My Trip to PNC Last Night

[redsfaninbsg]

First off, the atmosphere at PNC Park last night was tremendous. One of, if not the best baseball crowds I have ever seen. Sadly, 40-50 percent of those in attendance went way too far. I personally was cussed, threatened, and the guy who went with me was mocked went he fell in the street following the game (the guy has knee problems was turning around to see who was cussing him). The crowd was worse than NFL playoff game crowds in terms of rudeness. Having F#!K You chanted at you and F$#K Cincinnati screamed at you while standing at urinal is not a good experience. I won’t root for the city of Pittsburgh in anything period from now til my end of existence (not that I did much to begin with). I saw Devin Messoraco’s grandmother talking to security following my trip to the bathroom; I’ve got pictures of Pirates fan getting arrested in the stadium for their behavior, and unfortunately memories I will never forget. If the Reds and Pirates ever play in the playoffs again in Pittsburgh I would not recommend taking women or children, especially if you intend on wearing Red.

On a positive note, it was very nice meeting 1940757690. I hope they had a better experience getting to their vehicle than I did.

[R_Webb18]

unfortunate

[oregonred]

Stay classy Pittsburgh

[Matt700wlw]

Classless.

I hope the Cardinals beat them senseless.

[M2]

When did Pittsburgh become Philadelphia?

[Yachtzee]

Did you run into Dallas Latos? Sounds like she had a rough time too, and may have been the reason why Mesoraco's grandmother was talking to security.

[CySeymour]

I can't believe I am actually going to root for the Cards in that series.

[Beltway]

I can't believe I am actually going to root for the Cards in that series.
I'm rooting for them both to lose.

[BuckeyeRedleg]

Go Cardinals!

Then...

Go Dodgers!

[Blimpie]

Cannot root for Cardinals. Go Braves.

[RichRed]

When did Pittsburgh become Philadelphia?

When the Steelers went 0-4?

[CySeymour]

Cannot root for Cardinals. Go Braves.

Oh I didn't way I want them to win the NL...I just want them to beat the Pirates, then lose in the NLCS.

[Yachtzee]

Karma would be for them to go up 2 games on the Cards and have a lead in game three, only to lose it in a gut wrenching fashion, but it won't happen that way. Sometimes bad things happen to good fans and good things happen to bad fans.

[badcontent]

Definitely going to pull for the Pirates. I like the team. Hell, I even like Pittsburgh.

Some fans are always going to be morons.

[marcshoe]

Having been to both Steeler and Pirate games in Pittsburgh, I have to think that they're attracting some Steeler fans who are carrying their behavior over.

[Salukifan2]

That wouldn't happen in StL, just saying. Sorry for that experience. Imagine how all the real pirates fan feel now that their stadium is overrun penguins and steelers [fans]

Doo-shes

[BluegrassRedleg]

Hate to hear about your experience, but I wouldn't lump a whole group of fans into one boat. It's a few drunks/[jerks] that ruin the experience. I had a buddy go up to the last series of the season, and he said they couldnt' have treated him any nicer.

[redsfaninbsg]

If it was a few, I wouldn't have said anything but, it was a good 40-50 percent of the crowd.

[IABucFan]

I posted this in another thread, but I'll put it here as well...seems relevant.

So, I said I wasn't going to post on here for a week, and I won't, with respect to the game. I'm not a trash talker; I don't come to pick fights. As I've said many times before, I really like reading the board because A) the fans are knowledgable, and B) they care as much about the Reds as I do the Pirates.

But, I just want to say first of all, I love this pic. I think most diehard Pirates fans are kind of ticked off at the bandwagon jumpers. My attitude is, "Hey. You left when times got rough. A real fan doesn't leave, but stays with his team through thick and thin." Like I said, just my two cents.

Anyway, about the alleged assaults and obnoxious behavior that some (i.e. Dallas Latos) experienced. Although I'm not from Pittsburgh, I would like to apologize on behalf of Pirates fans everywhere. It's quite sad that a great night can be marred by a couple of drunk idiots. I wasn't there, so obviously, I can't say with certainty what happened and whose version of the events is accurate. But, regardless of what happens on the field, nothing ever excuses this type of behavior.

I sincerely hope that you and your families have a better experience in the future in the Steel City.

[Yachtzee]

If it was a few, I wouldn't have said anything but, it was a good 40-50 percent of the crowd.

Fat, drunk, and Yinzer is no way to go through life. (Sorry if anyone's a Yinzer. I have some friends that are Yinzer transplants and joke with them about it sometimes).

I'm boycotting Yuengling. It's not hard because I prefer other beers, but it's the thought that counts, right?

[marcshoe]

Hate to hear about your experience, but I wouldn't lump a whole group of fans into one boat. It's a few drunks/a-holes that ruin the experience. I had a buddy go up to the last series of the season, and he said they couldnt' have treated him any nicer.
.

That's been my experience in the past. To be honest, I really like the city.

[RedTeamGo!]

I boycotted Yuengling when I took a sip.

[Edskin]

I've been to over a dozen NFL stadiums and only in Washington do I wear the colors of the home team--- this includes games at our division rivals in Dallas, NY, and Philly (I've been to the Vet and the Linc). I have never experienced anything like you described--- not even in Philly--- and like I said, I was in the upper deck at the old Vet for one game.

At every stop there is always a knucklehead or two that takes the heckling too far and because the Redskins normally lose, I always have to deal with some taunting on the walk out, but again not even close to anything you described.

Ironically, the one place where I almost retaliated? Busch Stadium--- the old one in the early 2000's. Went to a Sat afternoon Reds game there with my wife and we had an unruly group behind us that was over the top. One guy even put his hands on me a couple of times which came close to escalating it. None of the fans around us did anything to discourage them either.

[Kingspoint]

Hate to hear about your experience, but I wouldn't lump a whole group of fans into one boat. It's a few drunks/a-holes that ruin the experience. I had a buddy go up to the last series of the season, and he said they couldnt' have treated him any nicer.
.


It's obviously not a few, and he's obviously not lumping a few in among the whole.

[redsfaninbsg]

Evidently, at least seven people were ejected last night.

[Yachtzee]

I posted this in another thread, but I'll put it here as well...seems relevant.

So, I said I wasn't going to post on here for a week, and I won't, with respect to the game. I'm not a trash talker; I don't come to pick fights. As I've said many times before, I really like reading the board because A) the fans are knowledgable, and B) they care as much about the Reds as I do the Pirates.

But, I just want to say first of all, I love this pic. I think most diehard Pirates fans are kind of ticked off at the bandwagon jumpers. My attitude is, "Hey. You left when times got rough. A real fan doesn't leave, but stays with his team through thick and thin." Like I said, just my two cents.

Anyway, about the alleged assaults and obnoxious behavior that some (i.e. Dallas Latos) experienced. Although I'm not from Pittsburgh, I would like to apologize on behalf of Pirates fans everywhere. It's quite sad that a great night can be marred by a couple of drunk idiots. I wasn't there, so obviously, I can't say with certainty what happened and whose version of the events is accurate. But, regardless of what happens on the field, nothing ever excuses this type of behavior.

I sincerely hope that you and your families have a better experience in the future in the Steel City.

Well said. My last post was made mainly in jest, but I'd say my experiences in Pittsburgh have been mixed. I just don't like the town during football season. People there get way too worked up about sports. When I've gone there in the summer, I haven't had any issues and in fact the city and the ballpark were rather charming. But that was when the Pirates were terrible and I haven't gone there this year. It's sad to see some of that football mentality bleed over into the baseball park.

As much as I like the Bengals, I just don't wear NFL mechandise anymore. I've seen too much embarrassing behavior from fans at football games that I prefer not to associate myself as such and prefer to watch the games at home.

[Kingspoint]

I wasn't there, so obviously, I can't say with certainty what happened and whose version of the events is accurate.


Of course you can't say since you weren't there, so why suggest he's lying?

[Reds/Flyers Fan]

I had a similar experience as a Bengals fan at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh fans are the absolute worst I've ever been around. Steelers fans show up by the thousands and overtake whatever city they're playing in - and expect the red carpet to be rolled out and for you to bow at their feet.

But when a visiting fan dares show up and support the opposing team in Pittsburgh, forget it. You'll be cussed at and insulted, both personally and toward your city (Cincinnati). In my case, I was hit by the guy next to me when I cheered for a Bengals touchdown. My friend and I were spit at and threatened - and this was in broad daylight on a Sunday afternoon.

Thankfully, the Bengals won and I got the last laugh.

But I have nothing nice to say about Pittsburgh or their awful bandwagon fans. Go Cards! (I have to vomit now)

[Biff Pocoroba]

My antipathy for the Cardinals is such that this anecdote will not deter me from rooting for a three-game sweep by the Pirates.

Now, if you had told me that 100 percent of the fans acted this way (as opposed to 40-50%), then I could have been persuaded to cheer for the Bucs in five.

[RedTeamGo!]

Of course you can't say since you weren't there, so why suggest he's lying?

This was a post he copied and pasted from the Dallas Latos thread. I do not think he was implying the OP was lying.

[redsfaninbsg]

To their credit, the 50-60 percent who were nice seemed embarrassed by the situation and continued to apologize for their actions. I bought my tickets off a Pirates season ticket holder and he left me a message this morning on my phone apologizing for the actions of the other fans and he didn't even sit near me so he has no idea what happened.

[REDREAD]

If it was a few, I wouldn't have said anything but, it was a good 40-50 percent of the crowd.

Yep, I will smile when "Buc-tober" is "Buc-over"

[Joseph]

It's always easy to say, 'Yeah most fans were great, but ignore the ones who weren't' but can you ignore the ones who wouldn't leave you alone? Squeaky wheel gets the oil.

[BluegrassRedleg]

I've been to over a dozen NFL stadiums and only in Washington do I wear the colors of the home team--- this includes games at our division rivals in Dallas, NY, and Philly (I've been to the Vet and the Linc). I have never experienced anything like you described--- not even in Philly--- and like I said, I was in the upper deck at the old Vet for one game.

At every stop there is always a knucklehead or two that takes the heckling too far and because the Redskins normally lose, I always have to deal with some taunting on the walk out, but again not even close to anything you described.

Ironically, the one place where I almost retaliated? Busch Stadium--- the old one in the early 2000's. Went to a Sat afternoon Reds game there with my wife and we had an unruly group behind us that was over the top. One guy even put his hands on me a couple of times which came close to escalating it. None of the fans around us did anything to discourage them either.

I think it all depends on when you're there and who you run into. I've been to NFL games in Pittsburgh, Detroit and Dallas. Could not have been treated any nicer. Amazing hospitality, even wearing visitor colors. Then again, I've been to a couple in Cincinnati and heard and saw things that were downright disgusting. My wife still won't go back to a Bengals game after a bad experience our last trip. But I don't think that's a reflection of Cincinnati or our fans in the area. People are pretty much the same wherever you go. Somtimes for good, sometimes for bad.

[BluegrassRedleg]

To their credit, the 50-60 percent who were nice seemed embarrassed by the situation and continued to apologize for their actions. I bought my tickets off a Pirates season ticket holder and he left me a message this morning on my phone apologizing for the actions of the other fans and he didn't even sit near me so he has no idea what happened.

That's good to hear. At least some still have some decency and perspective to them.

[757690]

I don't connect my feelings for a team with my feelings for their fans. Never liked Pittsburgh fans, but always respected the team. I hate Cub fans, but find the Cubs to be lovable losers. Like Cards fans, but can't stand the team. And to be honest, if I wasn't a Reds fan, I probably wouldn't think too highly of Reds fans, they eat their own.

[Yachtzee]

Of course you can't say since you weren't there, so why suggest he's lying?

I don't think it was IABucFan's intent to suggest anything wasn't true. Ithin the intent was to express his concerns and apologize for the poor treatment people may have received from his fellow Pirates fans. He doesn't need to apologize though, because he didn't do anything wrong. I think the responsibility lies with the Pirates and stadium security to keep a lid on this type of boorish behavior.

[Yachtzee]

I don't connect my feelings for a team with my feelings for their fans. Never liked Pittsburgh fans, but always respected the team. I hate Cub fans, but find the Cubs to be lovable losers. Like Cards fans, but can't stand the team. And to be honest, if I wasn't a Reds fan, I probably wouldn't think too highly of Reds fans, they eat their own.

Cincinnati fans are usually too busy complaining about their own team to worry about fans of the other team.

[Yachtzee]

I think it all depends on when you're there and who you run into. I've been to NFL games in Pittsburgh, Detroit and Dallas. Could not have been treated any nicer. Amazing hospitality, even wearing visitor colors. Then again, I've been to a couple in Cincinnati and heard and saw things that were downright disgusting. My wife still won't go back to a Bengals game after a bad experience our last trip. But I don't think that's a reflection of Cincinnati or our fans in the area. People are pretty much the same wherever you go. Somtimes for good, sometimes for bad.

Some of my friends used to have Browns season tickets. They gave them up because they got tired of how people act at NFL games.

[xsteve1]

Some of my friends used to have Browns season tickets. They gave them up because they got tired of how people act at NFL games.

NFL fans are about 90% red necks. Its pretty funny watching some of those idiots when going to a game. Steeler fans are probably the worst.

[1940757690]

First off, the atmosphere at PNC Park last night was tremendous. One of, if not the best baseball crowds I have ever seen. Sadly, 40-50 percent of those in attendance went way too far. I personally was cussed, threatened, and the guy who went with me was mocked went he fell in the street following the game (the guy has knee problems was turning around to see who was cussing him). The crowd was worse than NFL playoff game crowds in terms of rudeness. Having F#!K You chanted at you and F$#K Cincinnati screamed at you while standing at urinal is not a good experience. I won’t root for the city of Pittsburgh in anything period from now til my end of existence (not that I did much to begin with). I saw Devin Messoraco’s grandmother talking to security following my trip to the bathroom; I’ve got pictures of Pirates fan getting arrested in the stadium for their behavior, and unfortunately memories I will never forget. If the Reds and Pirates ever play in the playoffs again in Pittsburgh I would not recommend taking women or children, especially if you intend on wearing Red.

On a positive note, it was very nice meeting 1940757690. I hope they had a better experience getting to their vehicle than I did.

I'm going to post some thoughts about MY experience at PNC last night under the Dallas Latos thread since some are more relevant there and I'm also guessing that thread will probably endure longer here (will reserve judgment on that may mean if right :)).

Two BIG points to start.

1. It was truly stupendous meeting redsfaninbsg ("RFIB") and his friend! I've only had a few opportunities to meet other RZers offline and never in CIN. Wish that happened more. Lots and lots of great people inhabit this website. Beyond being a very knowledgable and seriously committed Reds fan, RFIB--even more importantly--is just a good dude and I hope our paths cross again. Real pleasure, RFIB. And, that said, I hope you will be okay with my respectfully disagreeing with just some of what you've said above.

2. My big reaction on the tenor and courtesy (and lack thereof) of the crowd last night is that there absolutely were some who were unruly, threatening, disrespectful and, at least in some cases, even engaging in criminal behavior. RFIB's experience cannot be challenged by anyone. Four of us walked together out following the game and even I heard people around us chanting "Cueto" (RFIB was wearing a Cueto jersey whereas I had a generic Reds team shirt and cap), directed at him/us as we departed. I doubt nothing that RFIB has said about his own experience.

However, I have to disagree that anywhere close to "40-50%" (which would amount to at least 16,000 people) there were rude and threatening.

There were morons and idiots and I too experienced some of that during the night. But, I think it'd be wrong and unfortunate for anyone (not directing this at you, RFIB) to generalize those terrible behaviors to the entire city of Pittsburgh, all Bucs fans or even 16000 or more of those attending last night's game. Judge and condemn individual people for their bad behavior, not entire groups to which they belong, like 'residents of a city' or 'fans of a team.'

I had a few (fewer than 5) Bucs fan curse at me or say something disparaging as I walked to and from our seats (lower level just behind JV). And, I heard the inappropriate (my view) Cueto chants directed at RFIB and us as we departed.

I also:

- had 4 or 5 conversations with friendly Bucs fans when we entered an hour or so early in time to catch the end of Reds' batting practice. These folks welcomed us or chatted normally, asking if we were from Cincinnati (we're not) and wishing us a "good game" or even "good luck tonight" or, my favorite, "whoever wins, let's crush the Cardinals!"). I'd imagine that even RFIB would agree that several Bucs fans were proactively friendly to us as the three of chatted in a corner of the now infamous "Budweiser Bar" before the first pitch.

- During the game, we stayed mostly in our seats, virtually surrounded by black-clad Bucs fans as there were very few Reds fans in attendance. Everyone right around us was either very nice or didn't engage with us. Normal stuff. They cheered loudly. They booed our guys repeatedly. They waved towels. They stood often. They chanted "Cue-to" during the game (which I think entirely fine). But nothing rude or disrespectful directed at us, despite our sticking out like sore thumbs clad in red. Two younger guys, fully tatted and smoking something unlike a cigarette for most of the game, sat right next to us and were very nice to us.

- Once during the game, my other half, a shorter, thinner woman, went to get some food and had no problem at all. Again, we were lower level just a few rows from the field so had to climb up dozens of stairs to get to the concourse. I also went once to get some 'Q from Manny's, a walk about 1/3 of the way around the park and had no problems at all.

- When we left, we also saw the same arrest RFIB references above. The police were roughly cuffing a younger Bucs fan on the ground and taking him away from right in front of the Budweiser bar that we and RFIB passed together as we exited. Not sure what his offense was but it wasn't related to us and I'm not sure what time the Dallas Latos incident happened. And, as I've already said, I did hear and experience the post-game Cueto chants on the way out but, speaking only for ourselves, nothing beyond that. RFIB and we parted ways outside the park and we walked across a packed Clemente bridge back into the city where we'd parked our car. it took a long to time to cross since so many were packing the bridge celebrating. We didn't see one other Reds fan crossing that bridge but also had no problems at all crossing it. Several said hello, said "good game" and chuckled with us about the Cardinals. One woman (a Bucs fan) dropped her purse in the crowd and I picked it up to give it back to her. She smiled and thanked me. All normal. All good.

- When we got to our car, parked in a garage in the city, one departing car, upon seeing us in Reds gear, rolled down a window and shouted "your team are losers. Losers!!". Those were drunken kids; exception though and not the norm in our experience.

We were also at PNC the weekend prior for the Saturday game (we lost) and Sunday game (we won big). Those were our first visits ever to PNC and we had great experiences both days and in the city (also wearing Reds gear). Those weren't playoff games but they sure were important with home field advantage still up for grabs. We'd absolutely go back to Pittsburgh to see the Reds in the future. It's a nice city. Just like we feel when we get to Cincinnati a couple of times each year; always a wonderful and positive experience.

Bottom line. Some idiots (no doubt many alcohol-fueled) were absolutely at PNC last night and some of them behaved in ways that went beyond just foolishness. But, overall, I really don't think it was more than 1000 people total (or maybe 2.5% of the crowd extrapolating from the few thousand we experienced in our section and directly) that ventured into rudeness or hostility of any kind. I'm sorry this is a longer post but this feels important. I don't think the 'City of Pittsburgh' or even 'Bucs fans' are broadly any different from Cincinnati/Reds fans or Washington DC/Nationals fans (where we live). I think they all have enthusiastic fans who are especially excited when the team does well (we were at LDS games 4 and 5 at Nats Park last year). I also think most people are generally good people. I wasn't a Bucs fans before and I'm certainly not now. But, you can bet your butt I'll be pulling for the Bucs to beat the Cards.

If you "hated" the Cards before, stay the course I say! But don't hate Cards fans, Bucs fans, people who wear black and gold or all residents of a city or area. We're all baseball fans. We're all Americans. And, the great majority of us were raised right and treat others as we'd like to be treated. Life is way too short for the divisiveness and bad feelings that stereotyping can prompt.

Just my most humble of opinions having spent about four days in the Steel City including three Bucs/Reds games, in the past ten days.

[1940757690]

Hate to hear about your experience, but I wouldn't lump a whole group of fans into one boat. It's a few drunks/a-holes that ruin the experience. I had a buddy go up to the last series of the season, and he said they couldnt' have treated him any nicer.
.

Bluegrass says in just 50 words what I just took a few hundred to say--albeity with specifics. Exactly right imho.

[redsfaninbsg]

40 percent is too high to say went over the line. I would say it was more like 10-20 percent went over the line and another 10-20 percent was good nature banter and encouraging the idiots. The regular season at PNC is fine, it's nothing like that, I enjoyed my previous trip there. I don't want to get involved in a culture or political conversation but, I was born in N.C. and have lived my entire life in the south, any time you go to to the northeast it's just different. I've traveled all over the country, including numerous times to the north for varying things but, I still don't grasp the culture and attitude of many who inhabit those areas. Give me the south or the mid-west any day of the week, I am especially found of Oklahoma, maybe the Pirates should move there?:)

[Ironman92]

Karma would be for them to go up 2 games on the Cards and have a lead in game three, only to lose it in a gut wrenching fashion, but it won't happen that way. Sometimes bad things happen to good fans and good things happen to bad fans.

It's the teams. The Pirates didn't do anything wrong.....they may have too large of portion of morons but I'll continue to root for or against teams and not how fans were seen acting.

[jhiller21]

I've been to a few games at PNC during the regular season, and they're some of the nicest fans out there. Always willing to talk baseball, and to recommend good places to eat in Pittsburgh.

The people that were causing problems last night were not average Pirates fans. Probably a bunch of drunken Steelers fans. I bet you they couldn't name every player in the starting lineup.

[BluegrassRedleg]

It's been my experience that Steeler fans are loud and cocky about their team (6 championships probably do that for you) but very welcoming and polite to visitors in their house.

[5TimeWSChamps]

Hate to hear about your experience, but I wouldn't lump a whole group of fans into one boat. It's a few drunks/a-holes that ruin the experience. I had a buddy go up to the last series of the season, and he said they couldnt' have treated him any nicer.
.

Yep. I went up there for that series and had an Unreal time. One of the most enjoyable games ive ever been to.

[WVRedsFan]

Well said. My last post was made mainly in jest, but I'd say my experiences in Pittsburgh have been mixed. I just don't like the town during football season. People there get way too worked up about sports. When I've gone there in the summer, I haven't had any issues and in fact the city and the ballpark were rather charming. But that was when the Pirates were terrible and I haven't gone there this year. It's sad to see some of that football mentality bleed over into the baseball park.

As much as I like the Bengals, I just don't wear NFL mechandise anymore. I've seen too much embarrassing behavior from fans at football games that I prefer not to associate myself as such and prefer to watch the games at home.I married my bride in 1980. As many know, she's from Pittsburgh and totally non-sports minded. Yachtzee is right. Fans there take it much too serious. It's like they think they are a failure when their team loses. They also feel good about themselves when their team wins. Back during their heyday, they were bad with pranks like played on Jim Day and Dallas were commonplace. So commonplace that my father in law once told me to leave my Reds cap at the house before going to a game. I didn't listen and had to put up with one fan constantly cussing me and trying to steal my hat all night. Luckily, a lot of northern WV fans follow the Pirates (well, they didn't until this year), so I guess they assumed I was one of those fans and didn't get my car messed up for the first game. the next night, a group of thugs apparently saw us getting out of the car before the game, and I got a sandwich smeared all over my car and a big scratch down the side. Maybe it had something to do with the Pirates winning the first game and the Reds winning the second.

I rarely go to a pro game no matter where it is. I do attend college games when my alma mater is playing, but I'll never attend another Pitt-WVU game (as if they will ever play again) because of my experience with fans there. Lots of good people in Pittsburgh, but their sports fanatics are simply low class all the way. Even my in-laws will tell you that.

[cincrazy]

I've been to Pittsburgh for a game. Beautifil city, and couldn't have been treated any nicer. That game was a unique experience. First postseason game in forever, the game was late at 8 and a lot of people are drunk by then. That brings the idiots out in any fan base. It's unfortunate a lot of that stuff went down, but considering the NFL playoff game atmosphere surrounding the place it's not too surprising.

[WVRedsFan]

That's another point. The later the game, the more alcohol is consumed before the game starts. College football games are the best example, closely followed by pro football and NASCAR. But that's another topic for another thread, so I apologize. I do enjoy a beer(s) before and during the game, though :).

[SporkLover]

My in-laws are in Pittsburgh and have split baseball loyalties (Red Sox and Bucs)... And they've warned me and the wifey that although they don't consider it dangerous or hostile, it's usually not worth the heckling/hassle wearing opposing team gear to town for any sporting event.

That being said... Sucks this would happen to anyone.

[WVRedsFan]

My in-laws are in Pittsburgh and have split baseball loyalties (Red Sox and Bucs)... And they've warned me and the wifey that although they don't consider it dangerous or hostile, it's usually not worth the heckling/hassle wearing opposing team gear to town for any sporting event.

That being said... Sucks this would happen to anyone.

As I said, my in-laws told me the same thing. What kind of warped world do Pittsburg fans live in?

[OesterPoster]

That's another point. The later the game, the more alcohol is consumed before the game starts. College football games are the best example, closely followed by pro football and NASCAR. But that's another topic for another thread, so I apologize. I do enjoy a beer(s) before and during the game, though :).

I've spoken with a few OSU football ushers, and they claim that the most drunks and biggest messes occur with 3:30 starts. They say that people binge drink heavily before coming into the stadium. The later starts at 8 or whatever have too many people burned out from drinking all day, and they don't last.

[bounty37h]

Sounds like a bad time, I would say a crowd with 40-50% percent taking things too far is not a great baseball crowd.


First off, the atmosphere at PNC Park last night was tremendous. One of, if not the best baseball crowds I have ever seen. Sadly, 40-50 percent of those in attendance went way too far. I personally was cussed, threatened, and the guy who went with me was mocked went he fell in the street following the game (the guy has knee problems was turning around to see who was cussing him). The crowd was worse than NFL playoff game crowds in terms of rudeness. Having F#!K You chanted at you and F$#K Cincinnati screamed at you while standing at urinal is not a good experience. I won’t root for the city of Pittsburgh in anything period from now til my end of existence (not that I did much to begin with). I saw Devin Messoraco’s grandmother talking to security following my trip to the bathroom; I’ve got pictures of Pirates fan getting arrested in the stadium for their behavior, and unfortunately memories I will never forget. If the Reds and Pirates ever play in the playoffs again in Pittsburgh I would not recommend taking women or children, especially if you intend on wearing Red.

On a positive note, it was very nice meeting 1940757690. I hope they had a better experience getting to their vehicle than I did.

[vaticanplum]

I've never had a problem at PNC Park and I go there more or less dressed like Mr. Red himself. In all fairness, though, the Reds never win when I go to PNC Park, so halfway through this season I stopped going when they were in town.

Pittsburgh as a town has an inferiority complex somewhat similar to Boston's. Boston's comes from feeling perpetually like a second fiddle to New York; Pittsburgh's comes from the city having been such a miserable place to live for such a long time. The city has quite brilliantly, consciously overcome this and it is now a truly wonderful place to live by almost any objective standard. But most people outside of Pittsburgh don't know that yet, so the complex remains.

Pittsburghers' best and worst quality is that they think they live in the most wonderful place in the world. That's wonderful because they bubble over with excitement to tell you about it, to show it to you, to make it better, to be part of their community, to respect tradition when it's good and welcome change when it's good. It might be hard to remember in the wake of all these stories, but they are a surprisingly well-rounded breed of people as a whole. Honest to god, most people you meet will speak to you just as coherently about Andy Warhol as they will about the Steelers' defensive line, even die-hard, born-and-bred yinzers. If you meet them on their level, if you show the slightest interest in anything Pittsburgh, they will show you the world and they will do so as if it's the most exciting, honorable thing they could ever possibly do. There is not a lot of the self-loathing that exists in the Cincinnati region.

Of course, the flip side of them thinking they have the best city in the world is them thinking they have the best city in the world. They hate New York, they hate Chicago, they hate Cleveland, they definitely hate Philly. They're baffled by anyone who likes anyplace better than Pittsburgh. They don't understand why anyone would care about football if s/he isn't a Steelers fan. They boycott Sienna Miller movies because one time, a hundred years ago, she made a nasty comment about Pittsburgh. They are fervent about it to the point of blindness. And this exact mentality -- the blind love, the inferiority complex, the belief that anything outside of their own is not worth its own existence -- is the hallmark of their sports fandom as well. I love the city to death, but I sometimes have to talk myself out of loving it less just because of the way its natives behave about it.

[Chip R]

I've spoken with a few OSU football ushers, and they claim that the most drunks and biggest messes occur with 3:30 starts. They say that people binge drink heavily before coming into the stadium. The later starts at 8 or whatever have too many people burned out from drinking all day, and they don't last.

Interesting. I'd have thought it would have been the evening starts but it makes sense. Now the playoff game being on a Tuesday evening may skew that theory somewhat since it's not as easy to binge drink on a weekday.

[Yachtzee]

I've never had a problem at PNC Park and I go there more or less dressed like Mr. Red himself. In all fairness, though, the Reds never win when I go to PNC Park, so halfway through this season I stopped going when they were in town.

Pittsburgh as a town has an inferiority complex somewhat similar to Boston's. Boston's comes from feeling perpetually like a second fiddle to New York; Pittsburgh's comes from the city having been such a miserable place to live for such a long time. The city has quite brilliantly, consciously overcome this and it is now a truly wonderful place to live by almost any objective standard. But most people outside of Pittsburgh don't know that yet, so the complex remains.

Pittsburghers' best and worst quality is that they think they live in the most wonderful place in the world. That's wonderful because they bubble over with excitement to tell you about it, to show it to you, to make it better, to be part of their community, to respect tradition when it's good and welcome change when it's good. It might be hard to remember in the wake of all these stories, but they are a surprisingly well-rounded breed of people as a whole. Honest to god, most people you meet will speak to you just as coherently about Andy Warhol as they will about the Steelers' defensive line, even die-hard, born-and-bred yinzers. If you meet them on their level, if you show the slightest interest in anything Pittsburgh, they will show you the world and they will do so as if it's the most exciting, honorable thing they could ever possibly do. There is not a lot of the self-loathing that exists in the Cincinnati region.

Of course, the flip side of them thinking they have the best city in the world is them thinking they have the best city in the world. They hate New York, they hate Chicago, they hate Cleveland, they definitely hate Philly. They're baffled by anyone who likes anyplace better than Pittsburgh. They don't understand why anyone would care about football if s/he isn't a Steelers fan. They boycott Sienna Miller movies because one time, a hundred years ago, she made a nasty comment about Pittsburgh. They are fervent about it to the point of blindness. And this exact mentality -- the blind love, the inferiority complex, the belief that anything outside of their own is not worth its own existence -- is the hallmark of their sports fandom as well. I love the city to death, but I sometimes have to talk myself out of loving it less just because of the way its natives behave about it.

On the flip side of Sienna Miller, they seem to have a deep-seated love for Bruce Willis, Sarah Jessica Parker and the movie Striking Distance, because it was filmed in Pittsburgh. I know a guy who will watch it religiously whenever it's on and will point out various facts about the locations seen in the film. It wouldn't surprise me if Pittsburgh had Striking Distance tours much like Salzburg, Austria has Sound of Music tours. I wonder if some Pittsburgh native will come out with Striking Distance, The Musical.

[vaticanplum]

On the flip side of Sienna Miller, they seem to have a deep-seated love for Bruce Willis, Sarah Jessica Parker and the movie Striking Distance, because it was filmed in Pittsburgh. I know a guy who will watch it religiously whenever it's on and will point out various facts about the locations seen in the film. It wouldn't surprise me if Pittsburgh had Striking Distance tours much like Salzburg, Austria has Sound of Music tours. I wonder if some Pittsburgh native will come out with Striking Distance, The Musical.

They film a ton of movies in Pittsburgh now. It has to do with a tax break PA instituted and a great number of people are employed by the film industry now. So I fully expect there to be a walking tour soon enough.

[WVRedsFan]

I've never had a problem at PNC Park and I go there more or less dressed like Mr. Red himself. In all fairness, though, the Reds never win when I go to PNC Park, so halfway through this season I stopped going when they were in town.

Pittsburgh as a town has an inferiority complex somewhat similar to Boston's. Boston's comes from feeling perpetually like a second fiddle to New York; Pittsburgh's comes from the city having been such a miserable place to live for such a long time. The city has quite brilliantly, consciously overcome this and it is now a truly wonderful place to live by almost any objective standard. But most people outside of Pittsburgh don't know that yet, so the complex remains.

Pittsburghers' best and worst quality is that they think they live in the most wonderful place in the world. That's wonderful because they bubble over with excitement to tell you about it, to show it to you, to make it better, to be part of their community, to respect tradition when it's good and welcome change when it's good. It might be hard to remember in the wake of all these stories, but they are a surprisingly well-rounded breed of people as a whole. Honest to god, most people you meet will speak to you just as coherently about Andy Warhol as they will about the Steelers' defensive line, even die-hard, born-and-bred yinzers. If you meet them on their level, if you show the slightest interest in anything Pittsburgh, they will show you the world and they will do so as if it's the most exciting, honorable thing they could ever possibly do. There is not a lot of the self-loathing that exists in the Cincinnati region.

Of course, the flip side of them thinking they have the best city in the world is them thinking they have the best city in the world. They hate New York, they hate Chicago, they hate Cleveland, they definitely hate Philly. They're baffled by anyone who likes anyplace better than Pittsburgh. They don't understand why anyone would care about football if s/he isn't a Steelers fan. They boycott Sienna Miller movies because one time, a hundred years ago, she made a nasty comment about Pittsburgh. They are fervent about it to the point of blindness. And this exact mentality -- the blind love, the inferiority complex, the belief that anything outside of their own is not worth its own existence -- is the hallmark of their sports fandom as well. I love the city to death, but I sometimes have to talk myself out of loving it less just because of the way its natives behave about it.Good post. And you are spot on about the people and the city. I like it there. I make four or five trips a year there so my wife can check on her elderly mother in Penn Hills since her father passed away last year. You say you love chipped ham? They'll give you the history of it and buy you a pound to take home with you. Say you love the little Italian, German, and Polish communities? They will give you a tour. But they'll never understand why you like Cincinnati Chilli or the Montgomery Inn because they're not in Pittsburgh. My mother-in-law needs to move closer to her children who live here, in Bethleham, Cleveland, and South Carolina, but she never will live any of those places because it's not Pittsburgh. It's the same thing where I live to an extent and probably Cincy too, but not to that extent. But when it comes to sports, well, you know.

[1940757690]

I've never had a problem at PNC Park and I go there more or less dressed like Mr. Red himself. In all fairness, though, the Reds never win when I go to PNC Park, so halfway through this season I stopped going when they were in town.

Pittsburgh as a town has an inferiority complex somewhat similar to Boston's. Boston's comes from feeling perpetually like a second fiddle to New York; Pittsburgh's comes from the city having been such a miserable place to live for such a long time. The city has quite brilliantly, consciously overcome this and it is now a truly wonderful place to live by almost any objective standard. But most people outside of Pittsburgh don't know that yet, so the complex remains.

Pittsburghers' best and worst quality is that they think they live in the most wonderful place in the world. That's wonderful because they bubble over with excitement to tell you about it, to show it to you, to make it better, to be part of their community, to respect tradition when it's good and welcome change when it's good. It might be hard to remember in the wake of all these stories, but they are a surprisingly well-rounded breed of people as a whole. Honest to god, most people you meet will speak to you just as coherently about Andy Warhol as they will about the Steelers' defensive line, even die-hard, born-and-bred yinzers. If you meet them on their level, if you show the slightest interest in anything Pittsburgh, they will show you the world and they will do so as if it's the most exciting, honorable thing they could ever possibly do. There is not a lot of the self-loathing that exists in the Cincinnati region.

Of course, the flip side of them thinking they have the best city in the world is them thinking they have the best city in the world. They hate New York, they hate Chicago, they hate Cleveland, they definitely hate Philly. They're baffled by anyone who likes anyplace better than Pittsburgh. They don't understand why anyone would care about football if s/he isn't a Steelers fan. They boycott Sienna Miller movies because one time, a hundred years ago, she made a nasty comment about Pittsburgh. They are fervent about it to the point of blindness. And this exact mentality -- the blind love, the inferiority complex, the belief that anything outside of their own is not worth its own existence -- is the hallmark of their sports fandom as well. I love the city to death, but I sometimes have to talk myself out of loving it less just because of the way its natives behave about it.

I don't know Pittsburgh very well. Have been there maybe 10-15 times but always just passing through or on business. I've seen the Reds play there one or two times prior to the past two weeks (when we went twice for the Reds@Bucs series and then the WC game) .

Agree wholeheartedly with the above in terms of never having had a problem at PNC or in the city. And, really like the post because it's very instructive to someone like me, who doesn't know the city very well.

But I do know Boston well, having lived there for several years. The comparison to Pittsburgh as described doesn't align at all with how I know Boston. Until the bombings at this year's marathon, there was never really any love between NY and Boston sports fans; the Rangers, Jets and Knicks are all big rivals along with the Yankees. But I don't think there's any "inferiority complex" at play between the cities more broadly. Between the baseball fanbases pre 2004 maybe but not beyond that.

[corkedbat]

I'm rooting for them both to lose.

I'm hoping a sinkhole starts at the PNC mound and swallows the whole stadium and everyone in it. Those guys just take it too far. :D

[WVRedsFan]

Die Pirates, die. Then die, Cardinals, die. Then I root for the AL. Blasphemy, I know, but that's the way it is. Not that I'll watch much.

[vaticanplum]

But I do know Boston well, having lived there for several years. The comparison to Pittsburgh as described doesn't align at all with how I know Boston. Until the bombings at this year's marathon, there was never really any love between NY and Boston sports fans; the Rangers, Jets and Knicks are all big rivals along with the Yankees. But I don't think there's any "inferiority complex" at play between the cities more broadly. Between the baseball fanbases pre 2004 maybe but not beyond that.

Wait, are you serious? Both Philly and Boston are notorious for being competitive and chip-shouldered when it comes to New York. I mean on a city level, not a sports level (though it has come in and out of the picture with Yankees-Red Sox and Mets-Phillies). You walk around anywhere that sells Boston merchandise and you'll find a hundred t-shirts about New York. Like, saying that NY pizza has nothing on Boston's. New York PIZZA.

[Yachtzee]

Wait, are you serious? Both Philly and Boston are notorious for being competitive and chip-shouldered when it comes to New York. I mean on a city level, not a sports level (though it has come in and out of the picture with Yankees-Red Sox and Mets-Phillies). You walk around anywhere that sells Boston merchandise and you'll find a hundred t-shirts about New York. Like, saying that NY pizza has nothing on Boston's. New York PIZZA.

No offense to Boston, but NY has some pretty awesome pizza.

[TOBTTReds]

I had the same experience in Pittsburgh. Some very nice fans, but enough that VERY MUCH crossed the line that I don't want to root for them. I'm also not a vocal fan at all (meaning I clap, but don't yell at all about anything really unless we hit a walk off HR or something). So I certainly didn't instigate a thing.

I had a Reds hat on, and some fans were more concerned with yelling at me on every play than watching the field. I never said a word back to them, and barely looked at them.

It was disappointing. But I had to keep telling myself that these people are usually Steelers fans, so they don't know how to behave at a baseball game.

On the other hand, I totally respect the volume of their cheering and rowdiness towards there own team during the game. The atmosphere was undeniably electric. The Cueto chant was booming, and made home field a definite advantage.

I'm not watching their NLDS, so I'll just root against whoever advances to play ATL or LA.

[Big Klu]

Wait, are you serious? Both Philly and Boston are notorious for being competitive and chip-shouldered when it comes to New York. I mean on a city level, not a sports level (though it has come in and out of the picture with Yankees-Red Sox and Mets-Phillies). You walk around anywhere that sells Boston merchandise and you'll find a hundred t-shirts about New York. Like, saying that NY pizza has nothing on Boston's. New York PIZZA.

Philadelphia fans are the worst. The only incidents I have ever had at any sporting event has been with Philadelphia fans. The first was with a Phillies fan in the Champion's Club at GABP. The guy was being an obnoxious a**hole and making life miserable for everyone around him. Additionally, he was making very inappropriate comments regarding Josh Hamilton in front of small kids in our section. Finally, I had enough and confronted him, telling him in no uncertain terms to shut the hell up. He put up a facade of bravado, but was clearly unnerved by the fact that someone had stood up to him. His bluff called, he halfheartedly made some comments about "bringing it on" at about the same time security showed up. (The parents of some of the kids had left to make a complaint about him.) He and his girlfriend were escorted from our section (and I assume the stadium), and as he left, I turned around and in my best Powers Boothe as Curly Bill Brocius impersonation said, "Bye."

http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130611112751/villains/images/f/f6/612capture_tombstone03.jpg


The second was with Temple fans at an Ohio-Temple game in Athens. Someone in the OU ticket office dropped the ball, and sold the Temple student section seats in the middle of the Ohio season ticket bloc. So we had to deal with obviously intoxicated Temple students who had driven from Philadelphia to Athens and were wearing red spandex body suits with a Temple flag as a cape. Again, they were incredibly obnoxious, running up and down the aisles, getting in people's faces and talking trash with middle-aged and elderly Ohio fans. (Really? You're freakin' TEMPLE!) However, the Bobcats' domination of the hapless Owls on the field threw a wet blanket on their fervor, and as they left early in the fourth quarter with their tails between their legs, I reminded them that they should pick up some Jello Pudding Pops at Kroger for the ride home.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/rapgenius/filepicker%2FMDUErfyXQ4eEajnLGsI0_Bill-Cosby-Jello-Pop-GIF.gif


I'm convinced that that Philly fans are obnoxious and rude to the "hicks in flyover states" because they are bullies with inferiority complexes who hate their very existence--because no matter how hard they try, they will never, NEVER be New York.