win their first Stanley Cup since 1992.
Max Talbot provided both goals for the Penguins, who survived a close game and came out on top in a rematch of the 2008 Stanley Cup vs. Detroit.
Seven years later, Sidney Crosby hoisted his second Stanley Cup on June 12, 2016.
The Penguins needed only six games that time around, defeating San Jose, 3-1, at the SAP Center for their fourth Stanley Cup.
You could say June 12th is a very big day in Penguins history… pic.twitter.com/1zai3U6Msc
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) June 12, 2025

Just under a calendar year later, on June 11, 2017, the Penguins repeated as champions, defeating Nashville in six game (on the road yet again) to win their fifth and most recent Stanley Cup.
Rodgers in Year 21
The NFL tweeted out a side-by-side comparison of Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, preparing for his 21st year of professional football in 2025, compared to 2005, when he was a rookie with the Packers out of Cal Berkeley.
Year 1 ➡️ Year 21@AaronRodgers12 | @steelers pic.twitter.com/NPRl75tk9n
— NFL (@NFL) June 12, 2025

Rodgers, 41, begins play with the Steelers this fall having thrown for 62,952 yards and 503 career touchdown passes.
Cutch & the Clementes
For several reasons, Andrew McCutchen had to be thrilled about how he hit his 241st home run in a Pirates uniform Wednesday, which propelled him into third place all-time in franchise history past Roberto Clemente, with whom he’d been tied at 240 since June 1.
To begin with, that chase is now over.
McCutchen, who notably disdains talking about his career milestones, can rest easy knowing a certain line of inquiry from reporters can now conclude.
Secondly, McCutchen had zero trouble receiving the baseball that he barreled 405 feet into the North Side Notch section of PNC Park.
Pirates fan Jim Kolesar, of the South Side, came into possession of the baseball and did not haggle whatsoever before deciding to return it to McCutchen.
Following the game, Kolesar and McCutchen were able to share a few moments together.
“He seems like a national treasure,” McCutchen said. “It was great having an interaction with a true Pittsburgher. It was great and he explained kind of how he got the ball. It’s why (the baseball) has that little cut in it, because it got lodged under the (stands). I at least have that to remember and to know that this is that ball, if I ever, for some reason can’t find it, I know what it looks like. But yeah, it was overall a good experience. He seemed like a true gift, for sure.”
The historic home run ball is back with Andrew McCutchen! Check out the moment where Pirates fan Jim Kolesar got to return it to Cutch after he passed Roberto Clemente on the team's all-time HR list. https://t.co/5MdXIR6b5d pic.twitter.com/uGGOP4lbwP
— WTAE-TV Pittsburgh (@WTAE) June 11, 2025

Andrew McCutchen on his interaction with Jim Kolesar of the South Side, the fan who returned the ball from his 241st homer with the Pirates after it got stuck under a bleacher in left field at PNC Park. pic.twitter.com/IwdUXr6lbg
— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) June 11, 2025

And what better way to put a bow on the day by hanging out with the family of the Hall of Famer?
McCutchen ended his historic day by posing with Roberto Clemente Jr. and Roberto Clemente III.
Andrew McCutchen took a picture with Roberto Clemente Jr and Roberto Clemente III after passing Roberto Clemente in home runs today
(via @Pirates) pic.twitter.com/25jChVeGc5
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 11, 2025

Justin Guerriero is a TribLive reporter covering the Penguins, Pirates and college sports. A Pittsburgh native, he is a Central Catholic and University of Colorado graduate. He joined the Trib in 2022 after covering the Colorado Buffaloes for Rivals and freelancing for the Denver Post. He can be reached at jguerriero@triblive.com.
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