I was born in Pittsburgh back in 1974 and spent the first 10 years of my life in Monroeville. I would have attended Gateway, but because my family had to move to Boston, I didn't have the opportunity to become a Gator.
My first sporting event I ever attended was on October 5, 1979. It was game three of the National League Championship Series pitting the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Cincinnati Reds. The Pirates won 7-1, winning the N.L. pennant and advanced to the World Series. Bert Blyleven was the winning pitcher and Willie Stargell and Bill Madlock homered. Eight days later, I got to attend my second game, game four of the World Series against the Orioles. Stargell homered again, but the Pirates lost 9-6.
35 years later, I've been to over 200 Pittsburgh games at approximately 75 venues. Here are my top five sporting events of all time.
#5. (Tie)August 2, 2003 (PNC Park): Pirates 1 Rockies 0
February 22, 1984 (Mellon Arena): Oilers 9 Penguins 2.
I wouldn't call these games must wins, but at least I caught my first baseball and my first hockey puck!
#4. November 15, 1999 (Pitt Stadium): Pitt 37 Notre Dame 27
In the final game ever played at Pitt stadium, the Panthers celebrate with a big win over their rivals from South Bend. The students storm the field with less than 20 seconds to go, as I make a b-line to the Mellon Arena for the Penguins/Predators game. It's never easy getting from Oakland to Downtown in 15 minutes with so much game traffic.
#3. March 15, 2003 (Madison Square Garden): University of Pittsburgh 74 � University of Connecticut 56
The Panthers men's basketball team wins it's first ever Big East Tournament after falling short the prior two seasons. I don't get too emotional very often, but I did on that night. I was very proud of those players and coaches!
#2. December 16, 2000 (Three Rivers Stadium): Steelers 24 Redskins 3
I had the privilege of witnessing the last game in Pitt Stadium, and now I doubled the pleasure watching the final game ever at Three Rivers Stadium. The game and atmosphere could not have been scripted any better. It started with a Primanti's Cheese steak; a few Iron City Beers; and a Steelers win on a cold rainy day! The post-game ceremony was tremendous. It was great seeing a lot of former Steelers.
#1. February 1, 2009 (Raymond James Stadium): Steelers 27 Cardinals 23 In what some are calling the greatest Super Bowl game ever played, the Steelers overcome a late Larry Fitzgerald touchdown to pull out the victory. The atmosphere in Tampa was unbelievable. The Steelers made two of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history on that night. James Harrison scored on the longest touchdown in Super Bowl history to put the Steelers up 17-7 at the half. Then with 35 seconds remaining, second and goal, Big Ben finds Santonio Holmes in the back corner of the end zone to give the Steelers the lead for good. Here We Go SixBurgh!
Other then being a Pittsburgh fan, I work for a great company doing financial work. I graduated from Nichols College (one hour south of Boston) in 1997. If you're ever in the Boston area on a Steelers gameday, stop by Roggies for a true Pittsburgh Steelers experience!
I can be reached at icbrew79@aim.com
