Cherington wasting elite pitching
MLB, Pittsburgh, Sports, ...
SPORTLIGHT
By By JEFF OLIVER MVI Sports 
June 16, 2025
Let’s forget about the fact, if we can, that the Pirates are in Year 6 of a five-year rebuilding plan that GM Ben Cherington has led from the start. Let’s also forget that it looks like Year 6 could v...
Welcome to Mr. Rodgers’ neighborhood
Sports, Sports Columns
I’M JUST SAYIN’
June 12, 2025
Finally, the savior has arrived in Pittsburgh! Aaron Rodgers has made his long-awaited decision and has signed a 1-year deal with the Steelers. No competition necessary, he’s the guy that will start a...
Monessen filling up halls of fame this year
High school, Sports, Sports Columns
SPORTLIGHT
By By JEFF OLIVER MVI Sports 
June 9, 2025
Monessen has had a long tradition of producing excellent athletes over the years. But 2025 may go down as one of the most special years in terms of having that excellence honored. Three Monessen nativ...
Until weather warms up, here are some ‘hot takes’
Sports, Sports Columns
SPORTLIGHT
By By JEFF OLIVER MVI Sports 
June 2, 2025
With the start of June upon us and summer just around the corner, here are some food for thought “hot takes” to help turn the heat up a notch in our conversation, if not outside: • The Steelers may ha...
Johnson a Monongahela High all-time great
Sports, Sports Columns
SPORTS STEW
By ByWAYNE STEWART For MVI Sports 
May 31, 2025
Former Valley Independent sports editor Brian Herman once called Bob Johnson “one of the best football and basketball players to come out of Monongahela High.” After all, not too many athletes become ...
One of the WPIAL’s ‘GOATS’ gets his one for the thumb
High school, Sports, Sports Columns
I’M JUST SAYIN’
May 29, 2025
I’m going to show my age here a little bit, but bear with me. I remember growing up in the 80s, wearing a shirt with “Mean” Joe Greene on it. The legendary Steelers player’s characture was throwing a ...
Bentworth’s softball roadblock sparks Monessen memories
High school, Sports, Sports Columns
SPORTLIGHT
By By JEFF OLIVER MVI Sports 
May 27, 2025
Ayear ago, Bentworth’s softball team was denied a WPIAL title when the Bearcats lost in the 2A championship game to powerhouse Neshannock, 4-1. This season, the Lancers, who have won 47 straight games...
Coleman remembered as giant of Ringgold basketball
Sports, Sports Columns
By By JEFF OLIVER MVI Sports 
May 23, 2025
This story originally ran in Monday’s electronic edition. We’re running it again for those that don’t have access. Donora lost a local legend recently with the passing of Art “Skins” Coleman. Coleman,...
‘Tybo’ is the right man for BVA boys
High school, Sports, Sports Columns
I’M JUST SAYIN’
May 22, 2025
It’s not like the Belle Vernon Area School Board hasn’t made good hires in the past. But I will say that I commend it on making the right choice whne it comes to the boys basketball job. I know who th...
Coleman remembered as giant of Ringgold basketball
Sports, Sports Columns
By By JEFF OLIVER MVI Sports 
May 19, 2025
He was the first player in school history to reach 1,000 career points. Donora lost a local legend recently with the passing of Art “Skins” Coleman. Coleman, 72, made a name for himself early in Ringg...
Shedeur Sanders would’ve been more trouble than he’s worth
Sports, Sports Columns
By By JEFF OLIVER MVI Sports 
May 12, 2025
There were so many Steelers fans who were unhappy that the team didn’t call Shedeur Sanders’ name in on the third day of the NFL Draft. I think when all the dust clears, most of those fans will find i...
Picking champions
High school, Sports, Sports Columns
I’M JUST SAYIN’
May 10, 2025
Well, the brackets have been released and the WPIAL baseball and softball playoffs are ready to get underway. Not to be used for any shady or non-official betting purposes, here are the ways I think t...
Pirates need to use Skenes while they still have him
MLB, Pittsburgh, Sports, ...
SPORTLIGHT
By By JEFF OLIVER MVI Sports 
May 5, 2025
When I was a kid, my grandmother used to tell me, “If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.” Now, my gram was the most saintly, kindest person I ever knew and I tended...
Steelers’ draft performance was better than predictions
Pittsburgh, Sports, Sports Columns
SPORTLIGHT
By By JEFF OLIVER MVI Sports 
April 28, 2025
Maybe I’m just getting old. I dunno. But I can’t remember a time when I was so wrong all the way around on a Steelers draft. No matter what it was, over the three-day event I missed it. There were pla...
Tartt honored as ‘Legendary Pioneer’ of Pgh. Black Softball
Pittsburgh, Sports, Sports Columns
SPORTLIGHT
By By JEFF OLIVER MVI Sports 
April 22, 2025
Iwas a little young to have followed Dane Tartt’s athletic career during his days at Donora High School, where he graduated in 1967. However, I really got to know him well during our careers in softba...
Fans express anger at Pirates’ home opener
MLB, Pittsburgh, Sports, ...
By By JEFF OLIVER MVI Sports 
April 7, 2025
Here’s a little food for thought after an Opening Day and Final Four weekend: • Seriously, how many of you expected the Pirate fans to roundly boo manager Derek Shelton like they did when he was annou...
Loss won’t define Gladiators’ season
High school, Sports, Sports Columns
SPORTLIGHT
By By JEFF OLIVER MVI Sports 
March 31, 2025
The greatest basketball season in South Allegheny history ended on a sour note in a 60-51 loss to West Catholic in the PIAA 3A championship game Saturday. However, losing a championship game in which ...
Musial looks back on his time in Donora
Local Sports, Sports, Sports Columns
By By WAYNE STEWART For MVI Sports 
March 29, 2025
Some time ago, a column in the Mon Valley Independent featured letters Stan Musial wrote back home, mainly from 1939-1946, to Joe Barbao. During that span, Musial was making sure to keep in touch with...
Pirates will be better in 2025
MLB, Sports, Sports Columns
I’M JUST SAYIN’
March 27, 2025
It’s finally one of my favorite days of the year. A day that SHOULD be a national holiday, where kids are off school, businesses are closed and we just all get to enjoy America’s pastime. It’s finally...
DeUnger is perfect fit as new Charleroi football coach
High school, Sports, Sports Columns
SPORTLIGHT
By By JEFF OLIVER MVI Sports 
March 24, 2025
Iremember vividly when Scott “Scooter” DeUnger wore the various uniforms of Charleroi’s baseball, football and basketball teams. He stood out to me from the rest of the players for various reasons. Th...