I�ve decided to be more
positive in 2004 regarding Pittsburgh Sports.�
One of my greatest memories
growing up was in 1979.� The Steelers�
�79 season ended with their 4th ring and the Pirates, lead by Willie
Stargell,� beat the Orioles for the World
Series Title.� Pittsburgh was known as
�The City of Champions.� Songs titled �We are Family� and the �Steeler Polka�
by Jimmy Poll were played all over the PGH radio stations and known U.S.A wide.� These two teams bonded a city that was going
through some difficult times.� Steel
mills closing down and unemployment was high.�
These teams brought together a city through their wins.
So when did I go
negative?� I�ve actually thought about
writing something like this for awhile but an AP reporter named Alan Robinson
wrote an article in the Beaver County Times & Allegany Times entitled �The
Pits � City of Champions goes from first to worst� beat me to the punch.� I�ll expand on some of his thoughts because
I think a lot of readers are negative for the same reasons I am.
THE PITTSBURGH
STEELERS:
LAST SUPER BOWL
APPERANANCE:� 1995
Result: LOSS
TRIV�s Famous All-Time
Play/Event:� The Immaculate Reception or the on-sides kick in the
1995 Super Bowl.
Comments:� We�ve
made it to some Championship games and playoffs and I�ve said before I love
watching the Stillers in January but I�m not happy until we get �One for the
Thumb.�� Result = Loss.� The Stillers did something that hasn�t been
done since 1969 this season; we failed to win two consecutive games.� I could harp on the B&G a lot more but
yinz will cover that for me cause I�m positive now.� Another positive is Jerome Bettis surpassed the legendary Jim
Brown for all time rushing yardage.� The
Bus may be done but he will be in the Hall of Fame with Dawson.� Is there any other potential Hall of Famers
out there, from the 80�s or 90�s?�
Woodson will most likely go but not as a Stiller.
TRIV�s Favorite Players:� Jack Lambert
& Hines Ward
THE PITTSBURGH
PIRATES:
Last WORLD SERIES:� 1979
Result: WON (With the ugliest uniforms known to MLB).
TRIV�s Famous All-Time
Play/Event:� Bill Mazeroski�s Shot Heard Around the World in the
1960 World Series against the Yanks.
Comments:�� Where do
you start with this team?� I think the
last time the Pirates were in the playoffs (and someone please correct me if
I�m wrong) was in October 1992.� That
was the NLCS against the Braves.� I
remember that because I was watching the game in the birthing room while my
wife was having our first son.� Being a
good PA girl she was trying to watch as best as she could.� Since 1993, the Bucs have had 11 consecutive
losing seasons.� The Bucs have been the
epitome of mediocrity and that statement may be my first positive comment to
honor my New Year�s Resolution.
TRIV�s Favorite Players:� Willie
�Pops� Stargell & John Candalaria
THE PITTSBURGH
PENGUINS:
LAST STANLEY CUP:� 1992
Result: WON
TRIV�s Famous All-Time
Play/Event:� The longest recorded game in playoff history or #2 or
Mario�s last game (the first time).
Comments:
I remember going to the
Igloo when the Pens wore Blue and White uniforms and you could get into the
Civic Arena with a dollar and a Cameron Coke can.� Mario and Jagr were great to watch after I left the Burg�.� I never saw them play, live.� I went to a Pens and Capitols game last
season in hopes of seeing Jagr and Mario play opposite of each other but Mario
was hurt.� Other than that the Pens have
been abysmal.� In the cellar and rumor
has it that they may relocate to a different city.� They haven�t won the Northeast Division since the �97-98
season.�
TRIV�s Favorite Players:� Mario and
Darius Kasparitis
THE PITTSBURGH
PANTHERS:
Last NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP
GAME:� 1976
Result: WON
TRIV�s Famous All-Time
Play/Event:� Tony Dorsett wins the Heisman.
Comments:
PITT may be the good news
story in PGH.� They have steadily
improved and in 2003 were Nationally Ranked.�
They were ranked 11 going into a Ball State game and lost.� The same week #6 Texas lost and Ohio State
wins in OT.� They could have cracked the
Top 10 possibly again but lost to a horrible Notre Dame Team. Two or Three
toilet bowl appearances in the last few years but at least they played in the
off-season.� The bright side for
Pittsburgh this season was Larry Fitzgerald, finishing second in the Heisman.� He is also under utilized as much as Plaxico
Burress but has a better attitude.
TRIV�s Favorite Players:� Hugh Green
and Bill Fralic
THE PENN STATE NITTANY
LIONS:
Last NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP
GAME:� 1986
Result: WON
TRIV�s Famous All-Time
Play/Event:� John Cappelletti�s Heisman Trophy Speech
Comments:
I tossed in PSU because PITT
and PSU was one of the greatest rivalries in football.� They rarely play each other now.� I think the one of the last time they
played; Lavar Arrington blocked a PITT FG at the end of the game for a PSU
win.� PITT won the last game in PITT
Stadium.� PSU used to be one of the top
high school blue chip recruiting schools.�
Not any longer.� Bowden has
surpassed JoPa and it is unlikely he will ever re-gain the lead.� And PSU has uglier uniforms than the Browns.
TRIV�s Favorite Players:� Franco
Harris and Lavar Arrington
Enough said and starting on
January 1, 2004 I will do my best to be more positive towards our teams and
quit living in the past, even though there were some great times in PGH Sports
history.� We can only hope that
excellence comes back to the Steel City or today�.I�m not sure what PGH is
famous for now??
My first positive
thoughts are:
�I�m glad we don�t have a
NBA team.�
�I�m glad I don�t live in
Cleveland.�� By the way, they are one of the worst pro sport
cities when it comes to Championships.�
Phoenix is almost tied (From Alan Robinson). http://www.timesonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10695592&BRD=2305&PAG=461&dept_id=478568&rfi=6
Happy New Year Sports Fans!