First Call: How and why Ryan Clark found out ESPN fired him while on the air; Pittsburgh delivery for David Bednar
Tuesday’s “First Call” has the dirty details of how Ryan Clark was informed of his dismissal at ESPN. David Bednar got a Pittsburgh hook-up after the Pirates rolled into Yankee Stadium. Esmerlyn Valdez’s numbers are getting nutty.
And the list of teams that may try to trade for Bethel Parks’ Mason Miller continues to grow.
Extra kick out the door
Former Steeler Ryan Clark is out at ESPN. The NFL analyst was let go by the network Monday.
“The Athletic’s” Andrew Marchand reports that Clark was informed of the decision while his show, “NFL Live,” was on the air Monday.
the timing on this LMAOOO ?? https://t.co/jFn68KxAk1
— MayeIsKing (@MayeIsKing_) July 20, 2026
Clark didn’t finish the program.
Citing sources at ESPN, Marchand says the reason the network dismissed Clark during the show “was due to media inquiries into his departure and a fear that the news would leak out before they could inform him.” The Athletic claims it learned that Clark was likely to be cut loose last week.
Marchand added that ESPN’s initial plan was to inform Clark on Tuesday morning, “but after receiving calls on the matter, they chose to inform him during his show as they did not want him to read online before being told in person.”
The retired Super Bowl Champion, who was reportedly making approximately $2 million, admitted that he had a difficult negotiation with ESPN before signing his most recent deal in 2024.
There was also an on-air dust-up between Clark and Peter Schrager last year that reportedly carried off the air.
apparently this factored into the Ryan Clark firing
Clark: “That’s the non-player in you”
Schrager: “Don’t belittle me like that, I can come & say as 3 ex-players are saying one thing & give an alternative perspective”
Clark: “What I need for you to do is not get mad & let me… https://t.co/P4vxNbf0lA pic.twitter.com/NDJib96324
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) July 21, 2026
Clark joined ESPN 11 years ago. He still maintains his role with “The Pivot” and with “Inside the NFL.” Marchand says more layoffs are expected at ESPN on Tuesday.
Magic man
Not much went right for the Pirates at Yankee Stadium on Monday. They lost 8-5 as Braxton Ashcraft struggled and the defense let him down.
But rookie sensation Esmerlyn Valdez homered again. It was his 13th of the season.
Esmerlyn Valdez goes 431 feet OPPO ????
The Magician strikes again! pic.twitter.com/YVlOkEZlBZ
— MLB (@MLB) July 21, 2026
“The Magician” now has nine extra base hits in his last eight games. Seven of them have been home runs.
Some of the stats about Valdez are getting pretty wild. He is now just the second player in Major League Baseball history with 13 or more homers and 34 or more RBIs in his first 32 games. Philadelphia’s Rhys Hoskins (now with Cleveland) was the first to do so in 2017.
Also, Valdez is the first player age 22 or younger since Eddie Mathews of the Milwaukee Braves (in 1953) to have an extra base hit and an RBI in eight straight games.
Valdez now has a .306 batting average and 1.127 OPS to go along with those 13 homers and 34 RBIs.
Special delivery
With the Pirates visiting the Bronx, Mars native David Bednar wanted a taste of Pittsburgh.
The ex-Pirate turned Yankees closer apparently made a request for some IC Light from Pirates assistant clubhouse manager Nik Cook.
According to Bucs team reporter Jason Mackey, Cook delivered upon the club’s arrival in the Big Apple.
David Bednar said he half-jokingly asked bring him some IC Light. Whaddya know, there was a case at his locker this afternoon.
Bednar: “It’s tough to get IC Light around here!”
— Jason Mackey (@JMackey_PGH) July 20, 2026
If anyone is deserving of a beer lately for the Yankees, it’s Bednar. He has saved eight straight chances and is 3-0 since May 18, allowing just one earned run in that time.
The two-time Pirates All-Star is now 4-3 with a 2.59 ERA and 18 saves. He was not called upon to face the Pirates during New York’s win Monday.
Still shopping
Despite Bednar’s success, the Yankees are apparently still pursuing Bethel Park’s Mason Miller.
The New York Post’s Joel Sherman is saying that he believes the San Diego Padres could part with their star closer at the trade deadline.
If they do, he thinks the Yankees — along with Boston, Tampa, Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Dodgers — could be among the clubs trying to land the one-time Waynesburg Yellow Jacket.
.@Joelsherman1 thinks “it’s in play” Mason Miller will be traded and if so, Yankees will “be in” on him.
But, there’s teams with much better farm systems that will be interested in the flamethrower.
Pinstripe Post with Joel & @RyanMSampson –> https://t.co/Yt3W4cLPL2 pic.twitter.com/xH7APNmyYq
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) July 20, 2026
The San Diego bullpen ace has 25 saves, an 0.89 ERA and a WHIP of 0.84.
