Steel Balls

You may have noticed that I love looking back at old newspapers and swimming in the contemporary zeitgeist. One of the joys of this activity is 20-20 hindsight on Steelers history.

I searched for the January 29, 1969 issue of the Pittsburgh Press because this was the day after Chuck Noll was selected by Dan Rooney to be the head coach of the Steelers, and we all know how that turned out. But interestingly, this newspaper issue also turned out to be the one immediately following the NFL draft. Hard to believe, but in those days the draft was held in January just after the Super Bowl. At the current pace, in a few years the draft may be held a week before the start of the season… but I digress.

The paper reported on fan reaction to the drafting of Joe Greene in the first round. I found some of the comments to be oddly familiar.

One guy was incensed that the Steelers bypassed a chance to select Terry Hanratty and instead opted for a no-name defensive lineman. A bus driver commented, “I never heard of him… They had a chance at Hanratty? They didn’t take  him?” The Steelers did take Hanratty in the second round, and we know how that worked out too. Nothing against Terry, but choosing him in the first round would have been popular with the fans but a disaster for the Steelers, particularly after another Terry was chosen with the first pick a year later.

Another commented, “Actually, the way the Steelers are going, I’m not surprised at the pick. I would have liked to see them line up a secondary.”  No word on if this guy’s name is MWalsh. 🙂

A salesman, perhaps named Malsor, added, “Am I surprised? You better believe it. The sports fans here are so sick at heart that I can’t see this move. Oh well, they didn’t get Paterno either.”

An unnamed stockbroker turned out to be perhaps the wisest of this bunch. “Joe Greene must have been rated pretty good. The scouts from the Steelers haven’t been too good, but I got to go with him. They know more than I do.”

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The Steelers’ first ever game (as the Pirates) involved a shellacking by the New York Giants, and resulted in modest coverage in the following day’s Pittsburgh Press with little more than a photo and caption. The Steelers/Pirates lone score was a safety resulting from a blocked punt.

Even the greatest oak begins as a humble acorn.

Pittsburgh Press, September 21, 1933

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I’m tossed up on which two of these photos represent twins separated at birth. Any opinions?

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By special request, the photo in this article has been moved below the fold. If you want to see Johnny in his glory, click the link below. Meanwhile, here is a placeholder:

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San Diego going up in flames…

Update 5:30 PT – the view from my house. This shizzle is getting somewhat serious.

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What happens when a new QB lands in Cleveland?

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What do you think of the Steelers’ picks today? Is there anyone you wish they had picked up? Anyone you wish they had not drafted? Anyone who you knew they wouldn’t, that you believe will be a good pro?

Put it down in the comments. This will make for an interesting look back conversation in a year.

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