Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Happy Birthday, Three Rivers Stadium



When Three Rivers Stadium was about to be imploded back in 2001, I put together a list of my own personal "Top Ten Three Rivers Stadium Memories".  Not many people cared all that much about my own personal memories, but what the heck, right?  Anyway, today being the 43rd anniversary of the opening of Three Rivers Stadium, allow me to share those memories with you once again. Perhaps they will stir up some memories of your own.


Top Ten Three Rivers Stadium Memories
  
1.      1972 – Franco Harris and the Immaculate Reception beats the Oakland Raiders in the Steelers first ever playoff game.  How could anything else be Number One?
2.      1979 – Pirates defeat Cincinnati Reds in Game Three to sweep the National League Championship Series and win Pennant.
3.      1971 – Attended Game 3 of World Series, my first World Series game.  Pirates win and go onto win World Series.
4.      1975 – Steelers defeat Oakland on an icy field in AFC Championship game.
5.      1978 and 1979 – Steelers defeat Houston Oilers two years in a row in AFC Championship game.
6.      Willie Stargell and Roberto Clemente – just watching these two Hall of Famers over the years.
7.      1979 – Attend Game Three of World Series. It’s a night game, it’s cold, there are snow flurries, and Pirates lose.  They win the World Series anyway.
8.      1994 – Steelers lose AFC Championship to Chargers when last minute fourth down pass at goal line falls incomplete.  I’ve never heard 60,000 people get so quiet.
9.      1995 – Steelers beat Indianapolis in AFC Championship game to go to Super Bowl.
10. 2000 – I catch foul ball hit by Jason Kendall, my first such souvenir in over 40 years of attending ball games.
11. 1985 – Bruce Springsteen “Born in the USA” concert.  Over 65,000 people, largest crowd ever at Three Rivers for any event.  Still the single best concert I’ve ever seen.
12. 1970 – Three Rivers Stadium opens.  It is old and outdated now, but it sure was dazzling when it first opened.


OK, I know that’s twelve.  So sue me! 

2 comments:

  1. I'm sure this was just an oversight by The Grandstander, as you failed to mention the final Home Run hit in 3 Rivers Stadium by the local kid John Wehner!!!

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  2. I watched the stadium being built as I worked for Miller Printing Machinery Company which was right behind it. It was a little weird seeing it being torn down.

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