I Want A Baseball Team!

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I spent yesterday in Pittsburgh. I've always seemed to have a problem with Pittsburgh but its only because I went to college in Erie and I had to hear from all the people in Pittsburgh and how they bragged about actually winning Super Bowls when they got there.

The Bills hadn't even made their first trip there when I was in college, so it was even worse. Back in those days, Pittsburgh also actually had a baseball team, but they've been kind of dismissed over the last twenty or so years.

Last night I didn't get to go to the game, however, because it was freaking sold out!

I go to Pittsburgh for the first time in 15 years and they sell out their first game in about that long.

And I walked all around the place, listening to the sounds of the game and the roar of the crowd. I also went on the riverwalk from the Rivers Casino past Heinz Field and on down to PNC Park. Three bridges, the river, boats on the river, a city all lit up.

And it pissed me off.

Buffalo should have nights downtown like that. Young adults were playing games in the parking lot. There was a concert somewhere close, couples walked by me holding hands, people were out jogging! And they have a pro baseball team!

Granted the Bisons could give the Pirates a game, but other teams actually come to that city playing pro ball.

Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell played there.

I did a lot of walking last night. I felt safe and secure in a clean, alive city. Of course I still defend my town when it comes to talking with the old college friends, but I thought of my buddy George and all the days when he'd shout me down with his championship talk.

I was only in the 'Burgh for a few hours, really, but it was long enough to realize something very important.

Keep the Steelers, keep the Pens, take the Sabres and the Bills...Good God, just give me the Pirates!

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