It's hard to imagine that city of Pittsburgh have rich history of sports, is it official, or just am I dreaming? As far my memory servers right, there are memorable moments of Pittsburgh sports in history, all of three professorial sports teams (baseball, football and hockey) has earned the championship trophies: Pittsburgh Pirates (5), Steelers (5), and Penguins (2). This city once hailed as 'City of the Champions' the following same year in 1979, two different sports won the championship. They were Pirates and Steelers.
The 3 different team sports of players deserved into Hall of Fame such as baseball, Honus Wagner (pictured on right) as one of the first five members in 1936. Several players from 1970s of Pittsburgh Steelers had more Hall of Fame players than any football players on their team in decade of 1970s. Mario Lemieux, the greatest hockey player behind Wayne Gretzky, earned the Hall of Fame.
Pittsburgh have one of greatest dynasty football city team in decade of 1970s is Pittsburgh Steelers. They won 4 Super Bowls.
What about pro golf? PGA hosted Oakmont Country Club course for US Open championship, more than any courses in history of US Open golf. Jack Nicklaus and Ben Hogan won there. Tiger Woods, almost won - behind 1 stroke in this year - 2007.
Anyone remember the Pittsburgh sports lore? Franco Harris' Immaculate Reception and Bill Mazeroski's Home Run in Game 7 of World Series against New York Yankees, and Babe Ruth hit his final home run in Pittsburgh.
Today I find myself why I am writing this entry here is because I enjoyed my time reading the interesting article, CNN Sports Illustrated picks: Best Athletes by Number in USA Sports, I knew myself instantly those are guaranteed that any Pittsburgh pro team deserve the uniform numbers.
Now, there are over 100 individual pages listed, I dugged and narrowed the list of Pittsburgh professorial sport player out into my list for your enjoy time to read.
No. 21 - Roberto Clemente
Pittsburgh Pirates
He is remembered as much for his humanitarianism as for his renown in right field. Clemente won four batting titles, 12 Golden Glove awards and finished his career with an average of .300. He died at 38, in 1972, in a cargo plane that was carrying supplies and food to Nicaragua.
Runner-up: Roger Clemens and List of worthy of considerations: Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Deion Sanders, Sammy Sosa, and LaDainian Tomlinson.
No. 25 - Barry Bonds
Pittsburgh Pirates / San Francisco Giants
Bonds wore No. 24 with the Pirates from 1986 to '92 in honor of his godfather, Willie Mays, but switched to his current number when he arrived in San Francisco.
No. 26 - Rod Woodson
Pittsburgh Steelers / San Francisco Niners / Baltimore Ravens / Oakland Raiders
He was the premier cornerback of his era, and was named to the NFL's 75th Anniversary team, the only active player on the list when it was chosen in 1994. He played 17 seasons (1987-2003) and for four teams (Steelers, Niners, Ravens, Raiders).
No. 47 - Mel Blount
Pittsburgh Steelers
The best cornerback of his era and a four-time champion with the Steelers. He was the NFL's defensive MVP in 1975 and played in five Pro Bowls.
Runner up: Tom Glavine.
No. 58 - Jack Lambert
Pittsburgh Steelers
A vicious tackler and two-time Defensive Player of the Year for the Steelers, Lambert played in nine straight Pro Bowls (1976-84).
Runner-up: Derrick Thomas.
No. 59 - Jack Ham
Pittsburgh Steelers
Played his outside linebacker position for the Steelers with surgical precision: 25 sacks, 21 opponents' fumbles recovered and 32 interceptions.
No. 66 - Mario Lemieux
Pittsburgh Penguins
He picked his number as a tribute to Wayne Gretzky (flip the numbers upside down), then put up numbers (1,723 points) the Great One would admire. His number was retired by the Penguins.
No. 68 - Jaromir Jagr
Pittsburgh Penguins / Washington Capitals / New York Rangers
Chose No. 68 in honor of 1968, the year of the Prague Spring and the Czechoslovakian freedom movement. He's worn it well for 17 years in the NHL: 621 goals, 907 assists, and two Stanley Cup rings.
Runner ups:
No. 12 - Terry Bradshaw, Pittsburgh Steelers (over by Tom Brady)
No. 36 - Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers (over by Robin Roberts)
No. 52 - Mike Webster, Pittsburgh Steelers (over by Ray Lewis)
No. 75 - Mean Joe Greene, Pittsburgh Steelers (over by Deacon Jones)
No. 86 - Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers (over by Buck Buchanan)
Worth of consideration:
No. 32 - Franco Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
No. 39 - Dave Parker, Pittsburgh Pirates / Cincinnati Reds / Oakland Athletics / Milwaukee Brewers / California Angels / Toronto Blue Jays
No. 87 - Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
No. 88 - Lynn Swann, Pittsburgh Steelers
No. 90 - George Webster, Houston Oilers /Pittsburgh Steelers / New England Patriots
No. 91 - Kevin Greene, Los Angeles Rams / Pittsburgh Steelers / Carolina Panthers / San Francisco 49ers
That's all folks and oh, I forgot to say one more thing to mention you that Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf division one high school Deaf sports team in United States earned few national titles for their basketball and soccer. Yea, that's right. I assume this is not professorial sports team.
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And I am proud of it!!!
gwlj
Posted by Grant W Laird Jr | July 7, 2007 9:11 PM