Sometimes I wonder why the hell I root for any teams anymore, particularly after the way they treat me year in and year out. Let’s review the sports teams I love and review their performance over the past year:
1.) The Pittsburgh Pirates: The Pirates were 75-87 in 2003, thus successfully completing their 11th consecutive season of sub .500 baseball. A truly impressive performance.
2.) The Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers were also exceptionally impressive this year, racking up a wonderful 6-10 record in one of the easier divisions in football. Thought to be Super Bowl contenders in the pre-season, the Steelers made Cincinnatti look like an all-pro squad. Twice.
3.) The Pittsburgh Penguins: Halfway through the Hockey season, the Penguins are 9-21. This is not so upsetting, as I am used to the Penguins sucking (much like the Pirates). Not to mention Sports Illustrated, when ranking all the NHL teams in five categories (coaching, power play, short-handed, goalkeeping, and one more- I forget), had the Pirates ranked either 29th or 30th in every category.
4.) The WVU Mountaineers: Despite having an 8-4 regular season and providing some wonderful moments, we once again just rolled over and played dead in our bowl game. This statistic is worth repeating:
West Virginia is 1-10 in its last 11 bowl appearances, 0-2 during Rich Rodriguez’ tenure by a combined score of 89-29.
Oh well. Pitchers and catchers report in a few weeks, and we can start the misery all over again.
*** Update ***
Statboy corrects me in the comments:
The Steelers beat the Bengals the first time they played and looked reasonably good doing it. In the SI preview, the Penguins were 30th in every category except for one, and in that one they were 25th, not 29th.
Kathy K
The word ‘fan’ comes from ‘fanatic’. Fanatics are notoriously immune to logic. ;)
Cameron
I’m with ya on the Steelers and Mountaineers.
As for the rest…my Flyers are looking pretty good(although they share a penchant of flopping in the post season like the Mountaineers), my Philly’s did better and look good for taking the division next year.
And basketball…..well who cares?…really.
Gary Utter
Dude,
The answer is clear. Move the heck out of Pittsburgh. Research the city with the best winning record across all the sports you care about, go there.
I don’t know what to tell you about WVU, unless you can afford to go back to school…
GFW
For once I agree with John Cole. Those are pretty miserable teams.
Frank G
Welcome to my world – I’m a San Diego sports fan lol
Michelle
Sorry you had to suffer the indignity of watching WVU’s latest bowl defeat. We turned off the radio and played cards with my grandmother instead.
I’m thinking WVU will never will another bowl game/post season championship ever again.
Especailly now that the riflery team is kaput.
Ricky
Although my beloved Atlanta Braves have had 12 years of unprecedented success, my 36 years in Georgia have netted me three championships – the Braves in ’95, the Bulldogs in ’80 and the Yellow Jackets in ’91.
The Steelers alone trump that (and the ’79 Pirates led by Pops Stargell was MY team back then).
Zach
The Steelers aren’t getting any better until they get a new coach.Cowler has been there too long.
charles austin
All of you quit your whining. You could be from Chicago and attended the Univeristy of Illinois — like me.
statboy
The Steelers beat the Bengals the first time they played and looked reasonably good doing it. In the SI preview, the Penguins were 30th in every category except for one, and in that one they were 25th, not 29th.
harry
John, I feel for you. My mood on any given day is directly proportional to the success of the Rams and the Cardinals.
But, I take it you’re in Pittsburgh? If so, there’s sports hope for you. Pittsburgh is 12-0 and ranked 15 in the NCAA!! That team’s gonna be fun to watch.
hokie
You are a proper fan, a homer. You gotta stick with what you know and not cherry pick winners. It just makes future success that much more sweet. Enjoy the journey no matter how painful. I am not even going to hold your ‘eer status against you.