Pittsburgh Sports Memories

Not everyone gets remembered. Some people are remembered briefly, then fade away just as quickly. In this episode, we review some of the Pittsburgh sports figures who had one shining moment or careers shrouded in mediocrity. These were players who hung around briefly before falling into the dustbin of sports history, swept away by our failing memories and desire to stay focused on the present. Get...

Pittsburgh sports history is full of great moments. Some are celebrated regularly and ingrained deeply with the fanbase. But then there are other great moments which, for a variety of reasons, have been long forgotten by the Pittsburgh sports faithful. In this episode we will relive those moments and give them the much needed credit they deserve! REWIND is a series of our favorite Pittsburgh Sport...

The rivalry between the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants is far richer - and stranger - than most fans realize. It is a century‑long tangle of postseason showdowns, bizarre trades, old‑timey feuds, and a fight that required police intervention! Along the way many baseball greats donned both uniforms, including four National League MVP's. We dive into all of that and more as we expl...

Everyone needs a good wingman, like Batman and Robin or Simon and Garfunkel. A good wingman is key to winning. They may not be the superstar or the focal point of the team, but without them the team wouldn't have been successful. So on this episode we look at some of these forgotten supporting cast guys - really good players who aren’t often remembered as Pittsburgh sports legends. REWIND is...

 All the major North American leagues have an MVP award. The question always arises: what makes a player the most valuable in each sport? Is it individual performance, or is it how they contributed to the team? This truly subjective award has led to some interesting and controversial outcomes. In this podcast, we look at all the MVP awards that have been won over the course of Pittsburgh sports. G...

We take a break from sports history to talk about what is currently going on in the Pittsburgh sports scene. Did the Penguins make the right move in bringing back Evgeni Malkin? Which of the 4 Steelers QB's will be the odd man out after training camp? Can the Pirates stay in contention in a tough NL Central? We cover all of that and more in this special bonus episode of the podcast. Get our S...

In this episode we will take a look back at the greatest seasons of each of Pittsburgh's pro sports franchises where the team fell short of a championship – the 1976 Steelers, the 1993 Penguins, and the 1927 Pirates. REWIND is a series of our favorite Pittsburgh Sports Memories episodes that we will be dropping in between new episodes Get our Steelers-Ravens book here! E-Book | Hardcover Conn...

After nearly 50 years of heartbreak and gut-wrenching moments, the 2021 Pitt football team put together a run for the ages. In this episode, we look back on what made that season so special and why it will never be forgotten by those of us fans who waited so many years for something to finally go right. Get our Steelers-Ravens book here! E-Book | Hardcover Connect with the show: Visit us on the we...

In this episode we will review some of the conspiracy theories surrounding Pittsburgh sports. Were the Steelers robbed of a Super Bowl? Did the NHL rig things for the Penguins? Did Pitt lose its best player due to illegal interference? Some of these theories may be true, some are definitely false, but all will be fun to discuss. So put on your tin foil hat and join us as we discuss some of the big...

Never has a player fit so perfectly with the identity of his team and the city he represented as Jerome Bettis. His smash-mouth style and gregarious personality made him one of the city’s favorites. He was also beloved by his teammates—so much so that it became a rallying cry during their Super Bowl run. The Bus’s final stop was Super Bowl XL, which ended in storybook fashion, with him winning the...

In 1997, the Pirates jettisoned all of their remaining players from the division winning teams of the early 1990’s to start a complete rebuild. They were left with a collection of nobodies with a payroll which topped out at a mere $9 million! Yet improbably, this team took the National League by storm and delivered a near miraculous result for its fans. REWIND is a series of our favorite Pittsburg...

We take a break from sports history to talk about what is currently going on in the Pittsburgh sports scene. Do the Pirates have room for improvement? Is Drew Allar the long-term answer for the Steelers? What's next for the Pens after being eliminated from the playoffs? We cover all of that and more in this special bonus episode of the podcast. Get our Steelers-Ravens book here! E-Book | Hard...

Announcers are part of every game, but not all of them make the experience better. With help from our listeners, we assembled a list of the broadcasters Pittsburgh sports fans love to hate. Did your least favorite make the list? Tune in to find out! Get our Steelers-Ravens book here! E-Book | Hardcover Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram

On this episode we will look back on the career of Hines Ward. He was a third round draft pick who the Steelers tried to replace multiple times and who was sometimes described as a dirty player, but he developed into one of the best wide receivers of his era. Known for his toughness, zealous blocking, and clutch plays that brought championships back to the city, Ward is one of the most beloved Ste...

Few athletes in Pittsburgh sports history inspire the mix of admiration and heartbreak that Sid Bream does - loved by Pirates fans, yet forever tied to one of the city’s most painful moments. In this episode, we interview Bream about his time with the Pirates, how he responded to being unceremoniously forced out of Pittsburgh, and how that iconic moment in 1992 changed both his life and our lives...

Hall of Fame pitcher Lefty Gomez famously said that he would rather be lucky than good. Pittsburgh sports history is packed with great teams and talented players, but our teams were also the beneficiary of some good fortune along the way. In this episode, we’ll remember the luckiest breaks ever in Pittsburgh sports. REWIND is a series of our favorite Pittsburgh Sports Memories episodes that we wil...

We take a break from sports history to talk about what is currently going on in the Pittsburgh sports scene. Did the Steelers win free agency? What is the ceiling for the Penguins and Pirates this season? Is it time for the NFL to retire the Rooney Rule? We cover all of that and more in this special bonus episode of the podcast. Get our Steelers-Ravens book here! E-Book | Hardcover Connect with th...

During the 1980s, 1990s, and even into the 2000s, America asked itself one question every Monday night in the fall: Are you ready for some football? For years, the answer was a resounding "yes", reflected in the NFL consistently ranking as the highest-rated program of the week whenever it aired. In this episode, we examine the rise and fall of the Steelers' remarkable streak of home...

In this episode, we dive into the story of one of the most unique players ever to wear a Steelers uniform - Joey Porter. Known for his fiery personality and fearless play, Porter was as entertaining off the field as he was dominant on it. His charisma and intensity made him a master at getting into the heads of opponents, often changing the tone of entire games. Beyond the trash talk and swagger,...

It’s been a decade since Pittsburgh last saw all three of its pro teams truly in the championship hunt at the same time. In this episode, we look back at the 2015–16 sports season when the Pirates, Steelers, and Penguins each made a championship run behind standout players, big moments, and unforgettable games. Get our Steelers-Ravens book here! E-Book | Hardcover Connect with the show: Visit us o...

In this episode we will take a look back at 2007 – a year that didn’t see any Pittsburgh sports championships but did see an arena drama for the Penguins, a new coach for the Steelers, a massive controversy for the Pirates, and an epic upset for Pitt football. Also throw in a creepy new mascot, an MVP award, and the muddiest football game of the century, and you’ve got a memorable year in Pittsbur...

We take a break from sports history to talk about what is currently going on in the Pittsburgh sports scene. What do the dismal NFLPA rankings say about Steelers ownership? What would Sidney Crosby's presence have changed about the gold medal game? What would it take for Pitt to fire Jeff Capel? We cover all of that and more in this special bonus episode of the podcast. Get our Steelers-Raven...

Being a fan can be a truly exhilarating experience. The highs of a championship win can lift not only a fan base, but an entire city, into a great mood. Conversely, the lows can be just as emotionally traumatic. In this episode, we explore some of the players who helped cause that pain. Throughout Pittsburgh sports history, there have been certain players responsible for more than their share of l...

What is the difference between a sports figure being revered or reviled? In this episode we will look at the mixed legacies of a handful of coaches, athletes and owners of the major sports in Pittsburgh. In doing so, we will try to determine their true lasting impact on us fans. REWIND is a series of our favorite Pittsburgh Sports Memories episodes that we will be dropping in between new episodes...

The Steelers and Raiders were two of the defining teams of the decade, opposites in almost every way. Pittsburgh was a homegrown powerhouse built through the draft, while Oakland thrived by embracing outcasts and unconventional talent. The Steelers were new to winning; the Raiders had already captured an AFL championship. Both embodied the brutal style of the era - gritty defenses, punishing hits,...