How many S1eelers fans were at the stadium? When I was there a few years ago, there were more Steelers fans than Ravens fans.

"A colleague, who shall remain nameless, said upon hearing those numbers that it just shows how there is nothing else to do in Pittsburgh."

Was it really necessary to put that in there? That comment is childish and inaccurate. A couple weeks ago, Baltimore had the higher rating and you said it was because the fans were better. This time, it's the Steelers, who factually have the largest and best fan base in the country, and you insult the city. Furthermore, that insult was completely inaccurate, as there is just as much if not more to do in Pittsburgh than in Baltimore and you don't have to worry about getting robbed, stabbed, or shot like in 90 percent of the areas in Baltimore.

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Ray replies: It's all in fun, folks. As for the ratings, Pittsburgh consistently has among the highest in the league, including better than Baltimore.

Maybe Steelers fans are more rabid than Ravens fans when it comes to football. But, Baltimore doesn't take a backseat to Pittsburgh in crime rate. As a matter of fact, very few cities can compare to Baltimore in murder, rape, theft, and muggings. We're No., 1! Go, Ravens!

Ha-ha, nice way to throw a jab at the city of Pittsburgh! Tell your colleague to get a clue. Name something you can do in Baltimore?! I lived there for four years and the only thing I had a better chance of doing than in Pittsburgh was getting shot! You can't go skiing or watch professional hockey, but you can do both of those in Pittsburgh. Show some respect to the city that had the first professional football game, first night World Series baseball game, first tv and radio broadcast, and the inventor of the emoticon :)

The only thing cool about living in Baltimore is that the Steelers come to town once a year. Well, that and taking a 45 minute drive to a city with sooooo much more to do -- Washington.

You also need to take into account all of the people that have D.C. stations and watched the game on Channel 9.

When I saw the ads that Indy Irsay players would be commenting on our game, I refused to watch the doc. I know people in Indy, and none of them claim the days of the Baltimore Colts as their history. Why not have had Ravens players comment? Another example of the NFL dump on B'more. You can't print my friend's nickname for Tagliabue! I also think original B&W is beautiful not artificial color. The original NFL video is very nice. Baltimore fans should watch that one and boycott ESPN's.

Thanks

Nothing to do there and they knew the ref's would give them the game and so the AFC North title. Thanks again, NFL!

There have NEVER been more Steelers fans than Ravens fans at M&T Bank Stadium.

On Sunday, about 8-10 percent were Steelers fans -- and they were very quiet until 30 seconds left in the game.

Regarding the suggestion that the higher TV ratings for the Steelers-Ravens game "just shows how there is nothing else to do in Pittsburgh." Oh, there is plenty of stuff to do, but nothing can exceed the importance of Steelers football to those folks. A guy would probably duck out of his wedding reception to catch the game on TV. So would his bride.

If Ward had a regret Sunday, it's that he wasn't able to finish a block on Scott late in the third quarter. He peeled back on a Roethlisberger scramble and had Scott lined up for a legal hit only to go over top of him when Scott ducked.

"They put a bounty on me and then he ducks," Ward said, shrugging.

"He saw Hines coming and he was scared!" Holmes crowed from two lockers down.

Not really sure why the TV ratings would be higher in Pittsburgh than Baltimore. Is the fact that Steeltown actually does offer fewer options a factor? Maybe so. Not throwing daggers, just wondering. Maybe the weather forced people inside in Pittsburgh Sunday? I don't know. But I do know that the Ravens fan base is alive and well and growing in Baltimore. Just ask anyone who's on the waiting list for season tickets. As for Pittsburgh people throwing unnecessary barbs at Baltimore, give it a break. Michael Phelps and Kimmie Meissner represented the entire country quite well in the Olympics, which mean a whole lot more than a football game or team. If you think any differently, you're just being foolish. Get with the program.

Ray, any chance the 'Greatest Game' documentary will make it to DVD? I enjoyed it a lot. I had no idea there were so many different camera angles of every play in that game. The analysis of Frank Gifford's disputed first down was a real highlight and should put that question to rest once and for all. Not even Chris Berman and the presence of all the Indy Colts could take away from the total excellence of the program.

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Ray replies: ESPN says it plans to release the documentary on DVD. When ESPN announces the details, I'll be sure to pass the information along in the blog and in the column.

Please stop reminding us about ESPN's offensive documentary on the Greatest Game Ever Played. I almost threw up when I watched the special and I am sure every single Baltimore Colts and Baltimore Ravens fan who watched the program felt that ESPN was wrong to exclude Baltimore Ravens players and include Indianapolis players. Baltimore NFL fans should send George W. Bodenheimer, ESPN president (he works out of the NY office) a letter stating their absolute disgust for the program.

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Ray replies: I know that many people agree with you, but I am also hearing from other Baltimore fans who enjoyed the program.

Tell your well-informed colleague that sometimes we divert from watching the Steelers on television to travel to the opposing stadiums and drown out the home crowds. We also like to go view our five Super Bowl trophies in our spare time, and while we're in the neighborhood of Heinz Field, it's also fun to go to PNC Park and see the World Series trophies from 1971 and 1979.

Umm, I live in Pittsburgh, and he's right. There is less to do here!!!

Has anyone else noticed the Pittsburgh tourism billboard that's on your left as you're heading south on 83 right about at Pleasant Street? Trying to get Baltimoreans to visit/move to Pittsburgh? They must be pretty desperate to buy billboard space here in anti-Steelers country!! Either that or just plain stupid. What a waste of advertising dollars.

Folks,

Baltimore has two NFL championships and two Super Bowls. Pittsburgh has five Super Bowls.

Baltimore has three World Series and Pittsburgh has two.

So, fans, no need to argue about who is historically superior. Plenty of trophies to admire in each city. Both cities have a great tradition in football and baseball and similar roots.

Maybe we're too much alike and that's why we like to talk trash. That's OK by me.

By the way, Pittsburgh has three World Series -- just two it won over Baltimore.
Ray Lewis on the Pro Bowl team is a definite symbol that name recognition plays too big a part.

I think Pittsburgh also out-polls Baltimore in number of women with mustaches.

The Greatest Game Ever Played dvd is now available on Amazon!

http://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Game-Played-Amazon-com-Exclusive/dp/B001NMT8WA/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1229559224&sr=8-10

The Pirates have won five World Series.

Posted by: Steel City Cruiser | December 17, 2008 5:23 PM

I think Pittsburgh also out-polls Baltimore in number of women with mustaches...

....but only by a whisker!

The Pirates have appeared in 7 World Series, and have won 5 of them. The years, opponents, and outcomes were :

1903 - vs. Boston Pilgrims, lost 5 games to 3
1909 - vs. Detroit Tigers, won 4 games to 3
1925 - vs. Washington Senators, won 4 games to 3
1927 - vs. New York Yankees , lost 4 games to 0
1960 - vs. New York Yankees, won 4 games to 3
1971 - vs. Baltimore Orioles, won 4 games to 3
1979 - vs. Baltimore Orioles, won 4 games to 3

Funny thing about the Steelers....it took them 40 years to win their first NFL championship....then they took steroids and were supreme in the '70s ....then they didn't win another Super Bowl till the new millennium. Seems to be there has been lots of down time for Steelers fans other than about 10 years since 1933. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Colts' franchise began in 1954. Only took them five seasons to win their first championship, then they won it again the next year, and again in 1971.
Same with the Ravens. They came to B-more in 1996, and won their first Super Bowl in 2001.Who would YOU rather be rooting for?