PITTSBURGH (93.7 the Fan) The book is closing on the year of 2021. As we look ahead to what 2022 and the future has to hold for everyone, let's take a look back at some of the best and worst moments in Pittsburgh sports this year.
WORST
Let's start at the bottom; Nowhere to go but up, right?
Pouncy's Snap
In the first play from scrimmage of the Wild Card Game against the hated Cleveland Browns is a snap that sails over Ben Roethlisberger's head and results in a Browns touchdown.
Things quickly went from bad to worst as the first quarter ended with the Browns up 28-0 but it was Maurkice Pouncy's snap that set the stage for the rest of the game.
Just over a month later, Pouncy announced his retirement from the game of football.
Loss of RMU Hockey
Luckily for hockey in Pittsburgh, this is a wrong that has since been righted, but the sting is still there.
On May 26, it was announced by Robert Morris University was cutting their men's and women's hockey programs as a part of a strategic initiative that would boost the school nearing their 100th anniversary.
Outrage ensued, fundraisers were started, and luckily for the RMU and Pittsburgh faithful, beginning in the 2023-24 season, men's and women's NCAA Division I hockey will be back.
Jarry's Pass in OT
As a whole, the Penguins played pretty solid in the 2021 NHL Playoffs, the only player that held them back was goalie Tristan Jarry.
Not ideal for the man who has to keep the puck out of the net to be off of his game.
The dagger was in the second overtime of Game 5 when Jarry collected an errant pass and then gave it directly to Josh Bailey who scored with ease. The Pens would lose the series in six games.
Tying the Winless Lions
A recent one, but one that will play a huge part in the final outcome of the Steelers 2021 season.
No matter the situation of the lineup, when a team like the Lions haven't won a game you are expected to pull out a victory.
The Steelers may not have lost but they didn't beat the Lions who should have been an easy victory, on home turf no less.
Will Craig Doesn't Tag First
It was a rough, 101-loss season for the Pirates this year; We're being told better things are coming in the future, but this mishap from Will Craig defined the 2021 Buccos.
With two outs in the top of the third inning against the Chicago Cubs in May, an easy ground ball from Javier Baez should have sealed the inning; That was until Baez ran back towards home plate.
Craig, who decided not to tag first and seal the inning chased Baez before throwing the ball away allowing Willson Contreras to score.
It's honestly a play you have to see to believe and looked like a little league game.
Best
Now, the fun stuff and the moments we enjoy reminiscing on.
Jon Taglianetti's Assist
Ever see an equipment manager pick up an assist in a hockey game? You have now!
In an April matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers, Sidney Crosby broke his stick on a play; Jon Taglianetti was quick to grab a replacement and hand it off to Crosby in stride.
Crosby broke for the net with his new stick and buried the opening goal of the game.
The Penguins would go on to lose in a shootout, but the uncredited assist was the main takeaway from the match.
Drafting Najee Harris
It was a hot topic the entire NFL offseason leading into the Draft; Who will the Steelers take with their first round pick?
It may still be a contested question, but Najee Harris has already shown to be worth the choice.
Through 15 games in his rookie season, Harris has picked up 984 rushing yards through 268 rushes and sits at nine rushing and receiving touchdowns.
With a pair of games remaining, Harris has good odds of joining a list of rookie running backs to break 1,000 yards on the ground.
The Rise of Oneil Cruz
The main parts of Oneil Cruz's 2021 may not have happened in a Pirates' uniform, but he is a marker on what the future holds for baseball in Pittsburgh.
Cruz spent most of the year in Double-A Altoona where he hit .292 in 62 games; He was called up to Triple-A Indianapolis where he went on a tear.
In six games in Triple-A ball, Cruz crushed five homeruns and a .524 batting average.
Cruz was called up to the MLB for the final two games of the season and he still didn't disappoint; Hitting his first career homer in the MLB.
The Pirates' future is bright and Cruz might be driving the ship.
Kenny Pickett's Fake Slide
A move that literally changed the game of college football; Kenny Pickett faked a slide in the opening drive of the ACC Championship game against Wake Forest.
Pickett and the Panthers would go on to win 45-21 capping off the most successful season in program history.
It was Pickett's fake slide that served as the exclamation point on the season; The NCAA Rules Committee was quick to ban the fake slide.
They may have come short in the Peach Bowl, but Pickett led the Panthers to new heights in 2021 and he will surely find a nice new home in the NFL.
NFL Hall of Fame Induction
Bill Cowher, Troy Polamalu, Donnie Shell, Alan Faneca, Bill Nunn; The list of the 2020 and 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame classes seemed a little Pittsburgh heavy, didn't they?
It was all well deserved as each of those men made an unforgettable impact on the Steelers, and are all names that will be remembered forever; Not just in Pittsburgh, but also in Canton.
Between the players, seven Super Bowls; Cowher winning one himself; Nunn was a scout for all six of the Steelers' Super Bowl victories.
Most years are a year to remember for Pittsburgh sports, we're not the City of Champions for nothing.
More trophies and busts were added to the case and 2021 can serve as a good year in Pittsburgh sport's history.
