Back in business and ain't it grand.

Yes, my dear readers (all 6 of you), I have decided to come out of hibernation to try this thing one more time. I love writing, and I love having a place to get my thoughts out, but often life gets in the way. In the last two months, life has included finals, a trip to Australia, a move to DC, a Stanley Cup win, and a commute from Arlington to Tysons Corner every day. (If you don’t live in DC, I can sum that up by just telling you that it sucks.)

What has been enough to drag me back to dear ol’ Blogger? Well, a chance to tell you once again why Pittsburgh is the greatest city on earth. I’m sure you get tired of me telling you this, but let me show you exhibit #2,340,984: the ESPN Ultimate Team Rankings.

Why, you ask, are these insignificant rankings getting me all excited? Well, for starters, Pittsburgh is the only team represented by two teams in the top 10 – and this is coming from a city that has just three teams total, not eight (New York), six (Los Angeles), or five (Chicago). (Only one of those three cities’ teams cracked the top 10, the Los Angeles Angels at #1.) We may have even had two teams in the top five, if stadium experience wasn’t a factor – I’m sure the Pens’ #103 ranking in that category dragged down their average just a bit. But seeing our two championship teams at #4 (Steelers) and #8 (Penguins) in the overall rankings gave me a big ol’ smile.

It’s proof that good things come to good people. Both teams ranked high in ownership, which is what happens when you have classy folks like the Ambassador Rooney and Sir Lemieux running the show. (Were political/royal titles factored in? Because I think we’d take the cake in that category.) The Pens ranked #3 in fan relations, a terrific feat that has been building since I was buying student rush tickets in high school. Both teams also scored on behalf of their players. Big Ben et al came in at #2, and Sid, Malkin, and the boys were ranked #9.

My main gripes with the standings? How do the Steelers not get #1 in ownership rankings? That went to the Detroit Red Wings, who I can’t see because of the blinding glare of our Stanley Cup. How are the Steelers not part of the three-way tie for #1 in the title track ranking? With two of the last Super Bowls, I refuse to believe they’re not comparable with the LA Angels and St. Louis Cardinals. (Hard to argue with the Wings as the third #1; despite their loss this year, they are still the team to beat in the NHL.) Finally, how do the Carolina Hurricanes rank higher than the Pens in the same category? Last I checked, the Canes’ last Finals appearance was in 2006; the Pens have appeared twice since then with their best players just entering their prime.

Aside from the ‘Burgh’s great showing, what really made me smile was the presence of five NHL teams in the top 10. That’s half, for those of you who don’t remember basic math. To everyone who likes to bash the NHL, I offer you that. So you can show us Phoenix and Tampa Bay. That’s fine, I’ll offer you Oakland and Detroit to counter. There are awful franchises in every league, but while you were complaining about following the puck, some hockey teams went out and figured out how to please the fans.

P.S. We should even be proud of our Pirates – they entered the pool at #6 in stadium experience, despite an embarrassing overall ranking of #94.