Pittsburgh Sports Memories
159 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 10 hours ago -Two lifelong fans take a look at the memorable moments, teams, and characters that make up the storied history of Pittsburgh sports.
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Episodes
Pittsburgh's Best Wingmen
August 07, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 47.2 MBEveryone 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. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Text Mess...
REWIND: The Forgotten Steelers Playoff Game
July 31, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 45.7 MBThe Steelers once hosted a playoff game against the San Diego Chargers that featured the wildest start in NFL history, crazy momentum swings, a last minute comeback, and a longstanding rift between two of the most famous Steeler players ever. It should have been one of the more memorable games in team history. Instead the events of that day have been mostly forgotten. Why? REWIND is a series of our favorite Pittsburgh Sports Memories episodes that we will be dropping in between new episodes...
The Three Lost Rings
July 24, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 43.5 MBIn 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. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Text Message.
REWIND: Memorable Pittsburgh Sports Moments
July 17, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 53.3 MBPittsburgh sports history is full of great moments, both on and off the field. Some delivered a championship, some helped launched dynasties, and some had ripple effects for years to come. These are moments that have entered into the Pittsburgh sports psyche and beyond. REWIND is a series of our favorite Pittsburgh Sports Memories episodes that we will be dropping in between new episodes Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Te...
Pittsburgh Sports Conspiracy Theories
July 10, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 44.1 MBIn this episode we will review some of the conspiracy theories surrounding Pittsburgh sports. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines conspiracy theories as "a theory that explains an event or set of circumstances as the result of a secret plot by usually powerful conspirators." Some 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 biggest Pittsburgh sports conspiracy theories. Connect with the show: Vi...
REWIND: Most Beloved Role Players
July 03, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 57.8 MBPittsburgh sports history is full of great teams featuring superstar players, but much of the success that those teams have had would not have been possible without a supporting cast. In this episode we’ll list our favorite players who were not big stars but who left an indelible mark during their time in Pittsburgh. REWIND is a series of our favorite Pittsburgh Sports Memories episodes that we will be dropping in between new episodes Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us...
The Freak Show Pirates
June 26, 2023 09:00 - 58 minutes - 40.4 MBIn 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. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Text Message.
REWIND: The Chief
June 19, 2023 09:00 - 45 minutes - 31.4 MBArt Rooney has become a larger-than-life icon in Pittsburgh sports. He founded the Steelers and kept them running through some lean years, and under his ownership they became one of the flagship franchises of the NFL. We will look back at the triumphs and failures of his tenure with the Steelers, and also talk about what really made him beloved during his life. REWIND is a series of our favorite Pittsburgh Sports Memories episodes that we will be dropping in between new episodes Connect w...
Hines Ward: The Man Nobody Believed In
June 12, 2023 09:00 - 52 minutes - 36.4 MBOn 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, Hines Ward is one of the most beloved Steelers ever. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us ...
REWIND: The Goal That Saved the Pens
June 05, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 42.7 MBWhen the Penguins took the ice against the New Jersey Devils on May 2, 1999, the fate of the franchise was literally at stake. Jaromir Jagr's heroics that day not only saved the season, but according to some (including Jagr himself), it saved hockey in Pittsburgh. We will relive that moment and examine the claim that the Penguins wouldn't exist if not for that dramatic goal. REWIND is a series of our favorite Pittsburgh Sports Memories episodes that we will be dropping in between new episod...
Better Lucky Than Good!
May 29, 2023 09:00 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MBHall 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. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Text Message.
REWIND: Big Ben's First Season
May 22, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 48.7 MBWhen the Steelers drafted Ben Roethlisberger in 2004, the plan was for him to sit on the bench and learn from veterans Tommy Maddox and Charlie Batch. Plans quickly changed when those two guys got hurt, and what followed was one of the most remarkable runs in Pittsburgh sports history. The rookie QB led the Steelers to their best regular season record in team history, defeating the elites of the NFL along the way. We'll look back at the magical season that laid the groundwork for the 2000's ...
Things to Do in Denver When You've Been Shot: The Joey Porter Story
May 15, 2023 09:00 - 49 minutes - 34 MBIn this episode, we are going to cover one of the more unique players to ever be employed by the Steelers. We will look at all the twists and turns both on the field and off the field with the one and only Joey Porter (aka J-Peezy). Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Text Message.
REWIND: The 2008-09 Penguins
May 08, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 50 MBExpectations were high for the the 2008-09 Penguins but the season did not go according to plan. Nevertheless a group of young stars led by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin found their way back to the Stanley Cup Finals. On this episode we will dive into all of the memorable moments from a wild championship run - from an unexpected coaching change to the "Philadelphia hush" to a save for the ages in the closing seconds of Game 7. REWIND is a series of our favorite Pittsburgh Sports Memories ...
Forgotten Sports Years: 2007
May 01, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 48.5 MBIn 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 Pittsburgh sports. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Fac...
REWIND: Three More Yards
April 24, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 55.5 MBThe 1995 Steelers had a clear mission: avenge the previous season's failure. In the AFC Championship Game, the Steelers had the ball on the 3 yard line with time for one final play and a shot at their first Super Bowl trip since the 70's. That play fell short and after an offseason which saw a lot of change, fans wondered if the team would ever get that close again. But the 1995 season became a truly magical run full of great moments and memorable games which brought them right back to needi...
Hero, Bum, or Meh
April 17, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 50.7 MBWhat 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. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Text Message.
REWIND: Remembering "The Streak"
April 10, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 42.9 MBBetween 1993 and 2012, the Pittsburgh Pirates set a pro sports record by posting 20 consecutive losing seasons. The path to that dubious record was marked by horrific personnel decisions, mass incompetence, and a general desire by team ownership to put profit over winning. We’ll delve into the many lowlights of the biggest embarrassment in sports history. REWIND is a series of our favorite Pittsburgh Sports Memories episodes that we will be dropping in between new episodes Connect with th...
The Most Thankless Job in Pittsburgh
April 03, 2023 09:00 - 59 minutes - 41.2 MBIn our latest episode, we will delve into the history of the most hated role in Pittsburgh sports: Steelers offensive coordinator. Only 12 men have ever had the distinction of holding this job. Some found success while others struggled, but they all had one thing in common: at least some portion of the fan base wanted them fired! Join us for an entertaining look back at the OC’s you loved to hate. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send...
REWIND: Most Reviled Pittsburgh Sports Figures
March 27, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 49.5 MBAs fans, there are Pittsburgh sports personalities who we love, but there are also people who we love to hate! In this episode, we will remember some of the folks who drew the ire of the Pittsburgh fan base for actions both on and off the field. REWIND is a series of our favorite Pittsburgh Sports Memories episodes that we will be dropping in between new episodes Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Text Message.
A Tale of Two Seasons
March 20, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 44 MBIt was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was the age of being favored to win the Big East championship, it was the age probably finishing fifth in the ACC Coastal. In this episode, we compare two different seasons of Pitt football: the 2010 and the 2018 seasons. We will look at the expectations and subsequent outcomes of these seasons. The consequences of these pivotal seasons changed the course and trajectory of the program in two opposite directions. Connect with the show: ...
REWIND: The Penguins Turn to the Dark Side
March 13, 2023 09:00 - 45 minutes - 31.4 MBThe Crosby/Malkin/Letang era got off to a hot start, as the Penguins won a Stanley Cup in 2009 and seemed destined for more championships. However, a combination of bad luck, injuries, and an inability to cope with adversity soon sent the franchise into a tailspin. It all culminated in a first round playoff series against the archrival/scumbag Flyers which quickly dissolved into the ugliest display of defense and sportsmanship in franchise history. We'll recap a truly ugly point in this riva...
Rants and Meltdowns
March 06, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 44.5 MBLook, we’ve all had our moments when we are upset and say or do things that we regret later. Sports figures are no different, and throughout the history of Pittsburgh sports, many players and coaches have lost their cool - sometimes via breakdowns of epic proportions. In this episode, we will revisit some of the more memorable instances of this phenomenon. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Text Message.
REWIND: 13 to 9
February 27, 2023 10:00 - 55 minutes - 38 MBOn the evening of December 1, 2007, West Virginia University and its fans prepared to celebrate the greatest athletics achievement in school history. They were about to play for the college football national championship and with arguably their most talented team ever, they were in good position to win it too. All they had to do first was dispose of a 4-7 Pitt team who they were favored to beat by 28 points at home. What happened next stunned an entire state, brought down a conference, and s...
The Obscure Championship
February 20, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 43.6 MBThe 1925 World Series title is often forgotten in Pirates history. Heck, it's not even covered in Kens Burns Baseball documentary. We will look at the key players and events surrounding yet another 7th game win in the Series by the Pirates. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Text Message.
** Quick Announcement **
February 16, 2023 12:00 - 1 minute - 752 KBWe need your help for an upcoming episode. See the link below for more details: Share Your Memory (and be entered to win a prize!) Send us a Text Message.
REWIND: Steelers of the 1980's
February 13, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 50 MBComing off of a decade of dominance, the Steelers fizzled as they tried to transition into the 1980's. Although this era didn't see a lot of winning, it did feature a lot of colorful characters and memorable moments. So break out your Walkmans and your leg warmers as we dive into 1980's Pittsburgh football! REWIND is a series of our favorite Pittsburgh Sports Memories episodes that we will be dropping in between new episodes Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitte...
47 More Fun Facts About Pittsburgh Sports
February 06, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 46.9 MBIt’s a sequel to one of our most popular episodes! We will once again delve into a list of interesting and little known facts about Pittsburgh sports history. Impress your friends with the vast wealth of trivia that you will glean from this second enlightening fun facts episode! Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Text Message.
REWIND: The Johnny Cueto Game
January 30, 2023 10:00 - 50 minutes - 34.7 MBAfter suffering through the longest losing season streak in the history of professional sports, the 2013 Pirates finally turned things around, resulting in one of the most unforgettable moments ever against the Reds in the Wild Card Game. REWIND is a series of our favorite Pittsburgh Sports Memories episodes that we will be dropping in between new episodes Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Text Message.
The 2008 Steelers (Part 2)
January 23, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 54.2 MBAfter a dream season brought the Steelers to the Super Bowl, they were poised to get their 6th Lombardi after taking a big lead late into the game thanks to some James Harrison heroics. But Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald had different ideas. When it was all said and done, Super Bowl XLIII went down as arguably the greatest football game ever played. We'll do a deep dive into that game and relive the amazing memories from that magical night. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Fol...
The 2008 Steelers (Part 1)
January 09, 2023 10:00 - 58 minutes - 40.3 MBIn 2008, the Steelers put together a run for the ages. Led by a superstar QB, a ferocious defense, and a receiver who played hero week after week, the Steelers made their way to Tampa for Super Bowl XLIII. In this two-part episode, we will remember all of the great moments from that championship season. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Text Message.
Steelers Stories
December 26, 2022 10:00 - 57 minutes - 39.2 MBDuring the course of doing this podcast, we have delved into some memorable stories about our beloved football team - the time the team nearly moved to Boston, the secret feud between two of the greatest Steelers ever, the cornerback who ignited furor by asking the Heinz Field faithful to behave themselves, the drama around Big Ben's first career start, and more. We'll wrap up 2022 by recounting some of our favorite Steelers stories. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on...
The Immaculate Reception
December 12, 2022 10:00 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MBThis month marks the 50th anniversary of the most famous play in sports history. Since everyone in the media will be covering this moment ad nauseam, we will attempt to put a little different spin on it. We’ll cover more of the forgotten aspects of the play and because this is a podcast where we tell stories from a fan’s perspective, we will have a special guest – a fan who was actually at the game that day! Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Fac...
Roller Coaster Steelers
November 28, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 44.6 MBIn this episode we’ll look back on a Steelers season in which they often vacillated between greatness and disaster. One week they would dominate an elite NFL team, suffocating them with a ferocious defense and an innovative offense. The next week they would lose to a terrible team, committing turnovers and making unbelievable special teams blunders. This unpredictable path would lead them to a point where the greatness/disaster theme would play itself out in a wild and memorable playoff game...
The X Force
November 14, 2022 10:00 - 57 minutes - 39.3 MBIn 2005, the Penguins assembled a team of veteran superstars, young talent, and a can’t miss rookie phenom named Sidney Crosby. They called this elite group the "X Force", and their mission was to lay waste to the rest of the NHL and capture the franchise’s third Stanley Cup. However, things did not exactly go according to plan, and the X Force quickly became one of the biggest disasters in Pittsburgh sports history. Yet out of the ashes of this failed experiment, the franchise was able to b...
Pitt QB's in the NFL
October 31, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 41.4 MBFun fact: the University of Pittsburgh has sent a dozen QB's to the NFL since 1978, many of whom became starters. Some of them had legendary pro careers, some were total disasters, and some still don't have their full pro stories written yet. In this episode we will recap all of the Pitt quarterbacks who made it to the NFL. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Text Message.
The Pittsburgh-Detroit Connection
October 17, 2022 09:00 - 48 minutes - 33.3 MBPittsburgh and Detroit are both blue collar, rust belt towns who had to reinvent themselves in recent years, but the sports histories of these two cities are more entwined than you may realize. Over the years there have been rivalries, allegiance switching, scandals, and multiple championships won on the other city’s soil. We’ll take a close look at the rich Pittsburgh-Detroit sports history which involves everyone from Ty Cobb to Marian Hossa to Groucho Marx! Connect with the show: Visit ...
Messy Exits
October 03, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 53.7 MBThere is an art to making a graceful exit. Some Pittsburgh sports figures have mastered that art - people like Jerome Bettis, Mario Lemieux, and Ben Roethlisberger. But others have had problematic exits. On this episode we will focus on the sports personalities who have had very messy exits from Pittsburgh and from the public in general. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Text Message.
Forgotten Controversies
September 19, 2022 09:00 - 51 minutes - 35.3 MBRemember the time that the NFL refused to play the National Anthem at a Steelers game? Or the time Mario Lemieux said he would rather play for someone else other than the team he owned? Or the time the Browns endangered the life of their QB in an attempt to beat the Steelers? Or the time Roberto Clemente was accused of disrespecting the city decades after his death? These were all controversies which generated a lot of outrage at the time but have since been largely lost to history. In this ...
Most Respected Opponents
September 05, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 43.8 MBA good adversary will bring out the best in yourself, and rivals tend to do this when our favorites teams play them. So who do Pittsburgh fans respect as opponents? In this episode, we will present a list of teams and persons that Pittsburgh sports fans respect. Let’s take some time out to show some love for the rivals who made us better. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Text Message.
Kevin Colbert's Drafts
August 22, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 49.1 MBAs longtime Steelers GM Kevin Colbert heads into retirement, we will review each of the NFL drafts that he oversaw. Which picks did he hit on, which ones did he miss on, and how did they contribute to his overall legacy as Steelers general manager? Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Text Message.
Top 10 Ben Roethlisberger Games
August 08, 2022 09:00 - 48 minutes - 33.7 MBAfter 18 seasons and many legendry moments, Ben Roethlisberger announced his retirement from the Steelers. We will celebrate the career of Big Ben with a countdown of his ten greatest games. Which games made the list, and will you agree with our surprise pick for #1? Tune in to find out! Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Text Message.
The Penguins Tank for Mario
July 25, 2022 09:00 - 59 minutes - 40.8 MBIn 1984, the Penguins were a floundering and largely unpopular franchise with an uncertain future. That’s when they were presented with a golden opportunity to turn things around. If they could somehow procure the top overall pick in the draft, they could select a teen phenom by the name of Mario Lemieux. However, getting there would require something totally unorthodox: doing everything possible to NOT WIN games. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us ...
What Grinds My Gears
July 11, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 46.2 MBThere are things that are annoying in sports which fans like to complain about, and Pittsburgh sports history has plenty of them. For better or worse, here some things that are annoying about Pittsburgh sports. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Text Message.
His Mind is Thought to be Deranged
June 27, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 47.7 MBAs the Pirates were enjoying arguably their greatest ever season, one of their best pitchers was struggling. Those around him were concerned, but no one expected the horrifying psychotic break that came next. It would not only threaten Pittsburgh’s opportunity to win a championship, but would also tear apart the life of a rising baseball superstar forever. In this episode we will tell the sad and often forgotten story of a Pirates pitcher whose descent into darkness had huge ramifications bo...
The 2004 Draft
June 13, 2022 09:00 - 53 minutes - 36.5 MBSelecting a top draft pick is always tricky but in 2004 the Steelers had a decision to make - draft a QB or go with another player. What would play out in the draft that year would affect the fortunes of three different players and franchises for years to follow. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Text Message.
The Lost Audio - Volume 1
May 30, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 46.8 MBThis episode features a fascinating collection of forgotten audio that we dug up related to Pittsburgh sports - rare interviews, crazy soundbites, unique music, and more. Take a journey down memory lane with this compilation of sound from your favorite Pittsburgh sports stars and teams. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Text Message.
The Man Who Made Pitt Basketball Relevant
May 16, 2022 09:00 - 52 minutes - 36 MBIn this episode we will cover a childhood actor who unlike Todd Bridges or Danny Bonaduce made a career for himself – not as an actor but as a basketball coach. Jamie Dixon came out of nowhere as a unknown assistant to become one of the best basketball coaches in the country. We will detail his success and eventual exit from Pitt basketball. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Text Message.
Top 15 Penguins Playoff Moments
May 02, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 42.5 MBIt’s NHL playoff time and there may be no better spectacle in sports than playoff hockey. We Penguins fans have been blessed to witness many amazing moments over the years including 5 Stanley Cup runs. In this episode, we will countdown the top 15 (because top 10 just wasn't enough) greatest playoff moments in Pens history! Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Text Message.
The Biggest Moment in Pittsburgh Sports History
April 18, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 42.8 MBIn this episode, we will cover possibly the biggest moment in sports history. It was moment that gave the city its most improbable championship win in its history, and it's still celebrated annually to this day: the 1960 World Series and Bill Mazeroski's home run. Connect with the show: Visit us on the web Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Send us a Text Message.