Sports briefs
Steelers promote Klemm to OL coach
The Pittsburgh Steelers are turning to Adrian Klemm to help turn around the team’s underachieving offensive line. The Steelers promoted the three-time Super Bowl champion to offensive line coach Tuesday.
Klemm, 43, replaces Shaun Sarrett. Sarrett was let go last month following a season in which the Steelers finished last in the NFL in yards rushing and yards per rushing attempt.
Klemm, who spent the past two years as Sarrett’s assistant, takes over a unit that’s on the verge of major change. Left tackle Alejandro Villanueva and left guard Matt Feiler are free agents and center Maurkice Pouncey and right guard David DeCastro are both on the other side of 30 and nearing the end of their current contracts. There also figures to be turnover at running back with leading rusher James Conner heading to free agency.
Klemm’s hiring is the second internal coaching promotion in recent weeks. The Steelers moved Matt Canada from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator last month after declining to renew Randy Fichtner’s contract.
Klemm’s hire leaves three open coaching positions with the Steelers: quarterbacks coach, secondary coach and assistant offensive line coach.
Wild Things re-sign closer Strecker
The Washington Wild Things have re-signed the franchise’s all-time leader in saves Zach Strecker for the upcoming Frontier League season. Strecker will be back for a fourth season and fifth year overall with the club.
Strecker finished the 2019 season with 52 career saves. Strecker is 18 saves shy of the Frontier League record.
“We are very fortunate to have Strecker back for the 2021 campaign. His consistent dominance puts him in rare company, among the best relievers to ever to pitch in the Frontier League,” said Wild Things president and general manager Tony Buccilli. “The goal this season is clear and Strecker returns to make history.”
Meadows to honor Key
The Meadows and the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association will honor and remember the late Bob Key, longtime breeder/owner who died Jan. 27 at the age of 87, with a winners’ circle ceremonytoday at 12:15 p.m.
As part of the ceremony, a driverless horse from the Key stable will be walked from the paddock to the winners’ circle. In keeping with COVID-19 restrictions, the number of participants there will be limited to six.
Key was a successful industrialist who founded and operated Key Bellevilles, Inc. in Leechburg. However, his presence in racing was just as significant. He is best known for winning the 1993 Hambletonian with the homebred American Winner.
In baseball
The St. Louis Cardinals completed their blockbuster trade to acquire All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies late Monday night.
St. Louis dealt left-hander Austin Gomber and four minor leaguers to the Rockies: infielders Elehuris Montero and Mateo Gil along with right-handers Tony Locey and Jake Sommers.
As part of the trade, Colorado will send cash to St. Louis to offset part of the money Arenado is due in his contract.
Arenado had been set to be paid $199 million over the remaining six seasons of a $260 million, eight-year contract. As part of his agreement to waive a no-trade provision, Arenado agreed to add a season to his deal, which now extends for seven seasons through 2027.
Arenado has hit .293 over eight seasons, averaging 35 home runs and 114 RBIs per 162 games. He’s led the National League in home runs three times and topped the majors in RBI twice.