by Tom Rinkes

Created on: January 25, 2009

What can you say about Pittsburgh sports? If you're at a party anywhere in the 'Burgh, and you don't particularly like football, baseball or hockey, then you might as well pick up your beer and go to ...the library? It would be a bad time for anything intellectual, because right now if you can't talk about Big Ben, Terrible Troy or the "vacant fingers of the left hand" who are you going to talk to? When one gets right down to it, being a Steelers fan is more than liking pro football, it's a way of life.

That may be a bold statement to some, but not for me, my children or my son-in-law. We can't wait for Super Bowl Sunday, and all of us watching the AFC play-off game viewed it in separate houses, and all left the room at the same times when we were convinced they (Steelers) would lose another one at home; couldn't watch...it'd be too painful. But, the greatest defensive player since Jack Lambert, Troy Polomala, saved the day. And whenever Jack Lambert's name is said out loud, theres always a moment of silence, if for no other reason than respect. If you think we're crazy, you're probably right. But, hey, what the heck, everybody's got to be something.

O.K. lets talk baseball. Our Pittsburgh Pirates have been pirated of one thing - talent. As Bob Prince, the team broadcaster in the glory years, was fond of saying "There's no doubt about it." They are caught in the curse of Steinbrenner, Turner and the extremely rich who own baseball teams with no salary cap as in the NFL. Small market teams will continue to flounder until advertising wealth can be spread evenly among all franchises.

Hockey? I can't speak for the hard-core Penguin fan because I'm not one of them or any hockey team. It's just a game I could never get into, but they still play for the pride of Western Pennsylvania and as long as Pittsburghers keep supporting them they'll keep striving for the Stanley Cup. They had a great run last year but lost in the Finals, and this season has been somewhat disappointing. As long as Mario Lemieux has an interest in the team, they'll never give up.

So that wraps up my assessment of Pittsburgh Sports. I go to at least two Steelers games per season, and the only way to realize it is to experience it first hand. Even if you don't go to a game, stop and walk around town before kick off. Start at the "Strip District" and check out the vast variety of ethnic foods and drinks. Ever heard of a large sandwich with the french fries and cole slaw on top? Stop at Pirmanti's and treat yourself to a culinary delight.

Even if you don't like it, you can still brag that you tried it. Walk through the tailgate parties outside of Heinz Field and you'll know then what I mean by it being "a way of life." If you do go to a play off game, Pittsburgh is the only place I know where grown men, strangers to each other, will hug the guy next to him after an important touchdown. Immediately after it's "Get outta here," but it's the thought that counts.

Large cities with two or more professional sports teams seem to be caught in a "pickle." When one team is doing well to excellent, the others falter. Maybe total victory comes in a circle, and eventually the sphere is completed. If the Steelers win the Super Bowl then they can look at the Pirates and the Penguins and point proudly to their 120 degrees, and politely mention the phrase "Batters up, it's your turn." It will come around, it's just a matter of time. And just to prove that I'm a loyal Steelers fan, if they lose next Sunday, no one in my circle of friends and family will call me until Tuesday. That's when I'll be first available to put a coherent, non profane sentence together.

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