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Frank Pastor - Assistant Editor, Sports

Assistant Editor, Sports

I was spoiled by sports from a young age, growing up in Pittsburgh at a time when the Steelers were winning four Super Bowls in six years and the World Series champion Pirates were a "Family." Heck, even Pitt won a national championship. I'm also a voracious reader. There was a time I subscribed to four different sports magazines (my brother got a fifth) and a daily newspaper and read them all cover to cover. My love of sports and journalism intersected at Notre Dame, where the Irish won the national championship during my sophomore year and my major was, essentially, covering sports for the student paper. Drawn by its reputation as a writer's paper, I've spent the past 20 years at the Tampa Bay Times, working as a reporter, editor and digital editor — and reading some of my favorite writers. I arrived in time for the "Hit Show" and was fortunate to experience the Bucs' two Super Bowl victories, the Lightning's three Stanley Cups and the Rays' magical 2008, '11 and '20 seasons. Almost as fun as watching the games themselves? Reading and writing about them.

  1. The Rays pause for a moment of silence for longtime radio announcer Dave Wills before an exhibition game against the Baltimore Orioles Sunday at Tropicana Field.
  2. Tom Brady won seven Super Bowls, including one with the Bucs, and made 10 appearances in the NFL's championship game over 23 NFL seasons.
  3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) meets with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) in the middle of the field at the end of the NFL Wild Card game
at Raymond James Stadium on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in Tampa.
  4. Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) rushes the ball during the first half of Sunday's game against the Bucs in Atlanta.
  5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White (45) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) celebrate after they make a defensive stop against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023.
  6. Bucs place-kicker Ryan Succop, right, kicks the game-winning field goal as punter Jake Camarda (5) holds during overtime Sunday in Glendale, Arizona.
  7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022.
  8. San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs for a touchdown as Bucs cornerback Carlton Davis (24) pursues during the second half.
  9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) waves to fans after his team defeats the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022.
  10. Defensive end Alex Wright celebrates after batting down a Tom Brady pass during the first quarter of the Browns' win over the Bucs Sunday in Cleveland.
  11. Bucs wide receiver Chris Godwin reacts after a touchdown catch during the second half of today's game against the Seahawks in Munich.
  12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (88) scores on a one yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tom Brady (12) beating Los Angeles Rams cornerback Derion Kendrick (6) at the end of the fourth quarter as the Bucs win 16-13 at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in Tampa.
  13. Bucs defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (56) tackles Carolina Panthers tight end Ian Thomas, right, during the second half of Sunday's game in Charlotte, North Carolina.
  14. Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool (11) celebrates his touchdown catch from quarterback Mitch Trubisky during the fourth quarter.
  15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) reaches for a completion from Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) in the first half against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022 in Tampa.
  16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) is rushed by Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) as he throws an incomplete pass during third quarter action at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022 in Tampa.
  17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) gets sacked by Green Bay Packers linebacker Rashan Gary (52) during second quarter action at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 in Tampa.
  18. Saints running back Mark Ingram is tackled by Bucs safety Antoine Winfield Jr. during the first half of Sunday's game in New Orleans.
  19. Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans (13) catches a touchdown pass as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) defends in the third quarter.
  20. Jack Thompson is one of the Lightning prospects who will compete at the NHL Prospects Showcase September 16-19 at Invisalign Arena in Morrisville, North Carolina, and PNC Arena in Raleigh.
  21. Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (91) shoots a puck on New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) duing Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final in June in Tampa.
  22. The Lightning and Avalanche shake hands after Colorado's 2-1 win in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final Sunday at Amalie Arena.
  23. The Colorado Avalanche celebrate their 2-1 win over the Lightning to win the Stanley Cup Sunday at Amalie Arena.