Pittsburgh Post Gazette Plug

FANHOOD got it's FIRST plug thanks to my friend Dan from Blog 'N Gold on the Pittsburgh Post Gazette webpage. Here's a plug right back at'cha!

http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/blogngold/archive/2009/04/14/instant-schedule-analysis.aspx

Miller Park - Milwaukee Brewers

At Miller Park it’s all about the 3 B’s – Baseball, Beer, and Brats… this is Brewers Country! Fitting for the city of Milwaukee to have a team named The Brewers – it’s the home of Miller Brewing Company, Pabst Brewery, Lavern and Shirley, and many micro breweries. The Brewers are the pride of the blue collar heartland, so grab a bag of charcoal and a case of Miller Lite and get ready for your FANHOOD experience.

• At Miller Park it’s all about the tailgate, so get there early, fire up the grill and crack open a cold one. Bratwurst is traditionally served along with your standard tailgate fare. Bring your glove or football to play catch in the lot or get in on a game of bags, also known as cornhole.

• You have a variety of colors to choose from with the Brewers. Current colors are navy blue, white, and tan, or wheat if you want to be specific. Throw backs are more of a royal blue and yellow.





• Depending on how far you parked from the stadium, you may want to grab a roadie or 2 for the walk to the park.

• Hopefully rain won't ruin your tailgate plans. If so, at least it won't ruin the game! Miller Park has a retractable roof!

• No tickets? No worries, unless the Cubs are in town (RIVAL ALERT!!!), walk right up to the ticket booth. (Pay no attention to the kid mooning the camera)

• Are you a Harley rider? Sit in the Harley-Davidson deck, buffet included. Discounts are given to Harley owners.

• My favorite part about entering a park is that first view of that green green grass. It takes my breath away. I always need a moment to take it all in.

• Got children or you're a child at heart? Head to Bernie's Clubhouse behind home plate where there are a variety of activities to chose from. Bernie the Brewer is the Brewers mascot.
  

Hang out in the dugout.

See if you're faster than Corey Hart.

Hang out in the mitt.

Race with the sausages.

Pose with the sausages.

• Go to the other side of the park and test your speed. Think you can pitch as fast as a major leaguer? Eric sure does!
  
  
  
  
  
• When you get to your seat, look for Bernie in his dug out. He slides down the slide every home run! His original dugout is now located at Lakefront Brewery - a little plug for their delicious beer.
  


• Hungry? If you've had enough brats from the tailgate party, grab some waffle cut cheese fries and take home a souvenir hat!
  

• Seventh inning stretch! Time to cheer on your favorite sausage! Who's it gonna be? Brett Wurst the bratwurst? Stosh the Polish sausage? Guido the Italian sausage? Frankie Furter the hot dog? Cinco the chorizo?
  








Hopefully you'll be celebrating a Brewers win with the Brew crew. Head back to your car and once again, fire up the grill and wait for traffic to clear. Overall, I hope you enjoyed your time at one of the most modern and fan-friendly stadiums in the US, Miller Park.

Brewers are out of town? No worries, you can still see the field from TGI Fridays, located in center field. Grab some lunch as the grounds crew rakes the mound.

Special thanks to the Brunner girls Megan and Becky for modeling and Eric Broom for his spectacular pitching and content in this entry.

Share your Miller Park FANHOOD experience in the comments section!

Heinz Field - Pittsburgh Steelers

Welcome to The Point, where the Allegheny meets the Monongahela and creates the Ohio, river that is. Here you will find the fabulous Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

When I think Steelers, I think LOYALTY. The Rooney Family has owned the team since 1933. In an era where head coaches are fired after one losing season, the Steelers have had 3 head coaches in the last 40 years. See Mike Tomlin, the current head coach below.

Then, there is STEELER NATION. In the 70’s the Steelers dominated, many 70’s children became fans. In the 80’s the steel industry that fueled the City of Pittsburgh declined. Many were forced to leave the city to find other work, but they took their Steeler fanhood with them. Steeler Nation has been voted the best fans in the NFL, often giving the team home field advantage even when on the road.

Want to be a part of STEELER NATION? Here’s how:

• Get your tickets early. Most seats belong to season ticket holders and single game tickets sell out fast. You can ALWAYS find tickets on craigslist.org, e-bay, or on the street, but you’re going to pay.

• Most of the parking lots are permit parking only. Slip the attendant a little dough and he can probably fit you in.

• Forget driving and stay local. There is a Spring Hill Suites across from PNC Park (the baseball stadium) or Sheridan at Station Square across the mighty Monongahela River. From Station Square, take the Gateway Clipper across the river for only $5! Yes, they sell beer! See the Clipper in the photo below.

• Wear Steeler colors, black and gold. Don’t have any? I recommend visiting the Strip District on the east side of the city for cheap gear. Layer up if it’s a November or December game. It can get cold - note the frozen beer!


• Do not wear brown and orange, purple, or black and orange. The Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals are the Steelers biggest rivals and HATED by most Steeler fans.

• Understand that Pittsburgh revolves around the Steelers. During game time, streets and stores are empty. Everyone is glues to the game. These people bleed black and gold for their team. Even Santa stops for the Steelers.


• Pre-game, it’s all about the tailgate. Most lots surrounding the stadium are permit parking only, slip the attendant a “tip” and they just may be able to fit you in. Park, fire up the grill, and crack open that first beer of the morning. I recommend bringing a big pot of chili, gumbo, or sausage and peppers. Something hearty to fill you up and keep you warm before the game.


• If you’re not prepared for a tailgate party, head to Peppi’s Old Tyme Sandwich Shop on Penn Ave. for a Roethlis-Burger for $7, named after the Steelers quarterback #7 Big Ben Roethlisberger. Dig into the 1 lb. ground beef, sausage, scrambled egg, grilled onion, and American cheese sandwich. Wash it down with an icy cold Iron City beer from the Pittsburgh Brewing Company.


• Stroll down to the North Shore bars east of the stadium. I recommend visiting the Jerome Bettis grill owned by “The Bus” himself, #36, the Superbowl XL running back. Black and gold bar stools, a men’s room mirror that only you can see out, and a VIP area fit for a Bus.

• Take a stroll through the large parking lots east of the stadium. There you’ll find the heart and soul of Steeler Nation. Those season ticket holders who’ve passed tickets from generation to generation. You’ll see their flags waving proudly from their Steeler buses and RVs. You can’t miss them in their black and gold cammo pants. Kind of defeats the purpose of cammo!


• Talk to the locals. They have their very own language and distinct accent – “Is this your first Stiller game n’at? Yinz grab an Arhn!” http://www.pittsburghese.com/

• Grab a Terrible Towel from a local vendor. Every Steeler fan but me has one, for me, it’s a jinx. Yes, I am terribly superstitious. You may want to purchase one of these ahead of time and throw it in the wash or else you will be covered in yellow fuzz after your first wave.

• You must perfect the terrible towel wave so you don’t smack your neighbor in the face.

• Time to enter the stadium. I recommend entering through Gate B so you can stroll through The Steelers Walk of Fame. Check out the Lombardi Trophy, past players lockers stocked with memorabilia, and even Steeler art work.

• Just next to the Walk of Fame a live band plays. Get your pre-game jitters out by cutting the rug!

• Time to grab a beer and hit your seat. Take a look around. Feel the energy of the stadium… in a few moments, the place will be rockin’! Kick off!!! Here we go Steelers, here we go – clap clap!

• Know the heart and soul of the Pittsburgh Steelers is and always has been the STEEL CURTAIN aka the defense.

• Listen… you’re at an NFL football game watching the XLIII Super Bowl Champions. The hits are bigger. The helmet cracks are louder. The atmosphere has more energy. Enjoy it!

• In the middle of the third quarter, keep your eye on the jumbotron. Have I mentioned I LOVE jumbotrons? You hear the quiet opening line to Renegade by Styx – oh momma I’m in fear for my life in the long arm of the law – thump thump… 40 seconds later the song turns up, picks up tempo, and ROCKS OUT! Added bonus, big defensive hits are streaming across the jumbotron screen, firing up the crowd! (I’m getting fired up just typing about it!!!)

• Game is over, time to head back to the car, and celebrate a win! Hopefully you’ll hear the chant “I’ve got a feelin’ – Pittsburgh’s goin’ to the SUPER BOWL!” Heat up some left over tailgate fare, play armchair quarterback, and wait for traffic to clear.

Win or lose, be excited! You just saw a SIX time Super Bowl Championship Franchise. That’s more championships than any other franchise!

Can’t get enough Steeler Nation? Chances are there is a Steeler Nation hangout in your town. Check it out! http://www.post-gazette.com/steelernation/steelersbars.asp Here is Chicago’s home for the Steelers – Durkin’s on Diversey and Halsted.

Anything to add to the Heinz Field experience? Feel free to add comments!

PNC Park - Pittsburgh Pirates

PNC Park. My favorite major league ball park. Make that my favorite ball park PERIOD. Why? Maybe it's the view. Maybe it's the fresh cut french fries. Maybe it's the IC Light. Maybe because it's right in the heart of my favorite city. Maybe it's because I could see the fireworks from my Bloomfield Apartment. It's got it all.

PNC Park is home to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Unfortunately, they're the laughing stock of baseball. They traditionally build good players only to sell them off to bigger teams, like the Red Sox & Yankees for example. Many Pittsburgh natives blame the ownership and hold it against them by not attending the games. Tickets are always easy to come by, sometimes even given away, and the place rarely sells out.

But please, don't let this hinder you from checking out PNC Park. The beauty of the park and the skyline make up for the lack of love for the team. Go ahead, be a YINZER, and get the full FANHOOD experience!

• Unless the Pirates are playing the Cubs or Yankees or any other close by big name team, don't worry about getting your tickets ahead of time. Walk right up to the ticket counter the day of. There really isn't a bad seat in the house and you can't beat their ticket prices!



• Wear Black & Gold. A little white in there can't hurt either. If you're out of gear, head over to the Strip District where you can pick up Pirates gear cheap.




• Getting to PNC Park is an experience in itself. There's a few ways to do it.

1. If coming from the North, drive directly to the North Shore and park in any of the lots or parking garages.

2. Why drive? Stay right there at the Spring Hill Suites!

3. Park at Station Square on Carson St. and take the Gateway Clipper across the mighty Monongahela River. Only $5 and I hear they sell beer!

4. Park downtown and walk across the Roberto Clemente Bridge, crossing the Allegheny River. Often it’s closed to traffic on game days.

• Know who Roberto Clemente is. He was a hero. He played all 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates and was the first hispanic MVP. In 1972 the aircraft taking him to Nicaragua to deliver supplies to earthquake victims crashed, taking his life all too soon.






• Pre-game, take a walk around the park and visit the various local establishments for some icy old beers. If it's nice out, the crowd will spill into the streets.



• Thirsty? Drink local. Iron City by the Pittsburgh Brewing Company will be on tap, or my favorite IC Light. I'm warning you, they didn't knickname it "Iron Shitty" for nothing. If you're looking for something darker, I recommend the Penn Pilsner by Penn Brewery. They have it on tap at the stadium also.




• Walk around the outside of the stadium. Take your picture with Honus Wagner.



• When you enter the stadium, take in the green grass as you ride the escalator up. Make sure you grab a program and score card!



• Walk around the inside of the stadium. If you have children, take them to the Kids Playland outside right field. Sundays they can run the bases after the game!





• Get your picture taken with Pirate Parrot, the Pirates mascot.




• If you're still thirsty, I recommend bottles. I've gotten funky tap beer numerous times from the concession stands here. You'd think I'd learn!



• Hungry? There's plenty! Some of my favorites:

1. Primanti Brothers - meat, fresh cut french fries, and coleslaw all smooshed between two thick slices of Italian bread. Trust me on this one people.

2. Quaker Steak & Lube - best french fries. Grab your family a bucket of wings... it'd stay away from the atomic sauce if I were you.

3. Manny's BBQ, located in center field. Honestly, I've never eaten it, but the line is so long it must be good! I know the smells sure are! Sometimes you can even catch Manny Sanguillen himself there working the register!

• Grab your seat and take it all in. Isn't this ball park BEAUTIFUL? Look at that skyline. Gorgeous.





• Watch the jumbotron. I LOVE jumbotrons, especially the one at PNC Park. It must be the sound system, it's just better than any other. Every time they go around the order is a different picture of the player. The graphics are great. Plus in between innings they'll play funny player interviews. I laugh every time.



• Listen to how people talk. Pittsburgh has a very distinct accent and even it's own language. "How are yinz doin? Takin in a game n'at? Where'd yinz park? Dahntahn?" You may want to study up.

http://www.pittsburghese.com/

• 7th inning. Time to stretch and pick your favorite pierogie. IT'S TIME FOR PIEROGIE RACES!!!



• Game is over. Hopefully you're celebrating a Bucs win... often times not. If it's a Saturday, stick around, enjoy the skyline and the fireworks display.


• Flood out into the streets and hit up any of the bars on the North Shore. If you're feeling adventurous, hit up Carson St. on the South Side. I recommend Fat Heads!

What's most important is to relax and enjoy yourself at PNC Park. Don't worry about a win or loss. Take in a night at the ball park with your family or your pals. It's one of the most inexpensive parks... but with the best view.

If you're in town but the Bucs are out, no worries. Head into the Outback Steakhouse for some food, drinks, and to watch the grounds crew take care of that green green grass!

Got more? Add a comment!