Most Successful Cities Top Ten Part 1

10. Pittsburgh, PA

Pro Teams: Pirates 1882-present (MLB),1937-39 (NBL), Steelers 1933-present (NFL), Raiders 1944-45 (NBL),Ironmen 1946-47 (BAA), Penguins 1967-present (NHL),Pipers/ Condors 1967-68 & 1969-72 (ABA)

Championships: 15 (5)Pirates (1909,1925,1960,1971,1979), (1)Pipers (1968), (6)Steelers (1974,1975,1978,1979,2005,2008), (3)Penguins (1991,1992,2009)

History: The Pirates, as of late, have been suffering the curse of Barry Bonds. Since 1992, the team formerly known as the Alleghenys and Innocents finished as close as second (1997). Other than that, they would be near the bottom of the division. Lest we forget, the Pirates 9 division titles and NL Pennants historically. Maybe this will be the year they break out of their funk... or not. You never really know.

The Steelers at one point were also known as the Pirates. Because they were not as dominate as their baseball team was, they went to being the Steelers. Before the merger, the 1947 season was their only postseason appearance. After the merger, they have made 25 postseason appearances accompanied by 8 Super Bowl appearances (losses in Super Bowl XXX to the Cowboys and XLV to the Packers) and 20 division titles.

To prove the Pirates were once a good time, the NBL decided to have a go with them. Two years later, they were no more. And the NBL would try the Raiders. This time, the team would be off to Youngstown, OH and then vanish. The Ironmen would be the next in line. After one season, they were gone.

Before Sidney Crosby, there was Mario Lemieux. And before those two entered the picture, the Pens would make 9 appearances, but never made it to the Conference Semifinals. Once Super Mario arrived in 1984, the team would get better. And in 1991 they won their first title over the North Stars (4-2) and followed that up with another Stanley Cup with a sweep of the Blackhawks. Then came the Sid the Kid for the 2005-06 season. After that the Pens would return to face the Red Wings in back to back years (lost the first championship in 6 games in 2008). Right now, they are in pursuit for their 4th title.

Connie Hawkins and the Pipers were the first ever champions of the ABA. After temporarily relocating to Minneapolis the following season, they would return in hope to recapture their winning ways. Sadly for them they never did. They would change their name to the Condors in their final two years before the ABA pulled the plug on them.

Interesting facts: Companies like Dick's Sporting Goods and Heinz are around Pittsburgh. "Mister" Fred Rogers and Perry Como have once hailed from around the Steel City. According to The Economist, Pittsburgh is most livable city in 2011.