On Sports: Why was Jaromir Jagr in Pittsburgh?; Bubba Chandler can’t find plate

In Thursday’s “On Sports,” top Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Bubba Chandler delivered an unappetizing outing at Triple-A Indianapolis, calling into question the immediate prospects for a promotion to the major league club.

Plus, Jaromir Jagr was on the ground in Pittsburgh, where the Penguins presented him with his Emmy won last fall for his part in the video production from his jersey retirement ceremony in February of 2024.

Wrapping up, the Pirates hit the road for a four-game series at the Chicago Cubs having gone 6-3 on their recent nine-game homestand.

Chandler struggles

During the Pirates’ now-completed nine-game homestand, public clamoring for the promotion to the big leagues of 22-year-old righty Bubba Chandler, the club’s top prospect, seemed to be reaching a crescendo.

Solid ground certainly existed for such excitement and anticipation, as Chandler ended May with his ERA sitting at 2.03 for the year.

However, through two June starts, Chandler is navigating a rough patch.

On June 5 against the Memphis Redbirds, Chandler lasted only two innings, allowing three runs on four hits.

Then, Wednesday against the St. Paul Saints, Chandler failed to escape the first inning, issuing four walks, tying a season-high, which included walking home a man.

After managing only 13 of 31 pitches for strikes, Chandler was removed from the contest having recorded just two outs.

In June, his ERA has skyrocketed to 13.50.

This season, he is now 2-1 with a 2.63 ERA, 70 strikeouts and 26 walks through 51⅓ innings.

Opposing batters are hitting .190 against him and Chandler owns a 1.19 WHIP.

While it would be hard to put down the success Chandler has experienced thus far at Triple-A, his command at times has been lacking, highlighted by his most recent start.

Five of Chandler’s 13 starts so far have featured three or more walks.

There’s no question that Chandler’s future in all likelihood will bring him to Pittsburgh.

But given the circumstances at the moment, momentum that may have existed for Chandler to join the Pirates soon may have taken a hit.

Jagr wins Emmy

Jaromir Jagr’s jersey retirement ceremony, carried out Feb. 18, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena, appeared to be well-received all-around.

Jagr himself seemed humbled by the moment when his No. 68 jersey rose to the rafters, while fans in Pittsburgh gave the now-53-year-old, who played with the Penguins from 1990-2001, a very warm reception.

A total of 12 individuals received Emmys for their work, including Jagr himself as a producer/writer.

Months after Jagr’s jersey retirement, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy Awards recognized the Penguins video staff (PensTV) with Emmys in three categories, including “Sports Program — Live” for their production “Celebrate 68: Jagr Retirement Ceremony.”

Jaromir Jagr: award-winning actor. pic.twitter.com/mO553ljyYX

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) June 11, 2025

On Wednesday, Jagr was presented with his Emmy in Pittsburgh, adding another piece of hardware on the mantle of the two-time Stanley Cup champion who captured five Art Ross Trophies, the Hart Memorial Trophy in 1999 and 13 All-Star Game selections.

McConnell balls out

Pittsburgh native and Pacers guard TJ McConnell had himself a night in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, helping Indiana to a 116-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder to take a 2-1 series lead.

McConnell, logging 15 minutes off the bench, made those minutes count, scoring 10 points on 3-of-8 shooting with five assists and a team-high five steals.

If there was ever a sequence to describe the type of player TJ McConnell is, it’s this one…

Full speed, full effort, every single second he’s on the floor & it’s been that way his entire career. Truly impossible to root against.

We are all gritnessespic.twitter.com/bY2voPwyK1

— Josh Reynolds (@JoshReynolds24) June 12, 2025

The 32-year-old Chartiers Valley alum, who played the first two seasons of his collegiate career at Duquesne, scored nine points in Game 1 and added 11 in Game 2.

Hot homestand

Speaking of the nine-game homestand just completed by the Pirates, it ties the longest stretch of consecutive games they’ll play at PNC Park in 2025 (another nine straight are upcoming from July 18-27).

With a 5-2 win over the Marlins on Wednesday to take the three-game series, skipper Don Kelly and his players have to be feeling pretty good, having gone 6-3.

After recovering from a series loss to Houston from June 3-5, the Pirates recovered to sweep the Phillies over the ensuing three days before taking two of three from Miami.

Since Kelly managed his first game May 9, the Pirates (27-41) are 16-15.

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 [email protected].