Sports Beat 2-22-08

SPORTS BEAT

By Rich Briggs
February 22, 2008

*Over the last few years, I have read, with great amusement, the banter between our editor and publisher, Cody Knotts, and a member of our staff, Ken Bonnell, regarding the region’s love for, and attention to, the Steelers and the Penguins. In last week’s issue, there was a snippet regarding Ken’s prediction that the Penguins will win a Stanley Cup, again, before the Steelers win another Super Bowl, to which Cody replied “Will anyone care outside of Pens fans?”

I would like to expand on this issue, as the debate appears to be raging hot and, since I am now the resident sports columnist of this publication, I believe I have the experience to shed some light on this particular subject. As we all know, this is Steelers Country – always has been and always will be. Of course, football existed in this area long before 1972, when Franco Harris made the Immaculate Reception and the Steelers won their first playoff game in the history of the franchise. That game began the string of division championships, playoff wins, conference championships and, of course, Super Bowl titles. This area has a love affair with football, at all levels, beginning with high school, college, and of course, professional. Several pro football players came from this area and that is something to be extremely proud of. To say that southwestern Pennsylvania is a football hotbed is an understatement. We are proud of our heritage regarding this sport.

Hockey has long been the wicked stepsister of the professional sports scene in this area. Until the Pirates began their skid of 15 consecutive losing seasons back in 1993, this area was a baseball region as well. The Pirates were a juggernaut in the 1970s, winning numerous division championships, two National League pennants and, of course, two World Series championships in 1971 and 1979. Those were the glory years for the Pittsburgh area, when it was known as the City of Champions and the Pirates were know as The Lumber Company. Those were good times back in the 1970s.

The Penguins were struggling back in those days. While the team had talent, it did not have anyone of any caliber to put the team over the top. The team went to the playoffs many times in the early years of the franchise, but there was no one to build around. That is until 1984 when the Penguins finished dead last in the league and earned the right to draft phenom Mario Lemieux. That lone pick changed the face of the franchise and its history. When Mario arrived, it took time to build a team around him. The skills he possessed were other worldly. It bordered on criminal what he could do with the stick and the puck. Youngsters at that time didn’t pay much attention to hockey because they wanted to be the next Terry Bradshaw or Willie Stargell. Mario Lemieux changed all of that.

Hockey teams, mostly in the scholastic setting, started sprouting up everywhere. Kids started playing hockey in the streets if they couldn’t find a place to play on ice. Soon, ice time became a premium because everyone wanted to play hockey, whether it was ice, street, or deck hockey. A kid from Canada changed the face of a sport in the Pittsburgh region. His story would add a second chapter.

Pittsburghers love a winner. They love it when a team plays for, and wins, a championship. Parades are scheduled, people are recognized, apparel is bought by the populace and displayed, and worn, with great pride. It didn’t matter if the Steelers were winning Super Bowls or if the Pirates were winning World Series titles. The glory those championships brought to the city and the region made all of us proud.

The Stanley Cup is considered royalty in Canada. Hockey is more of a religion than religion to our neighbors to the north. Playing for hockey’s Holy Grail is a passion for every hockey player who has ever laced up skates. The Penguins finally got their chance in 1990-91, six long years after Mario Lemieux was drafted. His storied career to that point was about to hit the summit. When the Penguins won their first Stanley Cup in 1991, the Pittsburgh area went nuts. The old airport was packed to greet their new champions after their arrival from Minnesota. The victory rivaled that of any celebration ever given for the Steelers or the Pirates. So much so that when the Penguins won the Cup again in 1992, they had to hold the celebration at Three Rivers Stadium.

Fast forward to 2005. The Penguins were, again, in a position to draft first except, this time, there was going to be a draft lottery. This time the prize was highly touted prospect Sidney Crosby. Lo and behold, the Penguins’ ping pong ball came through and they received the right to draft first and the rights to Crosby. Again, this area went crazy because they knew the franchise had been saved, again, and this time by both Lemieux and Crosby.

I am a hockey fan and have been since before Mario arrived on the scene back in 1984. I know how passionate this region is for its sports teams. Right now, the Steelers are a team in transition, from Bill Cowher’s team to Mike Tomlin’s team. I have stated before (not in this column) that I believe Mike Tomlin will win a Super Bowl long before Bill Cowher did when he was coachng. Tomlin is that good and, as he gains experience, he will show why the Rooneys chose him over Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm. I believe the Steelers got a steal when they hired Tomlin to replace Cowher.

The Pirates, unfortunately, are a disaster and will continue to be until they start winning consistently. For now, the Penguins are this region’s darlings because of the young talent the team possesses and what awaits it in the future. The core of this team is scary because of its potential. I see more Steelers and Penguins merchandise being worn than I do the Pirates because of the winning environment both organizations have created. I have yet to see that with the Pirates. Hockey is most like football in terms of the physical nature of the sport and the personalities who play the game.

I can understand Cody’s doubts about who, if anyone, outside of hockey fans care if the Penguins win the Stanley Cup and if/whether they win one before the Steelers win another Super Bowl; however, those who follow sports in this region know that a championship of any kind is worth celebrating and another Stanley Cup is no exception. As for Ken, I can see his reason for optimism regarding a Penguins Stanley Cup, with the young talent on the roster including Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal, Marc-Andre Fleury, and the role players who support this cast.

The bottom line for this writer is that a championship of any kind is worth celebrating. How about this – the Steelers win a Super Bowl and the Penguins win a Stanley Cup in the same year?! Then it would really become the City of Champions once again!